Pioneer Valley Theatre News January 14, 2016

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser   January 14-February 3, 2015 Signature Sounds is hosting a Health Care Sign-Up NIght for Musicians and Artists on Monday, January 18th. More information below as well as via the link above. Walk-ins encouraged!  Easthampton residents (and anyone else) check out these ten things to inspire you in 2016 from Easthampton City Arts+.  I'll be stage managing the upcoming Academy of Music production of Annie Baker's UNCLE VANYA. We begin rehearsal on January 25 and the performances are March 4 and 5. I'm looking for an Assistant Stage Manager for the show. It's a great opportunity to work on a phenomenal professional production at the Academy. And with me! If you are interested, send me an email! The next issue will include events through February 10. 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 Tickets available online, more information on Facebook THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Howlround Hampshire College's Notes on Race and Casting by Will MacAdams From the article:  From 2012 to 2015, I taught acting, directing, and theatre for social change at Hampshire College. Hampshire students are passionately committed to social change and the college has been a hub for activism and visionary thinking since its inception. The Theatre Program aims to teach traditional disciplines (design, playwriting, etc.) alongside theatre for young audiences, the theatrical jazz aesthetic, site-specific design, documentary drama, and courses about interdisciplinary artists whose work redefines identity and the way we see. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES Breastless: a new play by Laurel Turk directed by Jeannine Haas performed by Laurel Turk, Emily Fox, Emily Bloch and Dorian Gregory January 14-17, 21-24 Thursday-Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 2:00 First Congregational Church, Ashfield, MA. Friendship Hall   429 Main Street (route 116) One woman's determinedly truthful exploration of body image and sexuality after double mastectomy. Intimate monologues are juxtaposed with wry humor, song, and movement. Anyone with a body will find something to relate to in this piece.  One of this year’s Double Take Fringe Festival favorites as a staged reading, BREASTLESS is being given a full production at Pauline Productions directed by Jeannine Haas.  Advanced Sales Recommended as seating is limited, buy tickets online. Thursdays are Discount Nights $15 Friday-Sundays $20 All shows are $5 more at door (cash and check only at door) Wheelchair Accessible The Majestic Theater presents AN INSPECTOR CALLS by J.B. Priestly  January 14-February 14  The Majestic Theatre, West Springfield The Birlings are a prosperous middle-class family. Arthur Birling, a wealthy mill owner and local politician, and his family have just finished a celebratory dinner in their comfortable home in Brumley, England. The happy occasion is that their daughter, Sheila, has just become engaged to Gerald Croft, the son of her father's chief competitor. But then a mysterious stranger arrives, announcing himself a police inspector — Inspector Goole — and begins to interrogate them all about their possible responsibility in the death of a young working-class factory girl. The result of his questioning leads each person to believe they've in part contributed to her death — but is Inspector Goole truly who he claims to be? An Inspector Calls is a fascinating study of human nature and society. More information and tickets 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.    Panopera presents LA BOHEME Friday, January 22 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, January 24 at 2:00 PM Academy of Music Theatre, Northampton Eggtooth Productions presents FRANKENSTEIN A new play by Lindel Hart and MASQUE OF THE RED DEATH  A new opera by Clifton J. Noble Saturday, January 23 at 7:30 PM Academy of Music Theatre, Northampton La Bohème will feature a full orchestra and cast drawn from the region’s best players and singers. As Alan Schneider, stage director, states, “Puccini’s masterpiece has always been a celebration of and warning about the artist's life. As such, what better spirit could a new opera company invoke?” La Bohème runs in repertory with Frankenstein and Masque of the Red Death. Eggtooth Productions’ (formerly Old Deerfield) commission of the new play, Frankenstein won glowing four and five star reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival this summer, “It’s a hypnotic beginning to an intense adaptation of Mary Shelley’s novel. Lindel Hart’s Creature, at first naked and mute, grows in stature throughout, scrabbling towards humanity; tragically, his innocence is supplanted by evil as he learns to hate Victor Frankenstein. For Victor abandons the Creature, fleeing when he feels horror at the first sight of his creation. Hart’s performance dares you to look away – how he moves and the sounds he makes, ensures you won’t,” according to The Scotsman.  The one hour show will be preceded by excerpts from an opera based upon Edgar Allan Poe’s gothic tale “The Masque of the Red Death,” where no amount of riches, architecture, or bacchanalian excess can cheat death and keep the Plague outside Prince Prospero’s castle walls. In an excerpt from Clifton Noble’s one-act opera based on the Poe story, Prince Prospero (tenor Alan Schneider) will reveal his plan for avoiding the Plague: “Fear not! We’ll seal ourselves away – No red shall work within these walls.” More information on the Facebook Event. Tickets for both productions available online.  ALIEN CITIZEN: An Earth Odyssey Written and performed by Elizabeth Liang January 30 at 7:00 PM in Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Smith College Alien Citizen: an earth odyssey is a funny and poignant one-woman show about growing up as a dual citizen of mixed heritage in Central America, North Africa, the Middle East, and New England. Free and open to the public. More information on Facebook. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES 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 by January 15.  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. 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 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.   AUDITION for the 24-Hour Theater Project 2016! Saturday, January 23, 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM T100 Acting Studio 1, Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts, Smith College 122 Green Street We perform six 10-minute plays, written, directed, and produced within 24 hours. The focus in our project is the playwriting– the scripts are 10-minute plays, not skits, and are performed as written; they are not improvised. We're looking for 5 - 10 actors to fill out our company. Actors in the Project work only one day, but it's a long, arduous, albeit fun, day. You must be able to commit to the date of Saturday, March 12 - from 8:00 a.m. to the end of the second show, approx. 11 p.m. Actors of varied ages- teen through elder, and of all ethnicities are encouraged to audition. For questions or further information, please call (413) 588-8043. 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. Would you like to have your work on stage in some format at the Academy of Music Theatre to benefit the Arts? Here’s your chance! The Really Big Gong Show Four Sundays in February Event #5 February 28th  – 2 PM, Academy of Music Theatre A showcase of the best local talent in the Valley’s favorite variety show at the communities’ most beloved theater. Win prizes! See your friends and loved ones display their talents! Send your ideas for The Really Big Gong Show to ssanderson@northamptonma.gov with subject: RBGS 2016 Entry or call (413) 587-1247 and leave a message for Steve Sanderson. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES On Monday, January 18th Signature Sounds is hosting a health insurance sign-up session for musicians, artists, and anyone else who needs it.  A group of health insurance navigators are setting up shop at The Parlor Room from 3pm to 10pm.  Their services are free and they'll do everything they can to find good quality, low-cost (or no-cost) insurance for folks who come out.  Phantom Sheep with J-ART present LaughCrafters: Comedy Improv Classes (6 week course) Mondays 7-9PM beginning January 25 Springfield Jewish Community Center The next 6 week session of this highly successful and fun class continues at the Springfield JCC! Learn new theater games and exercises. Sharpen Quick Thinking. Build Confidence on and off stage Improve acting and stage presence. Unleash creativity and characters. Relax and laugh (a lot). All taught in a very fun, encouraging, and constructive atmosphere by experienced professionals.  Tuition: Only $75 Sign Up Today!  improv@phantomsheep.com or call 413-739-4715 Those who register for this class are also invited to the jam workshop January 4th for free! Phantom Sheep is Western MA's own professional troupe of writers and performers. They have been teaching improv and have produced shows for Six Flags and many area libraries and schools together for over 15 years. More information on Facebook.  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|*