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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter

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December 6 - 26, 2018

Well, it's December, so I guess it's supposed to be cold and dark. This weekend, check out Real Live Theatre's WHEN LAST WE FLEW at the Arts Trust building on Hawley Street. Also this weekend: the 40th anniversary performance of The Nutcracker at the Academy of Music - that's what I'll be doing this weekend - perhaps I'll see you there.

The next issue will include events through January 2. 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

G et Your Tickets!

THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS:

from H owlround
Against the New Play
by Rob Onorato

From the article:

I’m a queer person, a gay person. My pleasures are perverse, my tastes niche and specific, my desires deep and elusive. I come from art-loving people, aesthetes: balletomanes, opera queens, window dressers, fashion plates, DJs, cruisers, dancers, voyeurs, Factory girls, belletrists, and, most especially, moviegoers and theatre fags.

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?
In the Spotlight, Inc.
Berkshire on Stage

Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Personnel Spreadsheet

PERFORMANCES

Real Live Theatre presents When Last We Flew
December 6, 7, 8 at 7:00 PM, December 9 at 2:00 PM
Northampton Center for the Arts @ 33 Hawley Street

Real Live Theatre presents "When Last We Flew," by Harrison David Rivers: a reflection, a holding, a celebration of black, brown, queer, and activist youth coming into their various identities while navigating family and relationships, and seeking connection. These characters are nuanced and real, their stories are relatable and simultaneously inspiring. This coming of age story follows teenagers Paul, Ian, and Natalie (and their families) as they discover who they really are.

After stealing his local library's only copy of "Angels in America," misfit teenager Paul locks himself in the bathroom and begins reading Tony Kushner's landmark play. He soon finds that his life and the lives of those around him in his small Kansas suburb are about to take flight, and over the course of a seemingly ordinary day, extraordinary things start to happen.

Tickets are $25. There is a sliding scale for those who need it starting at $10. There is also a sponsor sliding scale for those who can afford to support the arts starting at $26.

UMass Amherst Department of Theater presents WHAT OF THE NIGHT
By María Irene Fornés
Directed by Vishnupad Barve
Dec. 6, 7, 8 at 7:30 p.m. | Dec. 8 at 2 p.m.
The Curtain Theater

This November, the UMass Department of Theater will honor the legacy of Cuban-born American playwright, María Irene Fornés, with a production of her Pulitzer Prize-finalist play, What of the Night? The collection of these four plays, directed by MFA graduate student in directing Vishupad Barve, spans several generations moving through to a dystopian future and features a family of characters who live on the fringes of society, desperately poor and scrambling to eke out a living under harsh conditions.
Though the quartet focuses heavily on the violence we enact on each other when our basic needs for survival aren't being met, there's a persistent thread of hope running throughout the work. Fornés' characters strive for more than mere survival, seeking connection and community and challenging the audience to see beyond the signifiers of class to recognize their full humanity.
"Fornés presents some deeply flawed, but authentically human characters in this piece. She depicts their struggles without eliciting pity from us, but rather gives us space to critically examine the world they are navigating. It speaks to the way we treat each other and move through the world," says What of the Night? dramaturg Shaila Schmidt.
María Irene Fornés, who recently passed away, will always be remembered as a visionary force in the American theater who continually pushed the boundaries of creative expression. Her work, often sparse in language and boldly character-driven, has influenced generations of playwrights and artists over the years. Help us celebrate the generous and creative spirit of one of the greatest hearts and minds of the American theater. Come join us for a truly powerful night of theater with What of the Night?, running Nov. 29 — Dec. 8.
$5 students and seniors, $15 general admission, reservations encouraged. Call 1-800-999-UMAS or visit the Fine Arts Center Box Office online.

Smith College Department of Theatre presents Studio Productions
FAR AWAY by Caryl Churchill
Directed by Gabby Farrah
December 6, 8 at 7:30 PM
Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre

Confronting our deepest fears, Caryl Churchill's extraordinary play depicts a chilling world where everyone is at war, and not even the birds and trees can be trusted.

Free and open to the public.

Springfield Technical Community College presents Removing the Glove
December 6 at 11:00 AM, December 7 and 8 at 7:00 PM
Springfield Technical Community College, Scibelli Hall Theater

The Springfield Technical Community College Theater Workshop will perform two plays, back-to-back. “Some Prepared Remarks,” a one-man show written by Jason Gray Platt that covers a man’s life in seven short speeches, and the satire “Removing the Glove,” about coming out … as a left-hander.
On Dec 6th, the STCC GLBTA Club will host a panel discussion afterward.
On Dec 7th, Theater-goers can pay to see the plays or, for an additional charge, enjoy a pre-performance meal on the 7th floor of Scibelli Hall. The cost of the special dinner and show package for the Dec. 7 evening performance is $30 or $25 for students. Theater-goers not interested in the meal can pay the regular ticket price to see the plays.
On Dec 8th, the performance is a benefit for the Enlaces House of Colors, Holyoke’s first and only LGBTQ health and resource center, designed by and for youth who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or queer. The resource center is run by the nonprofit family resource organization Enlace de Familias, of Holyoke.

More information.

“THE WAR AND WALT WHIPPLE” TAKES OVER MAJESTIC THEATER
DECEMBER 6-9
Premiere Production of Latest Play Written by Majestic’s Producing Director Danny Eaton

“The War and Walt Whipple,” a comedy/drama written by Danny Eaton, makes its debut at West Springfield’s Majestic Theater November 1 – December 9. Eaton is the producing director at the Majestic.

The play, based on events in Eaton’s family history, tells the story of Walt and Alice Whipple, parents to four sons. When World War II erupts, three of the sons immediately join the services, but before shipping out, each marries and sends their wives to the Whipple family homestead for the duration of the war. The arrival of three daughters-in-law, following a lifetime raising sons, challenges Walt on many levels.

“I was inspired to write this play because I wanted my children and grandchildren, who are generationally removed, to better understand the life my parents and my grandparents led,” said Eaton. “World War II was a time of common purpose in America, and those families who endured such hardships deserve to be remembered and honored. It was a great experience for me, as one of three survivors of my generation, to look back into my family's history and to bring life to it. My dad was the story teller in the family, and I hope this play not only carries on that tradition, but maybe even inspires a few people to reach back into their own lives.”

“The War and Walt Whipple” features several actors who have appeared in previous Majestic plays including J. T. Waite, Sue Dziura, Ron Komora, Tom Dahl, Margaret Streeter and Mark Dean. They join other cast members including Katie Mack, Jami Wilson, Jordan Reed, Chris Rojas, Joshua True and Cliff Blake.

Eaton will direct the play, and set design is by Greg Trochlil. Dawn McKay is costume designer, Dan Rist is lighting designer and Stephen Petit is production stage manager.

Tickets range from $24-$34 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. Subscriptions are still being accepted for the five Season shows.

Mount Holyoke College Department of Theatre Arts
The House of Bernarda Alba

12/6 & 12/7 & 12/8 at 7:30 pm and 12/9 at 2:00 pm
Rooke Theatre

After her husband's death, iron-fisted Bernarda imposes an eight-year mourning period on her daughters, trapping them in a claustrophic house teeming with jealousy and repressed desire under the burning Spanish sun.

www.mtholyoke.edu/acad/theatre

QUEER & NOW: Sync or Swim
12/6 at 7:30 pm, 12/7 at 7:30pm, 12/7 at 10:00pm, 12/8 at 10:00pm
UMass Amherst Fine Arts Center, Arts Bridge, Room 434

QUEER & NOW is a devised physical theater project that fuses drag, lip syncing, choreography, and gender play to create an evening of celebration and protest. Sync or Swim is the second installment of the series, combining ancient world mythologies with contemporary pop music to create a tapestry of our impending new queer world. From fresh takes on Mami Wata and Demeter, to Narcissus and the Selkies, QUEER & NOW: Sync or Swim embraces our possible future through queering the past. wearequeerandnow.com

http://bit.ly/2F0xrQE

This event was made possible (in part) by grants from the UMass Arts Council and the Commonwealth Honors College.

Smith College Department of Theatre
Senior Collaboration Capstone Presentation
December 7 and 9 at 7:30 PM
Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre

Two performances by senior theatre majors.

From Will to Women explores the narration of the women of Shakespeare. The show acts to give power back to the female characters in Shakespeare’s work who have previously been used as collateral damage in the lives of the leading male characters.

‘Rose is a Rose’ is a performance piece designed to bear witness to LGBTQIA+ love, unburdened by politicization. In response to the under-representation of non-hetero relationships in plays, television, and film—particularly LGBTQIA+ love that is not overshadowed by gay-adjacent tragedy—the Senior Collaboration Capstone group, The Fingerlings, has gathered anonymous verbatim stories about true, real, daily non-hetero love. Placing value in the concept that things can simply be what they are, The Fingerlings has titled their piece with a quote from lesbian icon, Gertrude Stein’s Sacred Emily. ‘Rose is a Rose’ will be performed by a group of exceptional actors who invite the audience to consider the many forms love can take, and to see the beauty in them all.

Free and open to the public.

Pioneer Valley Ballet presents THE NUTCRACKER
December 7-9
Academy of Music Theatre

Join the Pioneer Valley Ballet in its 40th production of the classic Nutcracker ballet. PVB’s productions are reinvented each year by Artistic Directors Maryanne Kodzis and Thomas Vacanti as we celebrate the history of the company and tradition of Clara’s magical story. Guest artists include dancers from Carolina Ballet and Festival Ballet join PVB dancers and the community

Friday, December 7 at 4:00 - Sensory and Family Safe Performance
Friday, December 7 at 6:30 - Celebration Performance
Saturday and Sunday, December 8 and 9 at 1:00 and 4:30 PM

Tickets at the Academy of Music box office or by calling 413-584-9032 x105

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND: SILVERTHORNE THEATER PRESENTS

A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A RADIO PLAY

The Holiday Season is not complete without the re-telling of the Dickens’ classic Christmas story. Silverthorne Theater Company’s 1930s radio adaptation of the familiar tale, A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play, was a terrific hit in 2016, and this year will once again be playing in three different Franklin County locations the weekend of December 8-9. At NEPR’s upcoming fundraiser, Jazz, Baby! at the Hotel Northampton on December 1, STC will perform a short scene from the show in the Wiggins Tavern!

Director John Reese has revised the 2016 script adapted from an original full-length play he penned with Linda McInerney and Michael Haley. The 2018 version has retained the original 2016 cast and presents a 1930s live radio broadcast, complete with six actors gathered around standing microphones voicing multiple characters – 33 in all. Haley anchors the performance as Scrooge, joined by Joan Haley, David Rowland, Sharon Weyers, Ann Steinhauser and John Reese, with Marvin Shedd providing narration.

Sound effects genius John Iverson recreate the excitement of the early days of live sound production with an assortment of weird-looking and -sounding machines which he wields in full view of the audience during the course of the show. Period commercials spice up the station identification breaks!

As Reese says, “A Christmas Carol is a perfect theater piece for a holiday revival because it not only entertains an audience but it directly addresses the meaning of being human. It engages and delight the youngest to the oldest member of an audience.”

Specifically designed to be family-friendly, A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play will be performed in three venues:

· Saturday, December 8 at 7 pm at Centennial House (94 Main St, Northfield – part of Northfield’s Special Day Celebration)

· Sunday, December 9 at 2 pm in the Perch at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center (289 Main Street, Greenfield)

· Sunday, December 9 at 7 pm at The Deerfield Inn (81 Old Main Street, Deerfield)

Tickets are $15 general admission; $10 for students/seniors; $35 maximum per family. Seating is limited; tickets may be ordered online at Eventbrite.com or by calling 413-768-7514. Details at www.silverthornetheater.org

Happier Valley Comedy presents The Ha-Ha's & Friends: Family Show "Up Past Bedtime!"
December 8 at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy Theater, 1 Mill Rd, Hadley, MA

Longtime local favorites The Ha-Ha's perform a completely improvised comedy show on the second Saturday of every month! Each show has a new special guest - this month we welcome The Happier Family Comedy Show performing high energy short form show for an adult audience! Saturday, December 8th at 7pm at the new Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). And stick around after for the 9pm showcase and open improv jam! Tickets: $13 online and at the door. For more info: www.happiervalley.com.

Ghost Light Theater presents December's Wednesday Workshop Play Reading
December 12 at 7:00 PM
Gateway City Arts, Holyoke, MA

This month's play is The Summer Dress by Ellen Wittlinger. Moving forward and backward in time, Donna relives jarring memories from ages 15 and 25. Now 50, she tries to explain to her 21-year-old daughter, Jessie, (and to herself) how her life was shaped and twisted by parents who made her the scapegoat for problems they couldn’t resolve with each other. But understanding doesn’t erase the trauma of living with them which has defined her life and affected Jessie too.

Wednesday Workshop is a monthly reading series hosted by Ghost Light Theater and Gateway City Arts, presenting staged readings of local and new works to showcase the broad range of creative theatrical talents in the Valley. As well as a performance, the intention is to make Wednesday Workshop an opportunity for artists from our many communities to come together to meet and socialize.

In the interest of making the event financially accessible, the series runs on a pay-what-you-will model with a suggested donation of $5. The donations will be split between Ghost Light and each month's featured author(s). Please also consider coming early to order dinner from The Bistro, to support our generous venue; food and drink from The Bistro can also be brought into the performance. After the show, The Bistro will be open for food, drinks, and socializing.
Facebook event.

Neil Simon’s “The Odd Couple” will be performed by Mohawk Trail Regional High School students at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday, Dec. 14 and 15, at the school.
Tickets are $5 to $10 and free for students.

In the play, neat-freak Felix Ungar and messy friend Oscar Madison try sharing an apartment with hilarious results. When Ungar’s marriage falls apart, he has nowhere to turn but his uncontrollably messy friend, Oscar. The mismatched combination proves volatile, and both friends are tested as they attempt to navigate their less-than-ideal living situation.
This staging of Neil Simon’s iconic comedy will not only celebrate the playwright, who died on August 26, but will also update the play to reflect today’s understanding of
gender roles and relationship, says Director Jonah Godfrey of Shelburne Falls.
Godfrey recently returned to Shelburne Falls after graduating from Emerson College’s theater education program. It was during his 9 years in the Mohawk Public Schools that
he fell in love with theater, so he feels honored and thrilled to be directing on the stage where he acted in his first play.
The cast includes Sarah Close as Oscar, Oliver Flynn as Felix, Connor Bailey as Murray, Natalie Szewczyk as Roy, Emery King as Speed, Abigail Hawk-Wickline as Vinnie, Jessica Choiniere as Gwendolyn Pigeon, Julia Hager as Cecily Pigeon.

Ja’Duke is Wrapping a Bow on this Holiday Season with A Christmas Story: The Musical
Ja’Duke wraps up 2018 with a bright, red bow as the holiday favorite A Christmas Story: The Musical brings all the festive cheer audiences could ever need – without the risk of shooting their eyes out on the Frontier High School Stage, 113 N Main St, South Deerfield, MA on Saturday, December 15 @ 2pm, - Saturday, December 15 @ 6pm and Sunday, February 16 @ 2pm

Since the film version of this story based on the short stories of Jean Shepard premiered in 1983, A Christmas Story has joined the likes of It’s a Wonderful Life and Miracle on 34th Street as one of staples of the holiday season.

Let’s face it. Whose holiday season is complete without revisiting little Raphie and his quest to obtain a Red Rider BB Gun for Christmas? Who doesn’t look forward to the family’s surprise when Ralphie’s dad opens his “major award” or the tension when Flick is triple-dog-dared to touch his tongue to a frozen pole on the playground, or the mayhem ensuing from the neighbor’s unruly dogs?
Now take this classic story and add musical numbers like “A Major Award,” “You’ll Shoot Your Eye Out,” and “Up on Santa’s Lap” and you’ll have a holiday treat perfect for the entire family. A Christmas Story: The Musical, adapted by Joseph Robinette with music and lyrics by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, premiered at Kansas City Repertory Theatre in 2009 and was further developed at the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle before going to Broadway in 2012. The film, and by extension the play, is based on a series of autobiographical short stories by Jean Shepard about growing up in 1940’s Ohio, but was mostly drawn from the story “Duel in the Snow, or Red Rider Nails and the Cleveland Street Kid”.
Ticket prices are Adults $12.00 - $10.00 12 and under - $10.00 65 and over. Tickets are available or can be purchased online at www.jadukeshows.com

Happier Valley Comedy presents Happier FAMILY Comedy Show
December 15 at 3:00 PM
Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art, 125 W Bay Rd, Amherst, MA

Monthly family-friendly improv comedy show, great for 5-12 year olds and their adults. It's funny for the whole family! Saturday, December 15th at 3pm at The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (125 W Bay Rd., Amherst). Tickets at the door: $10/Adults, $5/Kids, Free/4 yrs and under (Reduced admission for museum members). For more info: www.happiervalley.com.

Happier Valley Comedy presents Happier Valley Comedy Presents: Not In Charge
December 15 at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy Theater, 1 Mill Rd, Hadley, MA

Join the talented new group Not In Charge for an impressive, fast-paced improv show inspired by the improvisers' real life experiences! Saturday, December 15th at 7pm at the new Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). And stick around after for the 9pm showcase and open improv jam! Tickets: $10 online and at the door. For more info: www.happiervalley.com.

Phantom Sheep Productions presents LaughCrafters Holiday Show
December 17 at 6:30 PM
Agawam Public Library

Local comedy troupe Phantom Sheep returns to the Agawam Public Library with a free performance celebrating the season on Monday, December 17th starting at 6:30PM. “LaughCrafters” will feature live unscripted scenes, each with a custom holiday twist, created right on the spot with lots of audience interaction. This Holiday show has been an annual tradition for many years to share a night of laughter with the local community.

Facebook event.

The Phantom Sheep Players repertoire includes Western MA natives Eric Boucher, Devin Horan, Jessica Lamoureaux, Tommy Lynch, Jesse Redmond, Greg Seymour, and Jeff Tingley. The troupe has worked together for over 15 years writing, performing and producing shows and workshops for schools, libraries, special events, and the theme park industry. They have also been teaching and performing at the Springfield JCC since 2014 and will offer their next session of weekly classes starting early 2019.

AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES

Exit 7 Players presents Avenue Q Auditions
December 9 and 10, 7pm and Callbacks if needed are on December 12 at 7pm
Exit 7 Theater, 37 Chestnut Street, Ludlow, MA 01056

Director: Christina Climo
Music Director: Dan Monte
Choreographer: Kelsey Collis
Stage Manager: Bruce Torrey
Producers: Rebecca Johnson, Jami Wilson

Audition Dates:
Sunday, December 9th at 7pm
Monday, December 10th at 7pm
Callbacks (if needed) will be held on Wednesday, December 12th at 7pm

Age:
You must be age 18+ by first rehearsal (Feb 11).

What to expect for auditions:
Please bring (or fill out) an audition form, your theatrical resume, and a recent photo or headshot.

If you need a copy of the sheet music for yourself, please bring your own copy. The pianist will have the accompaniment to each piece.
No acapella or backing tracks. An accompanist will be provided.
Please bring comfortable clothing and shoes for movement auditions.
The auditions will consist of a vocal audition, a movement audition, and cold readings for certain parts from the script.
Experience with puppetry is not required.
If you cannot make the audition dates listed or have questions, please email the director Christina Climo at AvenueQE7@gmail.com

Audition Forms and Sheet Music are available on the following link:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ckUsYL524yv0lxwAY0a2iBrTxTwHYYpc

General Schedule:

Rehearsals will be on Sundays 2-7pm (mostly 2-6pm), Mondays 7-10pm, and Wednesdays 7-10pm starting Monday, February 11. Tech week is Saturday, April 20 - Thursday, April 25 (with the exception of Sunday, April 21 as it is Easter Sunday). Tech week and all performances are required for casting.

Performance Dates:
April 26, 27, 28, May 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12. Fridays and Saturdays are 8pm performances, Sundays are at 2pm.

Synopsis:
Winner of the Tony Triple Crown for Best Musical (beating out Wicked), Best Score, and Best Book, the hilarious Avenue Q tells the timeless story of a recent college graduate trying to find his way in the world. Set in New York City all the way out on Avenue Q (he couldn’t afford anything better), we are introduced to fresh-faced Princeton as he struggles to find his purpose: meeting friends, finding love, losing love, and finding it again, along the way. Inspired by the beloved children’s show Sesame Street, Avenue Q creates a puppet-filled world that is a little more reflective of the difficult, R-rated realities that we face when we learn that real life isn’t as simple as we dreamed it might be – but perhaps, suggests Avenue Q, life is all the more colorful and worthwhile for it.

Note: despite featuring puppets, Avenue Q is R-rated, featuring adult topics, offensive language, and an onstage portrayal of puppet sex.

Characters:
Principal characters details and vocal ranges listed here.
Ensemble: additional ensemble members will be added for partners to Nicky, Trekkie, and Mrs. T in addition to box puppets and other various puppet appearances. These ensemble members can be from an age group, any vocal range, and gender.

*Only people of color will be considered for the roles of Christmas Eve and Gary Coleman. Christmas Eve is from Japan and Gary Coleman is the famous actor from Different Strokes.

Note about ages of characters: while the ages listed are from MTI’s website, actors do not necessarily need to reflect the character’s age.

There is also flexibility with the gender of roles, meaning the characters are the gender listed but if someone is of a different gender and wishes to audition for the role, they will be considered.

Audition Songs:

Please use the following songs when auditioning for various roles, you should plan to prepare the ENTIRE song unless otherwise noted. You should also sing in the correct character voice for your character (if they have one). If you wish to audition for more than one character, please choose ONE of the songs but be sure to indicate on your audition form the multiple parts you wish us to consider you for. Sheet music is linked and karaoke backing tracks (to practice with) are also attached. You can also do a quick youtube search and find all of the songs on that as well for reference.

Princeton: Purpose

Kate Monster: There’s A Fine, Fine Line

Rod: My Girlfriend Who Lives In Canada

Nicky: If You Were Gay

Trekkie Monster: The Internet Is For Porn (m. 1-32, sing Kate’s part as well in Trekkie’s voice)

Brian: I’m Not Wearing Underwear Today (whole song), There is Life Outside Your Apartment (m. 1B-21)

Christmas Eve: The More You Ruv Someone

Gary Coleman: Schadenfreude (m. 1-41)

Lucy: Special

Bad Idea Bears/Ensemble: Avenue Q Theme (sing melody line, whole song)

exit7players.org

Looking for directors! Hampshire Shakespeare Company is still looking for directors to help shape our summer 2019 season of Shakespeare Under the Stars! We are specifically seeking proposals for the eight plays below and will select our season based on the proposals we receive.

The plays in consideration are:

Henry V
Love’s Labor’s Lost
Measure for Measure
Richard III
The Taming of the Shrew
Timon of Athens
The Tempest
The Winter’s Tale

The Director is the creator and enactor of the artistic vision of the production they direct and will be a collaborative center point for the success of the play. We want a director who is passionate about their work, so choose plays that really excite you! Interested in multiple plays? Feel free to submit proposals for up to three plays. Have a dream to direct something not on this list? Submit your proposal for it anyway! We will consider every proposal we receive.

What’s in a proposal? A proposal by any other name would smell as sweet. What we want is to hear your vision for the show and why this play speaks to you. Just a few paragraphs will do. Have some drawings? We’ll look at those, too!

While the priority deadline has passed, we are still accepting proposals on a rolling basis until 12/31. Send your proposal to hampshire.shakespeare.company@gmail.com. While we are a community theatre, we do offer a small stipend to most staff.

Theater Manager, Academy of Music Theatre

Full Time

Reports to Executive Director

The Academy of Music Theatre, an 803 seat performing arts center, located in beautiful downtown Northampton, Massachusetts, seeks a Theater Manager who will ensure quality customer service and the smooth and effective operation of the theater during productions and other events. This individual is responsible for recruiting, training and supervising customer service staff, including house managers, concessions workers, and volunteers, and also oversees the activities of third-party vendors (e.g., caterers) who participate in supporting productions. The Academy is a fast growing non-profit. Applicants with the following experience and skills preferred:

Front-of-House Responsibilities:

· Provide appropriate house management for all rehearsals, performances and events, including development events

· Oversee all front of house staff and volunteers, including recruitment, hiring, scheduling

· Work closely with backstage staff to ensure a timely start to performances

· Assist Development Committee and Executive Director with development and community events planning

· Ensure that front-of-house staff follow proper procedures as established by the theater’s board and management to maintain guest safety and comfort

· Serve as the point person for handling any situations that arise with guests immediately before, during and immediately after performances.

· Supervise the maintenance and cleaning of public spaces, including the main theater seating area, lavatories, lobby and lounge, heating and cooling systems

· Supervise Box Office

· Arrange building maintenance with Central Services or outside vendors

· Tracking rental charges and fees and providing invoice for renters

Concessions Responsibilities

Coordinate concession and merchandise displays in the concession area
Manage vendors associated with concessions
Maintain concession inventory and reports
Apply for permits and licenses associated with concessions and vendor activities (e.g., liquor licenses, raffle permits)

Volunteer responsibilities

Recruiting, coordinating and training all front-of-house volunteers, including ticket takers, ushers, hosts, or reception workers
Communicating opportunities to existing volunteers
Providing proper supervision for volunteers at events at the theater
Coordinating any artwork, seasonal decorations or advertisement on display

Communications

· Poster displays

· Marquee

· Assist marketing manager with e-newsletter address additions and editing

· Zip code collections

Any other tasks assigned by Executive Director

Qualifications:

B.A. in related field
Strong knowledge of theater, performing arts and film and experience working in theater or a related field
Excellent communication skills
Ability to manage multiple projects and responsibilities
Customer service skills and experience
Ability to manage staff effectively
Strong familiarity with computer software, including word-processing, Excel spreadsheets, email, and Webmail. Knowledge of Mailchimp helpful.
Physical ability to lift and carry boxes, equipment and supplies up to 30 lbs.
Physical ability to be on one’s feet for extended periods of time and to climb stairs to access balcony areas.
Ability to work nights and weekends on a flexible schedule as required.
Certified in first aid procedures and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) preferred
ServSafe or TIPS certification will be required upon employment

How To Apply:
Send cover letter, résumé and three references by December 20th to Executive Director, Debra J’Anthony at djanthony@aomtheatre.com or mail to Academy of Music, 274 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060. No phone calls please.

Apply by:
December 20, 2018
Salary:
Competitive
About this Organization:
The Academy of Music Theatre is an 803 seat non-profit performing arts center located in the beautiful college town of Northampton, Massachusetts.

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Happier Valley Comedy presents Happier Kids Improv Workshop
December 16 at 10:00 AM
Happier Valley Comedy Theater, 1 Mill Rd, Hadley, MA

Calling all kids! Join long-time improviser Kelsey Flynn for a fun-filled one-time improv comedy workshop.

For kids’ eyes only: We’ll spend the morning playing lots of crazy fun improv games together like Bus Stop, Bunny Bunny, and Hitchhiker. If you don’t know how to play the games, don’t worry! They’re super easy to learn! Whether you’re brand new to improv or have played a bunch of these games already, you are guaranteed to laugh because that’s what improv is all about.

For adults’ eyes only: In recent years, research studies have shown that laughter is known to reduce stress hormones, boost brain power, and increase energy and focus, in addition to being contagious. Using fun and low risk comedy improv games (all suitable for elementary school aged kids), we’ll laugh as well as strengthen self-expression and communication skills.
This morning workshop is appropriate for 8- to 11-year olds.

Prerequisites: Be 8-11 years old. No other experience necessary!

Register.