Pioneer Valley Theatre News June 14, 2018

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser  June 14 - July 4, 2018 Last chance to see I AM MY OWN WIFE tonight - it's at the Majestic in West Springfield. It's probably also your last chance to get tickets for DEUS EX MACHINA at the Shea Theatre - tickets are going fast. (See the link below!) The next issue will include events through July 11. 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 Tickets going fast! THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from American Theatre What a Girl Wants by Diep Tran From the article:  Girls kicking soccer balls. Girls dancing in sync. Girls taking turns belting Whitney Houston’s “The Greatest Love of All.” If you’ve been in a theatre recently, you may have noticed a lot of attention, even raves, for plays about teenage girls. Currently Dance Nation by Clare Barron is enjoying a twice-extended run at Playwrights Horizons Off Broadway (now through June 17); later this year School Girls: The African Mean Girls Play by Jocelyn Bioh will enjoy a remount at MCC Theater, also Off Broadway (Oct. 16-Nov. 25), after an extended run there last December, and will later run at Speakeasy Stage Company in Boston, and Jungle Theater in Minneapolis. Meanwhile The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe, which debuted at Playwrights Realm, is currently having multiple productions around the country (38 upcoming, according to Samuel French, including at Dallas Theater Center, Capital Stage Company, and Southern Rep). Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com Want to know even more about events in the Pioneer Valley and beyond, including reviews, interviews, and previews? Check out In the Spotlight, Inc. PERFORMANCES Pauline Productions Presents  I AM MY OWN WIFE by Doug Wright Thursday, June 14 at 7:30 PM Majestic Theater, West Springfield Rylan Morsbach who wowed audiences with his one-man performance of Scaramouche  Jones (2010) returns to Ashfield to perform in Pauline Productions’ (PaulineLive.com) I Am My Own Wife by playwright Doug Wright.  This Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award Winning modern classic tells the fascinating true life story of Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, born Lothar Berfelde, who remarkably survived both Nazi Germany and Soviet controlled Berlin as a transgender woman. Actor Rylan Morsbach portrays over 30 characters in this tour-de-force performance as we follow the many threads that make up Charlotte's life.  “An experience that is intellectual, theatrical, funny, and poignant…without forgiveness and sentiment [it] unravels the story of one life."  NYTheatre.com. Tickets and more info.  Stageloft Repertory Theater,  450A Main Street, Sturbridge MA presents THE HUNCHBACK OF NOTRE DAME.   Performances June 14 through June 24, Fridays and Saturdays at 8PM, Sundays at 2PM.  Based on the Victor Hugo novel and songs from the Disney animated feature, The Hunchback of Notre Dame showcases the film’s Academy Award-nominated score, as well as new songs by Menken and Schwartz. Peter Parnell’s new book embraces story theatre and features verbatim passages from Hugo’s gothic novel.   This production is directed by Kevin McGerigle, music direction by Virginia Bailey, choreography by Jackie McGerigle. Tickets are $20 adults, $17 seniors/students/military, $10 youth.  Groups rates available. For tickets call 508-347-9005 or visit www.stageloft.org. The musical begins as the bells of Notre Dame sound through the famed cathedral in fifteenth-century Paris. Quasimodo, the deformed bell-ringer who longs to be "Out There," observes all of Paris reveling in the Feast of Fools. Held captive by his devious caretaker, the archdeacon Dom Claude Frollo, he escapes for the day and joins the boisterous crowd, only to be treated cruelly by all but the beautiful gypsy, Esmeralda. Quasimodo isn’t the only one captivated by her free spirit, though – the handsome Captain Phoebus and Frollo are equally enthralled. As the three vie for her attention, Frollo embarks on a mission to destroy the gypsies – and it’s up to Quasimodo to save them all. Wilbraham United Players presents BEAUTY AND THE BEAST June 15, 16, 22, 23 at 7:30PM, June 23 at 10:30AM also, June 24 at 2:30PM Minnechaug Regional High School Auditorium, 621 Main Street, Wilbraham, MA 01095 Wilbraham United Players Production of Disney's Beauty and the Beast will be held in the Auditorium at Minnechaug Regional High School in Wilbraham. MA. Tickets are $25 for premium seats, $20 for regular seating. ALL SEATS ARE RESERVED. $5.00 discount for Students and Seniors. Tickets can be purchased through players website. Facebook event can be found here. Eggtooth Productions is proud to remount their sold out immersive theater production of:  Deus Ex Machina by John Bechtold  June 20-24th  at the Shea Theatre in Turners Falls, MA  We offer two shows each night at 7 pm and 8:30 pm for five nights only with a limit of 250 participants total. Tickets are $25. SPONSORED BY TEDDY BEAR POOLS AND COHN AND COMPANY REAL ESTATE! For the uninitiated, what is immersive theater? Immersive theater is a brand of performance that puts the audience directly into the world of the show, often in non-traditional spaces and with a higher level of agency than a conventional performance. Unlike "audience participation" moments in more traditional theater, immersive theater audiences are not put on the spot for entertainment purposes so much as invited into the show's universe, where meaningful connections between characters and audience begin to take form.  In Deus Ex Machina, audience members will be invited to explore the many corners of the historic Shea Theater, which has been a home for 1920's vaudeville troupes, a controversial 1970's commune called the Renaissance Community, and much more. Though a carefully-curated experience, they will get the chance to play with the ghosts of the building in exciting and sometimes unexpected ways.  Indeed, the star of the show is the Shea Theatre, a venue with a long and wondrously checkered past. Denis Shea opened the theatre on Valentines Day 1927. The stage was the home for amateur theater productions put on by such groups as the American Legion Auxiliary, the Rotary Club, and the Turners High School. Mr. Shea also brought in occasional vaudeville shows. He died in 1945 and his family sold the theatre two years later. It continued to operate under various owners until 1956. The Shea then remained dark except for a short time in 1963-64. In 1973, the Renaissance Community bought the Shea and used it as a recording studio and site for their religious activities under the leadership of Michael “Rapunzel” Metelica. In 1986, they sold it to the Franklin County Community Development Corp, who launched the restoration project whereupon the town of Montague bought the property. Most recently, in 2015, a new board of directors took on the lease and restored the building to once again become an active and vibrant community cultural center. The cast of Deus Ex Machina includes Eggtooth regulars and a few new performers: Linda Tardif, Marina Goldman, Reynolds Whalen, Katie Spurgin, Atticus Belmonte, Enzo Belmonte, Pax Belmonte, Amelia Chalfant, Jack Golden, Katherine Adler, Monte Belmonte, Lindel Hart, Lori Holmes Clark, Michayla Robertson-Pine, Emma Ayres, Troy Mercier, Emily Pritchard, Matt Ferrari, Joe Dulude, Deb Banks, and Julia Whalen. SILVERTHORNE THEATER PRESENTS SECOND SEASON SHOW,  ATHOL FUGARD’S THE ROAD TO MECCA South African playwright Athol Fugard’s The Road to Mecca, has been called “a penetrating study of the role of the artist in any society.”  Silverthorne Theater continues its exploration of the function of art with this piece that runs June 21-30 at the Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield.   The Play The play is based on the true story of an aging Afrikaaner woman, Helen Martins, whose evocative sculptures transformed the yard of her house in her isolated community into “a visionary environment”, assaulting the sensibilities of her conservative Dutch Reformed neighbors and causing them to doubt her sanity. Her home became known as “The Owl House” for her frequent depictions of owls in addition to a variety of human figures. The Mecca in the title does not have a religious implication but instead reflects Miss Helen’s fascination with the eastern culture that resulted in her having the statues all facing East.   Fugard is best known for his plays dealing with the evils of apartheid, but here he brings together two social & political opposites from white South Africa who each consider themself Miss Helen’s friend and take a strong interest in her welfare according to their own conflicting views about artistic creativity & the challenges of aging. Fugard himself had a home in remote Nieu Bethesda, Miss Helen’s community, and loved the stark beauty of the Karoo desert setting. The play won the 1988 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Foreign Play and was hailed "[T]he author's most personal play to date, an essential Rosetta stone for the entire canon." - The New York Times.   The People Silverthorne’s production is directed by Rebecca Daniels and features veteran actors Jeannine Haas as Miss Helen, Chris Devine as Pastor Marius, and Mo Mosley as Miss Helen’s young friend, Elsa.. A native of South Africa herself, Mosley speaks Afrikaans and will serve as dialect coach for the other actors.     Former NMH instructor Ted Thornton serves as dramaturg, contextualizing for the cast and audience the nature of Afrikaaner culture in the 1970s setting of the play. The Company has engaged professional designer Molly Hall to create the magical environment of Miss Helen’s home that so expresses her unique artistic gift.     Production Details Tickets for the play may be purchased online through Eventbrite.com or by calling the Silverthorne Box Office at 413-768-7514. Discounted tickets will be available as of June 1 at World Eye Bookstore in Greenfield and Broadside Books in Northampton.  Performances are scheduled for June 21, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 at 7:30 pm with a matinee on Sunday, June 24, at 2 pm. The fourth floor space at Hawks & Reed at 289 Main St, Greenfield, is air conditioned and fully handicapped accessible. Chester Theatre Company presents BAR MITZVAH BOY by Mark Leiren-Young 6/21 2 & 8pm, 6/22 8pm, 6/23 2 & 8pm, 6/24 2pm, 6/28 2 & 8 pm, 6/29 8pm, 6/30 2 & 8pm, 7/1 2pm Town Hall Theatre, 15 Middlefield Rd, Chester, MA Joey is in a hurry to “become a man,” but he’d prefer not to skip his weekly poker game for Friday night services to do it. While this late-in-life Bar Mitzvah (and successful divorce attorney) is finding his spiritual way, the rabbi guiding him is losing hers. The 2017 Jewish Playwriting Prize winner is being directed by Guy Ben-Aharon, director of 2016’s hit production, Oh God. Berkshire favorite Tara Franklin (Sister Play) returns to play Rabbi Michael, and Boston veteran actor Will LeBow will make his CTC debut as Joey. Tickets. Hampshire Shakespeare Company Twelfth Night--Shakespeare Under The Stars June 27th through July 1st and July 4th through July 8th at 7:00pm Massachusetts Center for Interdisciplinary Renaissance Studies, 650 East Pleasant St., Amherst MA, 01002 Every summer Hampshire Shakespeare Company brings outdoor theater to the Pioneer Valley, as it was done in the Bard's day. This summer we are presenting Twelfth Night from June 27th through July 1st and July 4th through July 8th, and Othello from July 18th through July 22nd and July 25th through July 29th, as well as our Young Company production of Twelfth Night from August 17th through 19th. Our venue is the beautiful lawn of the Massachusetts Renaissance Center, located on the former estate of Winthrop Saltonstall Dakin, with their brick home built in the style of a Renaissance cottage in Shakespeare's Warwickshire nestled in the rolling hills of Amherst as the backdrop. Tickets Goowin's Balloowins  Thursday June 28 at 11am Children's Museum at Holyoke Celebrate the start of summer with madcap balloon artist, Allynn Gooen, at the Children's Museum at Holyoke! In this interactive performance, Gooen has the children become the characters and heroes of the stories, and the twisting of balloons creates the sets, props, and costumes in a fun and unique theatre of balloons. With a special focus on Dr. Seuss stories, this is an event your kids won't want to miss.  Free with paid admission. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Pioneer Valley Theatre Companies Is your theatre company missing? Email me! 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 Ja'Duke Center for the Performing Arts Ko Theater Works/Ko Festival of Performance Majestic Theater New Century Theatre PaintBox Theatre Pauline Productions Real Live Theatre Red Thread Theater Serious Play Theatre Ensemble Silverthorne Theater Smith College Department of Theatre St. Michael's Players Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc. TheatreTruck Turbulent Times Theater Westfield Theatre Group Wilbraham United Players Greene Room Productions EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH DIRECTOR NEEDED Please reply with resume and cover letter to GreeneRoomProductions@gmail.com Check us out at www.greeneroomproductions.com Serious applicants only please GRP Ed Outreach Mission: This is a non-profit theater company that is dedicated to producing quality entertainment and hands-on learning opportunities to children and adults. We offer a safe nurturing environment where individuals can come after-school to participate in theatrical programs pushing them to reach for their maximum potential. Position Summary: We are looking for a dynamic individual to direct and manage the after-school theater programs. The Ed Director must have an interest and experience working with youth of ages 3.5-adult and expertise in one or more disciplines in theater production, direction, design, improv, and production management. The Ed Director must be a positive role model for participants and volunteers in the program, leading by example, able to create lesson plans, direct youth productions, oversee other afternoon workshop instructors, assuming the responsibility, safety, empowerment, and success of all participants. The Ed Director will manage 3 sessions of after-school theater programs, Oct-Dec, Jan-Mar, and April-June and is paid stipends per project. The programs run at the Eastfield Mall rehearsal space Mon-Thurs 3:30-6:30pm with a Friday “prep” day. Through the addition of the new Ed Director position GRP intends on further developing the Ed Outreach program in increments. There is a great opportunity for growth in this position. The cumulative stipend for all 3 projects is $11,000.00 and would preferably start this fall 2018. Job Status: This is a freelance job Preferred Qualification Requirements: Bachelors or Associate Degree or attending college with appropriate training or certification in their area of specialty is preferred Minimum of two years’ experience working with elementary, middle, and/or high school-aged children Exceptional group management, problem-solving and conflict resolution skills Strong verbal and written communication skills Competency in youth development Ability to create interactive activities that are age-appropriate Genuine enthusiasm for developing professional skills through training opportunities and field practice Ability to work as part of a team and with the Executive Director and Board of Directors Ability to communicate and work effectively and respectfully with a broad range of diverse constituents Be available to shadow to get the full scope of GRP expectations and run-of-program Duties and Responsibilities:   Ensure the safety and engagement of children in assigned activities Develop weekly project based activity lesson plans in area(s) of specialty Facilitate purposeful activities that foster the development of new skills in children, while reinforcing skills/information previously taught Direct fall, winter, and spring Ed Outreach productions while collaborating with other workshop directors; culminating all groups into one large production each session Lead costume/set/props “Build” nights, instructing children and adult volunteers Organize and lead the local tour by “Kids Tour; Acting Troupe” to local schools 1 day each spring and fall Oversee participant sign-in/out Work with the Executive Director to build the Ed Outreach program In off-season and small class periods assist Executive Director with grant writing, scheduling/organizing of events, planning, recruiting volunteers, and other admin tasks that relate to the play/workshop production process Uphold a high quality of expectation and work/ethic in all who are involved, in all areas Must attend weekly production meetings with the Executive Director Must attend monthly board meetings Springfield College Theater hiring a Technical Direction/Scenic Designer Springfield College Fuller Arts Center and scenic shop Beginning Fall 2018 Provide technical direction and scenic design for Springfield College Theater, supervised and directed by Prof. Martin Shell.  We produce one play each semester. Fee per show. Applicants with an MA or MFA may also apply to instruct a stage production course as an adjunct. TD does not require the grad degree, but please provide your resume of experience. Contact mshell@springfieldcollege.edu WORKSHOPS & CLASSES 3 unique workshops as part of the 27th Annual KO FESTIVAL OF PERFORMANCE, held each summer on the beautiful Amherst College campus in Amherst, Massachusetts. Join us for one or more of our 6-day intensives, led by expert teachers, who are adept at gearing their classes for multiple levels of experience.  July 9 - 14, 2018 SOUND AND FURY An Embodied Approach to Voice, Text & Sound Design for the Theatre with RICHARD NEWMAN, Co-Artistic Director of The Hinterlands (Detroit) July 16 - 21, 2018 FIRST PERSON: Crafting Your Story for Performance with Gerard Stropnicky, Co-Founder Bloomsburg Theater Ensemble (PA) July 30 - August 4, 2018 THEATRE AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDED ON IT with Helen Stoltzfus of Black Swan Arts & Media (San Francisco) All classes meet from 10 am - 4 pm on the Amherst College campus. More information. MAKE LEARNING WITH REAL LIVE THEATRE THE HIGHLIGHT OF YOUR SUMMER! We are psyched to launch five brand new summer workshops for theatre makers of all backgrounds, interests, and levels of experience. All workshops are led by RLT members and educators and will take place at the North Star Building on Route 116 in Sunderland, MA. Join us for any or all of these fabulous afternoons - discounts are available for those interested in more than one! Saturday July 21st 1-4 PM: Theater Making with a Conscience with Ellen Morbyrne Saturday July 28th 1-4 PM: Rooting and Rising: Cultivating Community and Championing the Creative Spirit with Angelica Polk and Julissa Rodriguez Saturday August 4th 1-4 PM: The Art of the Director with Toby Vera Bercovici Saturday August 11th 12-4 PM: Choreographing Intimacy with Toby Vera Bercovici and Ellen Morbyrne Saturday August 25th 1-4 PM: Instigating Hope and Change Through Theater with Ezekiel Baskin and Trenda Loftin CLICK HERE for more information on each workshop, our educators, and how to register! Feel free to email reallivetheatre@gmail.com with any questions. PaintBox Theatre PreSeason Party June 23 at 12:00 PM Captain Jacks in Easthampton Free and Open to the Public  PaintBox Theatre presents our PreSeason Party at Captain Jack's in Easthampton, where you'll catch Tom McCabe telling stories, Lively Live music, and (thanks to our Season Sponsor: Royal Talens North America!) a lot of art to supplement the images needed for our summer season of TARZAN, PIRATES, and THE LITTLE MERMAID. Submit your workshop or class or audition or performance or job or any other theatre opportunity here! 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|*