Pioneer Valley Theatre News December 16, 2021

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser December 16 - January 5, 2021 Looks like another busy week at the theatre: LaughCrafters Holiday show in Agawam, Believe: A Holiday Celebration at K and E Theater Group, PVPA presents four short plays, and there's no shortage of virtual events this week. And the workshops section is all exciting new things for the new year at the Academy or the Drama Studio, or the Completely Ridiculous Conservatory.  The next issue will include events from  December 23 - January 12. 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 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 How Do We Go On? by E. M. Lewis From the article:  I don't know how to write this essay. Back in June of 2021, when I first thought about writing something about the COVID pandemic and how we theatre artists are making it through, I was going to title it “Re-Entry!” because truly, in that moment, it felt like we might be moving back into more normal times. We finally had the vaccine, and lots of folks were getting it. Masks were working pretty well. Theatre companies were developing procedures to keep us safe but let us work. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com LIVE PERFORMANCES Phantom Sheep Productions presents LaughCrafters Holiday Show December 16 at 6:00 PM Agawam Senior Center, 954 Main St. Agawam Celebrate the season and laugh off that holiday stress!  In our annual tradition, we're performing a FREE community show for all of you with sketches and lots of live improvised unscripted scenes created on the spot based on audience interaction! Facebook event Phantom Sheep is also hosting a drop-in workshop on Monday Dec. 6th at Unity House Players with more classes and shows expected in the new year. K and E Theater Group Presents BELIEVE: A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION   With a concept by David Cavallin, Ken Comia, Melissa Dupont, David Webber and Eddie Zitka, celebrate the season with a K and E Theater Group take on "festivating" the holidays in this new annual tradition.   Let us transport you to our first K and E Theater Group holiday party where our eight performers will harmonize and pay homage to traditional and contemporary holiday music! Be filled with the spirit of the holidays!    Our inaugural production of BELIEVE: A HOLIDAY CELEBRATION features David Cavallin, Melissa Dupont, Christopher Marcus, Nicole Newell, Kathy Renaud, Tina Sparkle, Chris Webber, and David Webber. David Cavallin serves as music director and arranger. K and E Theater Group Artistic Director Eddie Zitka directs. Tickets are general admission for $22.00. There is no reserved seating. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit www.KETG.org.   ** Proof of vaccination and face coverings that cover the nose and mouth will be required for entrance and while seated at the Northampton Center for the Arts. Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School "Perhaps, Unfortunately... " with four short plays 12/17/21, 12/18/21 Snow Date: 12/19/21 4:00pm PVPA 15 Mulligan Drive, South Hadley, MA 01075 The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts (PVPA) Charter Public School is pleased to present our Winter Mainstage Production: “Perhaps, Unfortunately…” Presenting the audience with four short plays, each directed and performed by PVPA students, these works offer sometimes humorous, sometimes dark, and always thought-provoking insights into what it means to be human in the world today.   Chances in the Rain By Robert Scott   Directed by: Taryn McDonough Class of 2024 Edward and Michelle are waiting for their dates in the same park. Both seem to have been stood up.  But there are two other lonely people on hand… Watch as a series of chance encounters and faulty timing sets four strangers onto an unexpected collision course. A heartwarming and chuckle-producing play on the simple joys of love and coincidence… oh, and bring an umbrella! memory. By Analua Moreira (PVPA Class of 2020) Directed by: Natalia Jacobs Class of 2022 What if corporations had access to our innermost thoughts and private information? In a not too distant future, human rights lawyer Violet Rhodes delves into a newfound memory retrieval process. Her goal? To dig for a lost truth, and what she unearths will shock us all. Lua Moreira's (Class of 2021) debut play implores us to consider, what happens when the boundaries between personal and public information are blurred? How truthful is a system that promises to protect our privacy? And most importantly, what harm can be done with the power of our memories? Circle Line By Jill Elaine Hughes Directed by Greta Muellner class of 2022 A dark comedy about two couples pushed to their limits waiting for the subway train to arrive, when one of the women takes extreme action in an attempt to goad her husband into being a great hero. The Lottery Based on the story by Shirley Jackson. Dramatized by Brainerd Duffield Directed by Anna Long Class of 2022 “Lottery in June, corn be heavy soon.” This is the adage the community has lived by for years. The longstanding tradition of The Lottery has been passed down from generation to generation. But just because something has always been done doesn’t mean it should be continued. Based on the short story by Shirley Jackson, this chilling and thought-provoking piece calls upon us to question the fallacies of tradition-- to ask ourselves, what absurd lengths can a community reach in order to conform to their ideal of a ‘civilized’ society? Director Taryn McDonough, Natalia Jacobs, Greta Muellner, Anna Long Faculty Advisor Molly Scerbo Reservation Info: Ticket reservations at 413-552-1590, email at boxoffice@pvpa.org, or here. Tickets sold at the door on first come, first serve basis. Until further notice, masks will be required for all audience members. Box office opens 1 hour prior to show. Intermission Info: There will be one 15 minute intermission. Ticket Prices General Admission $10.00 Military / Seniors $7.00 Alumni $5.00 Students $3.00 Virtual Theater   The Wilbury Theatre Group presents Fire Flowers and a Time Machine by multiple artists Dec. 16-Jan. 1 directed by Shey Rivera Ríos A virtual reimagining of the original production, with artists embodying Ancestors or Descendants who share their stories of ancestral inheritance, connection to land, migration, healing, and more. Fire Flowers and a Time Machine (Flores de Fuego y una Máquina del Tiempo) puts audiences in touch with ancestors from the past and our future descendants. Together these guides bring forth knowledge and magic through a story that weaves monologues, poetry, dance and ritual. Tickets: pay what you can.   The Association of the Boston Public Library present ONWARD - Votes for Women written and directed by Lisa Rafferty music by Adam R. McDonald now-Dec.14 The women’s suffrage movement was a decades-long fight to win the right to vote for women in the United States. The 19th Amendment, which guarantees women the right to vote, was finally passed by Congress on June 4, 1919, and ratified on August 18, 1920. Onward -- Votes for Women offers the powerful and inspiring perspectives of the extraordinary women who fought for 70 years for equality. For a streaming link, email birchtreeprods@gmail.com. Tickets: free.   Arlekin Players present Witness by Nana Grinstein, Blair Cadden, and Igor Golyak now-Jan. 23 directed by Igor Golyak Witness, the latest project from Arlekin’s Zero Gravity (zero-G) Virtual Theater Lab, is a new documentary theater piece about Jewish immigration in the face of antisemitism. The piece is inspired by the journey of the MS St. Louis, which left Hamburg in 1939 with over 900 Jewish people on board and headed to Cuba only to be turned away, leaving the passengers stranded with nowhere to go and no escape. Witness shares stories of Jewish immigrants from around the globe through an interactive virtual theater experience at the nexus of film, theater, and video games. Tickets: $12-$45. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES LAVA Arts Center The Bridge of Her Nose December 19, 5-7 PM Greenfield, MA Mature teens and adults are warmly invited to audition for a play about Israel/Palestine to be staged as three dramatic readings the evening of February 26 and the afternoon and evening of February 27 at the LAVA Art Center in Greenfield. Please contact christinebenvenuto@hotmail.com and andreack2013@gmail.com. Collaborating with LAVA and area theater artists, Temple Israel Greenfield will present a play in two parts, one a work of fiction, the other drawn from the transcripts of Compassionate Listening sessions conducted in the West Bank and Israel. We aim to increase understanding and empathy, and promote positive dialogue about the Middle East while considering our own urgent need for effective communication here at home. Performances will be followed by facilitated conversation with the audience. People of all backgrounds, communities and identities urged to audition as we strive to create a multicultural, multigenerational ensemble cast. STAGE MANAGER WANTED: Silverthorne Theater Company, Greenfield, MA, is seeking a stage manager for their Spring 2022 production, Josh Harmon’s Admissions, directed by Mark Dean – at a New England prep school, Sherri Rosen-Mason and her husband fight to diversify the student body - but when their only son sets his sights on an Ivy League university, personal ambition collides with progressive values, in a no-holds-barred look at privilege, power, and the perils of hypocrisy. Rehearsals begin February 1st, performing from March 11 through 26 for three weekends at the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield. Responsibilities include facilitating rehearsals and production meetings; keeping book; maintaining schedules, contact lists & other materials; maintaining communications among cast and crew; and overseeing tech rehearsals and performances. There is a stipend of $750 for the position. Contact Mark with interest and/or questions: markdean6@gmail.com, or 413-923-4992. LAVA Arts Center/Real Theater Bridges Director Sought January 2022 A director is sought for a series of staged readings of a play about Israel/Palestine to be held over one-two weekends in March or early April at the LAVA Art Center in Greenfield. Stipend available. Please email if interested by early January. christinebenvenuto@hotmail.com CASTING UNTITLED ANNIE BAKER FILM Written and directed by Annie Baker, originally from Amherst, Massachusetts, and Pulitzer-Prize-winning playwright of The Flick. Produced by Dan Janvey - Academy-Award-winning producer of Nomadland and Beasts of the Southern Wild - and BBC Films. The film follows 11 year old Lacy, her mother Janet, and the three people who come into their lives over one summer in 1991. CASTING LACY - 8-12 years old, any ethnicity. She is herself. Curious, observant, straightforward. Solid in her uniqueness, lives in her imagination. Odd birds welcome. PIANO TEACHER - female piano teacher, 50-75 years old, any ethnicity. She teaches the Suzuki method to the main character, Lacy (8-12 years old). ALSO SEEKING EXTRAS of all ages! Acting experience is not necessary. FILMING BEGINS SUMMER 2022 in Western Massachusetts. Casting directors Eléonore Hendricks and Abby Harri are teaming up for their third film together in search of the young lead for Untitled Annie Baker Film. They specialize in street casting, finding non-professional actors, and discovering new talent. TO APPLY / CONTACT For more information and/or if you’re interested in you or your child being considered for the film, please apply at: untitledanniebakerfilm.com password: Lacy For any questions, contact Eléonore and Abby at: anniebakerfilmcasting@gmail.com CALL FOR PLAYWRIGHTS  WHAT: Play Incubation Collective (PIC) 2022 Developmental Residency WHEN: February-Oct 2022 (Applications due Dec 31 2021)  WHERE: Rehearsals will take place in Hampshire County (playwrights should expect to regularly attend local in-person rehearsals)  Play Incubation Collective (PIC) seeks submissions of scripts-in-progress by local BIPOC and/or queer playwrights. Play Incubation Collective is a hub for new play development based in Western Massachusetts. PIC’s mission is two-fold:  1.To provide long-term, process-driven opportunities to develop new plays that challenge the status quo  2. To build a collaborative network of local theater artists and supporters  PIC’s process of play development is unique. We invite incoming playwrights to spearhead their vision with the support of our collective of theater makers. We bring a talented team of actors, dramaturgs, designers and more to collaborate with each writer on the development of their piece, and all of the participating artists help contribute to PIC’s monthly administrative duties.The specifics of what that development looks like are open to the writer. (more details here.) The 2022 PIC writer-in-residence will receive a stipend to go along with this 9-month residency, access to monthly rehearsal space, and a culminating public presentation of their play in the fall of 2022.  Submission Form Due by DEC 31, 2021  Submitted scripts do not need to be complete. Playwrights must submit a minimum of 20 pages, and the play’s cast should not exceed 10 characters. For this development opportunity, PIC is focusing on plays, not musicals.  Finalists will be notified in mid-January and PIC will be in touch to schedule an interview. Estimated Time Commitment: 10 hrs/month rehearsal time, 2-4 hrs/month admin time More Info: www.playincubation.org  sarah@playincubation.org, rachel@playincubation.org The Society of American Fight Directors (SAFD), which specializes in the art of performing, teaching, and directing staged combat/theatrical violence has announced a new initiative, “Expand, Educate, Empower” (EEE), providing free stage combat training to underserved communities. It is an effort by the SAFD to make stage combat training accessible to underserved artists and theatre professionals. This program is a nationwide search for educational organizations and institutions, performing arts groups, and community or professional theatres that are interested in participating.  The program offers 30 hours of training in one weapon discipline by a teacher and assistant certified by the SAFD. There is also an opportunity to certify in the said weapon discipline at the end of the course, also free of charge. If you would like to request a specific individual that is a member of the SAFD that you already have a relationship with, you are welcome to do so on the application.  I thought this may be a program fitting your organization/theatre, and would highly encourage you to apply. For more information and the application portal, please visit https://safd.org/train/development/eee/. You may also contact development@safd.org for any questions. Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School PVPA Accepting Applications for 2022/2023 School Year Application period closes Feb 1, 2022 PVPA 15 Mulligan Drive, South Hadley, MA 01075 The Pioneer Valley Performing Arts (PVPA) Charter Public School is pleased to announce the availability of applications for the 2022-2023 school year as of November 1, 2021. Applications are available in English and Spanish and can be found at www.pvpa.org/admissions. To request a paper application or to get more information, email admissions@pvpa.org or call 413-552-1580 ext. 134.   Eligibility is limited to those students currently in grades six through ten who are applying for the 2022-2023 school year.  Online applications must be submitted by February 1, 2022 and paper applications must be postmarked no later than February 1st. Late applications will not be accepted. The lottery will be held on Monday, February 14, 2022 . PVPA is a publicly funded charter school authorized by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.  PVPA offers a college preparatory core curriculum and performing arts programs. Admission is open to all residents of Massachusetts who have an interest in the performing arts, with priority given to students from Hampshire, Hampden, Franklin Counties. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Academy of Music Theatre "Getting to Know Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma!" Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00-7:00pm beginning January 4 Academy of Music Theatre Register Now! Come hoot and holler with us for our Youth Musical, Oklahoma!, part of the "Getting to Know Rodgers & Hammerstein" series. Ages 9-16 are welcome, no experience necessary! Rehearsals start January 4, 2022 and run Tuesdays and Thursdays 5:00-7:00pm. Shows on March 10th and 11th. Email Susan at education@aomtheatre.com for more info. Website  This opportunity is a 10 week process that culminates in a fully staged performance in March. The cost of the program is $350 plus a $10 registration fee. Students must show proof of full vaccination by the time of the first rehearsal. Apply Now to the Completely Ridiculous Conservatory! Winter Session January 10th - March 5th, 2022 Spring Session April 4th - May 28th, 2022 Starting in January, and then again in April, a dynamic ensemble of Completely Ridiculous students will have the opportunity to engage in globally minded professional actor training, all from the comfort of home! The CRC is a one of a kind program, in that it was built entirely for Zoom, AND each faculty member not only has extensive training in their individual discipline of actor training, but also a strong foundation in the world of clown, games, play, and physical acting - having all trained with Master Clown and Commedia Teacher Christopher Bayes at the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale, and/or The Pandemonium Studio. At the end of the 8 weeks, Completely Ridiculous students will walk away with: •A greater sense of direction, as well as concrete and actionable next steps for each individuals career. •A more enthusiastic and curious body. •A larger capacity to dream and dream big. •A greater comfort with spontaneity, freedom and play. Students will also gain a deeper understanding of who they are as unique, individual artists and what they bring to an ensemble, as well as a whole new set of skills and professional contacts to apply to their career and/or ongoing education. Don’t miss your chance to work with our ever expanding community of international artists and apply today! Click the link below for all of the info and COME PLAY! Apply Now! the Drama Studio January and December Workshops at Drama Studio! 01/15, 01/22 41 OAKLAND STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA, 01108 This winter, we are offering ON-SITE workshops for students of all ages! Join one or more of the Drama Studio winter workshops and learn about our theater conservatory for ages 6-18. We will offer the following workshops: Stage Combat Ages 13-18 January, 15th Ages 9-12 January, 22nd For more information, visit www.dramastudio.org/workshops Submit your workshop, class, audition, performance, or any other theatre opportunity here! Pioneer Valley Theatre Companies Academy of Music Theatre Amherst Community Theater Arena Civic Theatre A.C.T. Youth 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 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 Mount Holyoke College Rooke Theatre No Theater Northampton Community Arts Trust Northampton Playwrights Lab PaintBox Theatre Panopera Pauline Productions Performance Project Phantom Sheep Players Play Incubation Collective 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 Unity House Players Valley Light Opera Ware Community Theatre 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 TV/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|*