Western Mass Theatre Newsletter |
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| | | Tonight: catch the final reading of Escaped Alone at 33 Hawley. Rhythm and Rails coming soon, The President at CitySpace at the end of the month, and audition for Easthampton Theater Company’s Godspell.
The next issue will include events from October 15 - November 4. Submit upcoming events via the link below or by emailing me before Tuesday at midnight. Any questions, comments or feedback? Email me at westernmasstheatre@gmail.com
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| John Feffer presents The President October 30, 31, November 1, 4, 14, 15 st CitySpace in Easthampton Tickets and More Information |
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| Easthampton Theater Company presents Auditions for Godspell November 10 and 11 in Southampton Sign Up Here |
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MAJESTIC OPENS 29TH SEASON OF PLAYS WITH NUNSENSE OCTOBER 8-11 West Springfield’s Majestic Theater open its 29th Season of plays with the musical Nunsense, which runs September 3 – October 11. The Majestic Theater is located at 131 Elm Street in West Springfield, MA. Nunsense, a musical comedy by Dan Goggin, focuses on five surviving nuns from the Little Sisters of Hoboken who stage a wacky variety show to raise money to bury a few sisters from the convent after their cook accidentally poisons many of the nuns with tainted soup. This classic crowd‑pleaser—an international sensation performed in more than 8,000 productions worldwide and winner of four Outer Critics Circle Awards—makes its first‑ever appearance on the Majestic stage to launch the 2026-2027 Season. The Majestic’s Producing Director Sue Dziura will direct the play. Iaslyn Lewis is stage manager, Michael Garcia is production assistant, and Elisabeth Weber is music director. Scenic director is Juliana Haubrich, and Dan Rist is lighting designer. Sound designer is Ryan Hickey, and Dawn McKay is costume designer. The cast includes Marty Bongfeldt (Mother Superior, Mary Regina), Lori Holmes Clark (Sr. Robert Anne), Destini Stewart (Sr. Hubert), Rachel Ballasy (Sr. Leo), and Caelie Flanagan (Sr. Amnesia). Understudies include Amanda Uruquhart Tilghman and Elaine Hom. Band members include Cliff Schofer, Jacob Nichols and Ann-Marie Messbauer.
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OCTOBER 8- STAGED READING OF CARYL CHURCHILL’S ESCAPED ALONE - a play that meets the present moment-
PRESENTED BY SERIOUS PLAY THEATRE ENSEMBLE
WITH CHRISTINE ADAIRE, MARY BETH BROOKER, JUDITH FINE & MURIEL JOHNSON Directed by Sheryl Stoodley Technical Support. Robin W. Doty
WHERE: Workroom@33Hawley St/ A.P.E- Northampton, MA.
WHEN: Thursday October 8 at 8pm (Mid- Week Presentations) (Box Office opens 7:15pm) TICKETS: (Reservations Encouraged) ZEFFY TICKET LINK: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/escaped-alone-staged-reading-by-serious-play-theatre
ESCAPED ALONE, by acclaimed English playwright, Caryl Churchill, was published in 2016 around the time of Donald Trump’s first election. I discovered this piece in 2018, in the New Scripts Library in the Traverse Theatre at the EDINBURGH FRINGE FESTIVAL, Scotland, while on tour with Serious Play’s production of THE RED GUITAR. I fell in love with Churchill’s imaginative use of language, the experimental construct of the play and the strong female perspective. But at the time, I felt it was far too harsh a message to be presented by Serious Play. Now, in 2026, I feel differently.
ESCAPED ALONE contrasts the mundane, witty, fragmented chatter of older women enjoying afternoon tea in a neighbor’s backyard, with the prophetic, disturbing visions of climate disasters and societal collapse, foreseen by one of them. The play is both darkly comedic and chillingly profound. A play for this moment in time. Why did we use this painting by Ellen Day Hale (1885) as the image on the poster for our production of ESCAPED ALONE? This summer, I had the good fortune to travel to the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston with my daughter-in-law, Johanna Hoogendyk, who is a talented portrait painter, and art instructor at two local colleges. She took me to see the room of women artists and painters. She led me to one of her favorites, the self- portrait done by Ellen Day Hale in 1885. She explained a bit about the confident, defiant, almost confrontational gaze, of Ms. Hale, and explained that as a female impressionist of the time, Ms. Hale was pushing the boundaries both in her art and in the depiction of herself. Hale was one of a handful of women then, who created compelling self- portraits in which they fearlessly presented themselves as individuals willing to flout social codes, and challenge accepted ideas of women’s place in society. Through the use of promiscuous bangs, the strong hand seen forefront, the use of dark colors, and also inserting the ostrich-feather fan, Ms. Hale presented (in her own words) “an original and queer” representation of herself.
A woman ahead of her time.
I believe playwright Caryl Churchill and impressionist painter Ellen Day Hale, have much in common. (Director of ESCAPED ALONE,Sheryl Stoodley)
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Flip the Script Saturday, October 10th @7pm We invite a local playwright to bring an unfinished script to the show; an original work that's never seen the stage. Then we read the character descriptions, cast the show, and launch into its first ever performance. Once we run out of lines, we drop the scripts and improvise the rest of the play while the playwright watches in delight (or horror!) Featuring experienced improvisers Mandy Anderson, Maddy Benjamin, Scott Braidman, Moe McElligott, Laura Patrick, Pam Victor, and Kate Zak.
https://www.happiervalley.com/2nd-saturdays.html |
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Shadow, Sound, Spectacle presents Literary Monsters
Oct 10, 2026 at 7:30 PM
Blackbird, 27 Pleasant Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Celebrate spooky season with *Literary Monsters*, a multimedia performance blending original live music, shadow puppetry, video projection, and gothic storytelling.
Northampton-based ensemble Shadow, Sound, Spectacle reimagines the worlds of Edgar Allan Poe, Mary Shelley, Emily Dickinson, Bram Stoker, Washington Irving, and more—bringing ravens, monsters, vampires, and headless horsemen to life through handcrafted puppetry and original songs.
The October 10 performance at Blackbird also celebrates the release of the ensemble’s new EP, Literary Monsters: The Soundtrack.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/shadow-sound-spectacle-presents-literary-monsters-ep-release-event-tickets-1998493793735 |
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Stonesthrow Theater
The Burning Reed- An Evening with Jalaladdin Rumi
10/15-17 7:30 pm 10/18 2 pm 10/22-23 7:30 pm 10/24-25 2 pm
Wendell Meetinghouse 1 Morse Village Rd, Wrndell MA
For two weekends, Thursday through Sunday October 15-25, the newly formed Stonesthrow Theater will present The Burning Reed: An Evening with Jalaladdin Mohammed Rumi at the Wendell Meetinghouse, written and performed with new versions of Rumi’s stories and poems by Joe Laur, and directed by Tim Holcomb.
Evening performances are scheduled for October 15, 16, 17, 22 and 23 at 7:30 pm; 2:00 pm matinee performances are scheduled for October 18, 24 and 25. All performances take place at the Wendell Meetinghouse (1 Morse Village Rd. Wendell, MA). Tickets are $20 in advance, $25 at the door, or $10 for Card to Culture participants. Thursday tickets are $15 in advance, $20 at the door. Advance tickets are available at https://patron.wendellmeetinghouse.org/ticketing/wmh/catalog/events.
Why is a 13th Century Persian cleric the best-selling English language poet in the US? Why did Rumi refer to his impending death as his wedding night? What was the nature of his relationship with the wandering mystic Shams, and how did their closeness estrange his son and lead to the early death of his daughter-in-law?
These questions and more are addressed in a new one-person show being staged as the first offering of Stonesthrow Theater, a new theater company in residence at the 1846 Wendell Meetinghouse. The play is the brainchild of Joe Laur, who wrote the script and created original versions of dozens of Rumi’s poems and stories for the production. Laur also plays the title character of Jelaladdin Mohammed Balki, more widely known today as Rumi.
“I’ve been sitting with the idea of crafting a Rumi show for about 30 years, ever since I was first exposed to his poetry, primarily through the free verse translations of Coleman Barks”, Laur says. “Following the success and good reviews of my performance as The Captain in Court Dorsey’s original play Swamped last fall, I was inspired and encouraged to bring Rumi to the stage.”
Laur’s original versions of Rumi’s poems employed much the same process used by Coleman Barks in his widely read popular versions. However, instead of reaching back to late 19th and early 20th century scholarly English translations, as Barks did, Laur used Claude AI to locate the original Farsi sources, give word for word, literal translations, along with an explanation of key cultural and theological concepts, and then he crafted contemporary versions in his own voice.
“What I have reached for in my versions of Rumi’s writings is broad fidelity to the original text and poetry, while making it immediate and accessible to a contemporary audience. In all honesty, I think my versions are a little more faithful to the original cultural and theological themes than Barks’, while still speaking strongly to our current time.”
https://patron.wendellmeetinghouse.org/ticketing/wmh/catalog/events |
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Spooky Open Stage with Host Clara Witty
Spooky Open Stage @ LAVA, hosted by Clara Witty Thursday October 15th; 6:30 p.m. signups and 7 p.m. showtime The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., Greenfield https://thelavacenter.org/events/open-stage-lava-3-2026-10-15/
The LAVA Center is excited to announce a Spooky Open Stage in October to celebrate all things spooky!
The Open Stage is a performance series that takes place every third Thursday evening. Signups start at 6:30 p.m. and the show starts at 7 p.m. This Spooky Open Stage will consist of costumes, candy and spooky performances! Show up in your best costume and perform a spooky song or skit, read scary stories and poetry, or sit back and enjoy the atmosphere!
An open stage is similar to an open mic, but more inclusive to all types of the performing arts. Artists are encouraged to sign up to perform theater, dance, music, literature, spoken word, magic, puppetry, circus, sideshow, comedy, improv — any form of art or entertainment that can be staged, in any stage of development; this month’s theme is Halloween!!
Your host Clara Witty lives in Orange, MA and works as the Programming Director of The LAVA Center. She’s worked on many different projects at The LAVA Center including indiVISIBLE, On the Boards playwright festival, and produced the documentary film “Rising River’s Edge”. She values her community and the arts, and works to bridge them together through her work at The LAVA Center.
Signup starts at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7 p.m. There will be a five-minute limit for each act. Artists can plug into our sound system if they’d like audio to backup your act; connect using Bluetooth, plugin using 1/8″ mic jack input, or bring adapter if needed. Questions? Email info@thelavacenter.org.
There is a $1–5 suggested donation for this event.
The Open Stage series continues monthly; always on the third Thursday of the month at The LAVA Center. |
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DON’T DREAM IT. SEE IT!
K and E Theater Group Presents THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW at Northampton Center for the Arts, October 16-18 & 22-24, 2026
With 51 years of continuous productions, seen by over 40 million people around the world, Richard O’Brien’s THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW features some of the most iconic musical show stopping classics of all time, including “Dammit Janet,” “Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a Touch Me,” “Hot Patootie” and of course, “Time Warp,” the party floor-filler.
THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW is the story of two squeaky clean college kids—Brad and his fiancée, Janet—on their way to visit their former college professor when by a twist of fate, their car breaks down outside a mansion. They meet the charismatic Dr. Frank-n-Furter, Riff Raff, Columbia, Magenta, Eddie, and Rocky. It is an adventure they would remember, for a very long time.
The production stars David Wallace as Dr. Frank N. Furter, Violet Falkowski as Riff Raff, Alyssa Burgwinkel as Magenta, Christopher Morey as Brad Majors, Rachel Lamarre as Janet Weiss, Rachel Wolk as Columbia, Nicco Palazzi as Rocky, and Kelly Gagner as Eddie and Dr. Scott.
The company also features Phantoms Gaia Ciano, Jennie Coletta, Nicki Elledge-Hickey, Kaihla A. Laurent, Lyndsey Raucher, Brendon Rogers, Griffin Ross, and Mena Wyman.
Adding another distinctly Rocky Horror element to the production, audiences will experience a rotating lineup of Narrators throughout the run featuring drag performers Magnolia Masquerade, Felicity V. Lay, Zella Cullatore, and Dame Judi Dentures, bringing their own personalities, humor, and flair to each performance.
Content Warning THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW contains mature themes, sexual content and innuendo, strong language, and references to violence. Audience discretion is advised.
Audience members are also asked to leave traditional Rocky Horror audience participation props at home. Outside props will not be permitted inside the theater.
Performance Schedule at Northampton Center for the Arts, 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA Friday, October 16 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, October 17 at 8:00 PM and Midnight
Sunday, October 18 at 4:00 PM
Thursday, October 22 at 8:00 PM
Friday, October 23 at 8:00 PM
Saturday, October 24 at 8:00 PM and Midnight
Tickets are $28, plus applicable credit card processing fees. All performances are general seating.
Tickets and performance information for THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW are available at KETG.org. |
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Not In Charge: Improv Comedy Inspired By True Stories Saturday, October 17th @7pm Don't miss this talented group of friends in an improvised show inspired by true stories from the cast! Not In Charge is Mandy Anderson, Maddy Benjamin, Sally Ekus, Micaela Foster, Derek Luthi, Allison Reding, Julie Waggoner, Jim Young, and Kate Zak.
https://www.happiervalley.com/notincharge.html |
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| | | The Red Skies Music Ensemble
Rhythm & Rails
Dates: Tuesday Oct 20 at 7 pm ( doors open 6:30) Park at Union Station, get free parking voucher at the show
Northampton Union Station
Red Skies Music Ensemble's Rhythm & Rails weaves together factual and interpretive narration, story-telling, toe-tapping railroad-themed music and historic images to explore the complex history and impact of railroads on the lives, landscape and culture of Northampton and our region from the 19th century up to now.
Here and across the nation, the railroads changed America’s history, and in one way or another, affected everyone’s lives. They changed the pace of life, the perception of space and time, the movement of people and goods, and radically changed the country’s economic, legal and socio-cultural engagements and exchanges. They brought a new (and at first very startling) backdrop of day and night sights and sounds of locomotives, tracks and train whistles, and they had a definite impact on American music from roots, folk and rag time to blues, jazz, pop, and rock.
Come hear this social history in tales and tunes written and directed by Trudy Williams (with contributions by Tracy Grammer) and performed by some of the Valley’s most talented musicians and actors!
The cast and crew includes Jim Armenti, Jerry Bryant,Tracy Grammer, Ron Grosslein, Joe Blumenthal, Inde Francis, Rose Jackson, Cindy Naughton, Mark Roberts, Dan Scott, Tom Scott, Adrienne Wade, Rebecca Weiss, with Bill Cutler and Shirley Van Kanin, as well as special appearance by Maryliz Maldanado and Will Messier from the children's Corn Stalk Fiddle Choir directed by Cindy Naughton, and the Ujima Singers Ella Elliot, MawuLisa Thomas-Adeyemo and Min. Tyrone Bowie Jr., directed by Inde Francis. Stage Manager: Kiersten Samalis. Sound Engineer: Jared Libby. Production Assistant: Aimee Letson. Find out more and get tickets at www. historicnorthampton.org
https://www.historicnorthampton.org/rhythm--rails-northampton-and-the-railroad-fall-2026.html
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MAJESTIC THEATER PRESENTS LEND ME A TENOR OCTOBER 22 THROUGH NOVEMBER 29 Much-beloved Modern Farce Blends High-Class Chaos With Comedy West Springfield’s Majestic Theater will present the second production of its 29th Season of plays with the popular comedy Lend Me a Tenor by Ken Ludwig. The show will open on October 22 and run through November 29 at the West Springfield venue. Myka Plunkett is directing the play, and Michael Garcia is stage manager. Iaslyn Lewis is assistant stage manager, and scenic designer is Dan Rist. Production manager is Marcus Kearns, lighting designer is James McNamara, and Dawn McKay is costume designer. The cast includes Sam Samuels (Saunders), Sarah Keyes (Maria), Peter Evangelista (Tito), Christopher Marcus (Max), Mona Tiglio (Julia), John Pagliarulo (Bellhop), Raya Malcolm (Maggie), and Dorine Tayts (Diana). Understudies include Nicholas Futris (Max & Bellhop), Abigail Drumm (Maggie), and Myka Plunkett (Juilia, Diana & Maria) Tickets to the plays range from $36-$39 and can be purchased in person at the box office, by calling (413) 747-7797, or online at www.majestictheater.com. Box office hours are Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. |
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Scriptropolis Entertainment
Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard - a solo play
Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM at Northampton Center for the Arts. Tickets are $15.
Foes of a Minimum Wage Guard is a hilarious 65-minute one-man show featuring one performer playing 12 unforgettable characters. Follow Steve Smelly, an aging retail security guard, as he navigates the absurd, frustrating and often hilarious world of minimum-wage security work. Packed with comedy, colorful characters and unexpected twists, this fast-paced theatrical experience offers a funny look at life on the job. Come see one actor transform into an entire cast!
https://www.nohoarts.org/foes-of-a-minimum-wage-guard
Saturday, October 24, 2026 at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:45 PM. Tickets are $15. The performance is PG-rated. A 15-minute audience Q&A will follow the show.
For tickets and more information, visit the Northampton Center for the Arts event page. |
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Playlist: Improv Inspired by Your Music Saturday, October 24th @ 7pm What music speaks to you? Now let it speak to us!
We'll get an earful of songs as our suggestions for this dynamic, improvised show. Each track will inspire a world full of original characters which will start to overlap in surprising ways. Featuring Maddy Benjamin, Gabriel CiFuentes, Ben Larrison, Evi Mahon, Jem O'Hara, Laura Patrick, Phoenix Rios, Pam Victor, and Sarah Zureick-Brown.
https://www.happiervalley.com/playlist.html |
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Pauline Productions
Whispering Bones: ghost stories
Oct 25, 2026 at 2:00 PM
First Congregational Church of Ashfield, 429 Main St. (route 116)
Back by popular demand for the 6th year. A cast of 6 actor-storytellers perform gothic, eerie, and funny tales featuring actors from western MA and upstate NY Dr. Betteroff Underhill (Kelvin Keraga) will emcee the afternoon's festivities. Settle in with a hot cider and get spooked for Halloween. Costumes welcome. Photo by Hatzel of Jeannine Haas
http://theticketing.co
Tickets available at Ashfield Hardware and at the Door (cash or check) Advanced Tickets: online $10-$25. Okay for kids 12+ More info: Paulinelive.com |
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The President written and performed by John Feffer October 30, 31, November 1, 4, 14, 15
Two years into his presidency, Peter Peters faces plummeting poll numbers, rising opposition, and a credible terrorism threat. In response, he is on the verge of declaring martial law. His opponents are hoping instead for a democratic uprising. The President—an original one-man show written and performed by acclaimed playwright John Feffer--puts our perilous and polarized politics under a magnifying glass just in time for the midterm elections. It's a funny, harrowing, and ultimately inspiring 70-minute performance. Hailed as a “brilliant writer and performer” by the Washington City Paper, Feffer last appeared at CitySpace in his show The Wedding Jester. |
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| | AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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Wilbraham United Players
She Loves Me Auditions
10/18/26 times between 1pm-2:30pm; 10/21/26 times between 7pm-8:30pm
Fellowship Hall at Wilbraham United Church at 500 Main St in Wilbraham, MA
Auditions for the Spring Production of She Loves Me will be held on Sunday October 18th and Wednesday October 21st. Auditions may sign up for a half hour block audition timeframe. We will see multiple people during that half hour. Actors should bring to auditions: A completed Audition form (see download below) A performance resume* A headshot* Sheet music for selected audition song in the legitimate musical theatre style - up to 32 bars (an accompanist will be provided) Shoes in which you can move comfortably - please note floor is slippery!
*If you have worked with WUP before these do not need to be provided.
Auditions will be held at the Wilbraham United Church - 500 Main St. Wilbraham, MA
Actors will be requested to sing their selected audition song as well as their own vocal part from the attached music from the show (see download below). PLEASE LEARN THE APPROPRIATE vocal line for your range!! You will also be asked to read from the attached selections from the script. A short dance combination will be taught.
If you are not able to attend your audition appointment please email wilbunitedplayers@gmail.org PRIOR to your audition. (We are also able to rebook for a different timeframe if you need assistance.
PLEASE MAKE SURE TO DOWNLOAD THE AUDITION PACKAGE AND BOOK AUDITION APPOINTMENT at https://www.wilbrahamunitedplayers.org/auditions
Roles in She Loves Me: Georg Nowack (pronounced George) - Baritone (B2-F4) – Male Protagonist, Love interest for Amalia. Adult Amalia Balash - Soprano (C4-B5) – Female lead, Love interest for Georg. Adult Arpad Laszlo – Baritone (A#2 -E4) – Young man, Late Teen. Stock boy, comic relief Ilona Ritter – Mezzo Soprano (F#3 – E5) Belt; Dancer. Works in Shop. Foil to Kodaly. Adult Ladislav Sipos – Baritone (A2 -E4). Works in shop. Comic Relief. Adult Mr. Maraczek – Baritone (B2 -C4) -shop owner. Mature Adult Steven Kodaly – Tenor (B2 -A4) – Antagonist. Works in shop. Dancer. Adult Foil to Ritter Waiter – Tenor (B2-B4) – Comic Relief. Brief featured role. Adult Male. Ensemble – Play shop customers (preponderantly women, including a featured trio), roles for all parts (SATB). Adults or older teens.
https://www.wilbrahamunitedplayers.org/auditions
Performance Dates will be March 5-14, 2027 |
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Valley Light Opera
Seeking Stage Manager for Fiddler on the Roof
Nov 5, 2026
Rehearsals: Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday evenings
The Academy of Music
Valley Light Opera seeks a stage manager for Fiddler on the Roof! We are in rehearsals and looking to find someone asap. $350 stipend. Ideal candidate can read music and is excited to immerse in the world of Anatevka.
Performances: November 5-8 @ The Academy of Music (Northampton) Rehearsals: Sunday, Monday, and Wednesday evenings @ Wesley United Methodist Church (Hadley
Email Ash at ashley.goverman@gmail.com with interest and questions!
https://www.vlo.org/current-show |
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Readers’ Theatre
False Exit
Nov 7, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Shutesbury Library
Actor for 20s-30s female role in French farce needed. Script-in-hand staged reading Saturday evening, November 7. Flexible rehearsals.
Reach out to Christine at christinebenvenuto@hotmail.com |
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Announcing Auditions for Godspell - Nov 10 & 11
Callbacks Nov 15 (by invitation)
Easthampton Theater Company will be holding auditions for our March, 2027 production of the beloved musical Godspell (2012 version.) Auditions will be held November 10 and 11th with callbacks (by invitation only) on November 15th. For audition information or to sign up for a slot (mandatory) please click
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1V85ouxsHkJ2q0US_daUnDKr82aQJztygseHJjssuouQ/edit?tab=t.0
All roles are open, none are precast. Actors 18+ of any gender, race and background are encouraged to audition
Director: Eleanor Tynan
Music Director: Kyle Langlois
Choreographer: Tori Guzman
Stage Manager: Heath Trudell
Producers: Michael Budnick, Deborah Jacobson
Rehearsals begin in December and performances are in Easthampton March 13, 19, 20 at 7:30PM and March 14, 21 at 2PM
Any questions not answered by the audition info link may be sent to director@easthamptontheater.com
Audition Info Here
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Stage Manager Opportunity
Tom Stoppard's Leopoldstadt
(Performances in June, 2027)
Are you passionate about theater and do you thrive in a dynamic, creative environment? Easthampton Theater Company (Massachusetts) is seeking a dedicated and experienced stage manager to join our vibrant team and help bring to life our production of Tom Stoppard's final, extraordinary masterpiece Leopoldstadt.
About Leopoldstadt:
Tom Stoppard's last, deeply personal epic spans fifty years and multiple generations. Leopoldstadt follows an intermarried Jewish Austrian family's reckoning with a past it can not escape and a future it can not control. A passionate drama of love and endurance beginning in the last days of 1899 through the heart of the twentieth century, Stoppard's customary wit and beauty shines through the enduring spirit of a faimly tested to its most extreme limits. Despite limited runs due to Covid, Leopoldstadt was highly acclaimed and its run on Broadway won four Tony awards including best play in 2023 and two Olivier awards for the West End London production.
About Us:
Easthampton Theater Company is a production group created by Easthampton and nearby residents to bring quality community theater productions and theater related programs to the upper Pioneer Valley. We invite participation from a diverse group of community members who wish to engage in artistic expression through the dramatic arts - including performance, technical, administrative and educational aspects. We strive to create unique and thought-provoking programs that have broad appeal to theater enthusiasts, and are dedicated to ensuring ETC remains a premier theater destination and resource for the Valley. Our performances are held at the well-appointed Williston Theater in Easthampton, a venue that seats 250 patrons which we regularly sell out.
Location: Williston Theater, Easthampton, MA
Performance Dates: June 4, 6, 11, 12 and 13th 2027
Rehearsals likely starting in March three days a week - Tues, Wed evenings and Sunday afternoon or evenings, with tech week starting 1 week prior to opening night.
Directed by Michael O. Budnick and produced by Michael Budnick and Deborah Jacobsen.
Easthampton Theater Company is primarily a volunteer group, but we are able to provide a modest stipend for this position.
Stage Manager Responsibilities:
• Manage scheduling, including rehearsal times, technical rehearsals, and performance dates.
• Coordinate with directors, cast, and crew members to maintain efficient communication and collaboration throughout the production process.
• Organize and maintain stage props, set pieces, and costumes.
• Supervise backstage activities during performances, ensuring seamless scene changes and addressing any unexpected challenges.
• Work collaboratively with sound and light operations to "call" the show.
• Provide leadership and support to the production team, fostering a positive and professional working environment.
Qualifications:
• Previous experience in stage management or related roles preferred.
• Strong organizational and multitasking abilities, with a keen attention to detail.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• Flexibility and adaptability to handle changing priorities and unforeseen circumstances.
• Passion for theater and a commitment to supporting the artistic vision of the director
How to Apply:
Please send us your theatrical resume, along with a brief cover letter highlighting your relevant experience and why you're excited about joining Easthampton Theater Company in this production. Please submit materials to info@easthamptontheater.com preferably by November 1st at the latest.
At Easthampton Theater Company, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community. We encourage individuals of all backgrounds and identities to apply. |
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Improv for Scaredy Cats Saturday October 17th, 10:00am-12:00pm Does the idea of performing in front of people scare the dickens out of you?
Have you ever watched improv and thought, "I could never do that!"?
Have you ever watched improv and thought, "Heck, I could definitely do that!"?
Do you not give a flying fig about improv comedy but want to learn some tricks to become more confident speaking in public and more mindful in the moment?
Interested in checking out what's going on at Happier Valley Comedy?
Are you curious about improv but you don't consider yourself a scaredy cat?
If you answered yes to any or all of these questions, Improv for Scaredy Cats (and Non-Scaredy Cats Too!) is for you. This one-time workshop is designed especially for the improv newbies, improv-curious, and anyone who wants to step outside their comfort zone.
Once you get started, you'll soon see it's not that scary after all.
Head of Happiness Pam Victor leads you through a very gentle, easeful, and mindful introduction to improv comedy in a positive and accepting atmosphere where failure is impossible. Our main focus is to have as much joy and ease as humanly possible in two hours. (The person who has the most fun wins!)
No experience necessary. Being funny is NOT required. The only requirement is a willingness to learn something new and have as much fun as possible.
Register now at this link: https://www.crowdwork.com/e/improv-for-scaredy-cats-515d34c2-3cd5-4eae-9258-4a1d8f33f2f7 |
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Shakespeare & Company’s Center for Actor Training announces its fall in-person specialized workshop–Shakespeare’s Sonnets: Lightning in a Bottle, Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25. Center for Actor Training workshops are designed to explore a full range of disciplines, including rhetoric, wit, clown, fight, voice, movement, public speaking, and more. Shakespeare’s Sonnets: Lightning in a Bottle, led by faculty members Michael Hammond and Rory Hammond, will guide participants through an exploration of how the rhythm, rhyme, and wordplay that characterize the sonnet form can push the actor towards greater emotional intensity and intellectual clarity. Time will be devoted in the first session to researching the historical background of the Elizabethan sonnet and its unique verse structure, and participants will engage in sessions to connect or reconnect, with the Linklater Technique of voice training as a means of preparing the voice and body for sonnet work. Applications are currently open. For more information regarding this workshop, contact training@shakespeare.org. Shakespeare & Company’s Center for Actor Training The aesthetic of Shakespeare & Company was devised by Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer, Founding Director of Training Kristin Linklater, and a cadre of expert teachers. The Center for Actor Training’s approach is continually investigated, redefined, and reinvigorated, and welcomes actors, directors, writers, and teachers from all over the world to work with the Company’s faculty. Photo Caption: Shakespeare & Company’s Center for Actor Training announces its fall in-person specialized workshop–Shakespeare’s Sonnets: Lightning in a Bottle, Friday, October 23 through Sunday, October 25. Photo: Phoebe Turnbull; photo by Christina Lane.
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ANNOUNCING TWO SERIOUS PLAY SUNDAY TRAINING WORKSHOPS
We believe in the power of socially engaged theatre artists to participate in creating a more just, equitable and compassionate future. We develop workshop relationships built on mutual trust and whole-body listening and responding. We welcome work with actors and non-actors alike, with diverse backgrounds and different points of view. Serious Play Instructors: Michael Pray, Marcus Neverson, Steph Reyes & Sheryl Stoodley 1. SP- PHYSICAL ACTOR TRAINING WORKSHOP: SUNDAY OCTOBER 25 - 10am - 4:30pm SP STUDIO #233, Eastworks, Easthampton
SP PHYSICAL ACTOR TRAINING WORKSHOP is a fun and engaging sampling of several physical training techniques, drawing from various acting disciplines including those of: Grotowski, Chaikin, Laban, Lecoq, Overlie, Zapporah and more. Warm up together, build ensemble and sculpt your strengths and interests. Included are some of the unique exercises of: Japanese director *Tadashi Suzuki, alongside an exploration of the movement vocabulary Viewpoints (from director Anne Bogart/SITI Co). Develop improvised compositional work in groups and feel the impact and freedom of total physical expressiveness onstage. Meet new collaborators.
(*Note- Suzuki training is a set of physical exercises which address speed, space, rhythm. It draws on ancient Noh and Kabuki theatre forms with specific movements. An actor absorbs the shape of the movements and finds how to center themselves within these. The Suzuki training is precise and yet enlightening. External form is fixed, but the actor’s imaginative focus is not. The actor engages with the audience through eye focus, and the energy of legs and feet, integrating physical and vocal systems. Tadashi Suzuki says: “The training is a gauge to ascertain the actor’s readiness and availability to the dramatic moment. An actor participates in the training not to master it, but to find out about oneself.”)
Registration Form & Waiver found at our website: www.seriousplay.org For more information contact: seriousplaytheatre@gmail.com. or call 413-588-7439
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ANNOUNCING TWO SERIOUS PLAY SUNDAY TRAINING WORKSHOPS
We believe in the power of socially engaged theatre artists to participate in creating a more just, equitable and compassionate future. We develop workshop relationships built on mutual trust and whole-body listening and responding. We welcome work with actors and non-actors alike, with diverse backgrounds and different points of view. Serious Play Instructors: Michael Pray, Marcus Neverson, Steph Reyes & Sheryl Stoodley
SP- STAGE COMBAT WITH POLES TRAINING WORKSHOP:
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 15 - 10am - 4:30pm SP STUDIO #233, Eastworks, Easthampton An exciting SP STAGE COMBAT TRAINING WORKSHOP developed in collaboration with actor/director Jonathan Croy (Shakespeare & Co. Lenox) for our co-directed production, Shakespeare’s TITUS ANDRONICUS. Using 2 wooden poles, designated sword and maul, and stressing slow motion action, partners learn the correct footwork and the specific physical targets, how to attack and parry and other stage fight stances to choreograph simple, safe fight compositions. Stage combat is about precision, control & teamwork. Adding vocal sound and music are ways to sell the fight to an audience, but these emotional elements are only added once the fight has been extremely well rehearsed. This technique can also be used to choreograph and rehearse a multiple-partnered battle scene onstage. Registration Form & Waiver found at our website: www.seriousplay.org For more information contact: seriousplaytheatre@gmail.com. or call 413-588-7439
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| | | Western Massachusetts Theatre Companies |
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