Pioneer Valley Theatre News July 16, 2015

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser July 16 – August 5, 2015 Finally a few hot days, and there is no denying summer is well underway. New Century Theatre is exactly halfway done with the 25th season - 24 performances down, 24 to go. Don't forget that you can always sign up to usher and see a performance for free.  If there is something missing from this newsletter, submit it! The next issue will include events through August 12. Help me help you spread the word about all the wonderful theatrical events in the Pioneer Valley. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com Submit Your Theatre Event Final weekend to catch THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR at Hampshire Shakespeare Company! THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Business Insider Here's What It Really Costs To Earn A Living As An Actor From the article: "So you want to be an actor — or you're kicking yourself for never having pursued 'the dream.' As a professional actor myself, let me offer my advice… DON'T DO IT. Just kidding! In all reality though, I would encourage anyone to think long and hard before deciding to pursue any artistic endeavor full-time. And if you do, understand that the financial implications are life altering." (Contributed to Pioneer Valley Theatre News by Seth Lepore!) PERFORMANCES New Century Theatre presents LUNA GALE by Rebecca Gilman Directed by Gina Kaufmann July 16-25 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 Rebecca Gilman is one of the most sought after playwrights writing today. She creates engaging and timely stories, captivating audiences and taking them to new and unexpected places. The author of the acclaimed drama SPINNING INTO BUTTER, Ms. Gilman’s newest play concerns Caroline, an overworked social worker who thinks she has a typical case on her hands when assigned two teenaged drug addict parents accused of neglecting their baby. LUNA GALE is powerful story of faith and forgiveness that is called “Smart and absorbing,” by the New York Times. Tickets are now available online or by calling 413-585-3220.   TheatreTruck presents THE EMILY DICKINSON PROJECT July 16th - 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.   Hampshire Shakespeare Company presents THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR July 16-19 at 7:30 PM directed by Josh Platt Massachusetts Center for Renaissance Studies, 650 East Pleasant St., Amherst MA 01002 Come join us for Shakespeare Under the Stars. We encourage everyone to bring a picnic and enjoy the outdoors! Calendar available online. Visit Hampshire Shakespeare online at:  hampshireshakespeare.com on facebook or send an email!  Ko Festival of Performance presents BURQ OFF! July 17 and 18 at 8:00 PM, July 19 at 4:00 PM Holden Theater, Amherst College A show about growing up in London in a conservative Pakistani Muslim home — 21 characters punctuated by fierce Bollywood dance moves and a choice between a burqa and a bikini. Part of Ko Festival of Performance 24th summer season theme: NEW|HOME|LAND: Strangers, Newcomers and 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. Ko Festival of Performance presents METTAWEE RIVER THEATRE CO. July 19 at 8:00 PM Holden Theater, Amherst College OUT OF THE PAST: Celebrating 40 Years of the Mettawee Journey with Mettawee River Theatre Company​.  KoFest annual favorites in their last year of touring. Live music, masks & exquisite puppets - outside under the stars. $9 adults / $7 children under 12. 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. New Century Theatre presents JUNIE B. JONES, THE MUSICAL Book and lyrics by Marcy Heisler, Music by Zina Goldrich, Adapted by Barbara Park from the Junie B. Jones Series of Books Directed by Cate Damon with Musical Direction by Mitch Chakour July 22-25 at 10:30 AM Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts Northampton, MA Hooray! Hooray! NCTKids is bringing everybody's favorite first grader to the stage in this lively musical adaptation of Barbara Park's beloved Junie B. Jones book series. Junie B. (the B. stands for Beatrice only she does not like Beatrice, just B.) sings and dances her way through First Grade with the help of her teacher Mr. Scary, the Cafeteria Lady and friends like Sheldon and Herb and even that tattle- tale, May. Grab your top-secret personal beeswax journal and join us for all the fun of JUNIE B. JONES: THE MUSICAL. Tickets available online or by calling 413-585-3220.   Pauline Productions presents 4000 MILES by Amy Herzog July 22-25 and 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. Ko Festival of Performance presents FROM REFUGEE CAMP TO PROJECT July 24 and 25 at 8:00 PM, July 26 at 4:00 PM Holden Theater, Amherst College Born into a Cambodian family in the aftermath of the Khmer Rouge genocide, Ros finds himself trapped in a ghetto, courted by gangs. A tale of finding salvation in art and self-expression, told through hip-hop dance, traditional Khmer dance, personal narrative and video.  Part of the 24th Ko Festival of Performance summer season theme: NEW | HOME | LAND: Strangers, Newcomers and 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. Ko Festival of Performance presents Story Slam & Party July 26 at 8:00 PM Holden Theater, Amherst College True stories on “FISH OUT OF WATER” – told, perhaps, by you! Visit kofest.com to see how you can participate.  Coaching available!  All tickets $15. CASH BAR & PRIZES!. 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. 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. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES USHER at New Century Theatre and see a show for FREE! Call 413-585-3220 or email boxoffice@newcenturytheatre.org to sign up. The Academy of Music is hiring!  The Academy of Music Theatre seeks a part-time House Manager to join its Front of House team. See the full post and apply online. WORKSHOPS & LECTURES KoFest Workshop:  July 20-25  FIRST PERSON: Crafting Your Story for Performance with Gerard Stropnicky Story can be employed to bring laughter, or tears, or understanding, or lasting social change. Come with a story. Leave with a performance.  6-day KoFest workshop intensives for performers, writers, storytellers, directors, educators, and all those wanting to kickstart their creativity. Past participants have ranged in age from 18 to 80. On the campus of Amherst College​ in Amherst, Massachusetts​. More information available online. KoFest Workshop:  July 27-August 1  ZEN & THE ART OF PERFORMANCE  with Jubilith Moore Zen is the way to a goal, not the goal itself.  The same can be said for performance. For the inter-culturally curious . . . 6-day KoFest workshop intensives for performers, writers, storytellers, directors, educators, and all those wanting to kickstart their creativity. Past participants have ranged in age from 18 to 80. On the campus of Amherst College​ in Amherst, Massachusetts​. More information available online. 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 Two Classes from instructor Toby Vera Bercovici of Real Live Theatre:   Adult Acting Workshop Mondays 6pm - 9pm,  September 21-December 7, North Star, 45 Amherst Road, Sunderland Acting is not about becoming a character, or even about being oneself on stage, but is, in fact, the art of becoming more fully present and open within each moment than one is able to be in ordinary life. Acting students will have the opportunity to perform in and receive coaching on a variety of exercises and scenes, working on, amongst other things, voice, presence, objectives, and authenticity. Excellent for both beginning, intermediate, and advanced practitioners of theatre, as well as for folks looking to deepen the connection between mind and body, self and other.   Acting & Directing Workshop Wednesdays 6pm - 9pm,  September 23-December 9, Northampton Location TBD In this course, we will navigate the extraordinary, intimate relationship that exists between a director and a performer. We will uncover together what language is most effective for communication, as director toward actor, as actor toward director, and as audience toward practitioner. We will explore ensemble-building through different theatrical traditions, learning the wide variety of techniques that exist with which to create a community of engaged actors who feel joy, trust, and agency in the process. We will stretch our creative muscles in myriad ways, learning to tell stories with our bodies, our breath, our voices, elements of time and space, music, props, and text.  "Toby Bercovici is among the very best teachers I’ve ever had because she sees each individual in front of her and knows how to reach him or her specifically...She is an original thinker, a true visionary, as informed by her extraordinary depth of knowledge and training."  -Student in Spring 2015 class Cost for each class is $450. Email reallivetheatre@gmail.com for more info and to reserve a spot! 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|*