Pioneer Valley Theatre News November 26, 2015

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser   November 26–December 16, 2015 Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! While you are lying on the couch in a too-much-Turkey coma, take a look at some upcoming theatre events! And if you haven't already, take a moment to like Pioneer Valley Theatre News on Facebook!  Auditions for Arena Civic Theatre's production of SPRING AWAKENING begin this weekend. Checked out their featured listing below for more information. If you'd like your upcoming event to be featured, contact me for details and to reserve your date! The next issue will include events through December 23. 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 See Facebook for More Information! THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from American Theatre On the Rights of Playwrights and White Tears by Diep Tran From the article:  Last week, Clarion University in Pennsylvania was forced to cancel its planned production of Lloyd Suh’s Jesus in India. The reason: casting. Three of the characters were written as Indians, and the predominantly white school had cast two white actors and one mixed-race actor in the roles. Earlier the same week, Katori Hall objected passionately in The Root to a  Kent State University production in Ohio of her two-hander The Mountaintop, in which the role of Martin Luther King Jr. was played by a white actor*. Though she wasn’t able to stop the production, director Michael Oatman’s decision led her to officially stipulate that the characters in The Mountaintop be played by African-American or black actors, unless approval has been granted. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES The Majestic Theater presents THE FABULOUS LIPITONES November 27 - December 6 The Majestic Theater, West Springfield “The Fabulous Lipitones” is the next production in the 19th Season of plays at West Springfield's Majestic Theater. The musical comedy by John Markus and Mark St. Germaine follows the story of The Lipitones, a barbershop quartet from rural Ohio. When the lead singer suffers a fatal heart attack while holding the final note at a competition, the remaining members must find a replacement or give up the avocation that's been part of their lives for the past thirty years. The sole candidate at the audition is a mechanic who is twenty years younger than the group, wears a turban, carries a ceremonial dagger and goes by the name of “Bob,” short for Baba Mati Das. With that, the group finds a terrific new singer, and learns to co-exist with someone from an entirely different culture. The play runs October 29 through December 6. Tickets can be purchased by contacting the box office at (413) 747-7797.  For more information, visit the website.  NHS improv show featuring FUNKTIONLUST December 3 at 6:30 PM Northampton High School, Black Box Theatre Now in their 11th year, FUNKTIONLUST will entertain you with their spontaneity and creativity. This is a great way to de-stress in the holiday season. No cost, donations welcome.  This will be a family friendly show! Smith College Department of Theatre New Playreading Series presents DUST written and directed by Susanna Apgar Thursday, December 3 at 7:30 PM Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre Is the truth always clean?  Is the truth EVER clean?  In this dark comedy, three grown children and their partners (or decided lack of partners) come home to their widowed mother's increasingly dirty house for Thanksgiving.  As the wine flows, and clever gibes give way to real vulnerabilities, layers of relationships are peeled back, and a family digs at what lies underneath all of that mess.   Also, there is a kitten named Mailbox. Featuring actors Jeannine Haas, Julie Waggoner, Jaz Tupelo, Tim Cochran, Robyn Sutton-Fernandez, Ashley Malloy, Michael Bird, and Susanna Apgar. Free and open to the public. See the Facebook event for more information. Majestic Theater presents HOME FOR THE HOLLY-DAYS Wednesday-Sunday, December 9-20 Majestic Theater, West Springfield Rock and roll blends seamlessly with holiday tunes when the Majestic Theater presents “Home for the HOLLY-Days December 9-20 at the West Springfield venue.   Producing Director Danny Eaton will reunite the lead performers in the Majestic's previous production of “Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story” when Ben Ashley (Buddy Holly), Aaron Porchelli (Big Bopper) and Frank Manzi (Richie Valens) take the stage. Joining the trio will be Ray Guillemette, Jr., Woody McLoyd, Stacy Ashley, Darcie Champagne, Lori Efford and – in a special guest appearance – Santa Claus.   Eaton will direct the show, and Musical Director Mitch Chakour will lead a band that includes Tim Hosmer, Don Rovero and Cliff Schofer. More information available online.  PERFORMANCE PROJECT December 11th & 12th at 8:00 PM Holden Theater Tickets are free.  Reservations recommended. Box Office 413.542.2277 The Amherst College Department of Theater and Dance is proud to present Performance Project, an evening of original dance and theater works created by Five College students as part of their work in Performance Studio taught by Visiting Resident Artist Peter B. Schmitz.  Lighting designs by students in Lighting Design taught by Resident Lighting Designer Kathy Couch.  The performance features a variety of pieces, including Body Haunt, choreographed by Alexandra Leite (HC), which explores the impact of body shaming in performance dance. The piece engages the audience to reflect on how they are watching (and judging) the bodies that are on stage. The dancers are in a battle with their own destructive thoughts that evolve and manifest physically throughout the course of the dance.   Daphne Thompson’s (AC) “the stuff of movies” explores our generation’s tendency to watch films for content instead of form, basing how we go about our lives on cinematic manipulations (specifically, those of the romantic comedy) rather than honest, spontaneous, and messy experience.  Under the narration of the Academic, film conventions are experimented with, explained, and put into practice on the stage.    Playing Pretend is a piece choreographed by Lauren Horn (AC) that explores the identity we put forth for all to see and the one we keep to ourselves. The words for each of the solos were created by each of the dancers.    Elena Marione’s (AC) Arrastreo is the murmur of all our mouths, a frightened and wondrous exploration of attention, identity, and the things we leave behind.   A Flickering Candle, written and directed by Mark Hawkins (AC), follows the tragic relationship of a young man and woman amid alcohol addiction, forcing us to consider whether people truly change.  Silverthorne Theater presents A Special Holiday Event: Stage Reading of Dylan Thomas' A CHILD’S CHRISTMAS IN WALES Saturday, December 12 at 7:30 PM, Centennial House Bed and Breakfast, 94 Main St, Northfield and Sunday, December 13 at 2:00 PM, Beehive Parlor, Deerfield Inn, 81 Old Main St, Deerfield. Along with the reading will be a performance of Celtic holiday harp music presented by Piper Pichette (The Pied Harpist), followed by a Holiday Story Slam, when audience members will vie for prizes for telling the best Holiday tale as determined by audience vote.   Tickets for this fundraiser for Silverthorne Theater’s summer season are $30 for the Northfield performance, $35 for the Deerfield event. The ticket price includes holiday treats and beverages. Seating is limited. Reservations may be made online on the Special Events page of the website. This event is suitable for adults and children 12 or older.   Questions and further information: email  or call 413-768-7514.  AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Director of Musical Production   Mohawk Trail Regional School in Shelburne Falls, Massachusetts is looking for a  creative individual with a background in educational theater to direct/produce a  creative musical production for students in grades 9-12.     Schedule: Beginning casting in December, and rehearsals to begin on a regular basis in  January for the staging of the show in early March.   The successful candidate will be able to engage students and community  members in an original production that showcases student talent and ingenuity  both onstage and behind the scenes.   Applicants should have experience  managing all aspects of a production, including fundraising, community outreach,  and promotion. The director/producer will work with a team of educators who  have experience with staging productions, including lighting, direction, and  music.  The specific musical will be determined by the team of educators.   Forward cover letter, resume, licensure, transcripts and recommendations to:  Superintendent of Schools, Mohawk Trail Regional School District, 24 Ashfield Road, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370.    Application deadline:  Open until filled.   The school district does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex,  gender identity, disability, religion or sexual orientation. Arena Civic Theatre proudly announces auditions for SPRING AWAKENING Book and Lyrics by Steven Sater  Music by Duncan Sheik  Based on the play by Frank Wedekind  Audition Dates: Sunday, November 29 at 3:00 PM at the Guiding Star Grange (401 Chapman St, Greenfield, MA 01301)  Monday, November 30 at 6:30 PM at the Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst, MA 01002) Callbacks will be by invitation only Thursday, December 3 at 6:30 PM.  An angsty rock musical adaptation of the seminal play about the trials and tribulations of growing up. The winner of 8 TONY Awards, including Best Musical - told by Duncan Sheik and Steven Sater through "the most gorgeous Broadway score this decade" (Entertainment Weekly) - Spring Awakening explores the journey from adolescence to adulthood with poignancy and passion that is illuminating and unforgettable. The landmark musical is an electrifying fusion of morality, sexuality and rock & roll that is exhilarating audiences across the nation like no other musical in years.  Directed by Megan Healey  Produced by Dawn Mayo  Musical Direction Ted Trobaugh  Choreography by Sue Dresser For more information about these auditions and what to prepare, please see the Facebook event.  Rehearsals will be held primarily in the Greenfield and Amherst areas. Performances will be at The Ruth B. Smith Auditorium at the Orange Town Hall On April 22, 23, 24, 29, 30 & May 1 of 2016. TheatreTruck hosts a roving Meet & Greet for The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Community Tuesday, December 1 at 7:30 PM Seymour, 5 Bank Row, Greenfield This month, join us in Greenfield! A casual night out of chatting and networking. What is the most pressing issue facing Pioneer Valley performing artists? American artists? Come talk about it. Grab a drink, say hello, talk up your latest project. We hope to see you there.  Please help spread the word and add your company members and colleagues to the guest list on Facebook.  More information on their website. AUDITIONS for Spring Productions at Amherst College Thursday & Friday, December 3 & 4 at 7 PM Studio 2, rm. 122 Webster Hall, Amherst College   Elena Marione ’16 Senior Project (performs February 18-20) Written and Directed by Elena Marione Rehearsals will begin during interterm   Elena Marione's Senior Thesis is a devised exploration of memory, myth, and the insatiable need for communication and connection that unites us. The intersections of text, movement, space, and individual stories will fuel a small-cast ensemble as it grapples with questions like: What if we could remember beyond the boundaries of our own lives? What can we make of the dust on the mantelpiece, the ice on the sidewalk, and the echoing footsteps of those that came before us? Individuals from all backgrounds and interests are encouraged to audition, especially those interested in collaborative work.   Lara Min ’16 Senior Project (performs March 3-5) Written by Lara Min, directed by Hans Meyer, guest artist Rehearsals will begin during interterm   Set in a New York City apartment, this comedy follows six twenty-something adults (3 women, 3 men) and their attempts to tackle their professional and personal expectations after college. The play confronts the cultural stigmas often associated with one’s emotional vulnerabilities, and focuses on the relationship between James – a naive investment banking analyst who realizes he may not be following his passions – and Emma, an offbeat college dropout dealing with a demanding anxiety disorder.  All six characters play a significant role in the play, each with a substantial monologue exploring topics like loneliness, depression, and dependency. Scenes from the play will be provided during auditions, no preparation necessary. Send Him Home (performs March 24-26) Written by Daphne Thompson ’16, directed by Ron Bashford Rehearsals will begin the first week of spring classes   Send Him Home is a dramatic comedy that takes place during the course of a minor league baseball season, centering around relief pitcher Robin Fulton and his experience on a new team.  Throughout the season, he develops strange, unexpected friendships with his teammates while facing adversity and tragedy that threaten his understanding of family, the pursuit of a dream, and his love of the game.  The play boasts several large roles for male actors of varying types and distinct personalities, as well as two supporting female roles.  All are encouraged to audition; no previous acting experience or preparation required! Exit 7 Players presents auditions for The Exit 7 New Short Play Contest Monday, December 7 and Tuesday, December 8 at 7:00 PM Exit 7 Theater (37 Chestnut Street, Ludlow MA) More than 40 roles are available in these 8 comedies and 8 dramas. The age range of male roles is 14-60’s. The age range of female roles is 17-60’s. Please bring a headshot and resume if available along with a photo ID. Actors will read selected sides from the scripts, which were chosen from a submission pool of over 700 plays from all over the United States and from several other countries. Scripts can be found online. This is a unique and exciting opportunity to perform in original plays, many of which will be Massachusetts premieres, and several world premieres, written by new, emerging, and established voices in contemporary playwriting. If you have any questions, please email the Exit 7 Players Attn: Play Contest. Real Live Theatre presents AUDITIONS for "The Life and Death of Queen Margaret"  December 13, 2-5 PM The North Star Building, 45 Amherst Rd, Sunderland MA Real Live Theatre is looking for women aged 16+ to fill 6 roles in their new Shakespeare show, The Life and Death of Queen Margaret. The show is a feminist retelling of Henry VI Parts I-IIIand Richard III from the perspective of Queen Margaret, Shakespeare’s best-written female character. Please prepare a 1-2 minute classical monologue and be prepared to read sides at the audition. Auditions December 13, 2-5pm at North Star (45 Amherst Rd., Sunderland MA.);  Rehearsals will start in late May, with performances in late July or early August. Email to sign up for an hour slot & for more info. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Apply Today: Double Edge Theatre in Ashfield is currently accepting applications for their 2016 Winter Intensive from January 1 - 7! Intensives are ideal for artists of any discipline who are interested in a holistic training method and in developing their own work in an ensemble context. Participants take part in 3-4 training sessions daily including: - physical training - work with large objects - improvisation - vocal exploration and song - research - individual & group etudes - directed scenes - indoor/ outdoor site-specific work - dramaturgy - design The sessions take place both in Double Edge's indoor training spaces and outside in the fields, hills, pond and pastures of the Farm. Intensives are open to participants of all levels of experience. For more information or to apply, see the website or send an email. We offer partial scholarships through the Timothy O'Brien Fund to emerging artists from underserved communities in our region. 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