Pioneer Valley Theatre News July 30, 2015

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser July 30 – August 19, 2015 Here we are at the 10th edition of the newsletter already! Thanks for all the support you've given this endeavor so far. Please keep sharing to anyone else who might be interested - I'm sure there are lots of events I don't know about yet! I don't have time to search everything out so the newsletter is still by submission only and the idea is to be as inclusive as possible. The next issue will include events through August 26. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com Submit Your Theatre Event MR. BURNS, A Post-Electric Play at New Century Theatre through August 8! THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from The Guardian Here's what happened when we asked audiences to set their own ticket prices by Annabel Turpin From the article: When was the last time you went to a new theatre show you knew nothing about? In a venue you had never been to before? Where you read the blurb, looked at the image and decided to buy a ticket, despite having never heard of the company or the show, or read any reviews of it? (Contributed to Pioneer Valley Theatre News by Seth Lepore) PERFORMANCES TheatreTruck presents THE EMILY DICKINSON PROJECT July 30 - August 2nd, Wednesdays - Sundays, 8pm The Emily Dickinson Museum Homestead, 280 Main St. Amherst, MA " I dwell in possibility..." In her poetry, Dickinson often included lists of carefully selected word variations. Rather than settling on a single meaning, she wrote multiple possibilities. In this production, multiple possibilities of Emily herself are offered, each character a variation of the unique voice that makes up the single persona of the poet. Get to know them as they welcome you as a guest in the poet's own home! The words spoken by The Variations are entirely Dickinson’s, drawn from her personal correspondence and poetry. Each existed in her house, walked the floorboards, loved and danced and worked through the years of her life. In this play, they come together in the space that shared them - her gardens and the Homestead.  A co-production of The Emily Dickinson Museum and TheatreTruck, THE EMILY DICKINSON PROJECT takes place in the poet's home, tracing moments of her life through a journey from room to room.   JOIN US July 15 through August 2, 2015 Reserve your tickets in advance.   Pauline Productions presents 4000 MILES by Amy Herzog July 30 - August 1 at 8:00 PM First Congregational Church, 420 Main Street, Ashfield Starring Jeannine Haas, Theo Gabriel, directed by Toby Vera Bercovici. Leo (Gabriel) a new-style lefty, has just completed a 4000 mile bicycle trip and arrives unannounced at his grandmother's (Haas) Greenwich Village apartment.  "A lovely, insightful play that is as funny as it is touching."- Hartford Examiner. -Winner of three 2012 Obie Awards -Best New American Play Tickets available online. New Century Theatre Presents MR. BURNS, A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY by Anne Washburn Directed by Sam Rush July 30-August 8 Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM, Sunday at 2:00 and 7:30 PM Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Northampton, MA Ben Brantley of the New York Times hails Anne Washburn’s new play,  “Downright brilliant! When was the last time you met a new play that was so smart it made your head spin?”  In a post-apocalyptic world a group of strangers pass the time attempting to retell the infamous CAPE FEARE episode from THE SIMPSONS. Flash forward seven years to a theatre company doing the same thing. Flash forward 75 years to a story told with Homer and Marge as a pop culture inspiration for a new kind of theatre – where one mythology evolves into another. Join us for a play unlike anything you have ever seen – “scary, sweet and funny.” (Time Magazine). Tickets are now available online or by calling 413-585-3220. Ko Festival of Performance presents DAY JOBS, OPERA DREAMS July 31 and August 1 at 8:00 PM, August 2 at 4:00 PM Holden Theater, Amherst College By and about Peking Opera performers who’ve left China to try their luck in the U.S. On arriving in NYC, the truth is stark – not stardom, but work in restaurants and nail salons. Told through a blend of Peking Opera, storytelling and contemporary theater techniques.  Part of the 24th Ko Festival of Performance summer season theme: NEW | HOME | LAND: Strangers, Newcomers & Neighbors in a New America. Tickets available online. KoFest is Western Massachusetts' popular summer experience: 5 weekends of theatrical performances, 2 one-night events, and 3 6-day intensive theater workshops.  On the Amherst College campus. Real Live Theatre presents The Lion & The Clown: A Rumi Lovesong for Beauty & the Beast Saturday, August 1 at 7:00 PM Gateway City Arts, Holyoke MA Real Live Theatre presents a wholly revised version of "The Lion & The Clown: A Rumi Lovesong for Beauty & the Beast" in a one-night-only celebration!   Join us at Gateway City Arts starting at 5pm for food and drink available to purchase from their exquisite Beer Garden menu - mingle with the artists involved in the production and savor the summer.  At 7pm, RLT performs The Lion & The Clown in its new incarnation, ready to launch RLTours (this fall headed to venues in VT, NY, and MA). Follow Sarah (cursed into a lioness) and Faerie (the one who cursed her) as they entangle themselves in the life of a modern American down-on-its-luck circus.  Experience poetry, obscenity, and magic.  Witness the power of choice and the redemptive force of love as felt by a Faerie, a Lioness, a Clown, a Juggler, a Wire Walker, a Ringmaster Lion-Tamer, and the Porter.   Mature Content, Not Intended For Children. $20 general admission, $15 if you really need a cheaper ticket.  More information and tickets online or at the door if still available (door tickets cash/check only). The Majestic Theater presents The Majesters August 5, 12, 29, 26 at 7:00 PM Improv with the Majesters is the new Wednesday night tradition during Majestic summers! Our own troupe of improvisational comics take suggestions and inspiration from the audience each night to create hilarious scenes on the spot. They play improvised games like you've seen on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" And then in the second act, they create a fully-formed musical on the spot. It's a fun evening full of surprise and antic comedy! Every Wednesday is a brand new experience, so come back week after week for a new show each time!    More information online. Ko Festival of Performance presents SERIOUSLY…WHAT DID YOU CALL ME? August 7 and 8 at 8:00 PM, August 9 at 4:00 PM Holden Theater, Amherst College Moss, a beloved storyteller and Valley resident, brings the season home with an autobiographical solo that focuses on her quest to cultivate her own Africentric identity.  Ko Festival of Performance's 24th summer season theme: NEW | HOME | LAND: Strangers, Newcomers & Neighbors in a New America. Tickets available online. KoFest is Western Massachusetts' popular summer experience: 5 weekends of theatrical performances, 2 one-night events, and 3 6-day intensive theater workshops.  On the Amherst College campus. Happier Valley Comedy Show featuring The Ha-Ha's & The Majesters with special guest Joan Holliday from 93.9 The River Saturday, August 8 at 8:00 PM The Arts Block Cafe, Greenfield, MA In this very special Happier Valley Comedy Show, local radio DJ Joan Holliday provides inspiration for the improv comedy at this very special Happier Valley Comedy Show. The audience comes up with a suggestion about a topic, and Joan Holliday will tell a true story based related to that suggestion. Her stories will inspired the madcap antics improvised on the spot by The Ha-Ha's and their special guest performers, THE MAJESTERS, The Majestic Theater's house improv team. Audiences can look forward to a full evening of comic entertainment rated PG-13 in this handicapped-accessible space. For more information about The Happier Valley Comedy Show, visit the show website at www.happiervalley.com. Tickets $10 in advance online or $13 at the door. Doors open at 7pm.  AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES AUDITION: Clue Murder Mystery Dinner Auditions are Thurs Aug 6th and Fri Aug 7th from 12-2 and 4-6 pm.   The location is Lattitude Restaurant at 1338 Memorial Ave West Springfield MA The show date is Thurs Oct 29th. Two shows..the first is 5-7 and the second is 8-10pm.   This is a paid performance at Wistariahurst Museum in Holyoke. TheatreTruck hosts a Meet-and-Greet for The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Community!  August 24 at 5:30 PM The Dirty Truth, 29 Main St.  Northampton, MA We had a great time last month. It's time for round 2! Please help spread the word and add your company members and colleagues to the guest list! A casual night out of chatting and networking. Come grab a drink, say hello, talk up your latest project. We hope to see you there. Easthampton High School is seeking a Director for its annual musical production. Candidate must have experience and knowledge in all aspects of stage and production including technical, choreography, set design, and acting. EHS is a division IV school with approximately 500 students in grades 9-12. This is a stipend, not salaried position. Interested candidates please submit a resume and cover letter to: Mr. Kevin Burke, Principal, Easthampton High School 70 Williston Avenue Easthampton, MA 01027 (413) 529-1585 USHER at New Century Theatre and see a show for FREE! Call 413-585-3220 or email boxoffice@newcenturytheatre.org to sign up. A Message from Laurel Turk about an upcoming project:  Looking for a woman actor, who has had bilateral mastectomy and no reconstruction, for a performance piece entitled "Breastless." I know that’s a pretty specific requirement, but the piece focuses a lot on body image, and the main character has that body type. Singing ability is a plus, but not absolutely necessary. A 45-minute version of the piece will likely be performed at the Double Take Fringe Festival in Greenfield mid-October. If you’re interested, I’d be happy to talk with you more. Contact me: laurelt@crocker.com Looking for Voice Actors ASAP: The development team for Through My Window, a multimedia educational project, is looking to hire voice actors as soon as possible! We are casting the parts of a 14 year-old boy and girl to voice over a series of short videos about cyber-bullying. Applicants must be available in Northampton this summer. If interested, please send an informal email of relevant experience and availability to Emma Martin (esmartin@smith.edu).  WORKSHOPS & LECTURES Crowdfunding for Creatives: A half day workshop How to make your campaign functional, efficient, and streamlined!   Saturday August 1st 10:00 am - 1:00 pm Easthampton Co.Lab 116 Pleasant St. Suite #301 Easthampton, MA 01027   In this 3 hour workshop we’ll go over the ins and outs of effective online fundraising campaigns. The first hour and fifteen minutes is a crash course in fundamentals. The next hour and forty five minutes is hands on crafting of your messaging, content and perk descriptions.   Asking for money to fund your project doesn't have to be anxiety inducing. Getting strategic and understanding your donors is key.   Taught by local performer and educator Seth Lepore   $25. More information and registration online. Summer Storytelling Institute with Rona Levanthal August 7-9 * Three days to luxuriate in learning the art and craft of storytelling * Three days of PLAYING with movement, voice, characterization, story arc and meaning through the lens of improv theatre and movement * Three days to join in community with others who share your passion * Three days of immersing yourself in a calming, beautiful setting, complete with hot tubs and a pool! * Twenty PDP's for Massachusetts Teachers!! WHY BOTHER? To teach and inspire To develop communication skills on many levels To be a better boss To enter into the 21st century of business To be a better public speaker To be more easeful with physicality To grow and learn To be a better teacher, therapist, lawyer, nurse, librarian, artist, actor, activist, person! For more info and Registration: www.ronatales.com/events.html Questions? 413-586-0624 rona@ronatales.com Happier Valley Comedy presents Improv for Scaredy Cats (And Non-Scaredy Cats Too!) Saturday, Aug. 8, 2015, 3:00-5:00pm (two hours) Hadley, MA Does the idea of improvising in front of people scare the dickens out of you? Have you ever watched improv and thought, “I could never do that!” Have you ever watched improv and thought, "Damn, I could do that!"? Do you not give a flying fig about improv comedy but want to become more confident speaking in public, quiet your judgmental mind, and be more mindful in the moment? Are you ready to let go of the idea that improv is hard? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, “Improv for Scaredy Cats (and Non-Scaredy Cats Too)” is the workshop for you. Join Pam Victor in this very gentle, very fun, very easy introduction to the joys of improv comedy. NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! Being funny is not required. Want to stretch your wings for a couple hours and laugh in in the process? Register for “Improv for Scaredy Cats (and Non-Scaredy Cats Too!)” today. Class fee: $25 (Add $1 if you're paying with PayPal) There are a limited amount of student discounts (ages 18+) available upon request. All students receive a $6 OFF coupon for that night’s Happier Valley Comedy Show! *REGISTRATION ACCEPTED BY EMAIL ONLY:info@happiervalley.com Copyright *|CURRENT_YEAR|* *|LIST:COMPANY|*, All rights reserved. *|IFNOT:ARCHIVE_PAGE|* *|LIST:DESCRIPTION|* Our mailing address is: *|HTML:LIST_ADDRESS_HTML|* *|END:IF|* unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences  *|IF:REWARDS|* *|HTML:REWARDS|* *|END:IF|*