Pioneer Valley Theatre News February 1, 2024

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser February 1-21, 2024 CitySpace is hiring an Arts Programming at Venue Manager - come to Easthampton and be a part of making art happen in the Old Town Hall. I'm happy to answer questions you may have about this position.  And this weekend at CitySpace - Easthampton Community Theatre's Torch Song. Read Max Hartshorne's review here. The next issue will include events from February 8 - 28. 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: Pinkwashing Islamophobia in Performance by Joseph Dunne-Howrie From the article:  “Do you feel morally superior to the Taliban?” a man asks us. One or two audience members say yes. The rest shift awkwardly in their seats, unsure what to do. The unwillingness to give a definitive answer encapsulates the argument behind DV8's show Can We Talk About This?, presented at the National Theatre in 2011 and 2012: Western publics have become afraid to voice opposition to Islamist autocracy and prejudice from within minority communities for fear of offending Muslims and people of color. Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES Storytelling open mic and potluck, “Beautiful Disasters,” to take place at The LAVA Center WHAT: Beautiful Disasters: Storytelling Open Mic + Potluck WHEN: Thursday, Feb. 1, 6 p.m. WHERE: The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., Greenfield Beautiful Disasters is a monthly storytelling open mic and potluck where Trouble Mandeson and Nisse Greenberg host a night of story and food sharing, every first Thursday at The LAVA Center. Doors open and food is served at 6 p.m. Show will start at 7 p.m. All stories are meant to be true, personal stories from your own life. Show is pay-what-you-want. This month we share stories of love lost, love found, love delayed, and love misguided. In advent of our most Hallmarky of holidays, we seek to explore the depths of the beautiful disaster that is LOVE. Come out to share a story of the time you loved the wrong person, or the wrong person loved you. Come out and share a story of sibling love, grandparent love, business partner love, pet love or any other interpretation of love you can think of. Or, just come to hear your community’s stories of love. Maybe come to fall in love. More information. MAJESTIC THEATER TO PRESENT THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST FEBRUARY 1-11 Oscar Wilde’s Victorian Masterpiece Described as a “Trivial Comedy for Serious People” The Majestic Theater will present Oscar Wilde’s Victorian masterpiece about marriage, morality and mistaken identity, The Importance of Being Earnest, from January 4 through February 11 at the West Springfield venue.  Described as a “trivial comedy for serious people,” the story follows two gentlemen, Jack and Algernon, each with a hidden double life that comically leads to confusion and hijinks.  When Algernon discovers that Jack has been posing as a man named Ernest to escape from his “excessively boring” life in the country, Algernon promptly travels from his London flat to Jack’s country estate to pose as the fictional character himself.  Confusion and hilarity reign as each man meets and falls in love with a proper young lady and along the way must confront the formidable Lady Bracknell all in the name of romance and revelry. Danny Eaton is producing director, Sue Dziura is associate producing director, and Rand Foerster will direct the play.  Cast members include Rylan Morsbach, Alexandra O’Halloran, Lisa Abend, Peter Evangelista, Caelie Scott Flanagan, Peter Hicks, Krista Lucas, Tom Dahl, Jack Grigoli, Myka Plunkett, and Stephanie Craven.  Stephen Petit is production stage manager, associate production manager is Aurora Ferraro, and Michael Lounsbury is set designer.  Dan Rist is lighting designer, and costumer designer is Dawn McKay. Tickets are now being sold for The Importance of Being Earnest, and all remaining plays in the Majestic’s current 2023-2024 Season, and range from $31 - $37.  Box office hours are Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm, and Saturday 10am-1pm.   The wearing of face masks in the theater is optional. Doors to the theater will open one hour before the start of a show, which is also when the café opens.  For more information, visit www.majestictheater.com Easthampton Theater Company Harvey Fiertein's Torch Song Feb 2, 3 at 7:30PM, Feb 4 at 2PM Blue Room, Old Town Hall, 43 Main Street, Easthampton, MA 01027 The life of Arnold Beckoff, a torch song-singing, Jewish drag queen living in New York City, is dramatized over the span of the late 1970s and 1980s. Told with a likable, human voice and considerable humor, Torch Song follows Arnold’s odyssey to find happiness in New York. All he wants is a husband, a child, and a pair of bunny slippers that fit, but a visit from his overbearing mother reminds him that he needs one thing more: respect. ETC's performance of Torch Song also features live music by a torch-song singing drag performer. Directed Jason Rose-Langston Produced by Jason Rose-Langston and Michael O. Budnick Cast: Arnold: Patric Madden Ed: Jay Torres Laurel: Kim Tobin Alan: David DiRocco David: Devin Dumas Ma: Rona Leventhal The Lady: Pedro Serrazina Production Team: Eva Husson-Stockhamer, Veronica Klakotskiy, Deb Jacobson, Manny Morales, Matt O'Reilly, Frank Croke, and Jason Hayes Torch Song Trilogy premiered at La Mama ETC over the course of two years from February 1978 - October 1979. The play transferred to Broadway in June 1982. The three-act trilogy won the 1983 Tony Award for best play. Easthampton Theater Company is presenting Harvey Fierstein's 2017 two act adaptation, which premiered off-Broadway at the Tony Kieser Theatre in a Second Stage Theater Production and transferred to Broadway in November 1, 2018 at the Hayes Theater. The production was nominated for two Tony awards including best revival. This production restores the live, torch-song singing drag performer "Lady Blues" featured in the original production of the Trilogy. easthamptontheater.com Pioneer Valley Performing Arts Charter Public School Natasha, Pierre, and the Comet of 1812 February 2 and 3 at 7:30, February 4 at 2:00 PM PVPA 15 Mulligan Drive, South Hadley, MA 01075 PVPA Theater Department presents: Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812. Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 is a sung-through musical adaptation of a 70-page segment of Leo Tolstoy's War and Peace written by composer/lyricist Dave Malloy. It is based on part 8 of Tolstoy's novel, focusing on Natasha's romance with Anatole and Pierre's search for meaning in his life. Directed by David Cavallin, with musical direction by Jeremy Milligan. Assistant Director: Cadence Maldonado, Class of 2025. Choreography by David Cavallin with Henry DiNapoli, Class of 2025 and Legacy Moye, Class of 2025. Natasha, Pierre and the Great Comet of 1812 is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals. www.concordtheatricals.com www.pvpa.org The Academy of Music Theatre presents, Tony Award-winning playwright Lisa Kron’s poignant, funny, complex, and uplifting play, 2.5 Minute Ride over three weekends: January 19, 20, 26, 27, and February 3 and 4, 2024. The play is directed by Mary Beth Brooker and performed by Allie Wittner. In 2.5 Minute Ride, Tony Award-winning playwright Lisa Kron invites her audience on a roller coaster ride through the family album. Rising and falling between high hilarity and deep disquiet, Kron demonstrates with disarming simplicity that humor and horror can share the same human moment. The play switches back and forth between a daughter’s journey to Auschwitz with her septuagenarian father, a Holocaust survivor; her Michigan family’s annual pilgrimage to a Sandusky, Ohio, amusement park; and her brother’s marriage to his internet bride. By moving seamlessly between these three diverse recounting, Kron creates a complex and at times startling meditation on how human beings make sense of tragedy, grief, and everyday life. Director Mary Beth Brooker makes and performs work for theater, video and installation, and writes plays and short fiction. Her local work as a director and dramaturg includes spoken word movement works at the APE/Workroom, New Play Readings Series, Smith College, and School for Contemporary Dance and Thought. Actor Allie Wittner performed in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Boston. Past projects include “The Donkey Show” (American Repertory Theatre) and “Charlie Boyd” (SheLosAngeles Theater Festival best ensemble winner). As a playwright, they were awarded a residency through the Play Incubation Collective for their show, “The Consort.” Seating is limited. Tickets are available at the Academy Box Office, Tuesday – Friday, 3-6pm, at aomtheatre.com or by phone at 413.584.9032 x105. There will be a talk back on January 27 th in honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day with Rabbi Riqi Kosovske of Beit Ahavah Reform Synagogue of Greater Northampton, Mary Beth Brooker, and Allie Wittner. PIC PIPS launches this Sunday! In 2024, PIC will be holding a free, monthly PIC PIPS (Plays In Progress Series) at the Workroom (33 Hawley St, Northampton) featuring readings of new work in front of an audience. Save the date for the following Sundays for these readings. More information about each play is coming soon.​ Please use the downstairs doors, nearest to the courtyard. Outside doors will be open at 7:15 and will be locked at 7:45 so please arrive promptly. ETHEL the BARN Every Brilliant Thing February 9 at 7pm, February 11 at 2pm ETHEL the BARN invites you to the performance of the award-winning show EVERY BRILLIANT THING. Described as a "life-affirming gem" and "filled to the brim with joy", this piece details one man's attempt to find hope in the midst of great sorrow. Along with Joanna Rush's one-woman show NO MALARKEY, this piece marks the beginning of ETHEL the BARN's series of solo performances. ETHEL is a studio space in Southampton which has been showcasing musical performance for over a year. As a member of the Valley theatre community, we are extending an invitation to you to attend, as well as submit proposals for workshops, residencies and performances. All at no charge!! www.ethelthebarn.com Friends of the Montague Public Libraries Love Letters by A. R. Gurney February 9 at 7:00 PM Montague Common Hall The Friends of the Montague Public Libraries present A. R. Gurney's "Love Letters" featuring Marina Goldman and John Bechtold $20 suggested donation This is a fundraiser for the library. JaDuke Theater Resilience Rising: A Fundraiser for NELCWIT February 9 at 10 at 6:00 PM JaDuke Theater, 110 Industrial Boulevard, Turners Falls, MA 01376 Join us for a night of community and live theater! This review show is sure to be a night to remember. We will make our way through Broadway favorites as we raise money for NELCWIT. This event will feature many special guests from our beautiful community and is underwritten by Greenfield Savings Bank. Ticket Prices: General Admission (Adult) - $15 Children (12 and under) - $12 Senior Citizen (65 and over) - $12 All Star (General + Donation) - $25 Rated: G Running time: 90 minutes (one intermission) Note: Strobe and Special Lighting Effects will be used throughout the show. Tickets To become a Show Sponsor or Donate, visit www.JaDukeTheater.com/shop. All proceeds will go to NELCWIT.   Get ready to rebel, rejoice, and revel in love!  Presenting "Love Revolution Cabaret: Silverthorne's Season Opener Benefit"! Join us on February 10, 2024, at The Blue Room @Cityspace in Easthampton -- performances at 2:00 and 7:00 Silverthorne's Season Opener Benefit is a celebration of all kinds of love - everything except romantic love that is - our songs challenge norms and celebrate the diverse tapestry of love for our friends, our children, our students, our favorite attorney, even ourselves.  The singers are Silverthorne favorites Frank Aronson*, Kyle Boatwright, Stephanie Carlson*, Tahmie Der, Michael Garcia, John Iverson, Gina Kaufmann and Sam Samuels*, accompanied by Lauren Bell on piano. Enjoy refreshments and connect with friends old and new as these artists take you on a musical love odyssey with iconic tunes like "For Good" (from Wicked), “I'm Here” (from The Color Purple) and the heartwarming "Love Changes Everything" (from Aspects of Love).  Joining us means more than being in the audience; it means actively fostering the success of Silverthorne Theater. Your engagement directly fuels our ability to fully realize not only this season but seasons to come. Your support is the cornerstone of our artistic endeavors, and we deeply appreciate your commitment to us and the arts.  (And - We'll be announcing our 2024 season at this event!!!) Don't miss your chance to be part of Love Revolution Cabaret @ The Blue Room in Easthampton – grab your tickets now! THE LADYSLIPPER UP NEXT ON MAJESTIC THEATER STAGE IN WEST SPRINGFIELD FEBRUARY 15 – MARCH 24 Debut of Producing Director Danny Eaton’s Newest Contemporary Drama The Ladyslipper, described as a “heartfelt exploration of family, friendship and finding love in the least likely of places, will be presented at West Springfield’s Majestic Theater February 15 through March 24. Written by the Majestic’s Producing Director Danny Eaton, the play follows the chain of events following the death of a local watering hole proprietor.  Her long-lost daughter is discovered and arrives from England to make decisions about the future of the restaurant.  She is invited into the lives of a cast of local folks who each have their own ties to the place, and to the woman who founded it.  The Ladyslipper focuses on everyday people living ordinary lives, and the joy and simplicity of community that become family. Eaton is producing director, Sue Dziura is associate producing director, and James Warwick will direct the play.  Cast members include Madeleine Maggio, Jay Sefton, Chelsie Nectow, Mark Dean, Jay Torres, and Linda Storms.  Stephen Petit is production stage manager, and associate production manager is Aurora Ferraro.  Dan Rist is set and lighting designer, and costumer designer is Dawn McKay.  Tickets are now being sold for The Ladyslipper, as well as The Play that Goes Wrong, which is the final show in the Majestic’s current season, and runs April 18 – June 2.  Tickets range from $31 - $37 and are available either in-person at the box office or by calling (413) 747-7797.  Box office hours are Monday - Friday 10am - 5pm, and Saturday 10am-1pm.   The wearing of face masks in the theater is optional. Doors to the theater will open one hour before the start of a show, which is also when the café opens.  For more information, visit www.majestictheater.com AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Arts Programming and Venue Manager Description: CitySpace, is a community-driven center for the arts centrally located in downtown Easthampton in the historic Old Town Hall. It is a place for creative possibility and meaningful connections across communities in western Massachusetts. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, CitySpace, restores, preserves, and manages Old Town Hall as a center for the arts for the City of Easthampton and Western Massachusetts. CitySpace seeks a part-time (25 hours) Arts Programming and Venue Manager. This individual will ensure that all events run smoothly from concerts and private rentals to connecting with a wide range of communities. This position will be responsible for house management, programming, and volunteer management in CitySpace's Blue Room – a flexible performance and event venue with a capacity of 100 seats, or 230-standing attendees. The right candidate will be as organized as they are personable, and committed to providing our audiences with as safe and enjoyable an experience as possible. They will help build community with programming and the contributions of volunteers and, ultimately, ensure that CitySpace audiences want to return again and again to a place that feels fun, inspiring, and welcoming to all. Reporting to the President of the Board, this position is ultimately an ambassador for our multidisciplinary nonprofit arts organization. More details on the CitySpace website.  Holyoke Community College Theater Costume Design Position Holyoke Community College seeks a costume designer for this semester's production of The Great Gatsby, adapted by Simon Levy. Successful candidate will be able to work effectively and communicate with students staff and faculty to produce a quality show on a modest budget. Rehearsals begin 1/31/24. Performance Dates April 10-13. Flat Fee $1700. Local candidates only please. HCC cannot proved travel of housing. Email Resume and Portfolio to mwhiton@hcc.edu The Hartsbrook High School is in the process of preparing to put on a production of Clue! and we are seeking students or community members who are interested in working in the following roles: Prop Manager: Need 1 person to: -Assess props and furniture needed for play -Meet with students on prop team to help them organize and schedule their work -Support students as they find, make, and organize props and furniture -Come to some rehearsals to get a sense of the space, cast, and play -Stay in communication with Director *Role could be shared among more than one person -Should attend a rehearsal early February, start meeting and working with students early February, have props ready to be used by Mid-Late February Costumes/Make-up:  Need 1-2 people to: -Meet with the students on the these teams -Schedule finding, making, shopping for costumes -Work with cast and Director to ensure artistic vision, comfort, and fit of costumes -Come to some rehearsals to get a sense of the space, cast, and play -Stay in communication with Director *Role could be shared among more people -Should attend a rehearsal early February, start meeting and working with students early February, have costumes ready to be used by Late February Assistant Stage Managers: Rotating Position - Need 1-3 people at each rehearsal beginning the week of February 26th - Sign up for any amount of time that you can/would like to come help - Adults come to rehearsals to support cast and crew as needed - Support Student Stage Managers, Lighting Crew, Props Department, Costumes, Make-Up as needed - Responsibilities may include helping students stay on task when not on stage, being extra sets of eyes and ears, helping to   problem solve as things arise, emotional support! -1-3 adults at each rehearsal joining in on the fun and ensuring everyone is on task, safe, and listening Base pay for these positions is $16.50/hour but could be higher, depending on experience Rehearsals are Mondays and Thursdays, 3:30-5:30, and Wednesdays 3:30-7:00. Interested folks can email dlevi@hartsbrook.org. Audition Announcement Easthampton Theater Company's Production of The Man Who Came to Dinner Easthampton Theater Company is holding open auditions for the uproariously funny Moss Hart and George S. Kaufman play The Man Who Came to Dinner on Wednesday and Thursday evening, February 7 and 8, 2024 in Easthampton. This classic farce features a large, multi-age cast of two dozen actors with a nice mix of principal, supporting and character roles available. All roles are open, no roles are pre-cast. (Note we are a not-for-profit community theater and all stage roles are uncompensated) Auditions dates: By appointment only. Appointments are available Wednesday or Thursday February 7 and 8 between 6-9:30PM. Audition information, character descriptions and sign-up link are on our detailed audition information document HERE Location: St. Philips Church, Easthampton, MA Callbacks: February 15, Thursday Performance Dates: June 20-23, Easthampton High School Auditorium Rehearsals begin in April, with a read-through and some individual character work possible in March. Directed by Eva Husson-Stockhamer Produced by Michael O. Budnick Summary and character descriptions, audition forms and sign-up information are available HERE Please direct any questions to info@easthamptontheater.com More information about the company and production announcements are available at our website at easthamptontheater.com. You can also visit our facebook page at the link below: facebook.com/easthamptontheatercompany Brush up on your Shakespeare — audition for Twelfth Night at UMass Theater   Shakespeare returns to the UMass Theater mainstage season this spring, and auditions are happening soon! Director Milan Dragicevich is seeking a cast of performers for our production of Twelfth Night. In adition to Milan, the creative team will include composer/musician Tim Eriksen (Cordelia's Dad, the Cold Mountain soundtrack). Auditions are open to EVERYONE who wants to participate in the telling of a magical tale. Auditions are Feb. 12 & 13 in the Rand Theater, Bromery Center for the Arts, and are open to Five College and community performers as well as UMass Theater members. The show will run in the Rand Theater April 26-May 4. Audition details: Please prepare a 1 - 1 1/2 minute Shakespearean monologue (verse or prose), as well as a 1-minute excerpt from a song of any style, period, or genre. The key point for both monologue and song is the opportunity for vivid expression, storytelling, and communication. (Please adhere to time limits for monologue/song.) And...have FUN. Auditions are open to everyone who would like to participate in the telling of this magical tale! Synopsis: Lovers find one another as mistaken identities abound, lost bonds are magically restored, boisterous passions are exhausted, and the swirling music plays on and on and on. Shakespeare’s comedy is full of whimsy and wordplay, humor both clever and crass, and larger-than-life characters who are complex, human, and intimate. We invite you to join us for the Elizabethan festival of epiphany, when the world is turned upside down in a long night of revelry that takes players and audience alike on a journey through the heights and depths of the human emotional experience.  Visit SignUp Genius for the signup sheet, character breakdown, and more. ETHEL the BARN Auditions: What the Constitution Means to Me February 21 at 6:00 PM ETHEL the BARN, a studio and performance space is hosting auditions for WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME. The play addresses themes such as women's rights, immigration, domestic abuse, and the history of the United States. It received a nomination for Best Play in the 73rd Tony Awards and was a finalist for the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. There are roles for 3 actors: one male-identifying and two female-identifying (one in their 30's and the other a teenager. www.ethelthebarn.com All actors will share in the money collected at the door in the form of suggested donations with a minimum of $125/actor per performance. The production is scheduled for June with rehearsals in May. For more info or to schedule an audition slot contact: perlsteinj@gmail.com Please bring a one-minute comic monologue ETHEL the BARN 1x1: Solo Performance Development Series 1x1 is a new solo performance development series. For over a year ETHEL the BARN has been holding musical performances and workshops. We are now expanding our offerings to include theatre and other types of performance. We are currently accepting proposals for the workshopping of new solo performance pieces. Pieces chosen will get free use of the barn for rehearsals as well as the guidance of a mentor. If chosen for performance the creator(s) will receive a $500 stipend. For more information please contact: perlsteinj@gmail.com www.ethelthebarn.com Holyoke Community College Theater seeks a director for its fall 2024 production. Auditions September 11th and 12th, Closing performance November 23rd. Title will be selected in consultation with the director. Fee $3000. Rehearsals tbd, primarily weekday afternoons. Local applicants only. HCC cannot provide travel or housing. Send resume and cover letter to mwhiton@hcc.edu WORKSHOPS & CLASSES You are being invited to participate in a research study titled When Artists Thrive, Communities Thrive: A Cultural Plan Blueprint for the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission. The purpose of the study is to learn the needs of individual artists in the Pioneer Valley (defined as 43 towns in Hampshire and Hampden counties), and what their towns and region could do to support them. The blueprint will be a set of recommendations on cultural planning centered around the needs of individual artists, and the results of this survey will help set the stage for future projects and initiatives that will work to support the region's creative community. The survey should take about 10-15 minutes to complete. Anyone, over the age of 18, who identifies as an artist and lives in Hampshire or Hampden counties, is eligible to take this survey. If you agree to be in the study and later change your mind, you may drop out at any time. Survey link: bit.ly/artspvpc LAVA Center to host four-week theater workshop on directing and acting for writers, actors, and directors in February WHAT: Directing and Acting for Writers, Actors, and Directors: Some Basics — a four-week workshop WHEN: Wednesdays, 4–6 p.m.: February 7, 14, 21 and 28 WHERE: The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., Greenfield Theater is, most often, a highly collaborative art. It is beneficial for actors to have experience directing, for directors to have experience acting, and for playwrights to have experience with everything—this makes for a well-rounded theater artist that can better understand where their co-theater-makers are coming from. Join seasoned theater artist Jan Maher and The LAVA Center for a four-week workshop for writers, actors, and directors will explore the basics of different aspects of theater artistry. This workshop will, through practice, offer you some experience in other roles in theater. Registration and commitment to full participation is required. Please do not register if you know you will be unable to attend one or more sessions. Cost: Free to playwrights who have participated in LAVA’s online programming; $25 for others. To register: Send statement of interest/commitment (What do you hope to learn/gain from this workshop? Is your calendar cleared so you can attend every session?) to jan@localaccess.org with cc to info@thelavacenter.org. For more details, visit https://thelavacenter.org/directing-and-acting-for-writers-actors-and-directors/  MAJESTIC THEATER OFFERING “NEW WORDS – A PLAYWRITING WORKSHOP” FEBRUARY 12 – MARCH 18 Producing Director Danny Eaton Presenting 6-Week Program for Beginning Playwrights  Danny Eaton, Producing Director and Founder of the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, has announced the creation of a six-week, in-person playwriting workshop that he will be presenting on Monday evenings at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield from 6:30pm – 8:30pm from February 12 – March 18.  Geared for beginners, “New Words – A Playwriting Workshop” will be open to the first 12 registrants.  The workshop will focus on character creation and storytelling for the stage, and will conclude with a presentation of each participant’s work by a core group of Majestic Theater actors before a live audience on Tuesday, March 19.  The fee for the workshop is $250.  To register, contact the Majestic Theater at (413) 747-7797 Mon-Fri 10am-5pm/Sat 10am-1pm. About Danny Eaton Eaton is the Founder of The Theater Project, which has been in residence in the Majestic Theater since 1997.  He attended Holyoke Community College in 1970 after more than four years in the Marine Corps, and subsequently transferred to Amherst College.  He earned a Masters Degree in Playwriting from Wesleyan University.  His many plays have been seen locally, as well as in New York and Chicago.  Eaton was Assistant Director at Stage West, and also a faculty member and Artist-in-Residence at Columbia College in Chicago.  He produced and directed the Majestic's inaugural production of Buddy: The Buddy Holly Story.  In addition to producing each season's calendar of shows, he has also directed many of its productions.  Eaton wrote the musicals, The Ride and Anthem, the plays The Island Lily, Iris and The War and Walt Whipple, each of them presented at the Majestic.  He is a member of the Dramatists Guild and the Society of the Stage Directors and Choreographers (SSDC).  Eaton is the proud winner of 2009's New England Theatre Conference Regional Theatre Award for Outstanding Achievement in the American Theatre.  His latest work, The Ladyslipper, will be presented during the Majestic’s 2023-2024 season. The Brick House Community Resource Center, sponsored by Mass Cultural Council Youth Theatre Improv Series at The Brick House Friday, February 16th- Friday, May 31st, 2024 The Brick House Community Resource Center, 24 3rd St. Turners Falls, MA 01376 The Brick House’s Youth Theatre Improv Series is a 16-week creative exploration for youth ages 11+ in the Franklin County area beginning in February 2024. If you are curious about learning & exploring comedy improv, character-making, puppetry, film-making, social justice, and more as a way to connect and create with peers, this series is for you! No experience or background in theatre or performance is required. This experience is FREE and includes snacks and tix to local theatre, generously funded by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Where: The Brick House Community Resource Center @ 24 #3rd St. Turners Falls, MA (1st floor, wheel-chair accessible) When: Weekly on Fridays, 4-5:30pm, running February 16th-May 31st 2024. Who: For Youth 11 + are welcome! Co-facilitated by local healing arts facilitator, Kaia Jackson and Happier Valley Comedy Trained Allison Reding! Registration Link: https://forms.gle/oLGyzfNmssiT5LjM9; contact Kaia at kjackson@brickhousecommunity.org with questions! Worried about Covid-19? We hear you. Community health is a priority to us. This group will follow all policies adopted by The Brick House to proactively address COVID concerns. Masks and hand sanitizer will be provided. We will be going above and beyond state guidelines to ensure the healthiest space possible for our participants, and sustain ongoing communication with youth and families as policies evolve to meet community needs. Actors WorkOut Scene Studies Class February 19 at 6:00 PM - 8 Mondays through April 8 Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, 130 Pine Street, Northampton, MA. 01062 This class is designed to free the actor's creative spirit and to nurture innovation, openness and courage.  It is the arena where the most dynamic growth happens for actors.  While scene study is the focus of this class, it is always with an eye to the growth and development of the individual artist. Participation is limited to 16 students. Riotous Youth will offer a three-day session in February for students ages seven through 11  Shakespeare & Company has announced that it will hold a new Winter Session of its Riotous Youth theater program for students ages seven through 11, Tuesday, Feb. 20 through Friday, Feb. 23, coinciding with Massachusetts and New York Public Schools winter breaks. Riotous Youth introduces students to Shakespeare’s language, stories, characters, and themes using imaginative and playful methods that incorporate voice, movement, and acting. This fast-paced, four-day session will focus on Shakespeare’s The Tempest, culminating with a performance piece shared with family, friends, and Shakespeare & Company staff on the final day of the session. Winter Session Riotous Youth is held at the Shakespeare & Company campus at 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, Mass. Tuition is $325, and limited financial aid is available.  Registration is open now; for more information or to apply, visit shakespeare.org/education, or contact Education Residency and Riotous Youth Programs Manager Caitlin Kraft at ckraft@shakespeare.org or (413) 637-1199 ext. 132. The Montague Shakespeare Festival is proud to announce its inaugural season, from March 18 to April 7, at the Shea Theater Arts Center at 71 Avenue A in Turners Falls, MA. This three-week celebration of Shakespeare's timeless works will feature a series of workshops, professional training sessions, and the staging of A Midsummer Night's Dream. The festival is under the artistic direction of Nia Lynn, who brings her experience as voice coach and text coach for the Royal Shakespeare Company (Stratford-upon-Avon) to her role leading the Montague Shakespeare Festival. With more than 18 years of experience, Nia Lynn has honed the talents of professional actors on some of the most renowned stages globally. Her career spans prestigious institutions such as the Royal Shakespeare Company, Donmar Warehouse, London's Young Vic, Horace Mann School in New York, Connecticut's Eugene O'Neill Theatre, and the Fonact School of Acting in France. Nia's expertise encompasses a comprehensive approach to performance, combining voice coaching, body and breath work, and accent and dialect training, making her a sought-after mentor in film, theater, and television. In the debut season of the Montague Shakespeare Festival, Nia Lynn will lead a series of immersive workshops designed to delve into the intricacies of Shakespearean language. Maggie O’Connor Moore is the Associate Artistic Director.  *Performers and stage craft professionals interested in being part of A Midsummer Night’s Dream are encouraged to join the ZOOM call with Nia and Maggie: Saturday, February 10 at 11am EST. on the website    Workshop Information: Space for the following workshops is limited. Discount applies for enrolling in more than one workshop. Monday, March 18 @ 6:30-8:30pm Mastering Verse Like A Pro A 2-hour session to demystify the rhythms and structures of Shakespearean verse. This workshop is designed to help participants find their groove in verse speaking, navigating the complexities of pentameter, trochees, prose, and blank verse. $125 ENROLL Wednesday, March 20 @ 6:30-9:30pm Ensemble Building: The Power of Words and Play in Theatre The art of ensemble theatre through a unique lens. This 3-hour workshop is about the mechanics of collaboration and the profound relationship between language, personal interpretation, and collective creation. $125 ENROLL Friday, March 22 @ 9:30-3:30pm Shakespeare in the Classroom: An Educators Retreat! A dynamic 6-hour workshop tailored for English and drama teachers. $500. Includes lunch. ENROLL Workshop Overview: Innovative Teaching Techniques: Learn creative strategies to introduce Shakespeare’s works in a way that captivates and connects with students of various age groups. Analyzing Shakespeare with Fun: Discover methods to analyze Shakespeare’s plays and sonnets that are both enjoyable and educational, fostering a deeper appreciation and understanding among students. Practical Classroom Activities: The workshop includes various hands-on activities that can be directly applied in the classroom, making the learning process interactive and enjoyable. Workshop Highlights: Engagement Without Glossaries: Explore how to teach Shakespeare’s language and themes without relying heavily on glossaries, making his works more approachable and relatable for students. Interactive Learning Approaches: Dive into interactive teaching methods that encourage active student participation, discussion, and exploration. Building the Perfect Essay: Gain insights into guiding students to write insightful and original essays on Shakespeare’s works derived from their own understanding and enjoyment of the text. Why Attend? “Shakespeare in the Classroom” is more than just a professional development session; it’s an opportunity to transform how Shakespeare is taught and perceived in educational settings. This workshop aims to break down the barriers that often make Shakespeare’s works seem daunting to students, replacing them with a sense of excitement and discovery. Saturday, March 23 @ 9:30-11:30am Making Shakespeare Your Own: A Personal Approach to the Bard This workshop is designed to help you understand how to make Shakespeare’s language sound natural and relevant, taking it off the pedestal and into your own voice and experience. $125 ENROLL Monday, 25 @ 6:30-8:30pm Character Development: Bringing Shakespeare’s Characters to Life In theatre, embodying a character is both an art and a science, especially in Shakespeare’s complex and layered characters. $125 ENROLL Tuesday, March 26 @ 6:30-8:30pm The Art of Speaking Shakespeare’s Sonnets In this focused session, participants will be able to immerse themselves in the poetic world of Shakespeare’s sonnets. $125 ENROLL The Montague Shakespeare Festival is envisioned by Executive Director Kenny Butler. Proceeds will benefit the Shea Theater Arts Center. This vibrant celebration of Shakespeare's work is made possible through the collaborative efforts of the Shea Theater, RiverCulture, and the generous support of The Amherst Cultural Council and a Mass Cultural Council Festival Grant. Registration is now open! Is your creative kiddo ready for a fun-filled summer of a creating their own fairy tale, channeling their inner wild creature, going on a magical musical adventure, and channeling their inner clown? Does your tween or teen feel that creative spark? Registration is now open for PIC Kids Summer with options to pay in full or a deposit only. This year we are excited to have offerings for young artists ages 7-11 AND ages 11-15! For younger artists (ages 7-11) will adventure through the creative process as they explore theater, movement, and music. Each week follows a different theme, and all weeks will culminate in a sharing of the young artists' original work on Fridays at 2:30. JUL 22-26        Fairy Tale Mash Up! JUL 29-AUG 2  Growl and Groove AUG 5-9          Soundscapes and Sorcery AUG 12-16       Theatrical Clown 9am-3pm each day  $325/week Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, 130 Pine St, Florence Older youth artists (ages 11-15) will explore all things ensemble, co-creating a brand new collaborative performance. Using theater games, writing exercises, improvisation, movement, songwriting, and art, participants will draw upon their dreams, original perspectives, and hopes for the future. All of this collaborative fun will culminating in a sharing at 4pm on Friday, August 16th. AUG 12-16       PIC Kids Ensemble: Our Dreams!​ 9:30am-3:30pm each day  $350/week The Workroom at 33 Hawley Street, Northampton Learn more and register​ 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 Easthampton Theater Company 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 Local Theater Critic Max Hartshorne 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|*