Thursday, August 18, 2022

Pioneer Valley Theatre News August 18, 2022

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter
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August 18 - September 7, 2022


Closing weekend for Darcy Parker Bruce's To The Moon and Back at Chester Theatre, and opening weekend for Proof and Ja'Duke. Lots of action at Happier Valley Comedy this weekend as well, and don't miss the new job opportunities listed below - a Technical Director opening at the Academy, scene artist opening at the Majestic, and more. We're also seeking an Assistant Technical Director at Smith this fall - let me know if you would be interested in learning more about that.

The next issue will include events from August 25 - September 14. 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
Join our theatre conservatory this fall for in-person classes. We offer acting programs for ages 6-18, where young people come to grow as artists, leaders, and individuals.
For more information, visit www.dramastudio.org/drama-studio-classes
Amherst Community Theater Auditions for The Little Mermaid
September 9-11 Sign up here.
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

Gathering Momentum: Türkiye’s Independent Theatre in President Erdoğan’s Near-Autocracy
by Verity Healy

From the article: 

TheatreIST, Türkiye’s independent theatre festival, has just had its first year in Istanbul (May 22). It was sponsored by the Tourism Promotion and Development Agency (TGA) and İstanbul Metropolitan Municipality. Ragıp Ertuğrul, a much-loved playwright, director, and critic was the inspiration behind its birth but had to take time away due to a sudden illness. Thus the rest of the organising committee—Handan Salta, Zerrin Yanıkkaya, Nihal Kuyumcu, Hasibe Kalkan and Gökay Genç (who was also the co-founder of Rest Tiyatro with Ertuğrul)—took up the leadership mantel to develop a successful event that included: thirteen performances; talks; panels; invited academics; journalists; and a wide range of festival directors and curators, from Canada to Israel. Sadly, I learned that in July, Ertuğrul unexpectedly passed away, to the deep distress of the theatre community in Türkiye and across the globe. However, it’s not wrong to say that the festival’s inaugural success is and remains a testament to and a celebration of Ertuğrul’s innovative spirit and dedication to the progression of Türkiye’s independent theatre scene.

Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com
PERFORMANCES

New play reading series at The LAVA Center, featuring local playwrights and friends of LAVA
Some Thursdays and Saturdays in August and September; see schedule below
The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., Greenfield

In August and September, The LAVA Center is presenting a series of new play readings by local playwrights and friends of LAVA.

For many of these readings, actors are invited to perform in an unpaid cold reading of the play in a casual atmosphere.

The schedule for the playwrights is as follows:
Thursday, Aug. 18, 5:30 p.m.: Patricia Crosby
Saturday, Aug. 20, 11:30 a.m.: Cheryl Dukes
Thursday, Aug. 25, 5:30 p.m.: Christine Benvenuto
Thursday, Sept. 8, 5:30 p.m.: Alfonso Neal

Actors are invited to jump in on cold readings on Saturday, Aug. 20; and Thursday, Sept. 8.

For more information, visit our website at https://localaccess.org

Chester Theatre Company presents To The Moon and Back
August 18-21

World Premiere

CTC’s season will close with this World Premiere Commission by Darcy Parker Bruce, sponsored by Frances Henry and Walter Korzec. Starring Tara Franklin (Tiny Beautiful Things, On the Exhale) and Raye Birk (Curve of Departure) as a daughter and father with history as murky as the dark side of the moon. Ace alternately maps craters searching for…something, and flips burgers at her day job as she tries to outrun the shadows of the past she shares with her dad, who spends his days watching gameshows from his lawn chair—on the moon. Pauli Pontrelli (I and You, The Aliens, Curve of Departure) returns for their fourth appearance at Town Hall as Ace’s co-worker, RJ.

Tickets
Happier Valley Comedy
HVC’s Fun Fridays: Storytelling Standup Showcase
August 19 at 5:30 PM
Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA)

Watch Happier Valley Comedy talent try out their latest material, laugh together, raise a glass, and support up-and-coming standup comedians. Doors open at 5:30. Showcase starts at 7pm.

More information
Happier Valley Comedy
HVC Presents: Not In Charge!
August 20 at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA)

Join the talented group Not In Charge for a fast-paced improv show inspired by true stories from the cast! Third 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.

More information.
Ja'Duke Theater
"Proof" by David Auburn
8/20 at 7pm, 8/21 at 2:00pm, 8/26 at 7:00pm, 8/27 at 7:00pm, 8/28 at 2:00pm
Ja'Duke Performing Arts Center, Industrial Blvd, Turners Falls MA

"Proof" is a Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning drama, written by David Auburn.  The show explores the grey area between genius and madness, through the relationships of the four characters. It's about loss, love, betrayal and family.

Tickets
Happier Valley Comedy
The Happier Valley Championship
August 27 at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (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: your laughter! Fourth 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.


More information.
Catalyst 22 presents Mira and the Liminal Dimension
August 27 at 7:00 PM and September 3 at 7:00 PM
The LAVA Center, 324 Main St, Greenfield, MA 01301

"I ask you, as we head into the abyss, the in-between place where we tell our story: What is the half-life of human thought and action on a space?"

We invite you to join us for a premiere performance of our play, "Mira and the Liminal Dimension"! This is a collaboratively created show based on the concept of liminal space, and is our own modern mythical tale! The show is a one-act performance with no intermission. We will be performing at the LAVA Center in Greenfield!

Directed by Kevin Van Develde
Devising Company: Steph Reyes, Amanda Bowman, Kelly Tierney, Zee Shepherd, Angie Parker, and Biddy Remick.
Facebook event
MIFA Victory Theatre
Angela Davis, A History of the United States

9/30 at 7:30 PM, 10/1/22 at 7:30PM & 10/2/22 Matinee at 2PM
Rooke Theater, Mount Holyoke College, South Hadley, MA 01075

MIFA Victory Theatre presents French theater company Compagnie L'Héliotrope in "Angela Davis, A History of the United States"

The play, mixing narration, speeches, video, and rap music, tells the story of Angela Davis, American Black activist, professor and author, who faced a turbulent life during the civil rights movement of the ‘60s and ‘70s. Actress Astrid Bayiha alone on stage exudes rage at injustice and discrimination through the power of words and music with the help of musician-composer Balde AliMbaye. Don't miss Astrid Bayiha in Angela Davis' fierce journey!

Face Masks Required
Free parking at Gorse Lot, 27 Morgan St., South Hadley, MA.

Show Dates/Times:

Friday, September 30, 2022, at 7:30 pm - In French with English supertitles, FREE Student Performance (Student I.D. Required unless under age 13), Non-Student General Admission $20

Saturday, October 1, 2022, at  7:30 pm  - In English with French supertitles
General Admission $20, Students $15

Sunday, October 2, 2022, at 2:00 pm Matinee - In English with French supertitles
General Admission $20, Students $15

https://www.mifafestival.org/events
AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
The Academy of Music Theatre, an 816-seat historic performing arts venue in the lovely New England college town of Northampton, Massachusetts, seeks a full-time Technical Director. Responsibilities include organizing all technical aspects of performances and supervision of union stage crews. Knowledge of sound, lighting, set installations and rigging systems plus excellent communication and organizational skills required. A qualified candidate will have a minimum of a BA or BFA in technical theatre or equivalent with professional experience. Applications must be received by August 29th.  Send résumé to: djanthony@aomtheatre.com For a full job description, please email djanthony@aomtheatre.com.
 
The Academy of Music Theatre provides live performing arts year-round: dance, theater, music, spoken word and multimedia. In addition, we provide educational programs year-round with one fully staged musical theater youth production. We serve over 62,000 patrons and are a destination site for visitors from the Connecticut Valley and New York City areas. We offer on average 130 performances annually.
 
The salary is $56-58K.
Scenic Artist/Painter – MAJESTIC THEATER
131 Elm St West Springfield, MA 01089
About the Company
The Majestic Theater has been bringing locally-produced live, professional theater to the Pioneer Valley since 1997. Every season at the Majestic consists of five productions, including at least one musical, which typically run for six weeks. In addition to the subscription season, the summer includes children's theater, concerts, plays, improvisational comedy shows, and more.
Job Description
The Scenic Artist works closely with the Scenic Designer in accomplishing all texture and painted effects of a production.  The scenic artist will oversee painting crews as needed.  Candidate should have a working knowledge of painting techniques such as marbling, wood grain, etc., and understand paint mixing and stenciling.   Experience in a professional or collegiate theatrical shop would be helpful.
Work schedule based upon productions: five season productions (August – April), children’s theater (May – June), additional productions as scheduled.

Hourly compensation based upon experience.  
Hourly range $20 to $25.  Benefits to be determined.

Interested applicants should email sue@majestictheater.com with cover letter and current professional resume.
LAVA Center Greenfield
Play Reading Series at LAVA Center, Greenfield
August 25 at 5:30 PM

Seeking two actors of color in their 20s or so for a cold reading of a play in progress at LAVA, one male for a small role, one female for a lead role. Come give it a try! Thanks!
Ja'Duke Theater
Little Shop of Horrors Auditions
August 29 at 7pm
Ja'Duke Theater

The meek floral assistant Seymour Krelborn stumbles across a new breed of plant he names "Audrey II" - after his coworker crush. This foul-mouthed, R&B-singing carnivore promises unending fame and fortune to the down and out Krelborn as long as he keeps feeding it, BLOOD. Over time, though, Seymour discovers Audrey II's out of this world origins and intent towards global domination!

Rating: PG-13
Run Time: 2 Hours and 15 Minutes (one intermission)
More information.
the Drama Studio Open House
August 30th at 6 pm, for ages 6-8 and August 31st at 6 pm for ages 9-18
41 OAKLAND STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA, 01108

Join us for our 2022 Open House to learn about our acting classes and Conservatory program!

Come and visit the Drama Studio on Tuesday, August 30th, at 6 pm for ages 6-8, and on Wednesday, August 31st, at 6 pm for ages 9-18.

Register here.
WAM Theatre is seeking a part-time (10-20/hrs a week) Company Administrator to support WAM’s daily admin activities and programming. This administrator will provide clerical and administrative oversight in order to optimize workflow procedures for WAM’s arts-activism mission.  Interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter with the subject heading “WAM Company Administrator” to kristen@wamtheatre.com by August 21, 2022.  A detailed job description can be found HERE
Amherst Community Theater
Auditions for The Little Mermaid

9/9 beginning at 6 PM, 9/10 beginning at 10 AM, 9/11 beginning at 10 AM
Bangs Community Center, Amherst

AUDITIONS are almost here for Amherst Community Theater’s production of Disney’s The Little Mermaid! 9 performances in the 600-seat UMass Bowker Auditorium, January, 2023. Irresistible songs, lavish sets and costumes, and a full live orchestra. Actors, singers, and dancers ages 7-107 are encouraged to audition! For more info, including character descriptions, audition music, and readings, visit www.amherstacts.org/auditions or contact producer@amherstacts.org.

Facebook event
Grant Application Opens: August 1st, 2022
Grant Application Closes: September 16th, 2022, at 11:59 pm EST

Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts 

Flexible Funding

We are excited to announce 2022’s round of Flexible Funding, which will provide general operating support to nonprofits that benefit our region.

As part of the Foundation’s strategic vision, preference will be given to organizations, who missions are in the following areas:

  • Diversity, equity and inclusion in workplaces and institutions, prioritizing racial equity.
  • A strong start for all children though high-quality early education and care.
  • Accessible and more affordable post-secondary education and training, providing pathways to completion and employment.
  • A vibrant and local arts and creativity ecosystem to support self-expression, economic vitality and connection.

Preference will also be given to organizations where leadership is racially diverse.

Learn More Here https://communityfoundation.org/nonprofits/flexible-funding-cfwm

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Anyone who organizes or attends auditions or is involved in casting for the theatre, is recommended to take 30 minutes to listen to this conversation between casting director Victor Vazquez and dramaturg/performer Tatiana Godfrey.  Part of WAM Theatre's Spotlight Series, they talk about some of the problems that we run into in the traditional casting process, especially in terms of racial or gender stereotyping, and some of the opportunities and suggestions he has for better ways of placing actors in roles. 

https://www.wamtheatre.com/spotlight-series-with-casting-director-victor-vazquez/

A Very Special Writing Workshop 

with Serious Play Alum Claire Titelman

Dates: 
Saturday September 24th and Sunday September 25th

Place:  
Blue Barn at Bramble Hill Farm, 593 South Pleasant St, Amherst MA

Time: 
11am-4pm each day, which includes an hour long lunch break on the farm; (bring your own lunch & cold drink) water bottles available.

Price: $175

More info: 

Email Claire Titeman at claireprompts@gmail.com to see if there's a spot left and she will give you info on payment, etc. Limited enrollment. 

Feel free to reach out with any questions!

Covid protocol:  The class will be masked and you must be able to show proof of vaccination.

About the class:
This is a playful and challenging class with weekly exercises and writing prompts that run the gamut from surreal to straightforward, from very deep to very dumb. They will encourage you to get out of your head, delve into your unconscious, and develop your authentic voice, leading to vulnerable, funny, fierce, strange, and surprising work! Each week, we’ll subvert elements of memoir, theater, fiction, and other genres to help inspire creativity-- all with a curriculum that’s designed for artists of all kinds: writers, comedians, performers, filmmakers, visual artists, and non-artists interested in exploring creative expression. Dropouts, shut-ins and people picked last in gym class are welcome!*

*Jocks, geniuses and the well-adjusted also welcome. This is an inclusive class. 

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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