Pioneer Valley Theatre News March 28, 2024

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Pioneer Valley Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser March 28 - April 17, 2024 I have started an Instagram account for this newsletter - follow along @pioneervalleytheatrenews. Want me to share your event on the account's stories? Tag that account or share it via messages. Want a post on the feed? Those are currently reserved for featured posts in the newsletter (which are listed first come first served - so let me know if you are interested in a future date!) The next issue will include events from April 4 - 24. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before Tuesday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com Submit Your Theatre Event WAM Theatre presents a staged reading of a new drama by Geetha Reddy Cast includes Pioneer Valley actors - Streaming online April 13-14, 2024 More information & tickets Pioneer Valley Ballet presents Beauty and the Beast April 6 & 7 at the Academy of Music Tickets and More Information 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: Should We Write Differently About Roma Theatre? by Noemi Herczog and Eva Moharos From the article:  Hungary’s largest minority is the Roma community, who are subjected to a number of disadvantages. Should a non-Roma—specifically a theatre critic, who in Hungary is typically a white, middle-class person—keep this in mind when writing about “Roma theatre?” Have you read an interesting article about theatre recently? Send it to me! pioneervalleytheatre@gmail.com PERFORMANCES Springfield Central High School Theater Department Seussical March 28 at 7:00 PM, March 30 at 2:00 PM 1840 Roosevelt Ave, Springfield, MA 01109 We welcome everyone to joins us for a musical perfect for the whole family! Seussical takes us into the world of Dr. Seuss, where we revisit beloved characters including The Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and JoJo. The Cat in the Hat guides us into The Jungle of Nool where we see Horton, the kindhearted elephant who discovers a speck of dust containing Whoville. Horton decides he must protect the speck of dust on a nearby clover, while at the same time protecting an abandoned egg left to his care by the lazy Mayzie la Bird. Horton tries to convince the other animals in The Jungle of the existence of the Whos, but he is ridiculed and put on trial for insanity. Only his loyal neighbor, Gertrude McFuzz, never loses faith in him. Seussical weaves a story of friendship, loyalty, and love. Despite all odds, Horton and Gertrude band together to try to save the Whos, free Horton, and restore peace and unity to the Jungle of Nool. The charming musical teaches us the power of being unique, and the importance of fighting for your beliefs. Show will be presented In the auditorium at Springfield Central HS, Springfield, MA Performances: Wednesday March 27th at 7pm Thursday March 28th at 7pm Saturday 30th at 2pm Tickets: $10 Adults, $8 Students and Senior citizens (Discounts available for groups of 10 or more) Please contact director, Moe Doran at 413-787-7000 for more information. Silverthorne Theater Company presents the second in its 2024 Theater Thursdays Play Reading Series: New Soul by Leanna James Blackwell  directed by Michael Ofori Thursday, March 28, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. at The LAVA Center, 324 Main Street, Greenfield, MA. Mixed race architect Jake, adopted at birth by Jewish parents, launches a search for his biological family when his wife Liz becomes pregnant with their first child. As Jake’s hunt for answers to the questions of his race and background threatens to take over his life, Liz begins a search of her own, facing a defining trauma from her past that she’s kept secret from Jake which causes her to question her marriage and her life.  Moving in alternating scenes between France in 1962, where Jake’s birth parents meet and fall in love, to Boston in the year 2000, New Soul grapples with the problems of origins, identity, culture, and belonging in the lives of four very different people, each of whom must confront a fundamental question: How far are we willing to go for another human being? Our Theater Thursday readings are offered free (donations welcome!) and open to the public.  Registration for New Soul is strongly encouraged due to limited seating  Following the reading, audience members are invited to engage in facilitated conversation with the playwright to help support the continuing development of the script.   MONTAGUE SHAKESPEARE FESTIVAL PRESENTS: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM AT THE SHEA THEATER Tickets: www.sheatheater.org March 29, 30, April 5, and 6 at 7:30PM April 7 at 2:00PM I have had a most rare vision. I have had a dream—past the wit of man to say what dream it was… (Bottom, Act 4 Scene 1) Dare to dream with us in a world beyond the wit of man. Join us for a journey into the extraordinary—where dreams and reality collide in our dystopian setting of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ Under the brilliant direction of Fiona Ross, a renowned practitioner with over two decades of experience at the Royal Shakespeare Company, this production is set to be an immersive experience that will challenge and expand your perception of Shakespeare’s classic play. In a dark and fragmented future, Shakespeare’s enchanting tale is reimagined in our dystopian vision of ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream.’ Our adaptation strips the original down to its core, creating a raw and intense experience that mirrors the chaos of a crumbling world. Love becomes an act of rebellion, and laughter is a beacon of resilience in a world overshadowed by tyranny. Witness Athens transformed, where the union of Theseus and Hippolyta heralds a consolidation of power, not a celebration of love. Journey with our lovers, who embody the struggle against an oppressive family and regime, their quest for love mirroring the fight for freedom in a world that grants little or none. Venture into a toxic wasteland where mutated fairies reign, reflecting nature’s wrath against human folly. Here, Oberon and Titania’s conflict transcends personal strife, echoing the more significant battle for control in a crumbling society. Find solace in the resilience of the Mechanicals, whose comedic endeavors shine as a testament to the enduring human spirit, even in the darkest times. Join us for a night that mirrors our own world’s struggles and triumphs. Where shadows illuminate truths, laughter liberates, and dreams dare to defy the darkness. This isn’t just Shakespeare—it’s an invitation to witness the enduring power of love and resistance. Reserve your journey into this transformative event. Be part of the dream that dares to defy the darkness. Join Us at the Shea Theater Arts Center Performances will be held on March 29 and 30 and April 5 and 6 at 7:30 PM. Matinee performance will be held on SUN. APR 7, AT 2:00PM Book your passage to this extraordinary world and rediscover ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ as an exploration of universal themes within a theatrical globe. Tickets are available on the Shea website and at the box office on the evening of the show beginning one hour before the start of the show. *For group bookings and inquiries, please reach out to info@montagueshakespearefestival.com Join us for a night that mirrors our own world’s struggles and triumphs. Where shadows illuminate truths, laughter liberates, and dreams dare to defy the darkness. This isn’t just Shakespeare—it’s an invitation to witness the enduring power of love and resistance. Springfield College Theater "Defying Gravity" by Jane Anderson Friday 4/5 and Saturday 4/6 at 7:30 pm and Sunday 4/7 at 2:00 pm Fuller Arts Center on Springfield College Campus Defying Gravity By Jane Anderson Directed by Martin Shell DEFYING GRAVITY is a clever and uplifting play about the outer limits of human possibility that weaves together stories of the bystanders touched by the 1986 Challenger disaster. At the center is the teacher selected as the first civilian in space, who perishes with the shuttle explosion, and her daughter as both grown woman and child. Past, present, and future lives unfold in an impressionistic collage that affirms our impulse toward exploration, wonder, and astonishment, even in the face of great loss. Dramatic, comic, and deeply moving, Anderson’s play explores our need to reach beyond the boundaries of normal thinking, dare the universe, and "defy gravity." April 5, 6, and 7; Friday 7:30 pm, Sat 7:30 pm, Sun 2:00 pm Suggested Donation: $5 Students & Seniors: FREE “Defying Gravity” is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. www.concordtheatricals.com https://springfield.edu/simpson Pioneer Valley Ballet presents Beauty & the Beast April 6 at 1:00 PM and 4:30 PM April 7 at 1:00 PM Academy of Music Theatre, Northampton A moving ballet based on the French tale made famous by Jeanne-Marie Le Prince de Beaumont, Beauty and the Beast is full of whimsy and magic. PVB’s original ballet features choreography by Artistic Directors Thomas Vacanti and Maryanne Kodzis, with beloved characters dancing to the music of Czech composer Antonin Dvorak. This full-length ballet will showcase PVB dancers as well as over 70 community dancers and professional guest artists from around the region. Join us for this powerful story of a young woman who discovers the true meaning of love in an unexpected place. Tickets and More Info.  Self-Evident Education Know the Ledge: Hiphop History Live! Apr 6, 2024 at 7:30 PM Bombyx Center for Arts & Equity Join us for a multimedia performance using arts and storytelling to bring the audience on powerful journeys through history, which will feature performances from Marcia Gomes, Khalif Neville, Dutch ReBelle, the Perceptionists (Akrobatik and Mr. Lif) and more. These amazing artists will embody characters from history such as Sojourner Truth, Ida B. Wells, Elizabeth "Mumbet" Freeman, and others. Know the Ledge: Hiphop History Live will be preceded by the premiere of "Freedom's Battle at Christiana" (click for a short preview), a film Self-Evident Education is producing for the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Doors open at 6:30pm for a 7:30pm performance of “Know the Ledge: Hip Hop History Live!”. https://bombyx.live/power-of-truths/ WAM Theatre Fresh Takes Play Reading Series Far, Far Better Things by Geetha Reddy, directed by Tatyana-Marie Carlo featuring: Abuzar Farrukh, Isabel Sanchez, Hia Ghosh, Monica Lopez Orozco. Sunday April 8, 2pm - The Foundry, West Stockbridge April 13-14 - streaming online Inspired by Dickens’ A Tale of Two Cities, this new play tells the tale of two women – Pilar, a Latina domestic worker, and Zoe, a young South Asian doctor – separated by class, race, and the unspoken rules of modern womanhood. The two women struggle to balance their responsibilities to their children, to themselves, and to each other. In the end, they must decide if they are on the same or opposing sides of the struggle. “the play turns quiet domesticity into a fraught frontline…revealing the quiet desperation threading through the lives of its female protagonists…[and] the indignities of the everyday that command the audience’s attention.” – KQED tickets & more information UMass Theater faculty invite local theater artists to a symposium featuring leading Latinx theater scholars A major compendium of Latinx theater scholarship, The Routledge Companion to Latine Theatre and Performance, has just been published. To celebrate the book as it deserves, on April 8 & 9, two UMass Theater faculty members are presenting Building Bridges As We Walk: A Latinx Theater Symposium, which will feature many of the book's contributors. The symposium is free and open to to anyone interested in Latine theater. Among the guests at the event, will be noted Latine Theater scholar, artist, and educator Dr. Jorge Huerta (pictured), who will deliver the keynote address the morning of April 8, as well as leading a post-show talk-back the evening of April 9. The symposium, which will take place in various locations on the UMass campus, is free and open to registrants on a first come, first serve basis, and folks can register here. UMass Theater Professors Elisa Gonzales and Dr. Priscilla Page are among fifty contributors to The Routledge Companion to Latine Theatre and Performance, edited by Noe Montez and Olga Sanchez Saltveit. The volume features  "interdisciplinary contributions written by some of the leading Latine theatre and performance scholars and practitioners in the United States to highlight evolving and recurring strategies of world making, activism, and resistance taken by Latine culture makers to gain political agency on and off the stage." "It is an encyclopedic resource," says Dr. Page, who described the book as having a "briliant and encompassing vision." She and Prof. Gonzales hatched the idea for the symposium as "a celebration and expression of gratitude" for the work done by editors Montez and Sanchez Saltveit. They invited the book's contributors to participate on April 8 in a day of panel discussions about Latine/x theater, as well as asking Montez and Sanchez Saltveit to lead a round table discussion. There will be a reading of selections from several plays by contributors. In addition, on April 9, participants are invited to a staged reading of a new play by MFA student Pedro Eiras, followed by a post-show talk-back by Dr. Huerta. You can visit our website for the full listing of events. Both Page and Gonzales are thrilled that Dr. Huerta will be kicking off the event with his keynote. "He's somebody that Elisa and I have been looking to for scholarship on Chicano and Latinx theater," Dr. Page explains. See below for his biography. This event is open to theater students and faculty in the Five Colleges, as well as community members. Registration is first come, first serve, and free. In a closed event, Dr. Huerta will also teach a workshop for UMass Theater students. Join UMass Theater for this exciting free event as we examine the scope of Latine theater; register now! South Hadley Players Mary Poppins April 12th and 13th @ 7pm, April 14th @ 1pm South Hadley High School South Hadley Players brings together years of experience from an artistic staff that has over 50 years experience working in musical theatre and collectively have produced over 100 productions. Come support their first production featuring your community! https://southhadleyplayers.ludus.com/ MARY POPPINS is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com Northeast Regional Tour of Shakespeare Presents A Midsummer Night’s Dream April 17 – 20 Shakespeare & Company has announced a series of four open-captioned performances of the Northeast Regional Tour of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, staged from April 17 through 20 to coincide with Massachusetts and New York States’ April vacation week. Open-captioned shows, accessible to Deaf or hard-of-hearing audience members, feature projection screens above and to the sides of the stage that display the actors' text via “supertitles.” These shows are family-friendly and patrons of all ages are welcome to attend. Two matinees and two evening performances are planned on Wednesday, April 17 at 2 p.m.; Thursday, April 18 at 7 p.m.; Friday, April 19 at 7 p.m., and Saturday, April 20 at 2 p.m., which will be followed by a post-show birthday celebration for William Shakespeare. These special performances are a part of our annual educational tour that sends productions of Shakespeare's plays, along with a variety of related workshops, into middle and high schools, colleges, community centers, and other venues from February through May. The Northeast Regional Tour of Shakespeare reaches more than 20,000 students, teachers, and audience members each year, and has been part of Shakespeare & Company's repertoire since 1982. The open-captioned performance has been supported by a grant from the GKV Foundation. Tickets are $20, or $10 for students. $5 Card to Culture tickets are also available for participants of the EBT, WIC, and ConnectorCare programs. For more information, visit shakespeare.org, or call the Box Office at (413) 637-3353. Double Edge Theatre SUGA 4/18, 4/19, 4/20, 4/21 at 7:30 PM 948 Conway Rd. Ashfield, MA 01330 SUGA is conceived, created, and performed by Double Edge co-artistic director Travis Coe and directed by Stacy Klein. Travis began working on SUGA in 2016 as he explored the Afro-Caribbean/Latinx history of his family, and their native lands spanning Belize, Nicaragua, and Puerto Rico. Klein, DE’s Founder and Artistic Director, watched some of Travis’ early creative process and began working in dialogue. It is an investigation of freedom, and the bounds—personal, artistic, societal, and political—one must break through to achieve that end. As a caretaker of a museum of memory, Coe touches/reveals/remixes all the aspects of himself—as Queer, Black, Latinx, and American, to find the path to sing, fly, run – toward Freedom. https://doubleedgetheatre.org/event/suga/ Box office opens March 20th (March 6th for Double Edge Members) Greenfield Community College Angels in America, Parts 1 & 2 Apr 18, 2024 - 5:00 PM Friday April 19 – 6-10pm – Part 2: Perestroika Saturday April 20 – 1-4pm – Part 1: Millennium Approaches Saturday April 20 – Dinner & Shows – 1-10pm – (Part 1 1-4pm, dinner 4-6pm, Part 2 6-10pm) Saturday April 20 – 1-4pm – Part 1: Millennium Approaches Thursday April 25 – 6pm – Part 2: Perestroika Friday April 26 – 6pm – Part 2: Perestroika Saturday April 27 – 1-4pm – Part 1: Millennium Approaches Saturday April 27 – Dinner & Shows – 1-10pm – (Part 1 1-4pm, dinner 4-6pm, Part 2 6-10pm) Saturday April 27 – 6-10pm – Part 2: Perestroika Sloan Theater at GCC GCC's spring theater performance of Tony Kushner’s Angels in America, a complex, often metaphorical and at times symbolic examination of AIDS and homosexuality in the United States in the 1980s. Directed by Tom Geha with a cast and crew of students, staff and community members. While Part 1: Millennium Approaches was staged in the fall, this spring offers performances of both part 1 and Part 2: Perestroika on select days, including a double feature and dinner package on Saturdays! Please note the schedule and runtime of shows. Seating is limited, tickets must be purchased in advance online; $15/$5 (general/students) or $40/$25 (general/student dinner package). gccfor.me/angels2 Angels in America, Part Two Week 1 Thu Apr 18 (ArtsNight - Selected Scenes) 5:00pm Fri Apr 19 (Opening Night) 6pm Sat Apr 20 Both Parts Dinner Package - Part One at 1pm, Dinner on Campus 4-6pm, Part Two at 6pm Week 2 Thu Apr 25 6pm Fri Apr 26 6pm Sat Apr 27 (Closing Day) Both Parts Dinner Package - Part One at 1pm, Dinner on Campus 4-6pm, then Part Two at 6pm Admission: - $15 General and $5 Students/Seniors - Dinner Package for Both Parts: $40 for General Admission and $25 for Students/Seniors (includes Parts 1 & 2 with Dinner in between) Length of Plays: Part One: 3 hours Part Two: 4 hours Seating Capacity: 85 THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG TO CLOSE OUT MAJESTIC’S 26th SEASON APRIL 18 – JUNE 2 The Play That Goes Wrong, a contemporary farce by Henry Lewis, Henry Shields and Jonathan Sayer, will be onstage at West Springfield’s Majestic Theater April 18 through June 2.  The comedy takes place on opening night of the Cornley University Drama Society’s latest production, The Murder at Haversham Manor, and things begin to spiral out of control.  An exasperated detective, a corpse who can’t play dead, an unconscious leading lady and other embattled and eccentric characters must overcome technical issues, forgotten lines and unreliable scenery in order to make it to the final curtain call.  The Play That Goes Wrong has been described as “part Monty Python, part Marx Brothers, part Sherlock Holmes, and all mayhem.”  The show has played to sold out audiences all over the world, and will be the final production of the Majestic Theater’s 26th season.  Its new season will debut in September. Cast members include Jack Grigoli (Chris), Scott Renzoni (Max), Shaun O’Keefe (Robert), Elizabeth Pietrangelo (Sandra), Josh Karam (Dennis), Mariko Iwasa (Annie), Liv Cunha (Trevor) and Weston Pytel (Jonathan).  Danny Eaton is producing director of the play, and Sue Dziura is associate producing director.  Stephen Petit is the director and production manager for the show.  Associate production manager is Aurora Ferraro, and stage manager is Hope Rose Kelly.  Dan Rist is lighting designer, and costumer designer is Dawn McKay.  Tickets are now available for The Play that Goes Wrong, and range from $31 - $37.  They 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 AUDITION Spindrift Theatre presents MY MAMA AND THE FULL SCALE INVASION by Sasha Denisova. Directed by Robert Freedman. Performances August 22,23,24, 25 at the Workroom Theater. Northampton Center for the Arts. 33 Hawley Street, Northampton STORY Sasha returns to Kiev at the outset of the current war to get her mother Olga to leave Ukraine. Olga refuses to leave and is ready to take on Putin herself. A surreal comic drama with fantasy and reality. The heart of the play is the complicated relationship between mother and daughter through the years and the ongoing war. Needed: One female actor and one very versatile male actor. Age range for both 35-45. Stipend. AUDITION: Saturday April 6. 12:15-3:15. Forbes Library Northampton. Community Room. CALLBACKS, Monday April 8     6-8 pm, Forbes Library, Watson Room, 2nd floor. For script and all other information call 413-531-4164 or email rpf1012@comcast.net K AND E THEATER GROUP IS CASTING OUR FALL MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION PROMISES, PROMISES   It's 1968 in New York City, and Chuck Baxter is finding it difficult to climb the corporate ladder--that is, until he agrees to lend his apartment to his co-workers for their extramarital affairs. As he finds himself in the middle of a scheme he never intended to start, Chuck struggles to find love and connection in a world that grows more impersonal and transactional each day. Based on the classic film The Apartment from Billy Wilder, Promises, Promises sets this heartfelt romantic comedy to the lively music of Burt Bacharach.   Book by Neil Simon, Music by Burt Bachrach, and Lyrics by Hal David ---- IN-PERSON AUDITION DATES AND TIMES Saturday, April 6, 2024 - 2-5 PM CALLBACKS DATE AND TIME Saturday, April 27, 2024  LOCATION - AUDITIONS AND CALLBACKS First Congregational Church of Southampton 212 College Highway Southampton, MA 01073 SEEKING strong actors, singers and movers to play featured and ensemble roles in our production. Please visit KETG.org/auditions for cast breakdown of available roles. Please prepare a pop song in the style of the show that shows off your acting and vocal range. Please bring your book in case we need to hear additional material. If you have a headshot and resume please bring it.   To audition and perform, all performers and production team members must be fully vaccinated, and have also received their first booster against COVID-19. Masks are optional during in-person auditions, callbacks, and rehearsals. If you have a headshot and resume please bring it. A small stipend will be provided at the end of production. If you have any questions, please email auditions.ketg@gmail.com. SIGN UP FOR AUDITION SLOT TIME at www.tinyurl.com/ketgauditions. PRODUCTION DETAILS First rehearsal – July 2024, with rehearsals on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Show run – October 11-13 & 17-19, 2024 (8 Performances) at Northampton Center for the Arts in Northampton Directed by Eddie Zitka Music Director by Liz Monte Please visit KETG.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok! General Manager Majestic Theater, W. Springfield, MA The General Manager is a top leadership position at the Majestic Theater, which originated as a movie house and reopened in 1997 as a live performance venue for plays, music and comedy. Working in tandem with the Producing Artistic Director and his Associate Producing Director, the GM will ensure the smooth running of a 225-seat jewel-box gem, located in the town of West Springfield, MA, with 4,000 subscribers and a five-play production season. Responsible for all administrative, operational and financial functions, the ideal person would have strong organizational abilities, business acumen, elevated people skills; and a flexible, can-do attitude and roll-up-the-sleeves willingness to step in on an as-needed basis with levity, tact, calm, and humor. Extra consideration will be given for those with experience working in theater or other performing arts, but first and foremost is the love of theater and an entrepreneurial spirit to “take ownership” of this non-profit venture with a great potential for financial upside. Among the responsibilities for the General Manager are: Finance & Legal · Approves weekly and twice-monthly payroll with our accountant, including full- and part-time staff and those under union contracts (AEA, etc.); communicates with the payroll service, PayChex · Approves invoices and bills for accounts payable; reviews W2’s and 1099 tax forms · Negotiates with vendors and all service providers; reviews all contracts · Approves purchasing of all supplies for facilities and the in-house café · Works with auditor and accountant for annual non-profit audit Box Office, Ticketing, Front of House & Café · Supervises the Box Office Manager and helps problem-solve any ticketing glitches or patron complaints · Reviews sales reports from box office software, WinTix · Develops and reviews protocol for Front of House Manager, staff and ushers · Oversees the operations of a 70-seat in-house café, a social gathering place and draw for many patrons dining before or after a show HR & Staffing · Ensures the working environment is safe and that policies are consistent, accessible and equitable; intercedes if there are issues with employee relations or grievances · Negotiates salaries for full- and part-time employees and · Sets objectives for increased revenue-generation · Fills in gaps in labor on a short-term basis, as needed Marketing · Composes text for all marketing materials and reviews design with graphic artist · Interfaces with web provider regarding billing and any backend issues (Shopify) · Proofs copy and layout for accuracy for all productions, including credits for donors and sponsors Business Sponsorship & Other Contributed Income · Helps solicit sponsorship from small businesses and individual patrons · Oversees annual raffle of classic car to defray operating budget deficits Ambassadorship to the Community · Is a front-facing theater representative to donors, patrons and local businesses · Ensures the audience feels welcome; arranges curtain speeches and talkbacks · Stewards those relationships and promptly addresses any concerns Facilities & Production · Troubleshoots any technical or mechanical problems with repair people (IT, plumbing, electrical, etc.); hires and monitors cleaning service · Negotiates labor and parts and arranges access to the theater, company housing, scene shop and any other owned-and-operated buildings · Meets with Production Team and staff to monitor all production needs Programming · Reviews contracts for play performance rights and royalties · Reviews programming and scheduling with Artistic Staff; discusses play selection, cast, directors and designers and any changes that may be required during rehearsals or actual performances It is important that the General Manager reside close to the theater. This is an ideal position for someone wishing to live in the beautiful Pioneer Valley; relocation expenses will be considered. Starting salary: $50,000, with an opportunity for salary increases and/or bonuses as the successful candidate takes “ownership” of the non-profit Majestic Theater, controls expenses and increase sales—thus boosting the possibility of a larger compensation package. NO PHONE CALLS. Please send cover letter and resume to: amy@majestictheater.com Apply by: April 01, 2024 Salary: $50,000 / Calling all Valley actors! Help us raise the curtain on the Valley Players. On Sunday, April 28, 12pm-3pm, the Valley Players will hold its first Sceneathon—an evening of local theater and local dining in downtown Amherst. The Sceneathon is the inaugural fundraising event for the Valley Players and an opportunity to showcase some of the tremendous acting talent here in the Valley. Any and all actors are welcome to sign-up to be a part of the show and to stage a scene or speech from a play of their choice. To sign up, email info@valleyplayers.org with:     1.) the names of the people who will be performing and everyone’s contact info;     2.) the play, act and scene from which the scene/speech comes;     3.) the approximate run-time of the scene/speech (no more than 10 minutes). 100% of proceeds from the event will go to support the programming and mission of the Valley Players, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the quality of life in the Connecticut River Valley region of Massachusetts by producing high-quality community theater and related arts, education, and cultural programming. (Performers at the Sceneathon eat for free, but guests are welcome to purchase tickets at www.valleyplayers.org. Ticket sales close on April 21.) Managing Director, Operations & Advancement Description: We encourage you to review the complete job profile via the link below. What follows is an abbreviated version. Key Areas of Focus for the Managing Director, Operations & Advancement (MD) Given the momentum of this moment at WTF, the following areas of focus will be at the forefront of the work the Managing Director will embark on: Advancing change by galvanizing a variety of constituents. This MD will enter a community eager and poised for change. With a deeply committed board, staff, alumni network, and community of patrons, the Festival will need this leader to appreciate various points of view and inspire each circle to take steps forward into a new chapter for the organization. Translating vision and strategy into an organizational action plan. With an understanding and embrace of strategic risk-taking and entrepreneurial ventures, the MD will be both an optimist and realist as they transform visionary ideas into tactical steps. Building a vibrant festival destination in Williamstown. With the goal of augmenting the traditional theater-going experience with additional events and immersive experiences, the entire WTF team will be trying out new ideas, engaging artists differently, and experimenting with platforms to build an intensified festival atmosphere in the years to come. The MD will draw on their own artistic management, event, or producing experience to bolster these efforts. Stewarding the needs and goals of the anti-oppression and anti-bias work to which the organization is thoroughly committed. While the Festival is well underway in its process to build a culture of anti-racism and anti-oppression within its operations and community, the MD will play a leading role in continuing that work, along with the Board and their co-Managing Director. As a team, they will ensure that as the organization evolves, the commitment to care of team members, the surrounding land, and the Williamstown community is a standard operating principle. Champion of relationship building. This is a moment for the Festival to activate new partnerships, strengthen internal and external relationships, and foster greater trust within the larger theatrical and cultural field. This new MD will have a unique opportunity, given the tremendous history of WTF, to leverage greater support and create a welcoming atmosphere for a new generation of creators and arts enthusiasts. Cultivating a sustainable work environment through clear communication and calm solution-oriented processes. As chief administrator of the organization, this MD will oversee each area of the organization’s work in a slightly different way, but will be called upon to set clear goals and provide accountability, with a sure-footed approach to leadership in a fast-paced festival environment.   Job Description Position Summary The Managing Director, Operations & Advancement is responsible for the overall business, administrative, and operational management of the organization in Williamstown, MA, and in the additional team office in New York City. The position will require substantial work in Williamstown throughout the year; therefore, WTF is prioritizing candidates who are prepared to reside in the Williamstown area (see the compensation section below regarding housing). That said, employees residing in other areas of the northeast are welcome to apply, provided they are prepared to travel frequently to Williamstown. Additional travel will be expected periodically. The role includes leadership and oversight in the areas of festival operations (including production), fundraising and board relations, budgeting and financial management, HR, and hiring of key senior staff. Along with the Managing Director, Strategy & Transformation, this individual will manage external partnerships, artist engagement, and strategic planning to deliver the organization into its next chapter of achievement. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Shakespeare & Company's free Behind the Curtain lecture series resumes on Saturday, April 6, led by Shakespeare scholar Ann Berman. Featuring directors, cast, and design team members as guests, Berman examines various themes surrounding both the Shakespeare and contemporary productions slated for Season 2024 through talks designed to be accessible, engaging, and interactive. Berman holds a Master of Arts in Shakespeare Studies from King’s College, London, and explores topics ranging from historical parallels in Shakespeare’s plays to the effect costumes, scenic design, lighting, and more can have on audience response to a performance. This season will include seven Behind the Curtain lectures held from April through August; Spring talks will be held in the Jane Iredale Lobby at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, while Summer sessions will be held outdoors at the tented Rose Footprint Theatre in the Rose Meadow. Behind the Curtain lectures for the 2024 Season include: Saturday, April 6 – The Winter's Tale with Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer Saturday, April 20 – The Comedy of Errors with Director Kate Kohler Amory Saturday, June 22 – Shakespeare & Music with Artistic Director Allyn Burrows Saturday, July 13 – The Comedy of Errors with Director Kate Kohler Amory Saturday, July 27– Flight of the Monarch: Penning New Plays with playwright Jim Frangione Saturday, August 10 – The Winter's Tale with Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer Saturday, August 24 – Three Tall Persian Women; guest to be announced All Behind the Curtain lectures are free, but tickets are required. For more information, visit shakespeare.org or call the Box Office at (413) 637-3353. Six-week, Online Linklater Workshop Offered from April 15 through May 20 Shakespeare & Company’s Center for Actor Training will hold an online workshop, Voice Into Text – A Linklater Workshop on Mondays, April 15 through May 20, led by Designated Linklater Teacher Sarah Weatherwax. This workshop aims to allow participants an opportunity to deepen their vocal connection to text through an exploration of the Linklater Voice Progression and is open to all levels, though some previous experience with this method is recommended.  Sessions will begin with a warm-up, and then move on to learning, reviewing, and practicing specific exercises according to the needs of the group. The first few sessions will focus primarily on voice, while the second half will focus on various ways to apply a freer voice directly to text. Voice Into Text will be held for six weeks on April 15, 22, and 29, and May 6, 13, and 20, from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. Tuition is $250 USD, and the class meets via Zoom. Discounted tuition options are available for BIPOC artists. Alumni and union discounts are also available. For more information or to apply, visit shakespeare.org, or call 413.637.1199, ext. 114. Shakespeare & Company Hosts Tuning Your Instrument in Lenox, Mass. this April The two-day workshop will focus on voice and movement practices for artists at all levels Shakespeare & Company’s Center for Actor Training presents Tuning Your Instrument, a two-day workshop focused on voice and movement practices on Thursday, April 18, and Friday, April 19 at its Lenox, Mass. campus. Led by Shakespeare & Company’s Director of Training Sheila Bandyopadhyay and Faculty Member Ariel Bock, Tuning Your Instrument is open to artists at all experience levels and offers a focused exploration of Linklater Voice and Pure Movement practices to improve vocal and physical expression.  The workshop is designed for anyone interested in performance-based voice and bodywork, and can also serve as a complement to the 2024 Lenox Weekend Intensive, held April 19 through 21.  “An actor’s instrument is their body, voice, and imagination," said Bandopadhyay, "and that instrument needs to be flexible, open, and responsive - this workshop is a way to develop practices that do just that.” Tuning Your Instrument will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day; tuition is $200 USD. Discounted tuition of $150 will be offered to participants also registered for the Lenox Weekend Intensive. For more information or to apply, visit shakespeare.org, or call (413) 637-1199, ext. 114. WAM Theatre Launches BIPOC Production Apprenticeship Program as Sabine Denise Jacques joins WAM as BIPOC Advocate WAM Theatre launches a BIPOC Production Apprenticeship Program as part of its 15th Anniversary Season. The paid opportunity is designed to provide career development opportunities from college to the field for women-identifying  and non-binary theatre artists from historically marginalized groups.   Two emerging women and/or non-binary theatre artists(designers, stage managers, directors, or dramaturgs) of the Global Majority (artists who identify as Black, Indigenous, African,  Asian American Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Latin American) will be paired with professional mentors for WAM Theatre’s Fall 2024 production of Galileo’s Daughter written by Jessica Dickey and directed by Reena Dutt at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theater at Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, MA.  Following the successful completion of the apprenticeship program in 2024, apprentices will be offered production roles in WAM’s 2025 season.  Then, in 2026, they will be offered the chance to mentor a new cohort of apprentices as part of an on-going launch pad into the performing arts industry. The cohorts will be empowered with professional credits, portfolios, and relationships in the Berkshires and beyond.  “As WAM’s Artistic Director, I am committed to nurturing trust-based relationships with artists of color in what is a predominantly white regional theatre culture,” says Genée Coreno. “Cultivating trust and belonging takes time, and the BIPOC Production Apprenticeship program is one way artists and leadership will collaborate to transform WAM and enrich our creative endeavors in this next chapter. WAM is accountable to the careers of women of color who are looking for an artistic home to flourish as artists and leaders.  Together we have the power to impact the future of the field, ensuring theatre is inclusive and representative of the global majority.”  The BIPOC Apprenticeship Program is modeled after a successful pilot program at WAM Theatre in 2020, when five BIPOC women and non-binary emerging theatre artists apprenticed seasoned professionals in WAM’s production of ROE.  Due to the Covid-19 closures in the early pandemic this production moved online, but WAM kept the commitment to the apprentices whose work was featured in our first digital production. This pilot program was so successful that two of the apprentices went on to year-round positions at WAM, three were given full production positions in subsequent WAM seasons, and all are currently working in the theatre industry.  “We’re thrilled to take this next step in creating spaces for women centered leadership development in theatre production,” said Managing Director, Molly Merrihew. “During the 2020 pilot of this process we discovered longer-engagement and multi-year access was fundamental to creating successful pipelines into the professional theatre. We are now thrilled to be in a position to formalize this process, creating more paid opportunities for women and non-binary artists entering the field. We are dedicated to making the program more accessible to our next generation of visionary theatre professionals, and creating transparent pathways into sustainable professional theatre work.” The success of the BIPOC Apprenticeship Program would not be possible without Sabine Denise Jacques who accepted the role of BIPOC Advocate in early 2024. Jacques will apply her expertise in social justice facilitation and multicultural theater at the intersections of culture and accountability to ensure WAM continues to be a community that is welcoming, centers the safety of artists/designers/staff, and empowering for BIPOC apprentices, mentors, and artists. The BIPOC Advocate role was originated by Trenda Loftin in 2020 and has since played an important role in advancing WAM’s commitment to anti-racist practices.  "I am so pleased to be working with WAM Theatre in this endeavor to proactively create an anti-racist environment where black artists and designers can thrive and not merely survive, says Sabine Denise Jacques, “Creating an intentional space and initiative for BIPOC artists and designers to come together in predominantly white spaces says I see you, I value your time and presence, and you belong here. It’s beautiful to be a part of a theater community that is taking the steps necessary to be proactive in their efforts to create spaces of belonging, and interrogate our own processes that are rooted in white supremacy characteristics. " “We are thrilled Sabine Denise has joined WAM,” says Artistic Director Genée Coreno.  “Sabine is an insightful thought partner and artist.  I’ve seen how quickly her human-centered approach has impacted our process and policies - from auditions to the green room and look forward to more necessary transformation in the years to come.”  Jacques is a Massachusetts-based actor, facilitator, educator, and theater practitioner working at the intersections of theater, education and dialogue. Jacques arrived at WAM following eight years in Western Massachusetts where she completed her B.A. in African American Studies, M.ED in International Education, a certificate in Multicultural Theater along with social justice facilitation training from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. WAM is honored to have the opportunity to forge mentorships and community with these emerging theater artists as they launch their careers. We thank the Brabson Family Foundation, who have made this program possible. For more information and to submit your resume or recommendations for consideration, please contact Associate Artistic Director, Talya Kingston: talya@wamtheatre.com MAJESTIC THEATER ANNOUNCES YOUTH THEATER WORKSHOP FOR SUMMER 2024 Two-Week Workshop Enrolling Children in Grades 5-8 for Theater Education Program The Majestic Theater has announced its new Majestic Youth Theater Workshop, for children entering grades 5-8 next fall, set for June-July 2024.  Sue Dziura, associate producing director at the Majestic will lead the theater education program in which participants will get a part, rehearse a play and perform the show in a period of two weeks. The workshop is designed for both beginners and more seasoned actors who want to hone the necessary skills to communicate effectively onstage.  Guided by Dziura and a staff of experienced theater professionals, the program will utilize theater games, improv, voice for the actor, movement work, scene study and ensemble-building exercises to develop each young actor’s toolkit.  The two-week program will culminate in two performances of “Snowderella” by Nate Eppler.  Every participant gets a role, or multiple roles, to allow young actors to learn and grow as performers on the Majestic Theater stage. Participants will begin to learn: ·        What skills are needed to be an actor and how to develop those skills ·        How to audition, have stage presence, vocal projection and physical comedy skills ·        The joy of working as an ensemble ·        How to perform live in front of their friends and families The workshop will take play Monday through Friday, June 24 through July 5 (not including July 4) from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and the cost to participate will be $380.  The performances of “Snowderella” will take place Friday, July 5 at 7:30 p.m. and Saturday, July 6 at 2:00 p.m.  All performance tickets will be $10.  Participants must submit an application to be part of the program.  Applications are available at the Majestic Theater box office or online at majestictheater.com Registration is open now for Riotous Youth, Shakespeare & Company’s summer theater program for children and teenagers, slated to run from Monday, July 1 to Friday, August 16. These one-, two-, and three-week sessions are tailored to different age groups, introducing participants ages seven to 17 to the language, stories, characters, and ideas in Shakespeare’s plays through imaginative and playful methods. Exercises and games incorporating voice, movement, and acting enable participants to explore Shakespeare’s text emotionally, physically, and intellectually. Participants then create a performance piece based on their experience of the play, which they share with family, friends, and Company members on the final day of each session. 2024 summer sessions include: One-week session Julius Caesar: August 12 – 16 For Ages: 7 – 12  Tuition: $425 Two-week sessions Twelfth Night: July 1 – 12 (sessions A and B are waitlist only) Henry V: July 15 – 26 (session D: limited spots available) Love's Labor’s Lost: July 29 – August 9 (sessions G and H: limited spots available) For Ages: 7 – 15 Tuition: $825 Three-week sessions  Riotous Company For Ages: 14 – 17 Tuition: $1075 All sessions are held at the Shakespeare & Company campus at 70 Kemble Street, Lenox, Mass., and limited financial aid is available. Visit shakespeare.org/education to learn more and apply. For more information, contact Education Residency and Riotous Youth Programs Manager Caitlin Kraft at ckraft@shakespeare.org or (413) 637-1199 ext. 132.  The Shea Theater offers TWO two week sessions of summer theater with Atticus and Enzo Belmonte for children ages 8-12. Each day of the program will be dedicated to creating and rehearsing the immersive theater performance, as well as learning and participating in various acting games and workshops. The cost is $650 per session with a limit of 20 children in each section. This fee includes snacks but not lunch. To register: sheatheaterartscenter@gmail.com DATES: July 8-19, 2024 and July 22-August 2, 2024 Monday - Friday Program runs 9 AM to 3 PM. Performance of the immersive play will take place on the second Friday at 10 am at the Shea on 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA.   In this program, the performers will rehearse and perform in an immersive theater show based on a fairytale, a Shakespeare play, or a myth. This immersive approach encourages imagination, collaboration, and creativity while teaching acting and movement techniques in a nurturing and holistic environment. A check may be made to: Shea Theater PO Box 773 Turners Falls, MA 01376 Deposit of $100 is required at registration with remainder due by June 15, 2024 Atticus Belmonte is a writer, director, actor, and theater major at Bard College. He is a founder of Patch Productions that he formed with his brothers and several friends taking his immersive theater pieces to the Shea where they have offered several productions. Enzo Belmonte is 16 years old and grew up doing theater, specifically Shakespeare and immersive theater. He has a special skill set in technical theater and will create lights and sound for the show. The medium of Immersive Theater is an innovative theater format allows audience members to wander wherever they wish within a play, finding characters and scenes at their own will in different rooms and spaces. No audience member has the same experience; they all will see different scenes in different locations, piecing together the story as they go. 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​ Shakespeare & Company’s Center for Actor Training will host its 9-Day Intensive at its Lenox campus from Thursday, August 22 through Saturday, August 31.  Designed for mid-career actors, educators, directors, and others seeking professional and artistic development, the 9-Day Intensive is inspired by Shakespeare & Company’s Month-long Intensive. Director of Training Sheila Bandyopadhyay said the workshop offers participants an opportunity to immerse themselves in Shakespeare training and make connections with like-minded artists in a robust, accessible format.  “We regularly hear from artists in the mid-stages of their career that they wish they could attend our renowned Month-long Intensive in the winter, but their schedules simply do not permit them to do so,” said Bandyopadhyay. “For those out there who are juggling teaching, acting, directing, parenting responsibilities, and the like, the 9-Day Intensive is ideal.” The daily schedule includes classes in Linklater Voice, Movement, monologue and scene work, and the format and tuition include admission to three Shakespeare & Company shows staged at the height of its 2024 performance season.  Tuition is $1,495 with partial scholarships available for BIPOC artists. Early payment, alumni, and union member discounts are also available. Limited on-campus housing is available on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to apply, visit shakespeare.org or call 413.637.1199, ext. 114. 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 Human Agenda Theater 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 South Hadley Players 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 Valley Players 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|*