Pioneer Valley Theatre News February 3, 2022

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser February 3 - 23, 2022 Get your tickets now for some of the cool upcoming virtual performances - including Ko Festival of Performance presenting Piti Theatre Company's Canary in a Gold Mine next weekend. And also a few things from a little further away, listed here courtesy of the New England New Play Alliance - travel without leaving your couch.  The next issue will include events from February 10 - March 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 Exit 7 Players present The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time March 11, 12, 18, 19 @ 8pm and March 12, 20 2pm Tickets and more information here. Ko Festival of Performance presents Piti Theatre’s "Canary in a Gold Mine." February 11, 12 at 7:30 PM, February 13 at 3:00 PM Tickets and more information 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 Creating Puppet Solidarities by Sarah Plummer From the article:  When people gather around a statue of Columbus, entwine him with ropes, and pull him down, what is it if not an act of puppetry? It’s a performance between human and nonhuman, and its meaning is greater than the sum of its parts. This is an act of solidarity, not with the ideology or ideas behind the monuments, but with the objects themselves as they fall, break, sink, or are covered over with paint of possibilities. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com LIVE PERFORMANCES Ja’Duke Theater presents "Nunsense" The Musical 2/19/21 at 7pm, 2/20/21 @ 2pm, 2/25 & 2/26/22 @ 7pm, and 2/27/22 @ 2pm Ja'Duke Theater Ja’Duke Theater is proud to present Nunsense, this year’s first Ja’Duke musical of the highly anticipated Ja’Duke 25th Anniversary Season.  Nunsense is directed by Ja’Duke's founder Nick Wanyelovich with choreography by Eula Sagan.  Nunsense will be presented in the brand new, state of the art, Ja’Duke Theater! Nunsense is a hilarious spoof about the misadventures of five nuns trying to manage a fundraiser with a supporting cast of 20 nuns, the Little Sisters of Hoboken. Sadly, the rest of the sisterhood died from botulism after eating vichyssoise prepared by Sister Julia Child of God. Thus, the remaining nuns – ballet-loving Sister Leo (Jenna DiDonato), street-wise Sister Robert Anne (Samantha Myburgh), befuddled Sister Mary Amnesia (Rachel Howe), the Mother Superior Sister Regina (Judith Dean Kulp), and mistress of the novices Sister Mary Hubert (Juniper Holmes) and the Little Sisters of Hoboken – stage a talent show in order to raise the money to bury their dearly departed. Ja’Duke Theater is continuing its quest to bring laughter and joy into people's lives during these trying times.  With catchy songs and irreverent comedy, Nunsense is sure to keep audiences rolling with laughter and wanting more.  After all, Nunsense is Habit Forming! For more information, and to purchase tickets, visit JaDukeTheater.com. Admission: General Admission (Adult) - $15 Children (12 and under) - $12 Senior Citizen (65 and over) - $12 Exit Seven Players Ltd. The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time March 11, 12, 18, 19 @ 8pm and March 12, 20 2pm Exit Seven Players Theater, 37 Chestnut Street, Ludlow, MA Originally produced in London and on Broadway, the stage version of the best-selling novel by Mark Haddon won the 2015 Tony Award for Best Play. “This adaptation by the acclaimed playwright Simon Stephens is intensely, innately theatrical; it is also funny and extremely moving…resonates with quality.” —Telegraph (London). “…just terrific…a profoundly moving play about adolescence, fractured families, mathematics, colours and lights…dazzling.” —Independent (London). “A beautiful, eloquent, dazzlingly inventive show about the wonders of life.” —Evening Standard (London). Curious Incident follows a critical period in the life of fifteen-year-old Christopher, a young man with an extraordinary brain. He is exceptional at math but ill-equipped to interpret everyday life. He has never ventured alone beyond the end of his road, detests being touched, and distrusts strangers. Now it is seven minutes after midnight, and Christopher stands beside his neighbor’s dead dog, Wellington, who has been speared with a “garden fork” (British for pitchfork, as the story is set in England.)  Finding himself under suspicion, Christopher is determined to solve the mystery of who murdered Wellington, and he carefully records each fact of the crime. But his detective work, forbidden by his father, takes him on a thrilling journey that upturns his life. Through creative lighting and sound, clever staging and a versatile ensemble, Curious Incident invites the audience to embark upon a journey to understand the point of view of its unusual narrator and his completely unique way of interacting with the world. At times both comedic and heart-wrenching, Curious Incident is a timely examination of our assumptions about “normality” and neurodiversity. Directed by Michael O. Budnick, Produced by Jami Wilson and Christine Greene http://exit7players.org VIRTUAL PERFORMANCES From New England New Play Alliance: Virtual Theater   Vermont Actors' Repertory Theater presents Universal Love & Light: Short Plays by Vermont Playwrights February 5 Short plays about love and light to a disjointed and disconnected world. Come laugh, love, and ignite the flame of positivity with some lighthearted Vermont storytelling. Vermont Raw Milk by Shoshannah Boray directed by Kristen Hixon A Message from My Refrigerator by Lesley Becker directed by Alex Nicosia Waking Up by Steve Wangh directed by Sandy Gartner Click written and directed by Marisa Valent Table for One written and directed by Dvora Zipkin Small Steps written and directed by Jeanne Beckwith Tickets: $10. The Depot for New Play Readings presents Tiny Empty Nest by David Beardsley directed by Anne Flammang February 6, 2 p.m. You are cordially invited to the Bookers’ midlife meltdown. Hard hat required. Ben and Claire Booker’s only child has just left for college, and their relationship needs a jump start. Ben wants them to audition for Tiny Empty Nest, a reality television show that chronicles empty nesters living in tiny houses. Claire, who has cultivated skills and interests independent of Ben, is skeptical but goes along. Audition day arrives and, with a hard-charging reality-television producer giving them nowhere to hide, Ben and Claire find themselves building much more than a tiny house. Tickets: free. Email to sign-up for Zoom link. Fresh Ink Theatre Company presents Shrike by Erin Lerch Feb 4-25 directed by Josh Glenn-Kayden When the Alien Legion came, Sheena lost everything. All she has left is one final, unlikely dream: the Rebellion. But when she arrives, it’s to a Rebellion shattered by the loss of its leader, pushed to increasingly desperate measures – including working with their alien enemy. As tensions mount, Sheena has to face the question: when you have nothing left, what do you fight for? Tickets: pay what you can. Real Live Theatre presents Far Reaches an audio play written and directed by Ellen Morbyrne streaming now One Raft Person. One Witness. One world covered in endless ocean. Far Reaches follows a deeply curious, tender-hearted Witness from another world as they discover everything they can about the ocean-swallowed planet of the solitary Raft Person. As the Witness and the Raft Person become ever more entwined in friendship, startling discoveries lead to endless layers of questions, and the two friends will need to unlock deeply forgotten memories in order to understand what their futures might hold. Tickets: free. Ko Festival of Performance presents Piti Theatre Company's  Canary in a Gold Mine Written/performed by Jonathan Mirin Directed by Deanna Fleysher Sound Design & Stream Engineering by M Florian Staab Videography by Brendan Leowolf & Hannah Brookman ONLINE: FEBRUARY 11-13 | Fri. & Sat at 7:30pm, EST | Sun. at 3pm, EST For tickets & more info visit https://kofest.com/.../piti-theatres-canary-in-a-gold-mine/ Live, online post-show discussions with collaborators & guest experts follow each online performance. Locked down during COVID and desperate to make theatre, Piti Theatre’s Jonathan Mirin turns the camera on . . . himself, telling the story of the mysterious symptoms his life and production partner, Swiss choreographer/designer Godeliève Richard began experiencing in 2010. Increasingly unable to leave the house and take care of their new baby, the couple contends with the growing likelihood that her illness is environmental – and inescapable. Richard‘s severe neurological symptoms are triggered by exposure to EMFs, the wireless radiation that the rest of society is passionately embracing to connect phones, devices and upload cat videos. As her electro-hypersensitivity (a.k.a. “microwave sickness”) worsens, Mirin finds himself compelled to become a public health advocate, activist and petitioner in a landmark legal case against the FCC. The result: a show that’s a 21st century love letter as well as a wakeup call to the risks of 24/7 wireless exposure. "Canary in a Goldmine" is highly entertaining. As Mirin puts it, “It’s just like theatre…only flatter,” turning what could be an earnest public health lecture into a compelling dive into the opposing forces of corporate profit vs. public safety. Winter PIC Art Salon: Join PIC for an evening of brand new works in progress, and get a behind the scenes look into our collaborative process. On Monday February 21, we’ll gather from 7:30-9:30 pm to hear excerpts of new work by Nicole Orabona, Elliot Lazar, Stephan Fruchtman, and Tanner Tanner, followed by a curated feedback session with the presenting artists. This is a great opportunity to not only see our development process in action, but engage in conversation with PIC artists and serve as the first audience for new works.   Plus you're invited to participate in the open mic where anyone is welcome to present original works of 5 minutes or less.  Reserve Your Ticket Now RLT presents our first original audioplay, Far Reaches. One Raft Person. One Witness. One world covered in endless ocean. What do we remember? What does it mean to survive, and what is survival worth? Two people from radically different backgrounds reach towards friendship and understanding, following memories and stories as they seek some kind of truth. Written & Directed by Ellen Morbyrne Production Managed by Syl Simmons Sound Design/Recording/Editing by Rachel Hall Theme Song by Cynthia Zaitz, PhD Performed by Trenda Loftin as the Witness and Linda Tardif as the Raft Person. Streaming now, free of charge, on our website, BandCamp, and YouTube. This program is supported by grants from the Amherst, Burlington, Greenfield, Hadley, Holyoke, South Hadley, and Springfield Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. https://reallivetheatre.net/now-playing AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Outside Theatre group forming- Montague January 28 - February 30 New theatre group forming in Montague, with the goal of street theatre and park performances of Shakespeare, Chekhov, 19th and 20th century avant-garde works and new plays. Seeking fully vaxxed actors and other theatre creatives in the Montague/Turner’s/Greenfield area. Please respond with link to reel and experience. My background is in theater, film and painting, and based in Montague. Jesse.Richards.film@gmail.com K and E Theater Group Auditions - THE WILD PARTY K and E Theater Group is holding auditions for our October 2022 Mainstage Production of Andrew Lippa's THE WILD PARTY... And we're inviting you! Auditions can be scheduled IN PERSON (with COVID protocol) on February 21st in Southampton BY APPOINTMENT in Southampton at the First Congregational Church of Southampton, 212 College Highway (large white church), 6:00-10:00 PM. To schedule an appointment, please click here. Additionally, video submissions materials are also being accepted and considered by February 14th at 11:59 PM. To submit a video audition, please click here. Callbacks are IN PERSON and currently scheduled for Saturday, March 5th in Southampton. To audition and perform, all performers and production team members will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please bring proof of vaccination card and photo ID. Masks will be worn during in-person auditions. Visit KETG.org/auditions for character breakdown and more information on how to sign up for your audition slot or submit your material. THE WILD PARTY runs October 7-9 and 13-15 at Northampton Center for the Arts in Northampton. Don't forget to like us on Facebook and Instagram or visit KETG.org for more information on our supersized 2022 season! UMass Fine Arts Center hiring a Lighting Director The Lighting Director (Technical Assistant III) oversees all operations in the lighting department. Supervises lighting and related electrical aspects of all productions with Fine Arts Center including outdoor, hybrid, virtual, rental and on/off campus, assists in general production duties, and supervises student and professional crew members in these activities. Essential Functions Coordinates lighting and production planning with visiting professional and student production companies; designs, adapts or implements lighting plans for all stage productions; supervises the hanging and focus of stage lights and operation of lighting control consoles. Repairs and provides preventative maintenance for all stage lighting and related electrical equipment; responds to lighting and electrical problems occurring during productions; makes recommendations on major repair of lighting and on new equipment acquisitions. Creates and maintains all lighting records including but not limited to detailing current lighting positions, circuit, focus, purpose and rentals. Manages and maintains all lighting inventories. Tracks electrical expenses for events from pre-production through post production. Trains and supervises student work crews in the performance of lighting and general stage production duties.  Works collaboratively with touring technical production personnel. Also supervises professional and union crew members. Assists in general stage management duties, supervision of load-in, set-up, dismantling, and load-out of touring productions and securing of the performance area before and after production. Works with Production Manager to advance all events. Assists AV Head with technical projection and camera needs. Other Functions Performs related duties as assigned or required to meet Department, Executive Area/Division, and University goals and objectives. Contributes toward creating a positive and respectful workplace defined by personal and professional competence, integrity, and collaboration Minimum Qualifications Over two (2) years’ experience in theatrical lighting design. Knowledge of Eos Family Programming (ETC Ion), intelligent lighting systems, and wiring is required. Software knowledge including Windows, Mac, Vectorworks, Lightwright, Microsoft Office. Strong written and verbal communication skills, organizational and time management skills, as well as a focused work ethic and professional demeanor. Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in theater or technical theater. Over four (4) years’ experience as a Master Electrician for theatrical venues. Experience with moving lights. Experience working with student crews and student development. Physical Demands/Working Conditions Ability to work at substantial heights. Ability to lift and carry 50lbs over a distance.  Work requires significant manual skills, physical effort, and an exposure to risks from heights, electricity, and stage rigging. Work Schedule Monday-Friday, 8:30AM-5:00PM Occasionally works an irregular schedule, including evenings, weekends, and holidays.  Possible 18-hour shifts. Expected to work evening performances related to FAC events. MAJESTIC THEATER Danny Eaton, Producing Director Theater Carpenter / TECHNICAL DIRECTOR Job Type: Full-time Pay: $40,400.00 per year The Theater Project, inc., dba Majestic Theater, located in West Springfield, Massachusetts is seeking an immediate hire for a Theater Carpenter / Technical Director. The Majestic is a year-round 229 seat professional theater operating under and SPT6 contract with Actors Equity Association. We produce a five play subscription season September to June, in July and August a three production Children’s Theater, and musical concerts over the Summer. More at: majestictheater.com This is a full time position which requires a number of years of hands-on experience in live theater and a skill set that includes carpentry, welding, and rigging. The Technical Director should also be versed in both stage lighting and sound design. He/She is responsible for maintaining the scene shop in good working order with a focus always on safety. Additionally, from time to time, there may be repair and/or maintenance projects at the theater itself for which the TD is responsible. This is a full-time year round position with a salary of $40,040 and may include benefits. To apply, please send an email to dannye@majestictheater.com telling us of your interest and why you think you’d best fit this position. Please also include your professional resume. Danny Eaton, Producing Director MAJESTIC THEATER 131 Elm Street West Springfield, MA 01089 www.majestictheater.com Theater Manager - Associate at the MAJESTIC THEATER - West Springfield, MA ABOUT THE COMPANY The Majestic Theater is a 229 seat live theater. Since 1997 we have locally produced a five show subscription season, summer children’s theater and concerts. Our non- profit mission is to provide Pioneer Valley (Western MA) based actors, actresses and theater technicians a professional environment in which to perform – the Majestic Theater. JOB DESCRIPTION The Associate Theater Manager is a full-time staff person who will work with the Treasurer, Marketing Director, Box Office Manager, theater Accountant, Production Manager, and Producing Director. This will be a learning position which will hopefully allow this candidate to transition from being the Associate - Theater Manager into becoming the Theater Manager in a year or two. JOB RESPONSIBILITIES Learn all aspects of the operation of the Majestic Theater Become comfortable using with the box office systems Work with the Treasurer and Accountant on financial matters Help manage marketing and fundraising projects Coordinate with production staff and assist with producing shows Learn about and assist with the management of the Majestic Café Understand and facilitate the maintenance of the Majestic buildings QUALIFICATIONS A professional demeanor and an upbeat attitude Willingness to work collaboratively with a diverse group Organized and able to assume responsibility Comfortable with software technology, including: Word, Excel, Outlook, QuickBooks, Zoom, TeamViewer and box office systems Education and experiences that would be beneficial based upon the Job Responsibilities Reliable transportation JOB DETAILS Starting ASAP.  Annual salary: $36,400 Benefits (vacation, sick, personal) available and to be reviewed. Average 40 hours a week, with nights and weekends WHAT: Play Incubation Collective (PIC) 2022 Developmental Residency WHEN: March-December 2022 (Applications now due Feb 15 2021) WHERE: Rehearsals will take place in Hampshire County (playwrights should expect to regularly attend local in-person rehearsals) PIC is actively seeking submissions of scripts-in-progress by local BIPOC and/or queer playwrights. We are defining local as roughly within a 1 hour drive from Northampton, MA. 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 local actors, dramaturgs, designers and more to collaborate with each writer on the development of their piece. The specifics of what that development looks like are open to the writer. All collaborating artists  help contribute to PIC’s monthly administrative duties. 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 FEB 15, 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. Plays only please. We cannot accept musicals at this time. Finalists will be notified by March 1st and PIC will be in touch to schedule an interview. Estimated Time Commitment: 10 hrs/month rehearsal time, 2-4 hrs/month admin time Learn more and apply here. JOB OPENING: Job Title: Digital Marketing/PR Manager  Reports to: Managing Director FLSA Status: Part-Time, Non-Exempt, Year Round, Starting at 10/hrs a week at $20 an hour WAM is seeking a part-time Digital Marketing Manager to join our team. This position is responsible for promoting WAM Theatre to external audiences via online platforms, social media channels and weekly e-newsletters. Must be a team player with a sense of humor, and the desire to work on a collaborative team. The Digital Marketing Manger is  a key partner in the development and implementation of WAM Theatre’s vision and strategic plan. Primary Duties and Responsibilities:  Creates content/copywriting for WAM’s social posts, newsletters, press releases, and other materials Produces weekly e-newsletter highlighting events and ongoings Manages press lists, kits and outreach as needed Generates 4-6 weekly social media posts, and monitors for feedback and questions Collaborates regularly with the WAM Team, participates in creative and strategic brainstorms as related to marketing/PR, reports directly to the Managing Director and works closely with WAM’s Webmaster & Archivist Qualifications & Skills:   Excellent time management and communication skills (oral and written) Experience using MailChimp or other email client software Experience creating engaging social media post on Facebook and Instagram 1-3 years of marketing / PR / theatre admin /nonprofit experience Experience using InDesign or Canva, and/or experience in photography & videography experience is a plus Familiarity with Google Drive/Suite  Regular access to a computer to easily participate in remote work, including the ability to Zoom Candidates with a passion for women’s issues, social justice and arts as activism are preferred  Familiarity and experience with the Berkshires and surrounding theatre community and/or not-for-profit arts community preferred but not required WAM Theatre is committed to creating,  maintaining and learning about a diverse and inclusive working space and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, race, color, religion, creed, national origin including ancestry, ethnicity, sex including pregnancy, gender, gender identity, gender expression, and transgender status, gender, disability, alienage or citizenship status, military status, including past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services, genetic information, predisposing genetic characteristics, marital status, domestic violence victim status, familial status, actual or perceived sexual orientation. Find out more about our ongoing accountability work here: https://www.wamtheatre.com/ mission-and-values/wam-diversity-statement/  To apply please email a resume and cover letter to info@wamtheatre.com. Applications will be accepted until February 25, 2022 The Chester Theatre Company, located in Chester, MA, is now accepting applications for the 2022 summer internship program  We are a professional theatre company located in the foothills of the Berkshires of Western Massachusetts.   CTC produces 4-5 plays each summer, staged and performed by professional actors, directors and designers.  Now in its 33rd season, CTC has earned a reputation for excellence in contemporary theatre, consistently winning top honors with area critics. CTC has a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in its artistic and educational programming. CTC productions have gone on to Off Broadway engagements and regional, national, and international tours.  We are currently accepting applications for our 2022 Summer Internship Program.   Dates: Monday, May 30, 2022 – Wednesday, August 24, 2022  Applicants must be able to receive academic credit for their internship at Chester Theatre Company.  CTC will cover any expense associated with that academic credit.  Applicants must be able to provide proof of vaccination.  CTC provides housing and a weekly living stipend of $200 to all interns.  Travel scholarships may also be available for those based further from CTC.  Interns participate in the life of CTC, coming to know artists, staff, and audiences. Educational experiences include classes with the Director of Education, as well as with resident and visiting artists.  Interns also have the opportunity to see other performances at the many cultural institutions in the area.  To apply, students can visit our website: www.chestertheatre.org and go to the "Education & Opportunities" section.  Click on "Internships" and they will be able to get some information about the different internship opportunities we offer.  In the section "To apply:" they can click on a link to a Google Form.  They will be able to fill out all of the information we need, as well as upload the necessary documents, from that form.  WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Michael Chekhov: Embodying the Beautiful with Sebastian Arboleda Tuesdays from 6-9pm EST, beginning February 8th on Zoom. 8 weeks. $395. ​Open to 12 students. *In the spirit of inclusivity, accessibility and diversity we offer one full scholarship, and/or two partial scholarships for all of our classes and workshops.* In this class students will explore the fundamentals of Michael Chekhov Acting Technique, centering what he called "the Feeling of Beauty". Michael Chekhov believed that by developing a healthy relationship with their own unique beautiful selves, the actor can truly access the power of their creative individuality without judgment. In the course of exploring the "Feeling of Beauty”, students will be creating, moving, storytelling, experimenting, discussing, and celebrating all of the different shades of beauty - the good, the bad, the ugly, the raunchy, the funky, the mysterious, the naughty, the dangerously cheesy, etc. - and how they can empower, inspire and support the widest range of expression possible in performance. Sign Up! The Body in Dialogue: A New Approach to Shakespeare with Joby Earle Wednesdays from 2-4pm EST, beginning February 9th on Zoom. 4 weeks. $195. ​Open to 8 students. *In the spirit of inclusivity, accessibility and diversity we offer one full scholarship, and/or two partial scholarships for all of our classes and workshops.* Thinking and feeling are not limited to the small space between our ears - our experiences express themselves throughout our whole body. This class will help actors embody intellectual ideas by heightening awareness of the chakra system. Each session will begin with a psychophysical warm up, followed by individual monologue work. Students will work on a speech from the Shakespeare canon to fold in their new awareness and understanding of where these words, ideas, wants and desires may be living inside themselves, and what centers they are hoping to affect in their partner. Sign Up! The Power of Language with Reese Antoinette Two Week Workshop Tuesday, February 15th and 22nd Friday, February 18th and 25th From 12-2pm EST, on Zoom. Open to 10 students. $195. *In the spirit of inclusivity, accessibility and diversity we offer one full scholarship, and/or two partial scholarships for all of our classes and workshops.* In this workshop actors will be invited to explore embodying different texts, rhythms, and musicality - while gaining awareness of the different dynamics already living within the text. This work will not only inform the actor in performance, but from audition to the final take or run. Each participant will work on two contrasting monologues sourced from film, theater, tv, spoken word and hip hop lyrics. Over the course of the workshop, students will be taken through the process of how to use the language of the text to explore the character’s circumstances while breaking free of the traditional "monologue" class, and encourage a vivid curiosity with all forms of the written word. Sign Up! Animal Work Meets Text with Emmanuelle Delpech Three Weekend Workshop Saturday and Sunday from 1 - 3:30pm EST on Zoom February 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th and Saturday March 5th Open to 12 students. $295. Sign up below. *In the spirit of inclusivity, accessibility and diversity we offer one full scholarship, and/or two partial scholarships for all of our classes and workshops.* In this class actors will observe the physicality of animals - especially their expressive nature and natural talent for physical articulation. While animals do not speak, they express themselves through everything else they have available to them. Students will take these rigorous observations of the natural world - how does each animal move, walk, take in the world - and then put them into practice in real life scenarios. What happens when a rooster walks into a bar full of chickens? What about a hyena and a lion out on their first date? Each participant will then come in with a memorized monologue, completely against type, choose the appropriate animal for the character and investigate how these physical changes can illuminate the text in surprising and beautiful ways. On the last day of class there will be a short presentation of selected work to share with an audience. Sign Up! Happier Valley Comedy presents The Joy & Ease of Improv 1 Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA) Would you like to play and laugh in a supportive community every week? Want to get better at thinking on your feet? Could you use some practice in mindfulness? Turning off your judgmental mind? Being brave? Would you like to become more confident speaking in public? Do you want to learn an affirming, judgment-free approach to improvisation? If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, The Joy & Ease of Improv 1 would be an ever so lovely way to spend 90-minutes each week. Happier Valley Comedy's Founder and Head of Happiness Pam Victor offers this introduction to her original improv curriculum for adults who want to try something fun, rewarding, and mind-expanding. You'll learn a mindful, easeful approach to improv comedy in an incredibly positive and accepting atmosphere that will get you up on your feet and out of your head. Through improv exercises, games, and simple scenework, you'll practice the vital improvisation skills of paying attention, acceptance, agreement, redefining and disempowering failure, staying in the moment, quieting your critical voice to invite more joy and ease into your work, and much more. Plus, you'll join a community of kind-hearted, happier people! No experience necessary. Being funny is not required! At Happier Valley Comedy, we believe everyone can improvise. (No joke.) There are TWO different sessions of Improv 1: Mondays 5:00 - 6:30pm or 7:00 - 8:30pm. https://www.happiervalley.com/improv-1.html Happier Valley Comedy presents Hello, You! An Introduction to Storytelling Standup February 21 at 5:00 PM Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA) Interested in trying stand-up comedy with a storytelling focus? In an enormously supportive (read: not scary) environment, Hello, You! teacher Kelsey Flynn guides the class through the fundamentals of storytelling comedy writing. You'll have a blast taking risks together, building confidence, and finding out how to sharpen those stories that make family and co-workers laugh into comic gold fit for an audience of strangers. Kelsey walks you through the creation of your very own three-minute set which you’ll perform for the class and invited guests at the end of the course.  As Hello, You! is part of the Happier Valley Comedy School, of course we’ll use improv comedy fun to help develop your own unique brand of funny while you strengthen your authentic presence and voice.   Say “Hello!” to that part of you that’s been waiting for that moment at the mic all this time! https://www.happiervalley.com/hello-you.html Enrollment Now Open for March Workshops Can't join us for our February workshops. Never fear! We've just opened enrollment for Workshops for Tuesdays in March! Check out the details below. WHAT: 4 Week Creativity Workshops WHO: Anyone (18+) WHERE: Zoom WHEN: Tuesday Evenings, 7-9pm EST on March 1, 8, 15 5:30-7:30pm EST on March 22 and an Optional Bonus Session 7-8pm March 29 COST: $150 Whether you need support for your next project or want your days to be filled with more creativity, these 4 workshops will give you the inspiration and structure to build a sustainable creative practice. Sessions topics include: Finding the Building Blocks to Sustain Your Creative Practice​ Mapping the Narrative Digital Devising and Collaboration​ Making it Up: The Basic Tenets of Improv Bringing it Home (Bonus Session) Learn More Here 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 World and Eye 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|*