Western Mass Theatre Newsletter |
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| | | This week: a reading of Spork Play at Smith, The Interrobangers opens at UMass, and there’s always something fun happening at Happier Valley Comedy. Catch the screening of RLT’s When the Mind’s Free this Sunday at the Shea!
The next issue will include events from March 12 - April 1. 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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| Easthampton Theater Company presents Enchanted April March 14, 15, 20, 21, 22 at WiIliston Theater in Easthampton Tickets and More Information |
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MAJESTIC THEATER TO PRESENT DEAR JACK, DEAR LOUISE MARCH 5 – APRIL 4
The fourth play of the Majestic Theater’s current season is the heartfelt and comical play Dear Jack, Dear Louise, which runs February 26 through April 4 at the West Springfield venue.
Written by Ken Ludwig, Dear Jack, Dear Louise tells the story (through letters) of the relationship between a young Army doctor, Jack, and an aspiring Broadway actress named Louise during World War II. As their correspondence deepens, the two begin to fall in love despite the physical distance and the challenges of wartime life. The play explores themes of love, hope, and resilience, offering a poignant look at how relationships can flourish even in the most uncertain times. With a charming mix of humor and emotion, Dear Jack, Dear Louise captures the timeless power of connection and the courage it takes to love across miles.
The cast includes Gregory Boover (Jack), Alexandra O’Halloran (Louise), Aaron Mancaniello (understudy for Jack), and Rachel Ballasy (understudy for Louise).
The Majestic’s Producing Director, Sue Dziura, will direct the play. Michael Garcia is stage manager, Dawn McKay is costume designer and Dan Rist is lighting designer. Scenic designer is Matthew Whiton, and Alan Schneider is technical director. Production manager is Marcus Kearns.
Tickets to the show range from $35-$38 and can be purchased in person at the box office, by calling (413) 747-7797, or online at https://majestictheater.csstix.com/events.php Box office hours are Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
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 |
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| | | Smith College Department of Theatre New Play Reading Series
SPORK PLAY by Sadie Shapiro
Thursday, March 5 at 7:30 PM in Acting Studio 1
After a series of setbacks and a lifetime of mediocrity, Marv Weaver has come up with an invention that can permanently revolutionize the routine of modern society. When he finds himself in the public eye, he is forced to defend his increasingly controversial agenda (a spoon and a fork at the same time).
Free |
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THE INTERROBANGERS
By M Sloth Levine
Directed by Cordelia Dwyer
March 6, 7, 11, 12, 13 at 7:30 p.m.
March 7 at 2 p.m.
March 10 at 10 a.m.
The Curtain Theater
The Interrobangers tickets
A gang of teenage friends who band together to solve a mystery and confront the supernatural — what’s not to love about that winning formula? Foggy Bluffs is a spooky place where you can see floating red eyes and weird shadows in the woods. The Interrobangers decide to figure out what’s going on and find much more than a spooky mystery. This queer take on the Scooby gang explores friendship, identity, and how to heal from the hurts of the past.
Content advisory: Depictions of substance abuse, swearing, and brief references to child abuse, abduction, and trauma. Recommended for ages 13 and up Tickets and pricing:
$17 general admission, $5 for students, seniors, and Card to Culture patrons, or $19 and $7 through the Fine Arts Center Box Office, which includes a $2 fee.
Season and group discounts available |
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The Understudies: An Improvised Musical Saturday, March 7th @ 7pm It's the opening night of a brand new musical!
Unfortunately, the show was never written or rehearsed. This is the moment we've been training for. Be part of the fun as the determined Understudies create an entire musical from scratch, with a little help from the audience.
The Understudies are Scott Braidman, Kelsey Flynn, Paul McNeil, Mosie Senn-McNally, and Maile Shoul. With music by the amazing Jeff Kimball!
https://www.happiervalley.com/understudies.html |
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Real Live Theatre Presents: The Western MA premiere screening of our new experimental film When The Mind's Free
Sunday, March 8th at The Shea Theater in Montague
3pm, with celebratory community gathering after the 90-minute film (including the Shea’s own cash bar). Director, producer, and some actors will be in attendance.
Free to attend, donations welcome.
Reserve your spot at https://when-the-minds-free-shea-screening.eventbrite.com
When The Mind’s Free is now an experimental film of our original piece of devised dance-theatre, created in conversation with Shakespeare’s King Lear, following a day in the life of a contemporary lesbian couple and their adult daughters as they navigate Alzheimer’s disease and addiction, and seek light in their darkest times.
This screening is supported in part by grants from the Shelburne, Deerfield, and Bernardston Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, and by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts.
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Northampton Musical Booster Club
Mean Girls: High School Version
March 12, 2026 at 7:00 PM
March 13 (7pm), March 14 (7pm), March 15 (2pm)
Northampton High School, 380 Elm Street, Northampton, MA 01060
Northampton High School is thrilled to present MEAN GIRLS: High School Version! This full-length rock musical (book by Tina Fey, lyrics by Nell Benjamin, and music by Jeff Richmond) is based on the 2004 Mark Waters film about high school hardships, superficiality, and the triumph of genuine friendships. This production features a live pit band and a cast of 46 NHS students! Directed by Dave Grout, Musical Direction by Susan Dillard, and Choreography by Zazie Tobey.
https://nhsmusical.com/ |
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| | | Enchanted April, based on Elizabeth Von Arnim’s beloved novel of the 1920s, is a gentle and beautiful story of the importance of platonic relationships, friendships among women, self-care, and rediscovering who you are when life has caused you to lose yourself. Enchanted April is a heartwarming, character-driven play set in 1920s England and Italy, following four very different women who escape their dreary lives and unfulfilling relationships by renting a castle on the Italian Riviera for the month of April. As they navigate clashing personalities, unexpected friendships, and personal awakenings, the women—and the men —and the men in their lives—are transformed by the beauty, freedom, and magic of their surroundings. With rich characters showing emotional depth, humor, and growth, Enchanted April is a rare ensemble piece full of charm, change, and hope.The show is directed by Gilana Chelimsky and produced by Michael O. Budnick and Deb Jacobson, with Sophia Defayette as Stage Manager. Performance dates are March 14, 20, 21 at 7:30PM and March 15, 22 at 2PM at WiIliston Theater in Easthampton.More information and tickets are available at easthamptontheater.com, or you can purchase tickets directly at our ticketing site easthamptontheater.ludus.com |
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Wilbraham United Players
THE COMPLETE WORKS OF WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE (ABRIDGED) (REVISED) (AGAIN)
3/20, 3/21, 3/27, & 3/28 at 7:30pm; 3/22 & 3/29 at 2:30pm
Wilbraham United Church Fellowship Hall at 500 Main St., Wilbraham, MA
Tickets are on sale for our upcoming hilarious production of The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) [Revised] {Again}.
Come see three overly-ambitious actors attempt to perform all of Shakespeare's body of work in under 2 hours (or so...) You'll never see Shakespeare the same again!
https://www.wilbrahamunitedplayers.org/buy-tickets |
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Starlight's Youth Theatre
The Little Mermaid Jr.
March 21, 2026 at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM
Amherst Middle School
Join us “under the sea” with Ariel, Ursula, Flounder, and other beloved characters from the hit Disney film and Broadway musical. Our students in grades 1-6 will bring the stage to life with singing and dancing of hit Disney songs. Based on one of Hans Christian Andersen’s beloved stories, The Little Mermaid Jr. tells a tale of love and acceptance that is important for all ages to hear.
https://starlights-youth-theatre.org/the-little-mermaid-jr-show/
Tickets available at Maple Ridge Church and Community Center lobby and at the door at Amherst Middle School. |
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OPEN MIC THEATER NIGHT TO SUPPORT BRICK HOUSE COMMUNITY CENTER
Valley Players kicks off its third season with its first Open Mic Theater Night at The Rendezvous (78 3rd Street, Turners Falls) on Wednesday, March 25 at 7:00pm. The evening will feature scenes and speeches from a wide variety of plays, old and new, chosen by the performers themselves. During the event, guests can enjoy a meal and drinks from The Voo’s dinner menu and expansive bar list. No reservations are being taken and admission is free, but donations are encouraged and can be made by clicking on the event at www.valleyplayers.org.
As with all Valley Players productions, a portion of the funds raised will go to support another Valley nonprofit. In this case, half of the donations from the Open Mic Theater Night will go to The Brick House Community Resource Center in Turners Falls (brickhousecommunity.org). The other half will support Valley Players’ June picnic-theater production of The Tempest, which itself will be a benefit for the Center for New Americans.
The Brick House is a holistic-minded Community Resource Center with robust youth, parent/family, basic needs, and community-based programming and that also supports music recording, dance and art studios, and an intimate performance space shared with the community. Serving over 4000 people a year, The Brick House is nestled in downtown Turners Falls and prides itself on responding quickly to emerging community needs for over 35 years.
A year and a half ago, in the face of rising food insecurity in Franklin County, The Brick House opened a food pantry that now serves over 2000 people a year and formed the Montague Food Security and Sustainability Coalition to unite like-minded organizations, agencies, schools, community groups, and farms to eliminate hunger in the area. When the SNAP crisis and government shutdown hit so many families, The Brick House was well positioned to ramp up its collective efforts and feed people who needed aid. As a community, it has continued that growth, so that those in need will have support when the next crisis comes along.
Anyone who would like to perform at the Open Mic should email info@valleyplayers.org to sign up for a slot (up to 2 minutes for a speech or 4 minutes for a scene) by sharing their name, the play from which the excerpt comes, and the scene or character. Slots are being given out on a first-response, first-served basis and there’s no need to be off-book. A few slots may also be reserved for walk-in performances on the night of the show.
Valley Players is a volunteer-driven nonprofit group with a mission to produce nimble, meaningful, and accessible community theater that helps build community by donating half of net ticket proceeds from its shows to other Valley nonprofits. In its first two years, Valley Players has supported Cancer Connection, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, River Valley Counseling Center, Community Aid Pioneer Valley, the Peace Development Fund, the Literacy Project, Way Finders, and the Amherst Survival Center. More information about Valley Players, including how to donate, become a sponsor, or join the email list, is at valleyplayers.org.
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| | AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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Wilbraham United Players
H.M.S. Pinafore Auditions
3/7 from 1:30-4pm; 3/8 from 1:30-3:30pm; 3/9 from 7-8pm
Wilbraham United Church Fellowship Hall at 500 Main St., Wilbraham, MA rch
Stage Direction: Deb Trimble Music Direction: Elisabeth Weber Choreography: Jacqui Panasian Please prepare a brief vocal selection in the style of Gilbert and Sullivan. Please bring sheet music. An accompanist will be provided. Also be prepared to read from one of the readings posted here: https://www.wilbrahamunitedplayers.org/auditions
A brief movement sequence will be taught at the audition. Audition slots will be a half hour long by appointment.
About the casting – there are no roles that are pre-cast. We are auditioning for all of them. The artistic team is determined to cast with a certain amount of gender flexibility, based on available talent. We welcome performers of all gender identities and expressions, and encourage everyone to audition for any role that interests them. We are particularly interested in the role of Buttercup being cast as a drag performer, inspired by Jinx Monsoon's dynamic and comedic portrayal in Pirates on Broadway, which brought fresh energy and inclusivity to the role. Sailors, Sisters, Cousins and Aunts ensembles may also include performers of any gender identity. If you are interested in being considered for a gender-flexible role or drag performance, please indicate this on your audition form which can be found here:
Audition form can be found here: https://www.wilbrahamunitedplayers.org/_files/ugd/b8f670_27b86353b4b54cafa89579f1ff89357a.pdf
Audition Readings found on our website audition link for: Buttercup/Capt. Corcoran Buttercup/Dick Deadeye/Bosun Captain/Josephine Captain/Ralph/Sir Joseph Josephine/Ralph Josephine/Sir Joseph
We are using our ticketing site to book audition appointments. The link below will take you to the schedule where you can choose your preferred date and time. There are 4 slots available for each appointment. If the date/time shows as closed that means that there are no more appointments available for that timeframe. Ticketing link is: https://wilbrahamunitedplayers.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200513312
There is no CHARGE for auditioning (even though the link says "Get Ticket").
https://www.wilbrahamunitedplayers.org/auditions |
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Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
ValleyCreates Capacity Building Grant
Application Opens March 9th - Deadline April 20th
Are you an individual artist new to #ValleyCreates? Do you live or have studio space in Hampden, Hampshire, or Franklin County? This capacity-building and sustainability initiative could be for you.
The program pairs a $2,500 grant with coaching, workshops, business/career building, personal financial literacy resources, and artist community-building. After being accepted into the program, grantees complete a brief onboarding call to learn more about the resources available to them.
Information sessions will be offered via Zoom for anyone interested in the Capacity-Building grant opportunity. Register for an information session on March 10 at 10 a.m. or March 16 at 2 p.m.
https://communityfoundation.org/nonprofits/valleycreates/capacity-grant-2023/#connect |
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The LAVA Center
Calling Playwrights & Directors: Accepting Submissions for LAVA's 4th "On The Boards" New Play Fest!
324 Main Street Greenfield, MA 01301
The LAVA Center in Greenfield is excited to announce a call for submissions for its annual new play fest, “On the Boards.” The deadline for both play and director submissions March 16. Modest honoraria offered!
PLAY SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: - Any length - Plays that have never been produced - Written by a current Massachusetts resident
More info / Submit: https://forms.gle/LgmxDntVwatSeTpr7
DIRECTOR SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS: - All experience levels welcome - Excited by bringing a new play to life - Available for the dates outlined in the submission form
More info / Submit: https://forms.gle/Jxi7g1c5h4ekhGi67
https://thelavacenter.org/on-the-boards/
On the Boards is made possible by grants from the local cultural councils of Amherst, Bernardston, Buckland, Conway, Deerfield, Gill, Greenfield, Leyden, Northfield, Shelburne, and Sunderland. For more details, contact ash@thelavacenter.org. |
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Academy of Music Theatre
The Brave Space Project: Devised Theater Created by Queer Youth
Saturdays, March 28 - May 30, 10am-11:30am; performance on Sunday, May 31, time TBA
Academy of Music Theatre, 274 Main Street, Northampton
The Brave Space Project is a co-production of the Academy of Music and Play Incubation Collective. - Queer-identified youth ages 13 – 18 - Cost: $30 ($15 tuition + $15 Registration Fee) - Saturdays 10am – 11:30am, March 28 – May 31 - Performance Sunday, May 31, 2026 - Instructors: Sarah Marcus & Zazie Tobey - Rehearsals will take place at the Academy of Music Theatre, and occasionally at another nearby location (TBA). Registration is required for this 10-week workshop, and registration will close on Friday, March 20, at 5pm.
https://app.gostudiopro.com/online/aomyp
The Brave Space Project is a unique opportunity for queer teens to create an original ensemble theater project, and is a collaboration between the Academy of Music Theatre and Play Incubation Collective.
Inspired by their own stories, interests, and imaginations, teens will explore improvisation, writing exercises, movement, poetry, and more in order to build a cohesive ensemble performance piece to be shared at the end of the program. Emphasis will be on collaboration and building performance skills.
No previous experience necessary, just a willingness to be part of a creative ensemble.
This program will be an opportunity for local queer youth to amplify their individual and collective voices and share their own stories. Unlike more traditional youth theater experiences where the material is written by adults, the Brave Space Project empowers and centers the participants as makers. The ensemble will work together to create and perform their own original theater piece that speaks directly to the community, exploring the themes that are most important to them.
This program aims for participants to: Collectively create a piece of devised and improvised theater, from inception to performance, based on their own stories and experiences instead of using a pre-existing script or being confined to expectations from previous productions (theater by the youth, not just for the youth). See themselves as “makers” of art and as storytellers. Gain collaboration, improvisation, and performance skills. Foster a strong sense of community and build a network of peer support amongst queer teens. Experience a supportive and uplifting in-person creative outlet for queer teens. |
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| | We're excited to launch the next round of Capacity-Building Grants on Monday, March 9, 2026. This grant opportunity is funded by the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts’ ValleyCreates program and is administered by Assets for Artists (A4A). The focus is a capacity-building and sustainability initiative for artists who currently live or have studio space in Franklin, Hampshire, or Hampden county in Massachusetts.
The program pairs a $2,500 grant with coaching, workshops, business/career building, personal financial literacy resources, and artist community-building.
Information sessions will be offered via Zoom for anyone interested in the Capacity-Building Grant opportunity. Register for an information session on March 10 at 10 a.m. or March 16 at 2 p.m. |
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Deadline: April 20, 2026 at noon |
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| | | PRODUCTION GRANT OPPORTUNITY FOR WESTER MASS COMMUNITY THEATERS.
https://www.jackmct.com/democracy---the-musical
W.Mass composer Jack Tierney here. I am very excited to announce the launch of my new full-length stage work, An American Musical [https://www.jackmct.com/democracy---the-musical], and to share a grant opportunity designed to help community theatres produce the show.
Through this program, theatres may request up to 100% of their production budget (for non-personnel expenses) through a simple application process. The goal is to remove financial barriers so volunteer-based theatres can take on meaningful new work without risking their season budget.
Set in a small New England diner on Election Day, An American Musical follows ten ordinary Americans as they confront fear, hope, belonging, and civic responsibility in a time of national dissonance. The score is contemporary Americana (rock/pop/country), and the show is designed to be practical, flexible, and affordable to produce. An optional SATB chorus line allows the cast to expand, so the only real limit is the size of your stage.
Most importantly, this project is non-partisan. It is not aligned with any political party or candidate. Its purpose is to spark civic reflection, conversation, and community connection through theatre and music in a time of national dissonance.
If this interests you, I invite you to listen to selections from the score [https://www.jackmct.com/songsd187cecc] and to review the Libretto and Grant Information [https://www.jackmct.com/libretto---scores]. If the music and story resonate, I’d welcome the chance to connect by Zoom and explore a potential collaboration.
Contact me at: drjackmct@gmail.com |
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Introducing PIC Kids April Vacation
The World of Clown
Instructor: Meem Mattei
You are invited to enter the joy-filled, rule-bending world of the clown! You’ll spend the week playing theater games and exploring movement and costumes with the goal of creating your own unique clown character. All skill levels are welcome, whether or not you’ve done a theatrical clown camp in the past. The skills you develop this week will not only help you become a better performer but will help you celebrate the wonderful uniqueness of your loveable human self.
Learn more and register! |
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PIC Kids The Writers' Room
Instructor: Anna Fox
Have you ever dreamed of being on SNL? Want to work with a group of your peers to write and perform in a series of original sketches? Then The Writers’ Room is the place for you. We’ll eat lunch together and spend the first half of each workshop session in a mock writer’s room, going over comedy essentials and drafting up sketch ideas as a group. Then, we’ll spend the second half of the afternoon on our feet, playing improv games, and exploring the acting components in the sketches we’ve just imagined. The goal is to leave the week with new connections, and several new comedic ideas, in hopes that you’ll be inspired to continue exploring these ideas beyond the workshop.
Learn more and register!
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Majestic Theater Announces Apprentice Program West Springfield’s Majestic Theater announces a summer apprentice program, seeking to provide emerging artists in the Pioneer Valley and beyond with professional performance experience and educational offerings from industry professionals.
Majestic Theater Apprentices will perform in one or both Majestic Children’s Theater productions. The 2026 season is announced as Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!: The Musical! and The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Additionally, apprentices will have non-performance responsibilities in administration, technical theater, front of house, and/or theater education. Program benefits include educational workshops led by Majestic Theater staff and other industry professionals, and a $250/week stipend. Limited housing may be available. Program runs approximately late June through mid-August.
This program is open to college-aged young professionals, current college students, and recent graduates with a declared major in a related field and/or relevant experience in theater performance. The Majestic Theater welcomes and encourages applications from artists of all genders, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
Applications will go live on the website (majestictheater.com/apprentice) February 2, 2026, followed by an interview/callback process for selected artists.
For more information, visit www.majestictheater.com/apprentice. For any additional questions, please contact Program Director, Chelsie Nectow, at education@majestictheater.com. |
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| | | Western Massachusetts Theatre Companies |
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