Pioneer Valley Theatre News June 2, 2022

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser June 2 - 22, 2022 Hello from Alaska! I hear it's hot back in Western Massachusetts, but I am in Alaska this week visiting family. Enjoy the newsletter! And the latest from StageStruck here! The next issue will include events from June 9 - 29. 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 directed by Gina Kaufmann & featuring Pioneer Valley performers Kyle Boatwright & Rachel F. Hirsch SUNDAY JUNE 5, 2pm at Club B10, MASS MoCA, North Adams, or 7:30pm online. in partnership with MASS MoCA & Berkshire Stonewall Community Coalition For more information & to purchase ticket: www.wamtheatre.com / 413.274.8122 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 Moving Theatre Toward Collective Self-Defense: Virginia Grise’s Your Healing is Killing Me by Marci R McMahon From the article:  “This is not a play,” pronounces actor Florinda Bryant in the opening lines of Cara Mía Theatre’s production of Virginia Grise’s performance Your Healing is Killing Me (23 September-10 October 2021), directed by Kendra Ware in association with a todo dar productions. I am in the audience seated on a folded chair at a small table among a dozen partitioned tables at the Latino Cultural Center’s new, multiform black box theatre in Dallas, Texas. The booth-like seating, dim lighting, and small audience capacity evokes the feeling we are at an intimate grassroots coffee shop—perhaps New York City, where Ware situates the performance. With the exception of Bryant, we are wearing masks. The seating design, even as it is intentionally socially distanced, allows for intimacy: We are in the Delta variant surge of the many surges that have pressed on during this global pandemic which have—along with other racialized, economic, and health crises—disproportionally impacted Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) communities. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES Through June 12, we will hold an Outdoor Festival that highlights DE’s partnerships: The Hinterlands’ Will You Miss Me? (Detroit, MI) June 3 – 5 at 7pm Apollo Theater and National Black Theatre's In The Name Of The Mother Tree  A project of Jupiter Performance Studio (Harlem, NY) Developed in Residency at Double Edge Theatre Originally Commissioned by the Apollo Theater. Support to develop this work has been provided by Mercury Store, The Shed, Network of Ensemble Theaters, Hi-Arts, NYSCA, and a National Theater Project artist development grant. June 8 – 12 at 7pm Learn more about the performances   Ghost Light Theater The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) June 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 at 8pm June 5 at 2pm Gateway City Arts Three hapless actors, 90 minutes, Shakespeare’s entire catalog. What could go wrong? Prepare to have a long laugh as Shaun O’Keefe, Tina Sparkle, and Kevin Tracy trip, fall, stab, and kiss their way through the Bard’s tales. Are you ready to have an evening of fun, unbridled laughter? Ghost Light’s cast is ready to serve it to you. One of the world’s most produced plays, the Complete Works is appropriate for all ages. Shows are June 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 at 8pm June 5 at 2pm Tickets $20. Several tickets are available at low cost each performance. This show has been made possible through the generous sponsorship of Gateway City Live. http://ghostlightmass.ticketleap.com/shorty-shakes/ Wild Mushrooms: Aging With Art 6/4/22 at 8:00 PM, 6/5/22 at 4:00 PM Northampton Center for the Arts The Wild Mushrooms are a collaborative of 5 women artists who are continuing to make art as they age. Ellen Wittlinger, a playwright, will present a short play, "Four Daughters," Madelyn Farr is a dancer who studies Egyptian dance, Susan Waltner is a choreographer/dancer presenting a piece including 4 other dancers, Lilin Tseng is a visual artist who has written and produced an animated film, and Carol Abbe Smith is a jazz singer. Following the program, the audience is invited to stay for a post-show discussion with the Wild Mushroom artists on aging and creativity that will be facilitated by Sabrina Hamilton, Artistic Director of the Ko Festival of Performance. The project is part of the Technical/Administrative/Organizational Development program of the Ko Festival of performance. The program is supported in part by a grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the Northampton Arts Council. http://agingwithart.com Happier Valley Comedy The Understudies: An Improvised Musical June 4 at 7:00 PM Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA) Be part of the fun as these brave improvisers and their trusty musician create an entire musical from scratch. First Saturday of every month at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. BETTY & THE PATCH ONSTAGE AT MAJESTIC THEATER JUNE 9 THROUGH JULY 24   The Majestic Theater will present the debut of Betty & The Patch, a new contemporary comedy/drama by Producing Director Danny Eaton June 9 through July 24.   The play is set at The Patch, one of those local destination restaurants with the reputation of good and plentiful food along with a kind of privacy which makes it ideal for intimate get togethers. It’s been run by Betty Borelli for years but a recent kitchen fire has forced a shut down. Determined to reopen, Betty has recruited her daughter Cristina, a successful attorney, to come home and help. But that’s not the only reason — she has had recent health issues and Betty wants Cristina and chef Bobo Henderson to ensure the restaurant’s future. There are family secrets as well that need to be finally revealed, and recent visits from past friends have added to the urgency. Will Cristina stay? Will Bobo finally let Cristina know he’s in love with her? And just who is Cristina’s father?   The cast of Betty & The Patch includes Christine Anthony (Betty), Katie Mack (Cristina), Issa Best (Bobo), Brad Shepard (Joey), Michael Morales (Michael), J. T. Waite (Andy), Linda Storms (Betty understudy), Valerie Vaile (Cristinas understudy), Joel Gladu (Bobo understudy), Rick Malone (Andy/Joey understudy) and Liam Toner (Michael understudy).    Eaton will direct the play.  Associate Producing Director/Stage Manager is Sue Dziura, and Stephen Petit is production stage manager.  Set design is by Greg Trochlil, and Dawn McKay is costumer designer.  Daniel D. Rist is lighting designer.   In accordance with regulations from the Actors' Equity Association, an American labor union representing those who work in live theatrical performance, the Majestic Theater requires all attendees to wear masks at all times (except when eating and drinking), to be fully vaccinated against COVID, and to present their vaccination card (or a photo or other proof of it, on their cell phone) upon arrival.  At this time, no food or drink may be brought into the theater, and needs to be consumed in the Majestic Café.   Tickets to Betty & The Patch range from $31 - $35 and are available for sale at the Majestic’s box office Monday – Friday 10am – 5pm and Saturday 10am – 1pm; or on the phone at (413) 747-7797.   Happier Valley Comedy 2nd Saturdays Presents: Longform Improvisation June 11 at 7:00 PM Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA) A cast of experienced improvisers dive into a variety of formats based on audience suggestions. Second Saturday of every month at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. Happier Valley Comedy HVC's Fun Fridays: Storytelling Standup Showcase June 17 at 7:00 PM Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA) Watch Happier Valley Comedy talent try out their latest material, laugh together, raise a glass, and support up-and-coming standup comedians. Doors open at 5:30. Showcase starts at 7pm. More information Happier Valley Comedy HVC Presents: Not In Charge! June 18 at 7:00 PM Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA) Join the talented group Not In Charge for a fast-paced improv show inspired by true stories from the cast! Third Saturday of every month at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. Happier Valley Comedy The Happier Valley Championship June 25 at 7:00 PM Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (1 Mill Valley 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: your laughter! Fourth Saturday of every month at 7pm at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, on rte.9). Tickets: $13 online and at the door. For more info: www.happiervalley.com. AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES The Performance Project is looking to hire a Managing Director. This position will focus on the administrative aspects of the organizational well being, including but not limited to overseeing communications, organizational systems, budgets and finances, development and grant writing, marketing and outreach, staff coordination, board development and communications. The Managing Director will actively partner with the organization's co-directors to support the vision, mission and work of TPP. More information SILVERTHORNE THEATER TO HOLD AUDITIONS FOR FALL SHOW   Silverthorne Theater Company announced today that open auditions for its 2022-23 Season opener, Lauren Gunderson’s The Taming, will be held June 10-12 at the LAVA Center, 324 Main Street, Greenfield.     Audition slots are available for Friday, June 10, from 6-8 pm; or Saturday, June 11, from 9:30-11:30 am. Callbacks will be held on Sunday, June 12, from 1-3 pm. Auditioners should submit recent headshots and current resumes to silverthornetheater@gmail.com. Video submissions will be considered if received by June 10, but anyone submitting a video would need to be available for the Sunday callbacks. Proof of vaccination against Covid-19 is required for all auditioners. Call 413-7678-7514 for more details.   Director Mary Corinne Miller is a theater-maker, educator, and arts administrator based in the Pioneer Valley. She has worked with numerous professional theater companies in New York City and throughout Western Massachusetts including The Player’s Theater, The Children’s Theater Company, TADA! Theater, Shakespeare and Company, New Century Theater, and Barrington Stage Company.   The Play: The Taming by Lauren Gunderson is a raucous, all-female political comedy inspired by Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. When two political opponents wake up to discover themselves locked in a hotel room with a beauty queen hell-bent on revolutionizing the American government, they are forced to face the vast political divide in order to find a way to save both themselves and our great democracy. Born out of frustration over the partisan grid-lock holding our country hostage, this play tackles the role of women in contemporary American government, the vision and biases of the founding fathers, feminism and beauty pageants, political extremism, Liberal angst and the GOP, through the startling humor of three wildly different, and richly developed women who might just be political geniuses.   Settings: The present, Georgia, at the hotel hosting the Miss Georgia Pageant. July, 1787, the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia.   Cast: The cast is comprised of three roles, with each role portraying two to three characters. All roles are described as being in their 20s-30s and female-identifying. As per the playwright: “Actors need not be white”. Actors of all races, ethnicities, abilities, genders, ages and political leanings are strongly encouraged to audition.   KATHERINE- A southern belle and determined pageant winner. Also plays George and Martha Washington in 1787 as well as Dolley Madison.   PATRICIA- A conservative aide to Georgia’s Senator Peter Baxter. Also plays James Madison in 1787.   BIANCA- A liberal southern hipster activist. Also plays a sweet southern good-girl intern, and Charles Pickney in 1787.   For the auditions, actors may choose to: Read from sides provided OR Perform a 1-2 minute contemporary comedic monologue of their choosing   Actors are also strongly encouraged to demonstrate a non-musical talent (such as a magic trick, telling jokes, flexibility/ yoga, gymnastics, juggling, baton-twirling, tap-dancing, hip-hop, etc.) the Drama Studio OPEN HOUSE June 14th and June 15th at 6 pm 41 OAKLAND STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA, 01108 Join us for our 2022 on-site Open House to learn about our acting classes and Conservatory program! Come and visit the Drama Studio on Tuesday, June 14th, at 6 pm for ages 6-8, and Wednesday, June 15th, at 6 pm for ages 9-18. To R.S.V.P. for the Open House, click here. *Please note, all participants must be masked. WAM Theatre is looking for a new Director of Community Engagement. WAM Theatre is seeking a part-time (20/hrs a week) Director of Community Engagement to lead our educational programming, coordinate our volunteers, manage group sales and represent WAM at community events. Interested candidates should email a resume and cover letter with the subject heading “Director of Community Engagement Search” to talya@wamtheatre.com by June 20, 2022. A detailed job description can be found HERE. Majestic Theater 25th Season Auditions Equity Principal Auditions 6/27 & 6/28 10AM-6PM Non-Equity and Equity drop-ins 6/29-7/1 6-10PM, 7/2 12-3PM Call (413) 747-7797 to make an appointment Casting for: MAMMA MIA Music & Lyrics by Benny Anderson & Bjorn Ulvaeus Book by Catherine Johnson Directed by Danny Eaton LOVE, MILLY & MURRAY By T. Emerson Directed by Sheila Siraguisa NATIVE GARDENS By Karen Zacarias Directed by James Warwick THE GLASS MENAGERIE By Tennessee Williams Directed by Rand Foerster BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY By Alan James Directed by Danny Eaton More details about which roles are available here. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Happier Valley Comedy Stand Up! Comedy Writing Workshop June 11 at 11:00 AM Happier Valley Comedy's Next Door Lounge (1 Mill Valley Rd, Hadley, MA) Stand-up comedy has the power to heal and renew, validate shared experiences, counterbalance bigotry, and reach people who would otherwise be unwilling to listen. In this three-and-a-half hour workshop, you'll learn how to be a stand-up comedian from Kim DeShields, a popular, local stand-up comedian with decades of experience. Kim leads you in an exploration of how to identify potential material, how to turn life experiences into jokes and make simple observations funny. You'll learn ease, flow, and stage presence to develop your own personal comedy style or persona. We'll also discuss how to control hecklers and other distractions during a performance. Then you’ll have time in class to write your very own short stand-up set. By the end of the workshop, you’ll perform for the class and get expert feedback on your set from Kim! More information. Drama Studio Summer Programs July 5th, 2022 - August 19th, 2022 41 OAKLAND STREET, SPRINGFIELD, MA, 01108 The Drama Studio is a unique community where young people grow as artists, leaders, and individuals. Now offering a variety of onsite acting and theater programs in a safe environment, including Stories on Stage, where students will prepare an entire production of Story Theatre and Improv for younger audiences, including a literacy video. In TeenScene: SummerFest teens will present a fully produced festival of One Acts. Other programs include Acting Up: Summer Fun Stories, SummerSlam: Improv Week, and Island Improv, Scenes and Myths. No prior acting experience is required. Summer enrollment now open! Space is limited. https://dramastudio.org/summer-programs Hampshire Shakespeare Company presents Educational Theater Workshops July 11-15, July 21-29, Aug 1-5 Northampton Center for the Arts Fun and educational week-long theater programs for kids ages 7-15 run by local professionals. https://hampshireshakespeare.com/ Enrollment Opens Monday for PIC's First Youth Program WHAT: This 2-week summer program, led by arts educators Kit Marshall and Felicia Sloin, will invite participants to explore their creativity through art, music, yoga, drumming, dance, and improvisation. The program will culminate in a celebratory sharing for friends and family.  We are very excited to be presenting our first ever youth programming with CREATIVE JOURNEYS - formerly a program of Valley Performance Playground-  this summer! WHO: Ages 7-11 (limited to 14 participants) WHERE: Lander Grinspoon Academy, 257 Prospect St., Northampton WHEN: August 1-5, 8-12, 9am-3pm COST: $625 for 2 weeks Registration opens Monday, March 7th and will be limited to 14 participants. So register early to reserve your spot! Learn More Here Yoga Sanctuary Play Practice: Exploring Yoga & Theatre Summer Program for Kids 8/1–8/5 (Monday–Friday), 9–2 pm Yoga Sanctuary, Thornes Marketplace (Third Floor) Join us for a fabulous week of daily yoga practice and theatre-making, as we use our bodies, breath, and voices to develop skills for acting and storytelling. Every day will include yoga techniques, theatre games, and creative exercises designed to unleash each student's unique expression, as well as foster dynamic group creation. Plus, all the summer fun of daily outdoors time and a special day spent walking and swimming in our beautiful local nature! On the last day, we'll host a sharing at 1pm for families to get a peak at what the students have been practicing this week. Play Practice is open to students ages 10-13 of all experience levels (including no previous experience) and all physical abilities—yoga and theatre are for every body! Reach out to us with any questions. More information. Play Practice is led by Ellen Morbyrne, a local teacher and parent with over 20 years of experience as both a theatre-maker and a yoga practitioner. Ellen has been teaching and directing theatre at North Star: Self-Directed Learning for Teens since 2003, has taught theatre locally at high schools and homeschool co-ops and at the Drama Studio, and has been teaching yoga to folks of all ages since 2009. She is the cofounder of Real Live Theatre and teaches weekly yoga classes here at Yoga Sanctuary. Cost: $325/child (regular price); $400/child (pay-it-forward price; help us offer a scholarship to another child!) 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 Theater Between Addresses 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|*