Pioneer Valley Theatre News January 28, 2021

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser January 28 - February 17, 2021 Howlround just turned 10 years old! (In case you missed it, I share an article from Howlround pretty much every week in the "this week in theatre news" section.) It's an amazing resource full of interesting and insightful writing on theatre. If you haven't checked out their site recently, I recommend it.  The next issue will include events through February 24. 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 Starlight's Youth Theatre presents Annie Kids Saturdays 9-10AM | February 20 - April 17 More info and sign up here YOUR EVENT HERE $5 per week for your poster and ticket link in top billing! Email me to reserve your dates. Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Google Calendar Click to Access: Pioneer Valley Theatre Personnel Spreadsheet THIS WEEK IN THEATRE NEWS: from Howlround The 4 Rs by Claire K. Redfield From the article:  How are you standing on the ground? As I think of my fellow directors, I’m asking that question. As I talk with my collaborators on Zoom, as I walk around my neighborhood, as I lie next to my partner at night. How are you standing on the ground? I wonder: Do you know you’re still standing? I spent the last three years in an MFA program at Arizona State University, where I focused on directing and trauma-responsive rehearsal practice. I come to trauma work through school but also through my own experiences as a survivor. When I talk about trauma, I’m referring to any experience or set of experiences that leave you feeling overwhelmed, scared, helpless, or deeply unsafe. Statistics show that an estimated 90 percent of the world’s population will be exposed to a traumatic event over the course of their lives, and with the current pandemic I would argue that that number is now even higher. If someone belongs to a historically marginalized group, such as identifying as a Black, Indigenous, person of color (BIPOC), LGBTQ+ member, woman, individual with a disability, or several of these categories together, the statistical likelihood of experiencing trauma only intensifies. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES From the New England New Play Alliance: Virtual Theatre and Podcast The Firehouse Center for the Arts presents  19th Annual New Works Festival January 29-31   Over the past 18 years, more than 200 new works have been performed on the Firehouse stage through our annual Firehouse New Works Festival, which fosters the growth of New England playwrights while showcasing the talent of local and regional actors and directors. Playwrights from across New England submit their 10-minute shorts, one-act, and full-length plays to an independent panel who select the festival’s shows in anonymous readings. Directors and their casts then work with selected playwrights to produce a weekend of original theater. Friday, 1/29 at 8pm: Full Length Play Hitch by James McLindon Saturday 1/30 at 8pm: An Evening of Shorts Pole Position by Michael Towers A Missionary Zeal by Charles Hertz The Wrong Taxi by Charlene Donaghy Tut Tut by Michael Towers Respect Your Elders by Hope Shangle Reservations by Steve Eimert The Handle by Scott Sullivan Sunday, 1/31 at 7pm: One-Act and Shorts The Rise of Jessie Bates by Paul Antokolsky Tickets: $5 single evening, $12 festival pass. Fresh Ink Theatre presents  a reading of Truth or Consequences by Andrew Siañez-De La O January 31, 2:00 pm directed by Jasmine Brooks Agent Chavez is on her way back to headquarters after losing her partner during a mission gone wrong. Agent Hogan is days away from retiring after twenty five years of service. And thanks to budget cuts, these two agents from the Bureau are going to have to share a dusty motel room in Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. But this is no ordinary stopover. As they come to realize the Bureau may have put them directly in harm's way, these two Agents have to grapple with their darkest memories and deepest regrets if they want to survive the demands of the El Dorado Motel. Tickets: free (donation suggested).   tiny_Theatre presents a reading of scenes from Tiny Empty Nest by David Beardsley Jan. 27 and Feb. 3 With their child at college and the distractions of parenting behind them, it is becoming harder for Ben and Claire Booker to ignore the empty spaces in their relationship. Ben makes a surprising proposal to get them back on track: he wants them to audition for Tiny Empty Nest, a reality television show that chronicles new empty-nesters living together in a community of tiny houses. Claire, who has cultivated skills, interests, and opportunities independent of Ben, is skeptical, but she goes along. Audition day arrives and, with nowhere to hide and a tiny house to build, Ben and Claire search for the emotional stamina they'll need to keep moving forward together. Part one on January 27. Part two on February 3. Tickets: free.   Company One presents Remaking America: An Inaugural Message to the New Administration January 26 Each new President pledges to “preserve, protect, and defend,” but which communities are at the front of that line? Company One’s Surge Lab playwrights—Inda Craig-Galván, Francisca Da Silveira, and Idris Goodwin—demand that we ALL move to the front by re-imagining our Better Future for housing, health, and education, along with local community leaders who have been doing the work. Tickets: free, registration required (donation suggested). The Wilbury Theatre Group presents The Race by Mark Binder now-January 31 directed by Brien Lang Two job seekers from vastly different backgrounds vie for the same position in a large, faceless corporation. Each reveals uncomfortable truths from their past while dodging land mines from their competition and dealing with an increasingly demanding disembodied interviewer. Neither’s future is certain as the audience becomes an integral part of the selection process. Tickets: $20.   Dorset Theatre Festival's Women Artists Writing Group presents Grace streaming now See the annual public presentation by members of #DTFWAW as they share short pieces and works-in-process written in response to the word grace.   Gracefully Yours by Sharahn LaRue    How to be Graceful by Elizabeth M. Kelly   Notes from Isolation: Birthday Flowers by Nandita Shenoy   Scarecrow by Heidi Armbruster   Grace with a Capital G by Donna Eis    Repose  by Carolyn Baeumler   a selection from Dolly's Dream Bimari by Purva Bedi   Don't be a Karen, Mommy by Mary Bacon   In the Final Hours by Mariana Newhard   Beethoven's Dream by Maggie Diaz Bofill    Grace by Katie Kreisler   Change by Laura Gómez   Stream here.   Third Citizen Theatre Companypresents Digital Dionysia now-January 26 A ten-week series of new, contemporary short plays inspired by classical Greek theatre and mythology and produced by local creative teams with playwrights from New England and beyond. These plays reintroduce familiar characters and settings in ways that are surprising, hilarious, thought-provoking, and always original.  The Oracle Cassandra by Amanda Beveridge January 26 directed by James Peter Sotis The Making of Medea's Medea: A Mockumentary Play by Chas Belov January 26 directed by Peter Sampieri Tickets: $5. SILVERTHORNE THEATER LAUNCHES ITS “SHORT & SWEET (tiny) NEW PLAY FESTIVAL”   On February 12, 13 and 14, the Short & Sweet Festival will finally be launched! Here’s how it will work:   On Friday, February 12, the following plays will be screened, beginning at 7:30 pm. The Group A line-up, all directed by Julian Findlay consists of Choices, by James McLindon (Northampton MA); Canvas, by Andrew Heinrich (San Antonio TX); Interventions, by Greg Lam (Milton MA); Webster’s Bitch, by Jacqueline Bircher (Brooklyn NY); Cell Phone in the Yoga Class, by Michele Markarian (Cambridge MA); A Gift, by Jonathan Prouser (Western MA); Second Look, by Nick Malakhow (Brighton MA); and People Will Talk, by Scott Mullen (Burbank CA).   On Saturday, February 13, the Group B plays, under the direction of Ben Ware, will screen, again beginning at 7:30 pm. The line-up is Jump, by Gina Femia (Brooklyn NY); Indelible, by John Bavoso (Washington DC); Four Daughters, by Ellen Wittlinger (Haydenville MA); Raghead, by Tom Coash (New Haven CT); Family Game Night, by Peter Kennedy (Williamsberg MA); Mishpocha, by Emily Bloch (Easthampton); and A Wake, by Brian Petti (Slate Hill, NY).   Following each night of plays, viewers will be asked to select their Top Four Favorite Plays! Then on Sunday, February 14, the chosen Eight Favorite Plays will be screened again, beginning at 7:30 pm.   Viewers will be able to buy individual tickets for any of the three nights of plays for $15 each, or get a Festival Pass for all three nights for $35! The links to the online screening site are provided once tickets are purchased. Details and links to the ticketing site may be found on the Special Events page at Silverthorne’s web site: https://silverthornetheater.org/  The Short & Sweet (tiny) New Play Festival is sponsored in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council.   AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES No auditions this week - if you have something coming soon, email me. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Starlight's Youth Theatre Winter Online Acting Classes Classes run January 9-February 13 Financial Aid is available We are happy to announce a Winter Term of Zoom classes for January and February on both Saturday mornings and Monday evenings.  Classes include Musical Theatre, Storytelling, Acting for Film, Directing Workshop, Aesop's Fables, and The Jungle Book. https://www.starlights-youth-theatre.com/ BERKSHIRE FILM AND MEDIA COLLABORATIVE (BFMC) PRESENT ONLINE WORKSHOP ON  PITCHING WITH HOLLYWOOD PRODUCER/AGENT MARILYN R. ATLAS ON JANUARY 30 The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative presents two online workshops with the renowned Hollywood producer, literary manager and screenwriter Marilyn R. Atlas, as part of its continuing mission to provide learning opportunities for the film community in Western Massachusetts. Atlas will present “The Importance of Pitching” on Saturday, January 30, from 3PM-5PM. During the latter workshop, some participants will have the opportunity to pitch their film and video projects to Atlas.  The Pitch class will cover many critical topics including: adapting your pitch to the audience you’re pitching to, mistakes people make when pitching, understanding the market and projects worthy of pitching, and the importance of the “hook.” Diane Pearlman, Executive Director of BFMC comments, “These seminars are for authors, screenwriters, playwrights, directors, producers or anyone who wants to tell an impactful story. Do you have an idea for the great film or TV series? You don’t need to be in NY or LA to create content these days - you just need the proper tools. So we’re thrilled that Marilyn is bringing her incredible expertise to our community” Marilyn R Atlas, a Hollywood Talent/Literary Manager and Producer, has long been committed to diversity and portrayal of strong female protagonists. She’s the producer of the HBO Sundance winning film Real Women Have Curves (now in development as a Broadway show) and The Choking Game on Lifetime among other films. Marilyn also produced several plays including the award winning To Gillian on her 37th Birthday. She has spoken at numerous writers’ conferences throughout the US and Europe. She’s currently developing projects based on diverse characters such as the Gary Phillips crime books and the award-winning middle school book series, The Code Busters Club for television, as well as developing a limited series in conjunction with Maten, a Chinese-based production company. Atlas co-authored the  relationship-based, screenwriting guide Dating Your Character (Stairway Press).  Tickets are $55.00 for one workshop. Student tickets are available at $45.00. Tickets for both workshops are available through EventBrite. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/writing-pitching-classes-wliteraryagent-author-producer-marilyn-atlas-tickets-136106812139 The Berkshire Film and Media Collaborative (BFMC) is a creative economic engine that supports production and workforce development in Western Massachusetts. BFMC develops educational and workforce enrichment courses, offers networking events for industry professionals, acts as a resource for visiting productions, creates jobs within our communities in the film industry and provides an on line production guide and locations database as a resource for filmmakers. BFMC is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. For details: www.berkshirefilm.org. Happiness Meditation: Recharge, Reconnect, & Relax January 29th at 12:00 PM More info. Recharge during your lunch hour in this guided happiness-focused meditation that will (hopefully!) leave you feeling uplifted, joyful, and energized. This is part of the free Lunch & Laugh series of weekly online workshops, where individual workshops give you a bite-sized taste of one specific Happiness Habit from "The 30-Day Happiness Experiment Program" using playful learning exercises and engaging group connection. Introducing our Completely Ridiculous Winter Workshop Series! Tuesday nights from 6-8pm EST, starting February 2nd. 6 weeks. $295. Open to 12 students. Études are a rehearsal tool developed from Stanislavski’s final experiments. This course seeks to foster a dynamic interaction between actor and text. Through a series of exploratory improvisations called études, actors unpack and personalize the given circumstances — following their own impulses to achieve profound and thrillingly original interpretations. The course focuses on how to activate “bookwork” through imagination, awareness, and sense of spontaneous play. The method gives students practical tools to pull even the most intimidating texts off their pedestals and make them their own. Students will gain confidence in the legitimacy of their own impulses, having followed their interpretations of text and character to the furthest possible point. Sign up. Acceptance: Practice Through Improv February 5th at 12:00 PM More info. Practice the wellness mindset of "Acceptance" through a simple and silly improv game that will have you learning through laughter. This is part of the free Lunch & Laugh series of weekly online workshops, where individual workshops give you a bite-sized taste of one specific Happiness Habit from "The 30-Day Happiness Experiment Program" using playful learning exercises and engaging group connection. Happier Valley Comedy presents Establishing A Resilience Building Happiness Practice February 6 at 11:00 AM Like the flight attendants say, "Please put on your own oxygen mask before attending to others." How’s your energy tank these days? If you just sighed with fatigue or guffawed incredulously, this fun and informative remote interactive online presentation might be just what you need! Professional improv comedian and happiness coach Pam Victor invites you on an experiential exploration of happiness and resilience building habits to enhance self-care practices. Using the wonders of Zoom, you’ll gain 11 simple but profound practices to bring more self-care, gratitude, and play into your daily life. By the end of our time together, you will have a full stress-relieving toolbox to develop your own customized daily happiness self-care practice. More information. Introducing our Completely Ridiculous Winter Workshop Series! Sunday nights from 6-8pm, EST. Starting February 7th. ​6 weeks. $295. Open to 10 students. This workshop is designed to demonstrate to comedians of all kinds how their wayward point-of-view can help make them uniquely dynamic as actors. The workshop will also demonstrate to acting students how cultivating a comedy skill-set adds delight and ease to their process, and provides a pathway to more personal and electric performances in all genres and mediums. While this class is geared towards comics who are auditioning; working on a specific project; getting into writing for the screen or stage; or simply want to become all-around bolder, more sensitive and dynamic performers - all are welcome. Sign up.  Positivity Practices Through Improv February 12th at 12:00 PM More info. Join happiness coach Pam Victor in an experiential exploration of key Happiness Habits to bring positivity, well-being, and ease to your life. This is part of the free Lunch & Laugh series of weekly online workshops, where individual workshops give you a bite-sized taste of one specific Happiness Habit from "The 30-Day Happiness Experiment Program" using playful learning exercises and engaging group connection. Intentional Connection Through Improv February 19th at 12:00 PM More info. Intentional connection is profoundly necessary for health and happiness. This super-fun improv game has you connecting through laughter! This is part of the free Lunch & Laugh series of weekly online workshops, where individual workshops give you a bite-sized taste of one specific Happiness Habit from "The 30-Day Happiness Experiment Program" using playful learning exercises and engaging group connection. Starlight's Youth Theatre presents Spring 2021 Annie Kids sign up Saturdays 9-10AM from 2/20/21 -4/17/2021 This shorter children's version of Annie is the perfect musical that is sure to bring a smile as we join together to sing some favorites.  Classes will be virtual with a streaming at the end. Soloist may rehearse until 10:30. Fee is $160 Financial aid is available https://www.starlights-youth-theatre.com/ Self-Care & Happiness Habits: Intro to the Happiness Experiment February 26th at 12:00 PM More info. Explore some simple yet profoundly nourishing self-care daily habits to bring some extra joy and ease into your winter ... and the seasons to follow! This is part of the free Lunch & Laugh series of weekly online workshops, where individual workshops give you a bite-sized taste of one specific Happiness Habit from "The 30-Day Happiness Experiment Program" using playful learning exercises and engaging group connection. Northampton Community Making Space Where:  33 Hawley - Eli’s room When: Third Saturday’s of the Month from 4-7 Feb 27 Who: Our Community Cost:  Free - there will be a  voluntary (NOT required) collection jar to help pay for the space rental What:  Northampton Community Making Space As we continue to figure out how to be artists in this time, I would like to offer a space for us to make in a community, while still paying attention to the care that we need to take of ourselves and others in the times of COVID 19.  Please join us at 33 Hawley on the third Saturday of the month from 4-7 in Eli’s Room for community making.   All experience levels are welcome.  Who is a maker?  A maker is a writer, a painter, a mover, a quilter, a weaver, a poet, a photographer, a digital artist, a filmmaker, a woodworker, a stained glass artist, a performer, a musician, a potter, a philosopher, an activist - so many things that it defies definition.  A maker is someone who looks around them and asks of themselves and others, “what can this idea become?” A maker is in continuous evolution.  We will each have a 6’ space. You will be provided a table, a chair or easy chair, a dedicated power strip, and a drop cloth. You will need to bring your own materials and tools.  Please bring projects that are appropriate for working on in a group setting.  There will be three foot aisles between each space, and masks will be required at all times.   The space will accommodate 10 people at one time.  You may stay for the full three hours, or just drop in for an hour or so.  In order to organize our safe attendance, please follow this link to sign up for a time.  Please indicate your interest and the time that you would like to attend by following the link and signing up for a slot. I hope you are able to join us for making in community   See you soon! Submit your workshop, class, audition, performance, or any other theatre opportunity here! Pioneer Valley Theatre Companies Academy of Music Theatre Arena Civic Theatre Black Cat Theater Chester Theatre Company CitySpace Cold Spring Community Theatre Completely Ridiculous Productions Drama Studio Double Edge Theatre Eggtooth Productions Exit 7 Players Franklin County Youth Theater Ghost Light Theater Greenfield Community College's Theater Department Hampshire Shakespeare Company Happier Valley Comedy Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center Ja'Duke Center for the Performing Arts K and E Theater Group Ko Theater Works/Ko Festival of Performance Majestic Theater New Century Theatre No Theater Northampton Community Arts Trust Northampton Playwrights Lab PaintBox Theatre Panopera Pauline Productions Real Live Theatre Red Thread Theater Royal Frog Ballet Serious Play Theatre Ensemble Shakespeare Stage Shea Theater Arts Center Silverthorne Theater Smith College Department of Theatre St. Michael's Players Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc. Strident Theatre TheatreTruck Turbulent Times Theater UMass Department of Theater UMass Theatre Guild Valley Light Opera Westfield Theatre Group Wilbraham United Players Want to know even more about events in the Pioneer Valley and beyond, including reviews, interviews, and previews? Pioneer Valley Theatre Google Calendar In the Spotlight, Inc. Berkshire on Stage Stagestruck ArtsBeat Radio and News Column 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|*