Pioneer Valley Theatre News December 24, 2015

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser   December 24-January 13, 2015 Happy Christmas Eve! Still looking for a last minute Christmas gift? Make up a little gift certificate with a promise to take a friend to a show in the new year. Support local live theatre and get to hang out with your favorite people at the same time! The next issue will include events through January 20. 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 THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Howlround So, You Want to Build A Theatre? by Trip Venturella From the article:  Theatre can happen anywhere, but it usually happens in theatres. This is both a burden and a boon. In Boston, where I live, it’s very much a burden. Despite condos mushrooming across town at a record rate, theatres are closing; workspace is limited; and artists are being pushed out of the city. It’s a once-in-a-generation urban boom, but the performing arts aren’t part of it. Urban spaces across the country are growing as quickly as Boston, and it is critical that theatremakers create space for themselves during this historic transition. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES Happier Valley Comedy Show presents The Ha-Ha's in "The Buckingham" with special guests Scott Braidman & Mosie McNally Saturday, January 9 at 8:00 PM Arts Block in Greenfield Monthly comedy show featuring improv comedians The Ha-Ha's  in "The Buckingham" with special guests Scott Braidman & Mosie McNally.  More info online. J-ART at the JCC presents Closer Than Ever -- Presented By J-Art Cafe January 16 at 8:00 PM, January 17 at 2:00 PM and 6:00 PM Springfield Jewish Community Center Auditorium Starring Ben Ashley, Devon Bakum, Luis Manzi, and Lisa Rizzo, featuring Bill Martin, and Directed by Becca Coolong, Closer Than Ever is a nonstop exploration of everyday struggles in the "modern world." Topics ranging from unrequited adoration... to aging... to Muzak are tackled with resounding sincerity and precisely placed hilarity. Each song is a unique story told by a new character taking audiences not only into the songbook of Richard Maltby and David Shire, but into the minds of the individuals facing these completely universal challenges.  On Saturday, January 16, J-ART at the Springfield JCC raises the curtain on a new theater-going experience, J-ART Café. By offering short run productions that feature performance opportunities for all age groups, the JCC is opening its doors for more opportunities for area performers as well as more opportunities to present lesser known works. Made to order pizzas and desserts will be available at each performance. Tickets: $15, $20 Patron Reserved Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by calling (413) 739-4715, or by visiting the front desk at the Springfield JCC. More information online. The Majestic Theater presents The Majesters Improv Comedy January 19, February 9 The Majestic Theatre, 131 Elm St. West Springfield, MA An evening of musical improv comedy featuring the valley's best spontaneous comics. More info online.    AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Wet Paint Theatre will be holding auditions for its first show, "To Kill a MockingJay" a musical parody of "The Hunger Games," on January 2nd, 2016 from 4-6PM and January 4th, 2016, from 4:30-5:30PM at The Drama Studio in Springfield. If you're interested in auditions, please message us on Facebook or contact Dan Kelly at 413-427-4280 to sign up for a 20 minute slot. Due to content of the show, auditions are for ages 13+. The show will be performed at The Drama Studio on March 18-20, 2016. Valley Light Opera is seeking nominations and applications for the artistic/stage director for our 42nd annual production, the Gilbert and Sullivan operetta Ruddigore.  Ruddigore is to be performed at the Academy of Music Theatre on two weekends in early November 2016.  The VLO stage and music directors work closely with one another and with the production team to achieve the high caliber results commensurate with VLO's distinguished history. Stage Director • Creates overall artistic concept of the show. • Works with set and costume designers, the choreographer, music director, and technical staff to carry out the concept. • Rehearses principals and chorus in dialogue, acting, blocking, and dancing. Please note that all participants in VLO are volunteers, including all producers, directors, performers and crews.  For those interested in applying as stage director, please submit the following documents electronically to director@vlo.org no later thanJanuary 6, 2016: 1. Letter of interest and artistic concept  2. Theater or music resume 3. References Nominations are also encouraged and may be submitted to the same email address, director@vlo.org.  Applicants who are unfamiliar with VLO are encouraged to explore our website. We are giving applicants a little extra time to apply, in light of the holiday season. Applications will be reviewed as they arrive, starting immediately, and will be accepted until January 15, 2016. Finalists may be invited to make a presentation to the VLO board after that date. Questions:   President 2014-2015: Graham Christian phone: (413)-253-8962 e-mail: graham.christian.gmail.com AUDITIONS for the dramatic satire "We're Happy About the Whole Thing" presented by the Ware Community Theater/Ware Historical Society Friday, January 8th, 2016 from 7-9 PM; Saturday, January 9th from 12-2 PM; Sunday, January 10th from 12-2 PM Ware Senior Center, 1 Robbins Road in Ware Drama, music, and dance are a part of this historic script and we request that you bring a piece of music you wish to showcase your talents during the try-outs and allow time for reading a portion of the script. Questions: Please call: Cindi @ #413-967-3887. With the arrival of the Industrial Revolution, the center of commerce shiftedto the factory village where it exists today. The upper dam of the Ware River was built in 1824 to run the manufacturing complex. Ware was home to three major manufacturers: Otis, Stevens and the Gilbert companies, who were noted for their production of textiles, clothing and shoes. Their demand for labor brought numerous immigrant families, primarily French, Irish and Polish, to this rich job market. By the early 20th century the Ware mills employed almost 6,000 people. The Great Depression era nearly signaled the demise of the mills. But, the citizens of Ware banded together to buy shares in the struggling companies. The purchase was the first employee buy-out of a major manufacturer in America. Ware Industries was born, preserving the livelihood for hundreds of families. Ware's then-Chief of Police Bartholomew Buckley coined a new phrase for Ware, calling it “The Town that can’t be licked!” Life Magazine heralded the event in their May 23, 1938 issue with an article entitled Life Goes to a Party: Ware, Mass. Celebrates Comeback. Needed: 30+ Male/Females Ages 16+ Show Dates: April 8,9, and 10th More info on the Facebook event page. 2016 SEASON OPEN AUDITIONS!!! "PETE'S ANGEL" Written by Christopher A. Desmarteau Pete's Angel is a touching story about a middle-aged veteran whose soulmate passes away from breast cancer. Ruthann's love for Pete is so deep that after crossing through to the other side she refuses to move on until she rescues Both Peter and their daughter Becky from the depths of their own personal hades. This hell was created with the death of Pete's Angel. Ruthann was the rock of her family and a major reason Pete survived after he was discharged medically from The United States Army. This story explores the question, "what happens after we die?" Could it be that one's unfinished business is simply helping those left behind return to the light? How can we move on after being torn apart by the loss of a loved one? OPEN AUDITIONS: January 9th & 10th from 7pm-9pm @ THE WORLD WAR 2 CLUB 50 Conz Street Northampton, MA 01060 The Freedom Banquet Hall Please email me a recent picture and acting resume at: blue14426@yahoo.com SHOWTIMES FOR THIS SPECIFIC PLAY WILL BE MARCH 4,5,6,18,20 2016 @ 7PM @ The World War 2 club Hampshire Shakespeare now hiring 2016 directors! Hampshire Shakespeare Company is looking to hire two directors for our Mainstage Shakespeare Under the Stars 2016 summer season! Join us for the chance to put Shakespeare in the great outdoors and be part of a talented community that will innovate and enchant as we breathe new life into old words. Our 2016 Season A Midsummer Night’s Dream  June 29-July 3, July 6-10.  Macbeth July 20-24, July 27-31. Potential directors should have experience with community theatre and directing Shakespeare. We have a proud artistic tradition of outdoor performances with limited tech, which emphasizes the relationship between actor and audience. Potential director candidates are encouraged to consider the advantages and limitations of outdoor theatre in their concept proposals. Salary: $800 - $1,000 Application deadline: January 19, 2016. Interested candidates should email resume and concept proposals.    The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts seeks set design volunteers to help put together some props for their 1950’s themed Spring fundraiser. The Food Bank will pay for any materials. Perks include free tickets to the event, social media recognition, press release inclusion, program book inclusion, and more. For more information, please contact Heather Clark at The Food Bank at 413-247-9738 or heatherc@foodbankwma.org before January 31st. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Double Edge Theatre's Spring Training Intensive March 18 - 20, 2016   Join Double Edge Theatre for a weekend of physical training, improvisation, and work with circus objects and aerial techniques! The Spring Intensive is ideal for emerging and professional artists who are interested in developing their own work in an ensemble context. For more information, visit the website.    The Spring Intensive will take place on the grounds of Double Edge Theatre's Farm, located at 948 Conway Road in Ashfield. Spaces are limited, so apply today! 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|*