*|MC:SUBJECT|*

Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter

View this email in your browser

April 18 - May 8, 2019

Happy warmer weather! Go outside during the day so you don't have to worry about all the plays you'll be seeing at night!

The next issue will include events through May 15. 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

Real Live Theatre's
Choreographing Intimacy workshop April 28th
visit the RLT website and see the listing below for details!

YOUR EVENT HERE
$5 per week for your poster and ticket link in top billing!
Email me to reserve your dates.

THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS:

from T heatreArtLife
Performing Arts and Overworked Staff: Let's Stop Pretending We're Okay
by Josh Loar

From the article:

Perhaps you’ve witnessed this scene:

A person on a production team is huddled in an out of the way corner of a theater or a concert hall. Maybe, if they’re lucky, they are inside their own office, or more likely, they’ve simply found a spot where no one seems to be congregated for the moment, and where they will be less visible than in the main performance space. Maybe it’s a rack or equipment room, a costume storage room, or any other of a myriad small spaces. This person is often in low light, positioned as if they are hiding. Their posture is crumpled. Possibly, just possibly, there are quiet tears being shed.

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
Stagestruck
ArtsBeat Radio and News Colum n

Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Personnel Spreadsheet

PERFORMANCES

SILVERTHORNE THEATER ANNOUNCES
NEW PLAY READING SERIES

An integral part of Silverthorne Theater Company’s mission is to promote the development of new work, especially by Western Massachusetts and New England playwrights. In 2018, we staged the world premieres of three new works, two of which were from such writers.

In 2019 we offer a series of free rehearsed readings of new or new to us plays, , called Theater Thursdays, followed by audience discussions. These will be held in different locations in the region. Complete information for each reading may be found at https://silverthornetheater.org.

The purpose of the readings is to give a platform for new work to be heard, and when possible, to be able to give playwrights direct audience feedback. It also gives Silverthorne a look at plays that we might consider fully producing in future seasons.

Thursday, April 18             SANDWICH, by Steve Henderson.
                                                Directed by Brianna Sloane
7 pm                           170 Main St, Greenfield
Single mom and advertising exec Kathy (Christine Stevens) is trying to deal with her aging mother Marlene (read by Linda Putnam) and her precocious teenage Jennifer (Linda Tardif) as each seems on a collision course with disaster. A talent for stand-up comedy runs in the family, making this treatment of intergenerational conflict sparkle with wit and truth-telling, SANDWICH, the second in Silverthorne’s Theater Thursday New Play Reading Series is directed by Brianna Sloane. Playwright Steve Hendersonwill be on hand to discuss the play after the reading. Free and open to the public.

Thursday, May 16               RESTORATION ROOM, by Harley Erdman
                                                Directed by Chris Rohmann
                                               7 pm               UMass Theater Department, Room 204
Two academics, each married to someone else, struggle to resist the power of their mutual intellectual & physical attraction.

Thursday, June 13               DEAR GALILEO, by Claire Willett
                                                Directed by Rebecca Daniels
                                                7 pm   170 Main Street, Greenfield
Three women in three different times wrestle with their identity, the conflict between science and religion, and what it means to be their fathers' daughters…. As the three stories move toward their point of convergence, the destinies of each become inextricably bound with the others, linked through time by love, family, grief, the search for identity and the wonder of the stars.

Thursday, September 12               CAMPUS UNREST, by Talya Kingston
                                                            Directed by Trenda Loftin
                                                            7 pm Location TBA
Complex choices face an inter-racial British academic couple newly arrived on the campus of a troubled American college.

Sunday, October 13                         VERITAS, by Betty Shamieh
                                                            Director TBA
                                                            3 pm   Deerfield Community Center
In the 1660s Harvard College’s governors insisted that Native American youths be trained at the College as Christian ministers to be able to convert their tribes to Christianity. This play explores the lives of the first four of these early converts and the attitudes at the time toward them. Post-show discussion led by historians & members of local Native American communities.

Further details at www.silverthornetheater.org  or call 413-768-7514.

Josie's Magical Flute Improv, with Sea Tea & Happier Valley Guests
April 18 at 7:30 PM
The Shea Theater, Turners Falls, MA

Josie's Magical Flute (Mandy Anderson, Sally Ekus, Julie Waggoner) bring their signature improv comedy form "The Ride" back to The Shea on April 18. Joining them are Sea Tea Improv's Allie Rivera, as well as Danny New of Channel 22 / Mass Appeal and Happier Valley Comedy, and Ben May of Happier Valley Comedy. Get ready for a wild ride of scenes and games, all made up fresh on the spot, just for you.

https://sheatheater.org/

UMass Theater presents Baltimore, a play to spark a timely conversation

Performances:
April 18, 24, 25 at 7:30 p.m.
April 27 at 2 p.m.
at New Africa House
Free, open to all, reservations encouraged but not required
Reserve your tickets through the Fine Arts Center Box Office

Baltimore, a new work by Kirsten Greenidge, examines what happens on a college campus in the aftermath of a racist incident. UMass Theater hopes audiences of both an abridged presentation of the play this spring, as well as those who see the fully-mounted production in the fall, will find that the play sparks productive conversations about difficult topics.
April 17-27, the play will be presented to the community in an abridged format. The event, which is free and open to all, will consist of the performance, followed immediately by a conversation about the issues raised. The event, which is free and open to all, will consist of the performance, followed immediately by a conversation about the issues raised. While the incident in the play is different in scope than some of those experienced in our community recently, we hope that the event creates a space for community members to talk productively with each other. The presentations will be at New Africa House and seating will be free. Reservations are strongly encouraged but not required.

More about Baltimore
When a racist incident divides her first-year students, reluctant resident advisor Shelby finds herself in the middle of a conversation she does not want to have. As pressure to address the issue mounts from residents, the new dean, and even her best friend, Shelby must decide if she will enter the fray or watch her community come apart at the seams. Sharp, funny, and searing, Baltimore is about racism on college campuses and how we learn to talk to each other.

This spring, we are producing a 30 minute cut of Baltimore, followed immediately by a postshow Q&A, to which the general public is welcomed.

We are pleased to announce that these workshop presentations will be followed in Fall 2019 by a fully-staged production of Baltimore and post-show discussions. Check the UMass Theater website at www.umass.edu/theater for performance dates later this summer.

This workshop is a collaboration with the Office for Equity & Inclusion.

“THE MARVELOUS WONDERETTES” LIGHT UP MAJESTIC THEATER STAGE APRIL 18 – MAY 26

West Springfield's Majestic Theater will transport audiences back to the days of girl group pop music when it presents “The Marvelous Wonderettes” April 11 through May 26. The musical, by Roger Bean, is set in 1958 at Springfield High School. It's the Super Senior Prom, and the previously-booked Crooning Crabcakes can't perform. All hopes are pinned on the Wonderettes, an all-girl singing group that finished third in the State Song Leaders competition. Cindy Lou, Missy, Betty Jean and Suzy not only get the gig, they come back ten years later to perform at their reunion. Popular songs like “Dream Lover,” “Stupid Cupid,” “Lipstick on Your Collar” and other 50's and 60's favorites are featured in the play, which has been described as a "cotton candy musical trip down memory lane!"

Majestic Theater Producing Director Danny Eaton will direct the play with Mitch Chakour serving as musical director. Greg Trochlil is set designer, Dawn McKay is costume designer, Dan Rist is lighting designer and production stage manager is Stephen Petit. Doug Wallace is sound engineer. Actors include Kait Rankins (Missy), Mollie Posnick (Suzy), Tina Sparkle (Betty Jean) and Kaytlyn Vaneloecht (Cindy Lou).

The play closes out the Majestic's 22nd Season. Tickets for these shows 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.

For additional information, visit www.majestictheater.com.

GCC presents SORRY by Richard Nelson
Thursday April 18 (ArtsNight) at 4:30pm, Friday April 19 at 7:30pm, Saturday April 20 at 7:30pm, Friday April 26 at 7:30, Saturday April 27 at 7:30pm, Sunday Matinee April 28 at 2pm
Greenfield Community College, Sloan Theater, One College Drive, Greenfield MA

Directed by Tom Geha, with the following cast:

The Apple Family:
Barbara - Tracy Grammer
Marian - Madeleine Stark
Jane - Nora Cooper
Richard - Ben Johnson
Benjamin - Tim Holcomb

From 2010 to 2013, Richard Nelson wrote and directed four plays centered around the Apple Family, a fictional household set in Rhinebeck, New York with each play focused on either an election or a significant historical anniversary. The main characters are three adult sisters, Barbara, Marian and Jane — called a "Chekhovian family pod" by the Variety reviewer.
More information.

Smith College Department of Theatre presents AS YOU LIKE IT by William Shakespeare
directed by Daniel Elihu Kramer
April 19, 20, 25, 26, 27 at 7:30 PM in Theatre 14

The Smith College Department of Theatre presents AS YOU LIKE IT, by William Shakespeare April 19-20 and 25-27 at 7:30 PM in Theatre 14, directed by Daniel Elihu Kramer. A pastoral romantic comedy that features one of Shakespeare's most beloved heroines, AS YOU LIKE IT subverts the traditional rules of romance. Gender roles, nature and politics are confused in a play that reflects on how bewildering yet utterly pleasurable life can be.

A girl named Rosalind is in love with a boy named Orlando, which is convenient because they’ve been banished to the same forest. Orlando is in love with Rosalind. Orlando is also very attracted to a boy named Ganymede. And what does it mean to be a girl or a boy anyway? Or to play one? Director Daniel Kramer says, "As You Like It explores love and freedom. In it, a young woman pretends to be a young man who is pretending to be a young woman, and she draws the attention of both a young man and a young woman. The play takes on new meaning in a time of more fluid gender identities."

The Smith production will put the action, and the audience, on the Theatre 14 stage in a reworking of the theatre's classic proscenium space. Costumes are designed by Smith Professor, Kiki Smith. Priscilla Yichen Zhou and Lisa Mena are the student designers for sets and lighting. The script has been adapted for length by Smith Professor Kramer who adds, "It's a delight creating this comedy with a cast of fifteen students and wonderful student and faculty designers and crew."

General Admission: $10 Adults/$5 Students & Seniors Free for Smith Students with ID card
To purchase tickets:
www.smith.edu/smitharts

Shakespeare Stage presents The Tempest
4/19/19 at 7:30 PM, 4/20/19 @ 7:30PM; 4/21/19 6:30PM
33 Hawley Street

The Tempest is the story of facing Nature's superior power over man and woman and the humble journey of those who suffer and in the end, surmount such adversity. Neither a comedy nor a tragedy, The Tempest is a magical and spiritual experience that focuses on many different aspects of love or lack thereof: Romantic, Fraternal, and love of drink to name a few.

Come with us on this tempestuous journey as we set the stage between the 1st and 2nd World War. A time when the great globe itself was facing such tumult and fear of complete destruction and annihilation. Will we succumb to technological advancements or will the heart, will love win in the end?

Shakespeare Stage strives to provide artistic enrichment in the Pioneer Valley and beyond. Through passionate performances, involvement from the community, and the pursuit of dramatic growth and excellence, we contribute to the increasing importance of the arts and theatre for our neighbors.

Tickets.

Happier Valley Comedy presents Happier Family Comedy Show
April 20 at 3:00 PM
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art (125 W Bay Rd., Amherst)

Monthly family-friendly improv comedy show, great for 5-12 year olds and their adults. It's funny for the whole family! Saturday, April 20th 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 HVC Presents: Not In Charge
April 20 at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy Theater, 1 Mill Rd, Hadley, MA

Join the talented group Not In Charge for a polished, fast-paced improv show inspired by the improvisers' real life stories! Saturday, April 20th 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.

“TALES OF THE LOST FORMICANS” PLAYWRIGHT WILL ATTEND OPENING NIGHT OF SILVERTHORNE’S 2019 SEASON

Silverthorne Theater Company is honored to open our 2019 Season with Constance Congdon’s modern classic, Tales of the Lost Formicans The play opens Thursday, April 25 and runs through May 4 in The Perch at Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield.

Opening night for Tales, April 25, will be UNITED WAY NIGHT, with all tickets priced at $30, proceeds to benefit the United Way of Franklin County. Patrons will meet Playwright Constance Congdon at a special Pre-Show Reception at 7 pm in the theater. Congdon is considered “One of the best playwrights our country, and our language, has produced.” (Tony Kushner) “Congdon writes like a woman possessed.” (Nels Nelson, New York Daily News) Her work appears in many collections and continues to be produced worldwide.

The play explores the themes of adolescence, aging parents, fragile memory, lost love & divorce unfold in a collage of moving & hilarious encounters among family members, the people around them -- and the aliens who are studying them, trying to make sense of the complex dynamics of the family and its environment.

Tales Director and Amherst College Theater Professor Yagil Eliraz (Northamptong) is a colleague of playwright Congdon, Professor Emeritus of Playwriting. A native of Israel, this is the first professional production Eliraz has directed in this country since coming here three years ago.

The cast includes Stephanie Carlson*(Easthampton) as Cathy, Frank Aronson* (West Whately) as her father Jim. (*Members of Actors Equity Association) Polly Pillsbury (Petersham) plays Evelyn, Jim’s wife while Molly MacLeod (Holyoke) plays Cathy’s teenage daughter. Val Vaille (Gill) portrays Judy, Cathy’s best friend; Joe Cardozo (Amherst) plays another well-meaning friend. Michael Marceline (Greenfield) rounds out the cast as Alien/Actor #7.

Abigail Douglas (Amherst) will stage manage the productions; Mike Bullock will design the sound. John Iverson (Bernardston), Tech Director, designs the sets and lighting; and Reba-Jean Shaw-Pichette (Deerfield), Costume Designer, provides costuming.

Ticket and reservation information may be found on Silverthorne’s web site. Tickets for all shows are currently available at Eventbrite.com, or by calling 413-768-7514. Patrons can now use credit cards at the door or over the phone.

Exit 7 Players present Avenue Q

Exit 7 Theater, 37 Chestnut St, Ludlow, MA, 0156
April 26-May 12, Friday’s and Saturday’s at 8pm, Sunday’s at 2pm

Winner of the Tony "Triple Crown" for Best Musical, Best Score and Best Book, Avenue Q is part flesh, part felt and packed with heart.

The laugh-out-loud musical tells the timeless story of a recent college grad named Princeton, who moves into a shabby New York apartment all the way out on Avenue Q. He soon discovers that, although the residents seem nice, it's clear that this is not your ordinary neighborhood. Together, Princeton and his new-found friends struggle to find jobs, dates and their ever-elusive purpose in life.

Filled with gut-busting humor and a delightfully catchy score, not to mention puppets, Avenue Q is a truly unique show that has quickly become a favorite for audiences everywhere. Although the show addresses humorous adult issues, it is similar to a beloved children's show; a place where puppets are friends, Monsters are good and life lessons are learned.

Rated R for adult situations and content.

Tickets On Sale Now!

The Radical Interconnectedness Festival

APRIL 26 AND 27, 2019
offering art of all kinds created by artists addressing the concerns of marginalized communities.

Come experience theater, music, installation, dance, poetry, video, etc. all presented in downtown Turners Falls in a variety of alternative venues like storefronts, repurposed churches, the Discovery Center, the Shea Theatre - all in walking distance. Tickets at Eggtooth.org or at the Shea on Fest. weekend.

One $20 ticket gets you into everything. See how much you can experience!

We've invited art that engages issue of race, age, gender, religion, economic class, and aspects of cultural identity that have been suppressed. In addition, we will offer a conversation with the artists and humanist scholars to place the conversation in context on April 28, 2019 from noon til 3:30 pm in the Cohn Commons at Greenfield Community College.

Supported by Mass Humanities, and the Mass Cultural Council Montague and Conway branches and Fostering Art and Culture and Turners Falls RiverCulture.

The art:

Ezekiel Baskin and Samuel Achilles Edwards- Queer Intimacies (working title); A short play exploring the complex beginnings of queer relationships through audience interaction. Great Falls Discover Center. 5:30 pm on rotation.

Vital. Vibrant. Visible: Local Indigenous Identity Through Portraiture, photography by Sara K. Lyons curated by Rhonda Anderson. Great Falls Discovery Center. Ongoing.

Julia Whalen, An immersive installation piece exploring childhood memory. Flourish. Ongoing.

Katherine Adler, “Artifacts of the Ephemeral" and will have two components. First, physical objects with corresponding meditative writings. Second, a 30 hour durational performance at St. Anne's Church. 30 hours In the space will run FRI 26 @3pm-SAT 27 @9pm.

Formerly incarcerated women of Voices from Inside, spoken word performance. Great Falls Discovery Center. 5:00 pM.

Alex DeMelo, The United Arc Performing Arts Program presents theatrical performances by members of the United ARC, an organization that supports individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities in achieving the universal goals of inclusion, choice, and independence. Shea Theatre. 5:00 PM.

Lori Holmes Clark, Cloudy, With a Chance of Fringe is a buoyant contemplation of Neurodiversity through Song and Dance by Broadway veteran and Local theatre maker, Lori Holmes Clark. Great Falls Discovery Center. 8 PM.

Joe Dulude, In this installation piece, Joe is allowing the viewer to immerse themselves in the living room from his youth in the 1970s; exploring how his past has shaped the way he thinks about himself, who he is and where he came from. FAB 5-8 PM.

Cynthia Snow with Kathy Steinem, A dance piece focusing on aging, dementia, and caregiving with poetry by Snow and Susie Patlove and the à Capella group Acapelagos. Shea Theatre. 6 PM Saturday only.

Karen Werner, a live experimental radio documentary performance, Strange Radio: Live documentary transmission on the layers of time, sound, and memory in Jewish Vienna. Strange Radio will be released on CD with an accompanying booklet in 2019. Church of Pod. 7-8 PM.

Terry Jenoure, Pelala is Terry Jenoure’s solo performance of music, storytelling and video that weaves a new fable for our day. Shea Theatre. 7 PM Saturday Only.

St. Michael's Players A.C.T. present Shrek The Musical, Jr.
April 26 and April 27 at 7:00 PM, April 28 at 2:00 PM
St. Michael's Community Center, 53 Somers Road, East Longmeadow, MA

An all-inclusive community theater (A.C.T.) experience for youth ages 7-21. Our special-needs actors are teamed up with shadow actors to allow youth of all ages to experience the thrill of the stage.
More information.

The Williston Northampton School presents Crazy For You
4/26-4/27 and 5/2-5/4 at 7:30 PM
Williston Theatre

A zany rich-boy-meets-hometown-girl romantic comedy, CRAZY FOR YOU tells the story of young New York banker Bobby Child, who is sent to Deadrock, Nevada, to foreclose on a rundown theatre. In Deadrock, Bobby falls for spunky Polly Baker, the theater owner’s daughter. But Polly takes an instant dislike to the city slicker, so Bobby vows – through cunning, razzmatazz, and a hilarious case of mistaken identity – to win Polly’s heart and save the theatre. Memorable Gershwin tunes from the score include “I Got Rhythm,” “They Can’t Take That Away from Me,” “Embraceable You,” “Nice Work if You Can Get It,” and “Someone to Watch Over Me.” Originally produced on Broadway in 1992, CRAZY FOR YOU won the Tony Award for Best Musical and Best Choreography putting Susan Stroman, of THE PRODUCERS fame, on the map.

More info.

Serious Play Theatre Ensemble
Conversations for Our Times: Glass Music

Don't miss this show, coming up at the end of the month! Cindertalk is the musical work of Jonny Rodgers, whose performances are unique and compelling. His primary instrument is an array of tuned wine glasses, called a "glass harp," which, along with guitar, keyboard, and loop pedal, allow him to submerge his audience in beautiful, layered soundscapes. Learn more atwww.cindertalk.com

Happier Valley Comedy presents The Happier Valley World Open Cup Grand Prix Series Derby Bowl Championship!
April 27 at 7:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy Theater, 1 Mill Rd, Hadley, MA

In this competitive comedy show, two teams of improvisers face off through scenes and games to see who can win the ultimate prize: an old trophy we found in someone's attic. Saturday, April 27th 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.

Smith College Department of Theatre presents THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE by David Ives and the I Sing Earth class presentation.
Wednesday and Thursday, May 1 and 2 at 7:30 PM

Hallie Flanagan Studio Theatre

THE UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE Written by David Ives, directed by Cathy Kennedy ’20 in a double bill with a performance by students in I Sing Earth a course taught by Andrea Hairston and guest artist, Pan Morigan.

Free and open to the public.

Greenfield Community College Theater presents
Locally Grown III
Thursday May 2, Friday May 3, Saturday May 4 at 7:30pm
Greenfield Community College, Sloan Theater, One College Drive, Greenfield MA

"Locally Grown III" one-acts written by local playwrights and directed by GCC student-directors.
GENUINE COUSIN OF PEARL
a comedy by Jonathan Caws-Elwitt
directed by James Sykes
Pearl..................................Alex Jewett
Frances/Grandma..............Isabella Lagoy-Stowell
Hector/Silas Drainpipe.......Marley Bernard
HIDDEN
a drama by Jonathan J. Wickman
directed by Jayse Matrishon
David.................................Luca Balboni
Lucy...................................Yadira Roman
Noah..................................Chris Sheperd
Richard..............................Bill Wieliczka
Susan................................Kimberley Morin
Megan...............................Anani Eisenstein-Bond
Performances run May 2, 3, & 4 at 7:30pm at GCC.

More info.

AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES

ANNOUNCING AUDITIONS FOR A LIVE CELEBRATION OF JIM STEINMAN’S HISTORIC ROCK MUSICAL THE DREAM ENGINE

Seeking 10 student actors—all gender identities – Must appear to be 16 – 21 years old

AUDITION DATES AND TIMES:

Wednesday evening, April 17th with audition appointments starting at 5:30 PM.

Thursday evening April 18th with audition appointments beginning at 4:30 PM.

AUDITION PLACE: Webster Studio 3

All are invited to audition. The director will work with you on a monologue from the show. Just show up, or make an appointment. For more information, contact Liz Adzima at eadzima@amherst.edu

Speeches from the play will be provided at the audition—or you can download from: https://spaces.hightail.com/space/TecidDK9EY

Singing is NOT REQUIRED. But if you would like to bring a song, you are welcome to do that - acapella. Only a few cast members will be required to sing. Most will be cast for their ability to deliver the spoken material in an exciting way.

You must be available to rehearse on April 26 and 27 (time TBA) and May 27, 28, 29, and 30. The performance will be at 8 p.m. on Thursday May 30, 2019 at Kirby Memorial Theater.

Student actors will be offered a $300 stipend for their rehearsal and performance time.

BACKGROUND:

"During Jim Steinman's final year at Massachusetts' Amherst College, as fulfillment of an Independent Studies project, he conceived, wrote and scored a rock -n- roll musical called The Dream Engine. In the spring of 1969, Steinman starred in an explosive production of that piece which was staged, directed and choreographed by Barry Keating, who also electrified the role of the oracular Historian. The Dream Engine was met with a great deal of attention...both of the positive and negative variety. Joseph Papp, the innovative helmsman of The New York Shakespeare Festival, optioned immediately for professional rights to stage the work...”

For more background on this ground-breaking and controversial show go to: https://jimsteinman.fandom.com/wiki/The_Dream_Engine_(musical)

Jim Steinman (Amherst Class of ’69) went on to write “Total Eclipse of the Heart,” “Paradise By the Dashboard Light,” “Holding Out For A Hero,” “It’s All Coming Back To Me Now” and other mega-hits, winning The Grammy, and being inducted into The Songwriters’ Hall Of Fame.

Barry Keating (Amherst Class of ’69) wrote the Broadway superhero musical “Starmites” which was nominated for six Tony Awards including Best Musical. He worked with Jim Henson and The Muppets, and directed magicians Penn and Teller (Amherst Class of ’69) in their first live stage show.

For this Dream Engine event, Barry will using techniques he used with the original student cast: Grotowsky, The Living Theater, Viola Spolin Theater Games, Peter Brook.

Also participating in rehearsals and performance will be actress Mimi Kennedy, currently starring with Allison Janney on the TV series “Mom”, Andrew Polec, winner of the West End Debut Award for his performance as Strat in the musical Bat Out of Hell, Jessica Hendy, Grisabella in the latest Broadway “Cats,” and Ellen Parks, teacher and former casting director known for promoting the early careers of Phillip Seymour Hoffman, Scarlett Johansson, Ashton Kutcher among many others. (Ellen starred in the original student cast of The Dream Engine.)

Ghost Light Theater's Auditions for How I Learned to Drive by Paula Vogel
Directed by Sue Dziura
April 22 and 23 at 7:00 PM
Gateway City Arts - 92 Race Street, Holyoke

Performances at Gateway City Arts

A wildly funny, surprising and devastating tale of survival as seen through the lens of a troubling relationship between a young girl and an older man. HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE is the story of a woman who learns the rules of the road and life from behind the wheel. Winner of the 1998 Pulitzer Prize. Co-winner of the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Co-winner of the 1998 Lucille Lortel Award for outstanding play.

AUDITION INFORMATION

Email sdziura@wma.us for an audition slot

Please prepare a 1-2 minute contemporary monologue. Sides will be handed out at the audition for cold readings.

All roles are available

Lil Bit - Physically 25-40ish. Plays the character from age 11 to present day. Was described at age 12 as having a body that looked 20. In part due to a traumatic event at age 11, in some ways she has grown up much quicker than she should have, but at the same time often portrays a typical teenager. Has a very complicated relationship with her uncle. Must be able to transition to and from different periods in her life easily. Also should be versed in performing both comedic and dramatic moments.
ETHNICITY: All Ethnicities

Uncle Peck-Physically around 45, but plays the character from age 38. A good-looking and charismatic man. A former alcoholic and Marine veteran who will not open up about his troubles. Can be both a great comforter and a cause of great discomfort. Has a very complicated relationship with his niece. Must be able to portray this character through highs and his lows.
ETHNICITY: All Ethnicities

Female Greek Chorus- age 30 and up to play Lil’ Bit’s mother, Aunt Mary, and classmates. In addition, serves as part of this play’s interpretation of a Greek Chorus. Must be able to transition from bluntly hilarious to painfully serious.
ETHNICITY: All Ethnicities

Male Greek Chorus-age 25-40 to play Lil’ Bit’s grandfather, a high school classmate, waiter, and a young man Lil’ Bit encounters on a bus. In addition, serves as part of this play’s interpretation of a Greek Chorus. Comedic timing is essential, as well as the ability to seamlessly transform from one character to another.
ETHNICITY: All Ethnicities

Teenage Greek Chorus- age 18-25 to play Lil’ Bit’s grandmother, a high school classmate, and directly narrates as Lil’ Bit. In addition, serves as part of this play’s interpretation of a Greek Chorus. Has arguably the widest age range of characters in the show. Her roles can be both incredibly vulgar and brightly innocent.
ETHNICITY: All Ethnicities

Rehearsals begin Tuesday May 12 and a schedule will be determined based on cast availability. Rehearsals will take place at Gateway City Arts.

Performance dates:
July 5, 6, 12 & 13 at 8PM
July 7 & 14 at 2PM
at Gateway City Arts

Facebook event.

Hampshire Shakespeare Company seeking a Technical Director/Audio Technician and a Costume/Props Designer!

Hampshire Shakespeare Company is currently seeking a Technical Director/Audio Technician and a Costume/Props Designer for the 2019 summer season of Henry V and The *Annotated* Taming, and the Young Company production of Measure for Measure. Applications are due May 1st. Please see here for more information on how to apply!

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Serious Play Theatre Ensemble presents Moving Water- Exploratory Workshops
April 27th, 11AM to 2PM
Serious Play Studio #233, Eastworks, 116 Pleasant St, Easthampton, MA

Join Serious Play Artistic Director, Sheryl Stoodley, and Visual Artist Rosalyn Driscoll in a collaborative exploration of water in word, movement, sound, and text.

Three Saturday workshops, open to the community

To register, contact Serious Play (seriousplaytheatre@gmail.com)
Be sure to include chosen date, your name, phone number, and e-mail address

Dress for movement

Make, find, or bring a vessel to hold water

Participants 20+, limited enrollment
Fee $20, pay at the door

Happier Valley Comedy presents Move It!: Using Physicality To Create Emotionally Authentic Comedy

Saturday, April 27, 2:30pm-5:00pm (2.5 hours)
Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd in Hadley)
$40
Prerequisite: Completion of Zen of Improv 3 or the equivalent at another comedy school

Scenes that come from an authentic emotional place are fun to watch and thrilling to perform. One of the quickest ways to stop overthinking your scene is to move your body. If you love to tap into your physicality, you will love this workshop. If you DON'T love moving or don't feel comfortable being physical on stage, this workshop is especially for you!

In this workshop, you will learn new tools and techniques to tap into your emotional authenticity and practice using them in a safe, supportive environment. This workshop will be accessible to all levels of physical abilities and limitations. Please wear comfortable clothes and shoes.

https://www.happiervalley.com/moveit-workshop.html

Happier Valley Comedy presents Happier Kids Intro to Improv comedy
8 consecutive Sundays 12-2pm, starting April 28
Happier Valley Comedy Theater, 1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley

Join long-time improviser Kelsey Flynn for eight weeks of improv comedy fun. Each week, we’ll focus on a different improv comedy structure such as guessing games like “Late for Work” and character games like “Emotional Rollercoaster” and many, many more! We’ll learn how to play the games and then have lots of time for everyone to get a chance to try it and feel good about trying. And before we get started, we’ll warm-up with zany circle games that will help us connect as friends and be ready to support and laugh with one another. Whether you’re brand new to improv or have played a bunch already, you are guaranteed to have fun because that’s what improv is all about.

More info.

Real Live Theatre presents Choreographing Intimacy
04-28-2019 10:00 AM
Real Live Theatre, Sunderland, MA

Real Live Theatre presents an expanded version of our popular workshop led by Toby Vera Bercovici and Ellen Morbyrne. “Intimacy Choreography” is a relatively new concept, having emerged out of a need to protect actors from unsafe working conditions and blurred boundaries. It is an important practice not only for the mental, physical, and emotional health of actors, but also for the experience of the audience: the more safe and grounded the performers, the more electric the scene. Utilizing techniques from multiple disciplines, including yoga, dance, and theater, Ellen and Toby will guide participants through a safe and specific process to develop choreography that feels motivated and appropriate for characters and situation, as well as authentic and dynamic in terms of external behaviors.

This workshop is useful and relevant to all theater practitioners and administrators:

•As a performer, the take away will include language with which to speak to your director and co-actors and tools to create safe working conditions when there aren’t any.

•As a director, teacher, or choreographer, you will learn how to build a safe environment, lead exercises to create trust within that environment, and utilize specific skills for analyzing and staging intimate moments.

•As an arts administrator, you will learn best practices for ensuring safe working conditions for your employees.

More information.

Phantom Sheep Productions presents LaughCrafters: Comedy Improv Spring Session
Mondays at 7:00 PM for six weeks, beginning April 29
Springfield Jewish Community Center

All levels 6 week course filled with developing characters, exploring the game, quick thinking drills, creative collaboration, and living in the present moment finding the funny. Everyone challenged at their own pace in a very encouraging and supportive environment. Great for actors, writers, or anyone who loves to laugh!

Taught by local troupe Phantom Sheep Players, a proud partner of the JCC with over 20 years of professional experience.

Facebook event.

Email improv@phantomsheep.com to register. Mention you read about this in Pioneer Valley Theatre News and get "Early Bird" pricing saving 10% off GP tuition!

Happier Valley Comedy presents Healing Anxiety Through Laughter
May 5 at 2:00 PM
Happier Valley Comedy Theater, 1 Mill Rd, Hadley, MA

A personal growth workshop with Kayla Solomon, LICW, and Pam Victor, Head of Happiness at HVC.
Sunday, May 5th, 2pm-5pm
Happier Valley Comedy Theater
1 Mill Valley Rd. (Suite B), Hadley, MA
$50
Open to All - No Experience Necessary!

A recent pilot study published in the Journal of Mental Health found that even brief intervention using improv exercises may provide "a strong and efficient treatment for patients with anxiety and depression." This experiential and fun-forward personal growth workshop uses easy-to-learn improv exercises to provide you with an opportunity to learn and practice a new vocabulary to kick to the curb the darn voices of fear, doubt, and judgement inside all of us. Using a series of accessible, non-performance improv exercises, we will sharpen the tools of insight, reframing negative thoughts, disempowering fear, and choosing laughter and play to shift from anxiety towards discovering the positive in everything. All exercises are voluntary and performed in a circle or pairs; participants are never “on stage.” Your facilitators are pros at making sure all people along the introvert-extrovert spectrum feel successful, learn a lot, and have a blast with this THROUGH LAUGHTER workshop. Side effects of participation may include giggles, guffaws, internal delight, joy, and ease.

No improv (or any other) experience necessary.
Despite what your inner critic may be whispering, YOU CAN DO THIS!
All you have to do is register, show up, and get ready to learn some powerful tools to Heal Anxiety THROUGH LAUGHTER.

Register.

Real Live Theatre presents Exploring the Expressive Voice & Its Extremes
7-10pm on 5/10 and 10am-5pm on May 11
Real Live Theatre, Sunderland, MA

Tune in to find your voice

Discover the universe of sound that is inside you

Experience your boundless voice

Explore song and text

Create space and time with sound

We’ll begin with discovering and exploring the voice “as it is,” then work toward less familiar vocal areas. Through this process participants will increase awareness of centers of resonance in the body, developing a personal vocabulary unifying sound, sensation, image, and emotion. We will explore the voice in relation to simple song and spoken text. We will deepen the relationship to unknown vocal territories regarding pitch, timbre, resonance and dynamics. We will discover the world of vocal soundscapes and our connection to sound as an expression of space and time.

Liz Stanton is a New York City-based, multifaceted theatre artist, who has studied with a variety of teachers from the Roy Hart Theatre: primarily Richard Armstrong, Ethie Friend and Jonathan Hart Makwaia. She has incorporated the Roy Hart voice work into her teaching for nearly 20 years. She creates award-winning devised theatre pieces, composes music for theatrical sound scores, and she’s written an opera - The Bacchae: In Song and Vocal Extremes. She is the theatrical development producer of Convergences Theatre Collective in New York City. Liz is an adjunct instructor at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in the Experimental Theatre Wing and New York Film Academy.

https://reallivetheatre.net/classesworkshops

Announcing the Easthampton Futures Project!

Easthampton City Arts & the City of Easthampton's Planning Department, working in partnership with Dpict, are thrilled to announce the Easthampton Futures Project, a series of facilitated community workshops that will invite members of our community to envision and articulate the future of Arts & Culture for the City of Easthampton.

The information generated in these public sessions will provide the foundation for the next iteration of the Arts & Culture chapter of the City of Easthampton’s Master Plan.

Save the dates!
May 18 // June 1 // June 22
All sessions run from 10am - 4pm
Food will generously be provided by Galaxy

Learn more about how you can participate!

Upcoming Training Programs at Double Edge Theatre

Double Edge Theatre was founded by Stacy Klein to research the role of actors’ training in the development of performance creation. Training is the heart and vitality of Double Edge’s creative process. Since 1982, when it was first developed by Klein based on her work with Rena Mirecka, Grotowski’s founding actor, it has grown to include work with large objects, developed by Klein and David Flaxman from 1985, and then outdoor work and spectacle developed with Carlos Uriona since 1996. Since 2011 Matthew Glassman has been leading the development of training at Double Edge. The unique, holistic methodology engages the actor’s full potential – physical, vocal, emotional, and imaginative – to drive individual exploration, ensemble collaboration, and performance creation.

Open Training: May 19 @ 11 am
Summer Intensive: May 31 - June 14
Spectacle Immersion: May 31 - Aug 24
Fall Immersion: Sept 15 - Dec 8