Pioneer Valley Theatre News September 7, 2017

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser September 7 - 27, 2017 If you haven't made your appointment to audition for Amherst Leisure Services Beauty and the Beast yet - give them a call today! You can also audition this weekend for the Nutcracker, Creature by Heidi Schreck at Smith College, and Runaways at UMass Amherst.  It's also the last day to apply for the Box Office Manager position at the Academy of Music! The next issue will include events through October 4. 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 Call 413-259-3065 to make an appointment! THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Howlround Transformation through Training: Tadashi Suzuki and Anne Bogart on the Suzuki Method by Anne Bogart and Tadashi Suzuki From the article:  Anne Bogart: Thank you so much for the warm welcome, but save your welcome for an even warmer one. If we haven’t met, I’m Anne Bogart. I’m one of the three artistic directors of SITI Company and this is the final event of the symposium we’ve held for the last three days. I’m speaking now to people who don’t know what the hell you’re doing here...just showed up. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES The Majestic Theater presents THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY September 7 Through October 22 Majestic Theater, West Springfield The Majestic Theater celebrates the launch of its 21st Season with the opening of “The Bridges of Madison County” on September 7. The Tony Award-winning musical was adapted from Robert James Waller's 1992 book, which also inspired the hit film starring Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood.   The story revolves around Francesca Johnson, an Italian war bride living in Winterset, Iowa in 1965. She has had eighteen years of a largely unfulfilling farm life, and when her husband Bud and two teenage children leave Iowa to attend a national 4H fair, she looks forward to a weekend free from responsibility. But then a stranger named Robert Kincaid, a photographer for National Geographic, drives up seeking directions to the covered bridges he's been assigned to photograph, and from that moment both of their lives change.   Cast members include Heather Hannon (Francesca), John Baker (Bud Johnson), Joe Casey (Robert Kincaid), Bryan Austermann (Michael), Molly Damon-Rush (Carolyn), Margie Secora (Marge), Kevin Reid (Charlie), and Kaytlyn Vandeloecht (Marian/Club Singer/Waitress). Theater Project Founder Danny Eaton is producing director, Mitch Chakour is music director and set design is by Greg Trochlil. Costume design is by Dawn McKay, and Dan Rist is lighting designer. Cate Damon is stage manager, and production manager is Stephen Petit.   Ticket for the play range from $23-$33 and are now available by calling or visiting the box office during its hours of operation, which are Monday through Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm. Tickets are now also available for the rest of the Majestic's 21th Season lineup, which includes “Crimes of the Heart” (November 2-December 10, 2017), “Alabama Story” (January 4-February 11, 2018), “Outside Mullingar” (February 22-April 1, 2018) and the season closer, “Guys and Dolls” (April 12-May 27, 2018). For additional information, visit the website.   Billy Shakes Presents: Twelfth Night! September 8th-September 10th Pines Theater, Look Park, Florence.  Shakespeare Festival(vendors, music, activities, facepaint and character mingling) starting at 6:00PM each day. Twelfth Night performance beginning at 8:00PM.  300 N Main St, Florence, MA 01062 A FREE performance with your entry to the park! Billy Shakes is excited to be back for their third year at Look Park, bringing you more fun than before! The show runs September 8th, 9th, and 10th with a Shakespeare festival at 6:00PM wherein there will be games, sword fighting, face painting, music, and various vendors mixed in with the chance to meet and mingle with the characters of our show! The LGBTQ friendly telling of this show will begin at 8:00PM! Don't miss this chance! More information.  Exit 7 Players presents A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams September 8, 9, 15, 16 at 8:00 PM September 10 and 17 at 2:00 Pm Exit 7 Players Theatre, 37 Chestnut Street, Ludlow, MA Directed by Bob Laviolette Explosive, passionate, and heartrending, A Streetcar Named Desire is modern American theatre at its best. When fading Southern belle Blanche DuBois arrives on the doorstep of her sister Stella’s apartment building in New Orleans, she is unwittingly entering a lion’s den. Wounded by romantic abuses, loss, and dangerous mistakes, Blanche prefers her world kept in dim, flattering light, fuzzy at the edges. She is shocked by Stella’s simple existence, her new low-class habits, and most of all, her crude, simple husband, Stanley. Stanley is fierce and unpredictable, moving from violence to softness in an instant, and he and Blanche begin a cruel, sadistic dance that’s only possible end is pain.  With his signature poetic prose, muggy Southern Gothic setting, and psychological insight, Tennessee Williams’ mighty play, and his troubled, eccentric heroine, unravel before our very eyes. Cast List Blanche Dubois - Stephanie Gilbert Stanley Kowalski - Gio Castellano Stella Kowalski - Jami Wilson Harold Mitchell "Mitch" - Matthew O'Reilly Eunice Hubbell - Nancy Colby Steve Hubbell - James Reilly Pablo Gonzalez - Luis Serrano Neighbor Lady/Flower Seller/Nurse - Carol Cisek The Young Collector - Andrei Danilchenko The Doctor - Jeffrey Flood Tickets and other information are available online and by contacting the box office at (413)583-4301 Happier Valley Comedy presents Happier Valley Comedy Show featuring We Made A Thing September 9 at 8:00 PM 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA (Northampton Center for the Arts, Arts Trust Building, Lower Level Entrance) September brings a very special show for you! First up is the debut of the Valley's newest two-person superteam, "We Made a Thing" featuring Scott Braidman and Pam Victor. In "We Made a Thing," Scott and Pam live two other people's lives until the the show is over and they have to stop. If you like patient, character-based, discovery-rich improvlusciousness, "We Made a Thing" is just the thing. Then, The Ha-Ha's welcome former state representative Ellen Story, who will tell stories of her life, which serves as the hilarious fodder for a series of silly scenes brought to life by the talent improvisers. More information.  Tickets are available at the door for $13. Doors open at 7:30pm. Join us in our new home! Happier Valley Comedy presents More Improv, More Better: After-Show and Jam September 9 at 10:00 PM 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA (Northampton Center for the Arts, Arts Trust Building, Lower Level Entrance) The "More Improv, More Better Jam & Showcase is an open improv jam and short performance that runs from 10-11pm on the second Saturday of each month, directly following the Happier Valley Comedy Show. Play improv games lead by a Happier Valley Comedy School Jam Leader and watch a short improvised set featuring student improv group.  OPEN TO EVERYONE AGE 18+! (Yes, even you!) Come watch. Come play. Come laugh. More information.  Suggested donation is $3-5. Spindrift Theatre presents SILENT SKY by Lauren Gunderson Thursday thru Saturday Sep. 14-16, 7:30 PM and Sunday, Sep. 17, 2:00 PM, Shea Theater, Turners Falls. With Myka Plunkett, Marina Goldman, Louise Krieger, Linda Tardif, and Reynolds Whalen. TICKETS at the Door. $16 and $14 Seniors/ Students. 413-586-6095, 413-648-7432. Five College Opera presents The Scarlet Professor composed by Eric Sawyer, libretto by Harley Erdman, based on the book by Barry Werth September 15 at 8:00 PM, September 16 at 8:00 PM, September 17 at 3:00 PM, September 23 at 8:00 PM, September 24 at 3:00 PM Theatre 14, Smith College A true story of shame and scandal from 1960: renowned Smith English professor Newton Arvin is arrested and disgraced for possessing gay magazines and materials. The drama centers on Arvin’s friendship with a young colleague also caught in the scandal, as well as Arvin’s literary obsession with The Scarlet Letter, whose characters spring from his imagination onto the opera stage. The first weekend of world premiere performances presented by Five College Opera features a cast of top opera professionals. The second weekend features a cast of young artists from the Five Colleges. Ron Bashford directs the stage and Eduardo Leandro conducts an orchestra of Five College faculty. More information.  Happier Valley Comedy presents Happier FAMILY Comedy Show September 16 at 3:00 PM The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art,125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA Let's make your happy family HAPPIER! Join us at The Happier FAMILY Comedy Show!  Every show is all new and created on the spot based on your suggestions. Best for 5-12 year-olds and their adults. This improv comedy show is funny for the whole family! The third Saturday of every month 3-4pm  at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA Tickets available at the door* $5/children $10/adults 4 years and under are FREE! Discounts available for groups of 8+ too! http://www.happiervalley.com/happier-family-comedy-show.html *Attendees do not need to purchase museum entrance.  **Note: Museum members get a discount for Show tickets. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Pioneer Valley Theatre Companies Academy of Music Theatre Arena Civic Theatre Black Cat Theater Chester Theatre Company The Country Players Eggtooth Productions Exit 7 Players Ghost Light Theater Hampshire Shakespeare Company Happier Valley Comedy New Century Theatre PaintBox Theatre Pauline Productions Real Live Theatre Red Thread Theater Serious Play Theatre Ensemble St. Michael's Players TheatreTruck Westfield Theatre Group Is your theatre company missing? Email me! The Academy of Music is hiring a part-time Box Office Manager: The Academy of Music box office manager is responsible for controlling all aspects of tickets sales for the Academy. The box office manager works closely with the accountant, website manager and the renters of the Academy to make sure ticket sales and money are brought in balance, information for ticket sales is accurate and timely, and customer or renter concerns are addressed in a courteous and professional manner. The box office manager trains and supervises personnel that work with ticket sales. This may include training new employees on computer software, handling credit card payments and potential difficulties. The box office manager works closely with staff to help with problem solving challenges and to support their work environment. The box office manager responds to customer complaints and deals with any issues that arise at the ticket counter. The box office manager sets the ticket and show pages through Ticketfly and website platform. Qualifications: • 2 years of relevant experience working in a box office environment for non-profit venue or organization • Strong computer skills • Broad knowledge of box office protocols and procedures • Excellent customer service skills • Knowledge of Ticketfly.com, on-line ticket sales, credit card procedures • Strong bookkeeping skills Education: • Bachelor’s degree in related field or equivalent • Extensive experience in a box office environment Please send resume and three references by September 7th to Theater Manager Addie MacDonald @ amacdonald@aomtheatre.com JA'DUKE AUDITIONS Open casting call and age appropriate casting for "Sister Act". *Must be in at least 9th grade to audition* WHEN: Attend one of the following audition times: Friday, September 8th @ 6:00pm OR Saturday, September 9th @ 10:00am WHERE: Ja'Duke Center for the Performing Arts 110 Industrial Blvd Turners Falls, MA 01376 WHAT: Audition Info *Dancing/Movement You will be asked to learn and perform a short piece of choreography. Please dress appropriately for dance and movement. *Singing Be prepared to sing a song for the show. For more information please visit: https://jcpa0.wixsite.com/shows/auditions Email Kimberly at: jcpa@jaduke.com Call Ja'Duke at 413-863-0001 NUTCRACKER Community Auditions Each year, we welcome dancers from all over Western Massachusetts to take part in one of our seasonal ballets! Nutcracker auditions for Community members take place Saturday September 9, 2017. Dancers aged 5-7 audition 10:30-12:30 Dancers aged 8-10 audition 1:00-3:00 The performance fee is $49 and rehearsals begin in October on Friday or Saturdays depending upon the role. FOR AUDITIONS: Please wear comfortable clothing and hair off of the face. It is not necessary to wear leotard and tights. Please contact the studio for details. www.poineervalleyballet.org Smith College Department of Theatre presents AUDITIONS CREATURE By Heidi Schreck Directed by Isabelle Brown ‘19 After being pestered by devils for more than half a year, Margery Kempe – new mother, mayor’s daughter, and proprietress of a highly profitable beer business – is liberated from her torment by a vision of Jesus Christ in purple robes. Visions are hard to come by, even in 1401. Should we trust the new Margery, with her fasting and her weeping and her chastity fixation, or burn her with the other heretics? Can a woman of insatiable appetites just up an audition for sainthood? AUDITIONS: Sunday and Monday, September 10 and 11, 7-10 PM Acting Studio 1, Mendenhall Center, Smith College, Northampton. Call backs on Wednesday, September 13, 7-10 pm, Acting Studio 1  Performances October 20, 21, 26, 27, 28 at 7:30 PM; Theatre 14, Mendenhall Center, Smith College, Northampton. Roles for 6 Actors. No preparation necessary. Sides will be provided from the script. Questions? email artsinfo@smith.edu Seeking a diverse cast for Runaways Community members are encouraged to audition Sept. 11 and 12 for UMass Theater's fall musical The UMass Department of Theater is holding auditions for its production of Runaways, a musical that calls for a large cast that includes members of the LGBT community, performers of color, and deaf actors who use ASL. We also look forward to welcoming to our cast those who have personal experience as members of the homeless or runaway community. Extensive theater training is not required. Audition details: Sept. 11 & 12, 6:30-10:30 Sign up for an audition slot at https://tinyurl.com/umassrunaways. Please prepare about 30-60 seconds of your favorite song (musical or your favorite pop song). This will be sung a cappella. In addition to a song please also prepare a one-minute monologue or poem. Actors may be asked to move, so please dress comfortably in attire that allows for easy unrestricted movement.    Please check in with the stage management staff in the Theater Green Room when you arrive.  Please BE READY TO BEGIN YOUR AUDITION PROMPTLY at your chosen audition time (Plan to arrive 15 minutes early for your audition to allow check-in, paperwork and warm-up time.) CALLBACKS: Will be posted on the UMass Department of Theater blog page: http://umassauditions.blogspot.com/ Runaways will have performances Nov. 1, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 at 7:30 p.m., Nov. 11 at 2 p.m., and a school matinee at Nov. 8 at 10 a.m. Questions? Contact stage manager Matt Morin. Audition phone lines are LIVE for ALSCT's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST! Call Amherst Leisure Services at 413-259-3065 for your appointment!   AUDITIONS: Friday, Sept. 15; Saturday, Sept. 16, Sunday, Sept. 17 Callbacks Monday, September 18   Amherst Leisure Services Community Theater (ALSCT) brings Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, the classic “tale as old as time” to the UMass Bowker Auditorium stage in January, 2018. Lavish sets and costumes, a full live orchestra, and enthusiastic audiences fill the 600-seat theater for nine performances. Actors, singers, and dancers ages 7-107 are encouraged to audition.   ALSCT strives to be inclusive in casting and welcomes talented performers and theater enthusiasts of all backgrounds to participate in auditions and/or be a part of the behind-the-scenes team.   For more information, see www.alsct.org.   Director: Dave Grout Musical Director: Cindy Naughton Choreographer: Mary Ann Holmes Conductor: Max Sherrill AUDITIONS William Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing Directed by Ryan Bird PERFORMANCE DATES: February 9-11 and 16-18, 2018 AUDITIONS: Closed auditions Sunday & Monday September 24 and 25, 6:30-9pm by appointment.   Click here to schedule your appointment. Actors who arrive without an appointment will be see on an “as available” basis.   Please note that appointments will be in 15 minute blocks and times are first come/first served. Call backs, as needed, by invitation on Wednesday, September 27 Please note that auditions are being held at the United Church of Christ in Ludlow, MA (a few blocks from Exit 7 theater) located at 51 Center St. Ludlow, MA. Please email bird_rmb@hotmail.com if you have any questions. AUDITION REQUIREMENTS: All actors must be 18 years of age or older by audition date.   All races, genders, shapes and sizes are encouraged to audition.   All roles are open.   All ages listed in role description are approximate only.   Actors should bring a theater resume and headshot if they have one.  Actors who wish to be considered for the roles of Beatrice, Benedick, Claudio, Hero and Dogberry should prepare an approximately one minute comedic Shakespearean monologue.   Actors who are open to any role should familiarize themselves with the script and be prepared to read from the script. REHEARSALS: Tentatively scheduled for Sunday-Wednesday beginning on or shortly after October 29th. With a break over the Thanksgiving and Winter holidays. Please be prepared to list conflicts with rehearsal dates at time of audition. ROLES: 4-12 women and 7-12 men. Approximal half of the roles are gender neutral and very flexible on age More information about each role. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Acting Classes with New Century Theatre NCT Producing Director Sam Rush teaches two courses beginning this Tuesday, September 12, 2017.  Cost for the eight-week course is $275. Classes will be held at the Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz Street in Northampton, MA. To register, send an email to Sam Rush (srush@newcenturytheatre.org) or call 413-587-3933 to hold a spot. You can click on this link to download a registration form. Acting for Non-Actors - Instructor, Sam Rush   Ages 18 and up (or by instructor permission)   Tuesdays, 5:15-7:15 p.m.   Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz Street  September 12 - November 7  (no class on October 10)  Course Description: The perfect course if you have never taken an acting class before but have always wanted to try or had a class once way back when and want to try again. With NCT Producing Director Sam Rush, you'll have a chance to explore your inner ham in a fun, relaxed and supportive environment. Using improvisation, text and original source material, you'll learn fundamental acting techniques that may just serve you the rest of your life - on stage or off.   Scene Study Intensive - Instructor, Sam Rush Ages 18 and up (or by instructor permission)  Wednesdays, 5:15-7:15 p.m.  Northampton Senior Center, 67 Conz Street   September 13 - November 7  (no class on September 20)    Course Description:  This class is for actors with previous experience and for students who have taken the Acting for Non-Actors course and wish to continue their study of the actor's craft. We'll start right away with scene study work and exercises that support the rehearsal process. J-ART in partnership with Phantom Sheep Productions presents Comedy Improv Classes Adults & Teens (15+) Mondays beginning September 18 to October 30  Springfield Jewish Community Center Week Fall Session. Mondays 7-9PM starting September 18th. All levels welcome and challenged at own pace.  Sharpen quick thinking! Unleash creativity and characters! Build confidence! Enjoy the power of collaboration! Improve acting and stage presence! Relax and laugh! (a lot)! Taught in a very fun, encouraging, and constructive atmosphere. Facebook event here.  Open to the public. Discounts available for JCC and J-ART members Valley Performance Playground Creative Drama After-School Class Tuesdays, 3:45-5:15, Sept 19-Dec 5, 2017, (12-week session) Arts Trust Building, Lower Level, 33 Hawley St, Northampton Looking for a creative outlet for your kids after-school? Check out Valley Performance Playground's newest fall class, CREATIVE DRAMA. Each week, students will play theater and improvisation games, and explore vocal and movement exercises as they create and develop original characters. Collaboration, careful observation, and creative thinking will be emphasized throughout the process as students gain theater technique and confidence. Instructor: Sarah Marcus Ages: 7-11 Cost: $225 More information. 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