Pioneer Valley Theatre News October 8, 2015

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser   October 8 - 28, 2015 This is Issue #20! Wow!  Thanks to everyone who has submitted, subscribed, or read the newsletter in the last few months. There are more great events coming up this month - make sure you read all the way to the end!  If you are looking forward to Live Art Magazine as much as I am, check out the preview podcast at NEPR. There will be a couple more episodes as the event approaches! The next issue will include events through November 4. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before next Tuesday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com Submit Your Theatre Event Get your tickets today for LIVE ART MAGAZINE ISSUE #3! THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Fast Company Why You Should Hire An Artist As Your Next Business Consultant by Leah Lamb From the article: It's easy to put artists in the box of "whimsical creatures that live outside societal norms," so why would business leaders turn to them for guidance and insight about how to make their organizations more profitable and run more efficiently? Turns out, the leaders in companies such as Capital One, GAP, GE, Mozilla, MTV, and Coca-Cola have done just that, turning to the artist-consultants of Another Limited Rebellion and K-Hole to help solve their innovation and branding problems. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES The Majestic Theatre presents A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE  by Tennessee Williams October 8 - 18, 2015 Wednesday - Sunday The Majestic Theatre, West Springfield   Streetcar not only one the Pulitzer Prize for Drama 1948, but more than any other play ushered in a new dramatic naturalism to the stage. "The Method", as it became known, woudl revolutionize American Theater forever. Blanche DuBois, fragile and penniless and having lost the family home, once a large plantation, to creditors, finds herself in the French Quarter of New Orleans and under the roof of her sister, Stella, and her husband, Stanley Kowalski. She finds Stanley "common" but strikes up a relationship with Mitch, one of his poker buddies, until old truths are forced into the open. A Streetcar Named Desire is our first Tennessee Williams production at the Majestic — you won't want to miss it! More information at tickets available online or call (413) 747-7797. The Comical Mystery Tour presents Murder Mystery Dinner Theater Fundraiser Friday, October 9, 6:00 PM St Rose De Lima Church, Chicopee MA A hilarious interactive show called An Unconventional Murder, with great food for a great cause. Just $25.00 per person including the show and dinner. Call 413 538 8074 or 413 331 3026 for ticket info. Theatre Guild of Hampden presents DOUBT, A PARABLE by John Patrick Shanley The Greenhouse Theater 2 Somers Road Hampden MA October 9 and 10 at 7:30 PM, October  11 at 2:00 PM Set against the backdrop of a Bronx Catholic school in 1964, Doubt is the story of a strong-minded woman faced with a difficult decision. Should she voice concerns about one of her male colleagues…even if she’s not entirely certain of the truth? The acclaimed production of this new play, which won prolific writer John Patrick Shanley the Tony Award for Best Play, moved from its off-Broadway home at Manhattan Theatre Club to Broadway’s Walter Kerr Theatre. Ben Brantley of The New York Times raves that the show is, “sharp, subtle and superb.” There’s no doubt–this play is sure to be a hit and a must-see for any theater lover. More information online. Ja'Duke presents INTO THE WOODS Frontier Regional High School October 9 and 10 at 7pm,  October 11 at 2pm Into the Woods is a modern twist on the beloved Brothers Grimm fairy tales in a musical format that follows the classic tales of Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel - all tied together by an original story involving a baker and his wife, their wish to begin a family and their interaction with the witch who has put a curse on them.   Tickets available online. Happier Valley Comedy Show:  SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED Saturday, October 10 at 8:00 PM Arts Block Cafe (289 Main St., Greenfield) What happens when you put one theater actor following the script line by line in a scene with one improviser who has no idea what the script is and has to make everything up as it goes along? You get SCRIPTED/UNSCRIPTED! We've got a fantastic line up of highly respected Valley stage actors paired with the Valley's best and brightest improvisers to create this very popular show that is sure to make your holiday weekend into a HA-HA!-liday weekend! 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. Tickets $10 in advance online and $13 at the door. Smith College Department of Theatre New Playreading Series presents ALWAYS PLENTY OF LIGHT AT THE STARLIGHT ALL-NIGHT DINER Written and directed by Darcy Parker Bruce MFA '16 Thursday, October 15 at 7:30 PM Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre A SUPER queer time travel adventure. With Dinosaurs. A cross between Jurassic Park, Back to the Future, and Fried Green Tomatoes. Free and open to the public     Eggtooth Productions presents The Double Take Fringe Festival Friday and Saturday, October 16 and 17 beginning at 6:00 PM Various venues in Downtown Greenfield 8 short shows in 8 sweet venues, all in walking distance in downtown Greenfield. Everything you ever dreamed of in a weekend of theater, and 20 bucks gets you into everything! Tickets available online. More information on their website. Eggtooth Productions' Double Take Fringe Festival presents INNOCENT KIND OF LOVE written by Rachel F. Hirsch and directed by Kathryn B. McNall October 16 and 17 at 6:00 PM and 8:00 PM Wheelhouse in the ArtsBlock Building at 289 Main Street, Greenfield, MA Do we choose love or does love choose us? Dale Johnston, a lonely, middle-aged restaurant manager in a small Alabama town has his world turned on its head when his dream girl comes to work for him. But for Dale, perhaps dream and nightmare are one in the same. Is society placing unnecessary obstacles in Dale's way, or does he simply have a skewed view of reality? Playing four performances on October 16th and 17th at 6:00pm and 8:00pm both evenings. Festival tickets can be purchased online. Facebook event here. The Theatre Department at Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School presents THE SEVEN WHITE MASKS OF SCARAMOUCHE JONES PVPA, South Hadley, MA October 16 and 17 at 7:00 PM A one person show written by Justin Butcher and performed by Jaz Blain that tells the life story of a 100 year old clown Scaramouche providing a frightening and delightful perspective on the world in the 20th century. Tickets are priced at $7/$5/$3. Unapologetic: a collection of narratives Studio Theatre, Emily Dickinson Hall, Hampshire College Oct 16-18, 22-24 at 8:00 PM   Unapologetic is a collection of women-centric pieces. This series of works will present several different narratives performed in the same space. What does feminist theatre mean to the individuals who experience it? What conversations are created post performance when one person considers a piece to be feminist and another does not? How can one space support three different narratives without claiming a universal experience? Featuring: Marisol by Jose Rivera, Haiku by Katherine Snodgrass, and selections from 365 Days/365 Plays by Suzan Lori Parks. Ghost Light Theater presents Evil Dead: The Musical October 16, 17, 23, 24, 30, 31 at 8:00 PM Shea Theater in Turners Falls 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376 Evil Dead: The Musical unearths the old familiar story, [where] boy and friends take a weekend getaway at abandoned cabin, boy expects to get lucky, boy unleashes ancient evil spirit, friends turn into Candarian Demons, boy fights until dawn to survive. Based on the cult classic Evil Dead movie trilogy created by Sam Raimi and Bruce Campbell. Kevin Tracy directs the work, which features a book and lyrics by George Reinblatt, music by Frank Cipolla, Christopher Bond, Melissa Morris and Reinblatt. Music direction by Eric Johnson and conducted by Ted Trobaugh. Produced by Megan Healey. Choreography by Sarah Devine. Fight choreography by Emily Eaton. The cast includes Joe Van Allen (as Ash), Erin Fitzgerald (Linda), Samantha Hinds (Cheryl), Christine Voytko (Annie), Emily Eaton (Shelly) Monique Dubois (Fake Shemp/Moose), Christopher Rose (Ed), Colin Allen (Scott), Russell Nadeau (Fake Shemp) and Josh Mason (Jake). Tickets are available through Eventbrite for $20 ($5 more for splatter zone pass with poncho). For more information, visit the website or Facebook. *This show is in no way appropriate for young audiences*   LIVE ART MAGAZINE ISSUE #3 Friday, October 23 at 7:30 PM Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street, Northampton Live Art is a fast-paced, staged “magazine” of contemporary art, music and commentary, a live show structured like a magazine: first ‘the front-matter,’ a series of fast-paced, 2 to 4 minute surprises, followed by ‘the well,’ the main body of two or three 6 to 8 minute works that dig a bit deeper. Live Art is part of the national pop-up magazine movement.  Our event offers ephemeral and memorable writing and stagecraft for one-night-only.  Recording, filming and photography are forbidden. This protects works-in-progress from documentation so that artists are free to push the boundaries of their art.  It is a 21st century anomaly, an intimate presentation in a time of mass communication.  It’s non-digital new-media!  And it’s magical fun. Our live magazine showcases our some of our best local and regional writers, poets, artists, musicians, dancers, filmmakers--creative “risk-takers. We’ll feature award-winning NEPR radio producer Karen Brown’s new live radio piece, and work by Karen Skolfield, NEPR’s Arts & Humanities award winner for 2015. Skolfield will trade witty, gorgeous poems on stage with Floyd Cheung, poet and Smith prof.  NEPR is developing a “Live Art Magazine” podcast highlighting our feature performers and their artistic process--but NOT the work you’ll see on Friday, October 23rd!  You will be able to download three episodes of the podcast in the weeks before the performance. Check out the complete line up online. Purchase TICKETS through the Academy of Music. $10 for students, $14 for General Admission, and $18 at the door. Smith College Department of Theatre presents METAMORPHOSES by Mary Zimmerman directed by Hannah Sachs '16 Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Smith College October 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 at 7:30 PM   "Funny one moment, achingly sorrowful the next, METAMORPHOSES somehow manages both to lift you out of the moment you're living in and speak to it with piercing directness." -The Wall Street Journal. Set in and around a large pool of water, METAMORPHOSES is a refreshingly contemporary poetic chronicle of Greek mythology. Based on David R. Slavitt's translation of The Metamorphoses of Ovid, METAMORPHOSES brings familiar tales of love and loss to life. Free for Smith students. $10 General, $5 Seniors and Students Tickets and more information available online. Facebook event here.  Greenfield Community College presents DRACULA Dramatized by Deane and Balderston From the novel by Bram Stoker Directed by Tom Geha Oct 23, 24, 29, 30, 31 @ 7:30pm, Matinee and 7:30 shows on Oct 24 Greenfield Community College's Sloan Theater, One College Drive, Greenfield, MA 01301 http://www.gcc.mass.edu/theater TheatreTruck presents The Aspect of the Place, A Halloween Happening at The Evergreens 6:30pm & 8pm nightly, from Wednesday, October 28th - Sunday, November 1st The Evergreens at The Emily Dickinson Museum, 232 Main Street, Amherst TheatreTruck gets into the spirit of Halloween with this story-telling celebration of ghosts and the Gothic at The Evergreens.  Co-produced by The Emily Dickinson Museum & TheatreTruck, a roving Collaborative, The Aspect of the Place takes the audience through The Evergreens, an impressive 'time capsule' of a prosperous nineteenth-century household in a small New England town. The house is still completely furnished with Dickinson family furniture, household accoutrements, and decor selected and displayed by the family during the nineteenth century. The ​piece honors the House, the spooky delights of Victorian ghost stories and the idea that ​phantoms walk within. ​ TheatreTruck and TEDM partnered this Summer to produce a sold-out run of The Emily Dickinson Project, attracting audience from all over the Pioneer Valley, the nation and even the UK! TheatreTruck​ is dedicated to crafting mobile and site-specific performance, sustainably & playfully and is delighted to be partnering with the Museum once again. The Emily Dickinson Project Director and Co-creator Brianna Sloane curates the Halloween event.  Tickets available online.  AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES The Northampton Arts Council has set an October 15th deadline for applications from organizations, schools and individuals for grants that support cultural activities in the community.   The online application form is now open and available here. The application process will be online only. Please do not submit paper applications. These grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Northampton, Florence, and Leeds, including exhibits, writings, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies or performances in schools, workshops and lectures. CREW CALL: Night at the Wax Museum directed by Tony Jones  Production of J-Art Youth Theater: 2nd – 9th Grade  Interviews will be held the week of October 19th Springfield Jewish Community Center The Springfield Jewish Community Center is looking to fill these PAID positions: Stage Manager – required to attend all rehearsals  Costumer – required to attend at least 5 rehearsals  Lighting Designer & Board Operator  – required to attend at least 5 rehearsals  Sound Designer and Operator – required to attend at least 5 rehearsals  2 Tech Weeks: Jan 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27 Preview/Dress Rehearsal: January 28 6:00pm Performances: January 30th at 7:30pm, January 31st at 11:30 and 3:00pm (dates may be subject to change). Rehearsal Dates: Tuesdays (3:30-6:00) And Sundays (2:30-5:00) Nov 17, 22, 24, 29, Dec 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, Jan 3, 5, 10, 12, Auditions for youth are Tuesday, October 27th from 3:00-7:00pm with Call Backson Tuesday, November 3rd 3:00-7:00pm To schedule an interview with the director, please email a resume or Letter of Interest to Tony Jones. Amherst Leisure Services (LSSE) presents Youth on Broadway 2016 Auditions Bangs Community Center, 70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA Oct. 22, 6-8:30 PM and Oct. 24, 12-5 PM Be part of this fun and exciting high quality musical theater performance workshop that culminates in a full scale Musical Theater Revue. April 8-10. Looking for talented children/teens, aged 4-12 grades. Directed by Becca Greene-Van Horn and music directed by Benjiman Durfee and Cindy Naughton. If cast, the fee for the workshop is $269. Scholarships are available. Sign up for your audition slot by calling LSSE at 413-259-3065. Find information on the audition online. In its fourth year, YOB has provided opportunities for many local area youth to sing leading and featured roles from many different shows. Doing many broadway hits, gives more youth a chance to shine than happens with just one play. Don't miss this wonderful opportunity. AUDITIONS: Night at The Wax Museum Directed by Tony Jones  Springfield Jewish Community Center Auditorium Auditions: Tuesday, October 27th from 3:00-7:00pm Call Backs: Tuesday, November 3rd 3:00-7:00pm AUDITION INFORMATION: *Prepare a 1 minute comedic monologue (a story, joke, or speech). *Slots are in 5 minute increments and are first come first serve. *Arrive before your audition time to fill out paperwork. REHEARSAL & PERFORMANCE DATES: Rehearsal Dates: Tuesdays (3:30-6:00) And Sundays (2:30-5:00) Nov 17, 22, 24, 29, Dec 1, 6, 8, 13, 15, 20, 22, Jan 3, 5, 10, 12, 2 Tech Weeks: Jan 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 24, 25, 26, 27 Preview/Dress Rehearsal: January 28 6:00pm Performances: January 30th at 7:30pm, January 31st at 11:30 and 3:00pm (dates may be subject to change). The JCC will walk any children who are signed up for Hebrew School on Tuesdays at 5:30 to Sinai. Please let us know if you need this service.  Fee is $140 for JCC members/$175 for general public. This fee includes a professional performance DVD, two tickets to Preview night, scripts, and a J-Art Youth Theater Shirt.  CALL 413-739-4715 to book your audition time! Auditions will be held in the auditorium of the Springfield JCC at 1160 Dickinson Street CALL FOR THEATER PRODUCTION STAFF! Black Cat Theater, a community theater group based in South Hadley, MA, is seeking letters of interest and resumes for the positions of Artistic Director, Music Director, Producer, Stage Manager, and Choreographer their Spring 2016 musical, “Disco Inferno”! This show will have a primarily youth cast. Interviews will be held on October 28. Auditions for the show will take place on November 16 and 19. Rehearsals will begin January 21 and will be held on Mondays and Thursdays. Show dates are April 14 through 17. Email a letter of interest and resume by Thursday, October 15. University of Massachusetts Amherst - Assistant Professor, Scenic Design, Theater Department The Department of Theater in the College of Humanities and Fine Arts invites applications for a tenure-track position in Scene Design at the rank of Assistant Professor, to begin September 1, 2016. This professor, specializing in scene design, will be an impressive professional practitioner and teacher who will bring experience and vision to the Department. The successful candidate will teach MFA graduate and undergraduate courses in such areas as Scenic Design, Drawing/Rendering, Architectural History, Scenic Painting, Scale Model Building, Drafting, Computer Skills, and collaborative classes across theater disciplines. The professor is also responsible for the scene design, scenic art and properties design of the department's main stage season, the supervision of student designers and artisans, as well as contributing other specialties to complement departmental offerings. The professor will collaborate closely with all production areas including the Scene Shop Faculty and Staff, consisting of the Faculty Technical Director, Scenic Construction Director, 2 graduate students, and numerous undergraduate work-study and practicum students. Two newly renovated theaters include a 450-seat proscenium and a 100-seat flexible performance space.  Participation in departmental and university service is also a responsibility. We are seeking talented applicants qualified for an assistant professor position. Under exceptional circumstances, highly qualified candidates at other ranks may receive consideration. Salary commensurate with qualifications and experience. Requirements: MFA in Scene Design by time of hire Extensive experience as a professional scene designer at the national level Evidence of ongoing creative achievement Demonstrated excellence in teaching scene design at the college level Additional Information: The university is committed to active recruitment of a diverse faculty and student body.  The University of Massachusetts Amherst is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer of women, minorities, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities and encourages applications from these and other protected group members.  Because broad diversity is essential to an inclusive climate and critical to the University's goals of achieving excellence in all areas, we will holistically assess the many qualifications of each applicant and favorably consider an individual's record working with students and colleagues with broadly diverse perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds in educational, research or other work activities. We will also favorably consider experience overcoming or helping others overcome barriers to an academic degree and career.   Application Instructions: To apply submit a letter of application, a curriculum vitae (or detailed professional resume), a link to your online portfolio, and the names and e-mail addresses of three references here. Applicants should apply by the priority deadline of  November 2, 2015, in order to ensure consideration. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Happier Valley Comedy presents Redefining Failure Through Laughter (A Personal Growth Through Improvisation Workshop) with Pam Victor of The Zen of Improv (For Everybody!) Saturday, Oct. 10, 3:00-5pm (2 hours) Hadley, MA Fee: $25 (plus $6 OFF coupon to that night's Happier Valley Comedy Show) *limited amount of discounts available for college students and professionals* Pre-requisite: Just a willingness to disempower failure. EVERYONE can do this workshop. Weathering mistakes and overcoming setbacks are tricky but absolutely vital both at work and at home. In this workshop, improv exercises provide many experiences that help you understand that defining something as a "failure" only sets up roadblocks; and instead you can see it as a judgment-free event, freeing you to move forward with more confidence and creativity.  And you learn it all through laughter! Empower yourself by disempowering failure with this powerful workshop. EMAIL TO REGISTER! About Your Facilitator: Pam Victor is a teacher, improviser, and author in Western Massachusetts. She designed and teaches the Zen of Improv a multi-level improv curriculum as well as the entire Through Laughter Program. Pam writes the “Zen of Improv” series, a sassy (and sometimes saucy) look at the alignment of improvisation and Zen thinking as well as the well-respected "Geeking Out with..." interview blog series. Along with legendary improvisers TJ Jagodowski and David Pasquesi, Pam is the co-author of Improvisation at the Speed of Life: The TJ & Dave Book. Pam is the founding member of The Ha-Ha’s with whom she performs at The Happier Valley Comedy Show (Arts Block Cafe/Greenfield), which she also produces. She's a regular performer with the Majesters (Majestic Theatre/W. Springfield), and when she's lucky she graces the stage with her dear friends at ImprovBoston. A graduate of Smith College with a Master's in Education from Iona College, Pam has received improv  training from iO Theater (Chicago), Annoyance Theatre (Chicago), ImprovBoston, and from Second City teachers. More information online. UMass Arts Extension Service presents Artist-in-Business Training Join AES for the Springfield Artist-in-Business (AIB) training on Friday, October 16 - Saturday, October 17, 9 am - 4:30 pm at the UMass Center at Springfield. In this two-day intensive, artists learn best business practices and create elements of their marketing/business plans, leaving with next steps to build – or expand - their unique business. For more information visit our website. To register directly for the training, click here. The registration fee for the Springfield AIB training is only $25 for Springfield and Indian Orchard based artists. The registration fee for all other artists is $40. Note: use the drop down menu on the registration page to select the proper fee. This training is a project of the UMass Amherst Arts Extension Service's Arts Entrepreneurship Initiative with partners Art for the Soul Gallery and the Springfield Museums. Getting EVERYBODY on Stage: A Conversation for Performers, Writers, Directors (and others) of Color Tuesday, October 27, 7-9 PM  T114, Mendenhall Center Green Room FREE! Playwright/Actress Cori Thomas will lead a frank conversation about challenges, opportunities, and obstacles that face performers and writers of color in the theatre today.  Cori will discuss her work, offer thoughts on contemporary okaywrights whose work addresses diverse audience, and suggest strategies for auditioning, casting, and writing works that speak to a diverse world. Cori will be joined in conversation by writer and actor Kent Alexander. Ellen Kaplan will moderate the discussion.  Cori will read a selection from her new play, FLIGHT 109, about former child soldiers in Liberia.  ALL ARE WELCOME - this discussion and workshop is for EVERYONE who is interested in building a diverse and welcoming theare! Facebook event here. 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