Pioneer Valley Theatre News December 22, 2016

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser December 22, 2016-January 11, 2017 Happy Solstice, everyone! I know I can't wait for days to feel a little longer. Stay warm - and go take in some comfy indoor theatre. Still looking for Christmas presents for your family & friends? Pick a theatre and make them a little homemade certificate saying you'll take them to the show of their choice. New Century Theatre just announced the 2017 summer season will be at the Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School for two shows in their brand new theatre and the Academy of Music Theatre - get your mom or your boss a ticket to the newest & oldest theatres in the valley! I'll be out of town next week, but there will still be a newsletter. If you know you have something to submit, do me a favor and submit it today so I can get it set up before I leave. I hope you all get what you want for Christmas! The next issue will include events through January 18. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before 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 Hashtag Fair Wage in the Offices Near the Stage; Or, Wacky Ideas for Finding More Money So We Can Pay Theatre People More by Rosalind Grush From the article:  Recently, one of the largest non-profit theatre companies in New York City (and in North America) put up a job posting for an Assistant to the Director of Development with a listed salary of $30,000-$35,000. There were no additional benefits specified. That doesn’t mean there aren’t any, nor does this posting mean that someone will be getting $30,000 per year. It would be reasonable to assume that they are just posting the $30k scenario so that when they make an offer that’s slightly higher, the young, hungry development officer will be more likely to take the job. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES Majestic Theater presents “Home for the Holidays” West Springfield's Majestic Theater  December 22 Producing Director Danny Eaton has announced a solid roster of Majestic performers who will take the stage including Ben Ashley, Ray Guillemette Jr., Sue Dziura, Luis Manzi, Myka Plunkett, Lori Efford, Michael King, Emery Henderson, Caelie Flanagan, Molly Damon-Rush, Madi Hartling and Todd Farnsworth. Santa Claus will also be making a special appearance. Cate Damon will direct the show, and Musical Director Mitch Chakour will lead a band that includes Tim Hosmer, Don Rovero and Cliff Schofer. Ticket for the show range from $24-$26 for adults, $10 for children 10 and under, and are available by calling or visiting the box office during its hours of operation, which are Monday through Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm.  For additional information, visit the website. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES CALL FOR AUDITIONS Black Cat Theater is preparing for their Spring production of THE 25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE directed by Joey Grabowski with musical direction by Greg Williams. Auditions for this show will be held on Monday, January 9th and Thursday, January 12th at 6:00 in the Auditorium at South Hadley High School. This show is rated PG-13 so parental discretion for auditionees is advised. Spelling Bee rehearsals will begin on Thursday, January 19th and will continue on Monday and Thursday evenings. The show is scheduled to be produced at South Hadley High School March 30th – April 2nd  All roles are open. For more information go to www.facebook.com/BlackCatTheater. Interested candidates should bring with them a short biographical sketch (headshot optional) and be prepared to perform a short musical piece. We will have a CD player and a-capella is also an option. There will also be readings from the script. If unavailable to be seen in person please email blackcattheater@gmail.com or leave a message at 413-563-6023. MOHAWK TRAIL REGIONAL SCHOOL DISTRICT Mohawk Trail Regional Middle/High School 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 of Shrek for students in grades 5-12.  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. Forward cover letter, resume, licensure, transcripts and recommendations to: Superintendent of Schools, Mohawk Trail Regional School District, 24 Ashfield Road, Shelburne Falls, MA 01370 or email to ktotman@mohawkschools.org.  Applications deadline: open until qualified candidate appointed.  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 our Broadway bus trip to see the new musical everyone is talking about - DEAR EVAN HANSEN. Saturday, March 25th 2017 Bus leaves Wildwood Elementary School - 71 Strong Street in Amherst at 7:00 AM (please arrive at 6:45 in the side parking lot) and will drop guests off at the Music Box Theatre at approximately 11:00 AM. Trip includes one spot on the chartered Peter Pan coach and one mezzanine ticket to the 2:00 performance of Dear Evan Hansen. Bus leaves the city (from the theater) at 6:00 PM and will make a travel plaza dinner stop on the way home. Arrival back at Wildwood between 10 and 11:00 PM. Tickets available here. More information on Facebook. **ANYONE UNDER 18 MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY AN ADULT** **NO REFUNDS OR EXCHANGES** Hampshire Shakespeare: Now Hiring: Directors! The 2017 Season Hamlet by William Shakespeare Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead by Tom Stoppard Alternating Performances June 22 -August 5, 2017 Hampshire Shakespeare Company is looking to hire two directors to collaborate on our Mainstage Shakespeare Under the Stars 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. For the first time in Hampshire Shakespeare history, we are producing both Mainstage shows in repertory with identical casts performing. The directors hired will be working in tandem, one on each production, to execute a shared artistic vision for the season, between themselves and the company’s season designers. This provides the exciting opportunity to artistically collaborate with another director and to create a cohesive season, uniting two shows as one. We have a proud tradition of outdoor performance, emphasizing the relationship between actor and audience. Potential directing candidates are encouraged to consider the advantages and limitations of outdoor theatre in their concepts, and should have at least 2 years experience. History working on productions with a collaborative artistic vision and/or Shakespeare is preferred but not required. All candidates will be required to submit a 500-1000 word artistic proposal for one or both pieces,  which will be reviewed and evaluated as one half of a season proposal. If an applicant wishes to submit an artistic proposal for both shows, they may be combined into one document of the same length. Deadline: January 6, 2017 Please submit proposals and a resume in PDF form by email to Jessica Thompson (Producer). Salary: $800 – $1,000 Application Deadline: January 6, 2017 Auditions to be held in Mid March Hampshire Shakespeare Company is seeking a Production Manager & a Technical Director for the 2017 summer season of “Shakespeare Under the Stars,” which will include productions of “Hamlet” and “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead” in repertory. The positions start immediately and run through late-August. Candidates for the following positions should have reliable transportation, leadership and conflict management experience, excellent communication skills, and enjoy working with young people under the age of 18. The ideal candidates will be excited to grow and develop with a small local theater committed to providing valuable experiences for those beginning their careers. Production Manager The Production Manager plays a critical role in our Production Team and is responsible for managing the logistics of the rehearsal and performance process. Responsibilities include: Creation and management of the season calendar, including rehearsals, technical schedule, and special events Participation in season preparation and strike Formulating timeline and tasks for technical staff Acting as point-person for communication to the artistic company Coordinating rehearsal space Scheduling and facilitating production meetings Attending Hampshire Shakespeare Board meetings to provide updates on the season Compiling and management of production budgets Mentorship and supervision of production assistants Providing support to the stage managers and directors, including mediating conflict within the season at the request of each  production’s stage manager Addressing actor and crew comfort and needs during rehearsals and technical production Maintaining communication with the Renaissance Center staff Working with the producer, stage manager, and front of house manager to build the tech and show pattern schedule The ideal candidate will have be an experienced and creative team player dedicated to creating a sense of community in an organization that includes staff and volunteers. Ability to quickly problem-solve is a must.  The ability to deal with stressful situations with grace, humor, and tact is very helpful.   Technical Director The Technical Director will help support our proud artistic tradition of outdoor performances, which emphasizes the relationship between actor and audience. Responsibilities include: Overseeing season setup and strike, including but not limited to construction and work with scenic designer, and facilitating light hang and focus schedule Enforcing safety procedures and training production staff on setup and breakdown of rehearsal space Creating and procuring small scenic elements and properties, as well as maintaining, organizing, and storing all pre-existing scenic elements Presence at tech rehearsals to facilitate the execution of the artistic vision of the production Presence at the season’s performances to maintain crew’s performance pattern and facilitate all technical elements during the run of the show Work directly with facilities managers when applicable Attending all on-site special events Attending all production meetings Mentorship and supervision of our production assistants. The ideal candidate will have lighting, sound, and carpentry experience, leadership experience as well as reliable transportation. We are looking for a collaborative and creative team-player who likes problem-solving.   Salary for each position: $2,500 for the season   Interested applicants should send a resume and cover letter in PDF format to Jessica Thompson, Producer,  at  hampshire.shakespeare.company@gmail.com. Hampshire Shakespeare Company is seeking a Dramaturg & a Publicist for the 2017 summer season of “Shakespeare Under the Stars,” which will include productions of “Hamlet” and “Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead” in repertory. The positions start immediately and run through late-August. Publicist Hampshire Shakespeare Company is seeking a Publicist for the 2017 summer season of “Shakespeare Under the Stars,” Responsibilities include: Promoting and selling tickets for the season Writing, designing, and producing advertisements Forging partnerships with potential advertisers Creation of Posters, including sourcing or creating graphic elements Publicizing the productions and the company through venues including but not limited to: Fliers Posters Websites Newspapers Newsletters Social Media The ideal candidate will have be an experienced and creative team player dedicated to creating a sense of community in an organization that includes staff and volunteers. Ability to quickly problem-solve is a must.  Candidates with an understanding of and connections to the local community are strongly preferred. Candidates should have strong writing skills and experience with printed and online publicity. Graphic design skills are prefered. The ideal candidate will be excited to grow and develop with a small local theater committed to providing valuable experiences for those beginning their careers. Salary: $900 for the Season Dramaturg Hampshire Shakespeare Company is seeking a Dramaturg for the 2017 summer season of “Shakespeare Under the Stars.” The dramaturg will play a critical role in developing the themes and context of our season’s productions. Responsibilities to include: Meet and offer analysis, ideas, and notes with regard to text and staging to the director and artistic staff. Support artistic staff in the creation, tracking, and distribution of script and script changes Provide research materials as needed and agreed upon for distribution to directors, cast and creative team Author dramaturgical notes to be printed in the playbill Contribute copy relating to the Play for publicity and/or education materials, as requested and in collaboration with the artistic team. Lead pre- or post-show discussions during the run of performances, as requested by the directors Act as a creative and thematic liaison between the creative teams for each production The successful candidate will  be prepared to collaborate with a team of directors and technical professionals to bring a unified vision to Hampshire Shakespeare Company’s first repertory season. The successful candidate will play a key and critical role in communications between the creative teams for each production. Candidates should have reliable transportation, research experience, excellent communication skills, and enjoy working with young people under the age of 18. The ideal candidate will be excited to grow and develop with a small local theater committed to providing valuable experiences for those beginning their careers. Salary: $600 for the Season Interested applicants for either postion should send a resume and cover letter in PDF format to Jessica Thompson, Producer at  hampshire.shakespeare.company@gmail.com. The New England New Play Alliance publishes a free weekly online newsletter with information about readings and full performances of new plays throughout New England. You can keep up to date with the latest shows and trends by subscribing. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Playwriting & Screenwriting Consulting Individual consulting with playwright & screenwriter ROSE MARTULA to provide feedback or assist in editing scripts: PLAYS, FULL-LENGTH FEATURES, SHORTS, TV PILOTS or WEB SERIES. In whatever stage. I'm here to honor your vision, not alter. Let's do this! Contact Rose. Double Edge Theatre presents The Winter Intensive January 1-7, 2017 The Winter Intensive is an explosive dive into Double Edge's training process. We’ll work daily from morning until night, both in Double Edge's indoor training spaces and outside in the fields. Layering our physical training practice with music, design, dramaturgy, large object work and individual and group research, intensives are a full-body experience of our multidisciplinary creative process. We explore the dialogue between individual process and group training and creation. The intensives are open to participants of all levels of experience and are ideal for pushing the boundaries of your physicality, creativity, and imagination! For more information, call Travis: 413.628.0277 or email training@doubleedgetheatre.org More information online. Dynamic Presence! a workshop with Toby Bercovici January 7th, 2017  1-4 PM  North Star Building 45 Amherst Rd, Sunderland, MA I love the word presence because it simultaneously means “the act of existing” and “the impressive manner or appearance of a person,” as if being impressive required nothing more than being present. Which, maybe it doesn’t! Start the new year off right. Come explore your presence. Learn to make dynamic connections, first with yourself and then with others. Learn vocal and physical techniques to support this work. Come prepared with something you’d like to say, a personal story you’d like to tell.  Appropriate for actors, dancers, and performers of all kinds, as well as public speakers, teachers, and those who want to be more fully present in all aspects of their lives, ages 16 and up. About the Instructor: Toby Vera Bercovici is a Visiting Assistant Professor at Colby College in Waterville, Maine. She has also taught theatre at Smith College, Holyoke Community College, American International College, UMass Amherst, Northampton High School, and the Stoneleigh-Burnham School, as well as for Serious Play! Theatre Ensemble and Act Now. She holds a BA in Theater from Smith College and an MFA in Directing from UMASS Amherst. She is a governing member of Real Live Theatre and an associate artist for Pauline Productions. www.tobyverabercovici.com "Toby is an original thinker, a true visionary, as informed by her extraordinary depth of knowledge and training. I have worked behind the scenes in theater but not on stage for 30 years and the acting class I took with Toby was both safe and challenging; I felt inspired and fulfilled in every session. I was both allowed to work at my own comfort level and gently asked to participate. Her approach made it easy to say yes to her suggestions and requests. It was an extraordinary experience for me and I can’t wait to take more classes." - Sasha Nyary, Spring 2015 Cost: sliding scale $30-$50. Contact us if you need further financial assistance. Visit our website or email reallivetheatre@gmail.com for more info and to reserve a spot! 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|*