Pioneer Valley Theatre News July 9, 2015

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser July 9 – July 29, 2015 This week, we welcome a new feature: this week in theatre news. I'll be including recent articles from various news sources about all things theatre. Our first article comes from HowlRound, an excellent source for and by people who make performance. If you read an interesting article, send it my way! If there is something missing from this newsletter, submit it! The next issue will include events through August 5. 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 Lillian Hellman's classic THE LITTLE FOXES runs through July 11 at New Century Theatre! THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Howl Round Value Set at $200/hour: Money Lab and the Patronage Auction "Every night at Money Lab, we hit what was, for me, the climactic moment of the show—the “patronage” auction. Unlike the other auctions that preceded it, the winner of this auction would not be receiving anything tangible in return. It was an opportunity for one audience member to be a patron for one of the artists who had participated in the evening’s show." (Contributed to Pioneer Valley Theatre News by Seth Lepore!) PERFORMANCES New Century Theatre presents THE LITTLE FOXES by Lillian Hellman Directed by Ed Golden July 9, 10, 11 Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday, Saturday at 8:00 PM Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Northampton, MA The work of one of America’s finest and most provocative dramatists spanned thirty years. Lillian Hellman’s life was filled with sex and scandal.  She lived her life on her own terms – apologetic to no one. THE LITTLE FOXES, perhaps her most produced work, is also steeped in sex and scandal. Set in the deep south at the dawn of the 20th century, the ruthless, moneyed Hubbard family live by the “all is fair in love and war” credo. Penned in 1939, the events in Hellman’s work unfold with the stark inevitability of a Greek tragedy. Tickets are now available online or by calling 413-585-3220. 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 9-11 and 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.   Hampshire Shakespeare Company presents THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR July 9-12, July 15-19 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 CROSSING THE BLVD July 10 and 11 at 8:00 PM, July 12 at 4:00 PM Holden Theater, Amherst College Judith Sloan/EarSay's multimedia vision of the future based on 3 years of oral histories with immigrants in Queens, NY. A celebration of resilient people – in search of home.  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. Happier Valley Comedy presents Happier Valley Comedy Show featuring The Ha-Ha's and The Fourth Wall Saturday, July 11 at 8:00 PM Arts Block Cafe (289 Main St, Greenfield, MA) On the second Saturday of every month, The Happier Valley Comedy Show presents a never-before-seen and never-to-be-seen-again improv comedy show created just for you. And this month features Valley favorites The Ha-Ha's and special guests The Fourth Wall. And you! Because you are the star of THE FOURTH WALL! From the safety of your seats, the audience plays the main character of this fully improvised show. (It's not scary. We promise. You don't have to participate if you don't want to.) The second set brings THE HA-HA'S with special guest Misch Whitaker, who will wow and delight with their improv prowess. Doors open at 7pm. (Come early to get good seats.) Tickets $10 in advance online or $13 at the door Come make The Happy Valley HAPPIER! More info at www.happiervalley.com.  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.   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. 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. 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 Happier Valley Comedy presents Intermediate/Advanced Improviser Workshop: WORDS GET IN THE WAY: SAYING MORE ... WITHOUT SAYING MORE With Misch Whitaker (For Intermediate/Advanced Improvisers) Saturday, July 11  2:00-5pm (3 hours) Hadley, MA Fee: $30 We are all constantly communicating nonverbally through facial expressions, body posture, gestures, eye movement, touch and the use of space. Tap into an awareness of the way you are using your body and bring your choices on stage to a new level of strength - through silence!  We'll play with a variety of techniques designed to boost your nonverbal stage game.  Discover situations when words are necessary, when they're optional, and when you may just want to do away with them altogether! Shhhh! Prerequisite: Participants must have studied/performed improv for two years or longer (college performances included) and/or completed at least one Advanced Zen of Improv session. Participants received a $6 off coupon for that night’s Happier Valley Comedy Show with special guest star Misch Whitaker. About your teacher: Misch Whitaker has been studying and performing improv for over ten years. Past credits include TheaterSports at ImprovBoston(2007); NXT at Improv Asylum(2007-2008);  Improv Asylum Mainstage (2008-2012) and ImprovBoston Mainstage (2013-2014). She currently plays at Catalyst Comedy, one of Boston's fastest growing destinations for independent comedy, where she directs and performs with Boston's Unscripted Musical Project. To register or for more information, email Pam Victor at info@happiervalley.com or go to the website.  KoFest summer workshops are filling up fast - register today if you're planning to sign up! 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. 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 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|*