Saturday, May 28, 2022

Pioneer Valley Theatre News May 26, 2022

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter
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May 26 - June 15, 2022


This issue marks SEVEN YEARS of PVTN! Thank you so much for reading this newsletter and for supporting local theatre! If you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc. my inbox is always open. Share this newsletter with your theatre loving friends!

The next issue will include events from June 2 - 22. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before Tuesday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com

Submit Your Theatre Event
YOUR EVENT HERE
$5 per week for your poster and ticket link in top billing!
Email me to reserve your dates.
Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Google Calendar
Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Personnel Spreadsheet
THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS:
from Howlround

Humanizing Homelessness: An Interview with Lisa Hoelscher of Gathering Ground Theatre
by Anna Rogelio Joaquin and Lisa Hoelscher

From the article: 

Emerging from grassroots efforts to decriminalize homelessness in Austin, Texas, Gathering Ground Theatre is a company of people with lived experiences of homelessness and allies. Through Theatre of the Oppressed techniques and sustained collaboration with local organizers, Gathering Ground Theatre aims to influence public opinion, local legislation, and electoral outcomes. The group envisions a world in which homeless residents experience the same compassion as those who are housed. Lisa Hoelscher began collaborating with Gathering Ground Theatre as an ensemble member in 2019, and Anna Rogelio Joaquin came to the group as an artist-organizer later that year. Lisa and Anna currently serve as an outreach specialist and director of communications, respectively, though the group primarily operates as a collective.

Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
PERFORMANCES
9 TO 5 WORKS ITS MAGIC ON MAJESTIC THEATER STAGE
MAY 26 - 29
Musical is Based on Iconic 1980 Film with Music and Lyrics by Dolly Parton
 
9 to 5, the musical based on the beloved 1980 film that featured Dolly Parton, Jane Fonda and Lily Tomlin as three unlikely friends who bond over their frustrating jobs, will be staged at the Majestic Theater April 14 – May 29.
 
The story focuses on Violet, Doralee and Judy, whose boss, Franklin Hart, Jr., is president of their company, as well as a domineering and lecherous man.  A fantasized poisoning has him threatening to call the police on the women, but they turn the tables on him, tie him up and kidnap him.  Back at work, they institute changes under Hart’s name, but also discover some “creative accounting” practices.  Hart escapes and returns to work ready to take over when the company’s CEO arrives, is impressed by the changes, promotes Violet and ships Hart off to manage the company branch in Bolivia.  The play 9 to 5 was written by Dolly Parton and Patricia Resnick
 
The cast of 9 to 5 includes Crystin Gilmore (Violet), Kaytlyn Vandeloecht (Dora Lee), Mollie Posnick (Judy), Joe Casey (Hart), Kait Rankins (Roz), and Chris Rojas (Joe).  Danny Eaton is producing director, Sue Dziura is associate producing director/assistant stage manager and Rand Foerster is directing the musical.  The music director is Mitch Chakour and Stephen Petit is production stage manager.  The set design is by Greg Trochlil, costumes are designed by Dawn McKay, and Doug Wallace is sound designer. Choreography is by Stacy Ashley.
 
Tickets to 9 to 5 and Betty & the Patch range from $31 - $37 and are available for sale at the Majestic’s box office Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm; or on the phone at (413) 747-7797.  

On May 27 – June 12, we will hold an Outdoor Festival that highlights DE’s partnerships:

Larry Spotted Crow Mann’s Freedom In Season (Ashfield, MA)
Co-produced by Double Edge Theatre and Ohketeau Cultural Center
May 27 – 29 at 7pm

The Hinterlands’ Will You Miss Me? (Detroit, MI)
June 3 – 5 at 7pm

Apollo Theater and National Black Theatre's
In The Name Of The Mother Tree 
A project of Jupiter Performance Studio (Harlem, NY)
Developed in Residency at Double Edge Theatre
Originally Commissioned by the Apollo Theater. Support to develop this work has been provided by Mercury Store, The Shed, Network of Ensemble Theaters, Hi-Arts, NYSCA, and a National Theater Project artist development grant.
June 8 – 12 at 7pm

Learn more about the performances
 
Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc.
Starlight Spectacular musical celebration
May 28 at 1:00 PM
Academy of Music

Fifteen years ago, Starlight’s Youth Theatre presented their first musical, Wizard of Oz.  We now invite you to join us, as alumni and current students alike, present to you some of their favorite songs from Wizard of Oz, Oliver, Annie, Les Miserable, Mary Poppins, Bye Bye Birdie, Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Starlight Express and so many more.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW!
The Happier Valley Championship! 
May 28th at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA)   

In this competitive comedy show, two teams of improvisers face off through scenes and games to see who can win the ultimate prize: an old trophy we found in someone's attic. Saturday, May 28th at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door.
For more info: https://www.happiervalley.com/championship.html
Wild Mushrooms: Aging With Art
6/4/22 at 8:00 PM, 6/5/22 at 4:00 PM
Northampton Center for the Arts

The Wild Mushrooms are a collaborative of 5 women artists who are continuing to make art as they age. Ellen Wittlinger, a playwright, will present a short play, "Four Daughters," Madelyn Farr is a dancer who studies Egyptian dance, Susan Waltner is a choreographer/dancer presenting a piece including 4 other dancers, Lilin Tseng is a visual artist who has written and produced an animated film, and Carol Abbe Smith is a jazz singer. Following the program, the audience is invited to stay for a post-show discussion with the Wild Mushroom artists on aging and creativity that will be facilitated by Sabrina Hamilton, Artistic Director of the Ko Festival of Performance. The project is part of the Technical/Administrative/Organizational Development program of the Ko Festival of performance. The program is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Northampton Arts Council.

http://agingwithart.com
Happier Valley Comedy
The Understudies: An Improvised Musical
June 4 at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA)

Be part of the fun as these brave improvisers and their trusty musician create an entire musical from scratch. First Saturday of every month at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door.
For more info: www.happiervalley.com.
BETTY & THE PATCH ONSTAGE AT MAJESTIC THEATER JUNE 9 THROUGH JULY 24
 
The Majestic Theater will present the debut of Betty & The Patch, a new contemporary comedy/drama by Producing Director Danny Eaton June 9 through July 24.
 
The play is set at The Patch, one of those local destination restaurants with the reputation of good and plentiful food along with a kind of privacy which makes it ideal for intimate get togethers. It’s been run by Betty Borelli for years but a recent kitchen fire has forced a shut down. Determined to reopen, Betty has recruited her daughter Cristina, a successful attorney, to come home and help. But that’s not the only reason — she has had recent health issues and Betty wants Cristina and chef Bobo Henderson to ensure the restaurant’s future. There are family secrets as well that need to be finally revealed, and recent visits from past friends have added to the urgency. Will Cristina stay? Will Bobo finally let Cristina know he’s in love with her? And just who is Cristina’s father?
 
The cast of Betty & The Patch includes Christine Anthony (Betty), Katie Mack (Cristina), Issa Best (Bobo), Brad Shepard (Joey), Michael Morales (Michael), J. T. Waite (Andy), Linda Storms (Betty understudy), Valerie Vaile (Cristinas understudy), Joel Gladu (Bobo understudy), Rick Malone (Andy/Joey understudy) and Liam Toner (Michael understudy). 
 
Eaton will direct the play.  Associate Producing Director/Stage Manager is Sue Dziura, and Stephen Petit is production stage manager.  Set design is by Greg Trochlil, and Dawn McKay is costumer designer.  Daniel D. Rist is lighting designer.
 
In accordance with regulations from the Actors' Equity Association, an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance, the Majestic Theater requires all attendees to wear masks at all times (except when eating and drinking), to be fully vaccinated against COVID, and to present their vaccination card (or a photo or other proof of it, on their cell phone) upon arrival.  At this time, no food or drink may be brought into the theater, and needs to be consumed in the Majestic Café.
 
Tickets to Betty & The Patch range from $31 - $35 and are available for sale at the Majestic’s box office Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm; or on the phone at (413) 747-7797.  
Happier Valley Comedy
2nd Saturdays Presents: Longform Improvisation
June 11 at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA)

A cast of experienced improvisers dive into a variety of formats based on audience suggestions. Second Saturday of every month at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door.
For more info: www.happiervalley.com.
AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
The Performance Project is looking to hire a Managing Director. This position will focus on the administrative aspects of the organizational well being, including but not limited to overseeing communications, organizational systems, budgets and finances, development and grant writing, marketing and outreach, staff coordination, board development and communications. The Managing Director will actively partner with the organization's co-directors to support the vision, mission and work of TPP.

More information
SILVERTHORNE THEATER TO HOLD AUDITIONS FOR FALL SHOW
 
Silverthorne Theater Company announced today that open auditions for its 2022-23 Season opener, Lauren Gunderson’s The Taming, will be held June 10-12 at the LAVA Center, 324 Main Street, Greenfield.  
 
Audition slots are available for Friday, June 10, from 6-8 pm; or Saturday, June 11, from 9:30-11:30 am. Callbacks will be held on Sunday, June 12, from 1-3 pm. Auditioners should submit recent headshots and current resumes to silverthornetheater@gmail.com. Video submissions will be considered if received by June 10, but anyone submitting a video would need to be available for the Sunday callbacks. Proof of vaccination against Covid-19 is required for all auditioners. Call 413-7678-7514 for more details.
 
Director Mary Corinne Miller is a theater-maker, educator, and arts administrator based in the Pioneer Valley. She has worked with numerous professional theater companies in New York City and throughout Western Massachusetts including The Player’s Theater, The Children’s Theater Company, TADA! Theater, Shakespeare and Company, New Century Theater, and Barrington Stage Company.
 
The Play:
The Taming by Lauren Gunderson is a raucous, all-female political comedy inspired by Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. When two political opponents wake up to discover themselves locked in a hotel room with a beauty queen hell-bent on revolutionizing the American government, they are forced to face the vast political divide in order to find a way to save both themselves and our great democracy. Born out of frustration over the partisan grid-lock holding our country hostage, this play tackles the role of women in contemporary American government, the vision and biases of the founding fathers, feminism and beauty pageants, political extremism, Liberal angst and the GOP, through the startling humor of three wildly different, and richly developed women who might just be political geniuses.
 
Settings:
The present, Georgia, at the hotel hosting the Miss Georgia Pageant.
July, 1787, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.
 
Cast:
The cast is comprised of three roles, with each role portraying two to three characters. All roles are described as being in their 20s-30s and female-identifying. As per the playwright: “Actors need not be white”. Actors of all races, ethnicities, abilities, genders, ages and political leanings are strongly encouraged to audition.
 
KATHERINE- A southern belle and determined pageant winner. Also plays George and Martha Washington in 1787 as well as Dolley Madison.
 
PATRICIA- A conservative aide to Georgia’s Senator Peter Baxter. Also plays James Madison in 1787.
 
BIANCA- A liberal southern hipster activist. Also plays a sweet southern good-girl intern, and Charles Pickney in 1787.
 
For the auditions, actors may choose to:
Read from sides provided
OR
Perform a 1-2 minute contemporary comedic monologue of their choosing
 
Actors are also strongly encouraged to demonstrate a non-musical talent (such as a magic trick, telling jokes, flexibility/ yoga, gymnastics, juggling, baton-twirling, tap-dancing, hip-hop, etc.)
the Drama Studio
OPEN HOUSE
June 14th and June 15th at 6 pm
41 OAKLAND STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA, 01108

Join us for our 2022 on-site Open House to learn about our acting classes and Conservatory program! Come and visit the Drama Studio on Tuesday, June 14th, at 6 pm for ages 6-8, and Wednesday, June 15th, at 6 pm for ages 9-18.

To R.S.V.P. for the Open House, click here.

*Please note, all participants must be masked.

Majestic Theater 25th Season Auditions

Equity Principal Auditions 6/27 & 6/28 10AM-6PM

Non-Equity and Equity drop-ins 6/29-7/1 6-10PM, 7/2 12-3PM

Call (413) 747-7797 to make an appointment

Casting for:

MAMMA MIA
Music & Lyrics by Benny Anderson & Bjorn Ulvaeus Book by Catherine Johnson Directed by Danny Eaton

LOVE, MILLY & MURRAY
By T. Emerson Directed by Sheila Siraguisa

NATIVE GARDENS
By Karen Zacarias Directed by James Warwick

THE GLASS MENAGERIE
By Tennessee Williams Directed by Rand Foerster

BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY
By Alan James Directed by Danny Eaton


More details about which roles are available here.

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Happier Valley Comedy
Stand Up! Comedy Writing Workshop
June 11 at 11:00 AM
Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA)

Stand-up comedy has the power to heal and renew, validate shared experiences, counterbalance bigotry, and reach people who would otherwise be unwilling to listen. In this three-and-a-half hour workshop, you'll learn how to be a stand-up comedian from Kim DeShields, a popular, local stand-up comedian with decades of experience. Kim leads you in an exploration of how to identify potential material, how to turn life experiences into jokes and make simple observations funny. You'll learn ease, flow, and stage presence to develop your own personal comedy style or persona. We'll also discuss how to control hecklers and other distractions during a performance. Then you’ll have time in class to write your very own short stand-up set. By the end of the workshop, you’ll perform for the class and get expert feedback on your set from Kim!


More information.
Drama Studio Summer Programs
July 5th, 2022 - August 19th, 2022
41 OAKLAND STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA, 01108

The Drama Studio is a unique community where young people grow as artists, leaders, and individuals. Now offering a variety of onsite acting and theater programs in a safe environment, including Stories on Stage, where students will prepare an entire production of Story Theatre and Improv for younger audiences, including a literacy video. In TeenScene: SummerFest teens will present a fully produced festival of One Acts. Other programs include Acting Up: Summer Fun Stories, SummerSlam: Improv Week, and Island Improv, Scenes and Myths. No prior acting experience is required. Summer enrollment now open! Space is limited.

https://dramastudio.org/summer-programs
Hampshire Shakespeare Company presents
Educational Theater Workshops
July 11-15, July 21-29, Aug 1-5
Northampton Center for the Arts

Fun and educational week-long theater programs for kids ages 7-15 run by local professionals.

https://hampshireshakespeare.com/
Enrollment Opens Monday for PIC's First
Youth Program
 
WHAT: This 2-week summer program, led by arts educators Kit Marshall and Felicia Sloin, will invite participants to explore their creativity through art, music, yoga, drumming, dance, and improvisation. The program will culminate in a celebratory sharing for friends and family. 
We are very excited to be presenting our first ever youth programming with CREATIVE JOURNEYS - formerly a program of Valley Performance Playground-  this summer!

WHO: Ages 7-11 (limited to 14 participants)
WHERE: Lander Grinspoon Academy, 257 Prospect St., Northampton
WHEN: August 1-5, 8-12, 9am-3pm
COST: $625 for 2 weeks

Registration opens Monday, March 7th and will be limited to 14 participants. So register early to reserve your spot!

Learn More Here
Yoga Sanctuary
Play Practice: Exploring Yoga & Theatre
Summer Program for Kids
8/1–8/5 (Monday–Friday), 9–2 pm
Yoga Sanctuary, Thornes Marketplace (Third Floor)

Join us for a fabulous week of daily yoga practice and theatre-making, as we use our bodies, breath, and voices to develop skills for acting and storytelling. Every day will include yoga techniques, theatre games, and creative exercises designed to unleash each student's unique expression, as well as foster dynamic group creation. Plus, all the summer fun of daily outdoors time and a special day spent walking and swimming in our beautiful local nature! On the last day, we'll host a sharing at 1pm for families to get a peak at what the students have been practicing this week.

Play Practice is open to students ages 10-13 of all experience levels (including no previous experience) and all physical abilities—yoga and theatre are for every body! Reach out to us with any questions.

More information.

Play Practice is led by Ellen Morbyrne, a local teacher and parent with over 20 years of experience as both a theatre-maker and a yoga practitioner. Ellen has been teaching and directing theatre at North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens since 2003, has taught theatre locally at high schools and homeschool co-ops and at the Drama Studio, and has been teaching yoga to folks of all ages since 2009. She is the cofounder of Real Live Theatre and teaches weekly yoga classes here at Yoga Sanctuary.

Cost: $325/child (regular price); $400/child (pay-it-forward price; help us offer a scholarship to another child!)
Submit your workshop, class, audition, performance, or any other theatre opportunity here!
Pioneer Valley Theatre Companies
Academy of Music Theatre

Amherst Community Theater

Arena Civic Theatre

A.C.T. Youth Theatre

Black Cat Theater

Chester Theatre Company

CitySpace

Cold Spring Community Theatre

Completely Ridiculous Productions

Drama Studio

Double Edge Theatre

Eggtooth Productions

Exit 7 Players

Ghost Light Theater

Greenfield Community College's Theater Department

Hampshire Shakespeare Company

Happier Valley Comedy

Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center

Ja'Duke Center for the Performing Arts

K and E Theater Group

Ko Theater Works/Ko Festival of Performance

Majestic Theater

Mount Holyoke College Rooke Theatre

No Theater

Northampton Community Arts Trust

Northampton Playwrights Lab
PaintBox Theatre

Panopera

Pauline Productions

Performance Project

Phantom Sheep Players

Play Incubation Collective

Real Live Theatre

Red Thread Theater

Royal Frog Ballet

Serious Play Theatre Ensemble

Shakespeare Stage

Shea Theater Arts Center

Silverthorne Theater

Smith College Department of Theatre

St. Michael's Players

Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc.

Strident Theatre

Theater Between Addresses

TheatreTruck

Turbulent Times Theater

UMass Department of Theater

UMass Theatre Guild

Unity House Players

Valley Light Opera

Ware Community Theatre

Westfield Theatre Group

Wilbraham United Players

World and Eye
Want to know even more about events in the Pioneer Valley and beyond,
including reviews, interviews, and previews?
Pioneer Valley Theatre Google Calendar
In the Spotlight, Inc.

Berkshire on Stage
Stagestruck
ArtsBeat TV/Radio and News Column
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