Western Mass Theatre Newsletter |
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| | | I want to tell you all to come see LUNCH by Mary Beth Brooker at 33 Hawley this weekend - but it is all sold out. Maybe go see one of the other incredible shows on offer this weekend instead! Or be sure to get your tickets now for anything you are hoping to see this summer - it’s always great to have your tickets in advance and know you will be seeing something.
The next issue will include events from June 11 - July 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 Applause June 7, 11, 12, 13, and 14 at Williston Theater in Easthampton Tickets and More Information |
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| Academy of Music Theatre Summer Musical Theatre Workshops July 13-14, July 27-31, August 3-14 at the Academy of Music Theatre Learn More and Register Here |
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| Easthampton Theater Company presents Summer Youth Theater Programs July 6-10 & 13-17 in Easthampton, July 27-31 & August 3-7 in Springfield More Information and Registration |
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LUNCH a play by Mary Beth Brooker chefs: Mollye Maxner and Acadia Barrengos featuring Ezekiel Baskin, Mary Beth Brooker, Todd Colby, Polina Kasynova, Molly Rose-Williams, and Sandy Timmerman
Thursday, June 4 at 8:00 pm Friday, June 5 at 8:00pm Saturday, June 6 at 4:00pm and 8:00pm
The Workroom, Northampton Community Arts Trust 33 Hawley St, Northampton, MA
Two sisters, estranged for forty years, tuck into an oddly enchanted repast. To see what's on the menu, please join us for LUNCH.
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/lunch-12 |
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MAJESTIC THEATER TO PRESENT COME FROM AWAY JUNE 4 - 7 The fifth and final play of the Majestic Theater’s current season takes the stage through June 7 when the acclaimed musical Come From Away is presented. The Majestic Theater is located at 131 Elm Street in West Springfield, MA. With book, music and lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Come From Away is a heartwarming and uplifting musical that tells the true story of 7,000 passengers who were stranded in the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, after the events of September 11, 2001. The musical highlights the generosity and warmth of the real-life townspeople who welcomed strangers into their homes and hearts. Come From Away has garnered critical acclaim, winning the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical and a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album. Its themes of kindness and community remind us of the power of compassion in the face of adversity and the shared humanity that unites us all in times of crisis. The cast includes Chelsie Nectow (Beverly/Annette/Dance Captain), Sue Dziura (Beulah), Martinez Napoleon (Bob), Will McGarrahan (Claude), Bob Mootos (Nick/Doug), Myka Plunkett (Bonnie), Destini Stewart (Hannah), Elaine Hom (Diane), Shaun O’Keefe (Oz), Ben Ashley (Kevin T./Garth), David Webber (Kevin J./Ali), and Caelie Flanagan (Janice). Russell Garrett is director/choreographer, and Elisabeth Weber is music director. Hope Rose Kelly is stage manager, and assistant stage manager is Caroline Trudell. Ryan Hickey is sound designer, and Dawn McKay is costume designer. 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://www.majestictheater.com/come-from-away. Box office hours are Monday – Friday 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Following the conclusion of Come From Away, the Majestic will begin its summer schedule of performances, including a brief return of the popular comedy Shear Madness, as well as summer concerts, children’s theater, youth workshops and more. 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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The LAVA Center to host On the Boards - Ticketing now available
WHAT: On the Boards: Online Ticketing for New Play Fest WHEN: Thursday, June 4, 6 p.m.; Friday, June 5, 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 6, 7 p.m.; Friday, June 12, 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 13, 7 p.m.; Friday, June 19, 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 20, 7 p.m.; Friday, June 26, 7 p.m. WHERE: The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., Greenfield https://thelavacenter.org/on-the-boards/
The LAVA Center is excited to announce ticketing is now live and on sale for the 4th annual playreading festival On the Boards!
This year’s festival will include new and developmental works by thirteen Massachusetts-based playwrights.
Explore the world of theater by experiencing new works coming to life every night in this festival of readings of new works in several stages of development. This year, a different play is performed every evening, ensuring a variety of captivating experiences for audiences, actors and creatives.
On four weekends in June there will be readings of plays that will culminate in a talkback session with the playwright. We welcome our audience to be part of the playwriting process by offering helpful, targeted feedback. Food and refreshments from local restaurants will be offered every evening after the talkback sessions.
Tickets are offered on a sliding scale between $8-$30, Card-to-Culture $2 and no one is turned away for lack of funds. To inquire about reserving a free seat, please contact LAVA at least 24 hours in advance, and please provide your name and the date you wish to attend.
Tickets are now available for every night of the play festival through the LAVA Center website; link here: https://www.tixtree.com/o/lava
More info is available on the On the Boards website: https://thelavacenter.org/on-the-boards/
The schedule:
Thursday, June 4, 6 p.m. (5:30 p.m. doors): Table Read Festival Kickoff — Playwrights presenting 15-minute slices of their work as table reads for targeted feedback; directed by Ash Goverman.
“Dawn and Dorothy in the Afterlife” by Eva Schegulla “Lone Wolf” by Dan Takacs “Death by Chocolate” by Jane Denitz Smith “more like you” by Foster Finch Schrader “The Walk” by Lionel Audette “Over My Dead Body” by Richard Carmelo Ballon
Friday, June 5, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors) “A Rare Sight” written by Jem O’Hara & directed by Lauren Stock “Phoenix” written by Jan Maher & directed by Liam Castellan
Saturday, June 6, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors) “After the Whales Spoke” written & directed by Molly Brennan
Friday, June 12, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors) “Sidney Truant” written by Vanessa Query & directed by Tracy Grammer
Saturday, June 13, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors) “Come Slowly — Emily!” written by Allison Reding & directed by Jesse Fair
Friday, June 19, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors) “The Hungry Ghosts in the WhiteWash(er) Machine … A (W)hole ReStor(e)ative Practice in ReHears(e)al … A Both/And/Or/With Paradox ReFrame” written by CL Dukes & directed by Lauren Stock
Saturday, June 20, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors) “Calling” written by Patricia Crosby & directed by Penney Hulten
Friday, June 26, 7 p.m. (6:30 p.m. doors) “The Birth/Death Project” presented by Real Live Theatre
For more information, updates and tickets, please visit 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. |
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The Understudies: An Improvised Musical Saturday, June 6th @ 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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Easthampton Theater Company presents Applause Performance Dates and Times:
Sundays June 7, 14 at 2PM
Thursday, Friday and Saturday June 11-13 at 7:30PM
Williston Theater, 18 Payson Avenue, Easthampton, MA
This vibrant and witty musical, based on the classic film All About Eve, promises an unforgettable evening of music, drama, and show-stopping performances. With a dynamic score by Charles Strouse (Annie, Bye-Bye Birdie) This Tony Award-winner for best musical and best musical score tells the story of Broadway star Margo Channing as she navigates fame, friendship, and rivalry when an ambitious young ingénue enters her life. Featuring beloved songs such as “But Alive,” the production celebrates the glamour and grit of the theater world. The story also centers on a woman's journey to reclaim her identity from the pressures of a youth-obsessed and male-dominated industry, ultimately defining success on her own terms.
Directed by Manuel Morales with musical direction by Evan Kos and produced by Eva Husson-Stockhamer, this production showcases an outstanding cast of regional performers backed by our seasoned production team, highlighting the depth of artistic talent in the Pioneer Valley. Audiences can expect dazzling performances, engaging storytelling, and a polished production that reflects Easthampton Theater Company’s commitment to quality theatrical performances.
“Applause is a love letter to the stage,” said Manuel Morales, Director. “It’s funny, heartfelt, and incredibly relevant for anyone who has ever chased a dream or stood in the spotlight.”
Performances will take place at the Williston Theater, located in the heart of Easthampton, offering a convenient and well-appointed venue for theatergoers across the region.
Tickets are available at Easthamptontheater.com |
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Six performances of The Tempest at Black Birch Vineyard (Hatfield) and Northampton Center for the Arts, June 11-21. Valley Players presents a late Shakespearean romance set in 1611 on a Mediterranean island. Directed by Jill Franks, produced by Matteo Pangallo, choreographed by Susan Dibble. English country dancing and Renaissance music enhance the performance.
Outdoors at sunset on the bucolic Black Birch lawn, you can spread a blanket (or low chair) and picnic basket, buy wine and pizza on site, and settle down for an amazing journey back in time and into the realm of your imagination. In case of rain, we’ll move indoors at the winery.
On Saturday, June 13 we have an additional indoor performance at Northampton Center for the Arts in partnership with Community Shakespeare of New England.
Buy your tickets at www.valleyplayers.org.
Pay-as-you-can, starting at $15.00, with half of proceeds going to Center for New Americans, serving immigrants and refugees in western Massachusetts.
June 11, Thursday at 6:30, Black Birch Vineyard June 12, Friday at 6:30, Black Birch Vineyard June 13, Saturday at 4:30, Northampton Center for the Arts
June 19, Friday at 6:30, Black Birch Vineyard June 20, Saturday at 6:30, Black Birch Vineyard June 21, Sunday at 5:30, Black Birch Vineyard |
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Silverthorne Theater Company
Sanctuary City
6/11-6/13, 6/18-6/20 @ 7:30 PM, 6/14 & 6/21 @ 2:00 PM
Mainstage Theater, Emily Dickinson Hall, Hampshire College, 893 West St, Amherst, MA
Silverthorne Theater Company presents the first mainstage production of our 2026 summer season, Martyna Majok's Sanctuary City. Directed by Rose Schwietz Malla, performances will take place at the Mainstage Theater at Hampshire College in Amherst, from June 11th - 21st.
DREAMers. Love(r)s. Life-long friends. Negotiating the promise of safety and the weight of responsibility, they fight like hell to establish a place for themselves and each other in America. This unforgettable drama by Pulitzer Prize winning playwright Martyna Majok (The Cost of Living) asks what we are willing to sacrifice for someone we love.
sanctuarycity.eventbrite.com
This production is made possible by the generous support of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, the Mass Cultural Council and the Amherst Cultural Council, Pelham Cultural Council, Hadley Cultural Council, and South Hadley Cultural Council, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. |
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The School for Contemporary Dance & Thought, Hatchery Performance Project
Asteroid B612, A Love Story
June 12 at 7:30 PM
June 13 at 2:00 PM and 7:30 PM
33 Hawley Street, The Workroom Theater
Hatchery presents ASTEROID B612, a love story, adapted from The Little Prince!
Family-friendly and inspirational. The Hatchery Young Artist Company is a dynamic creative program where young artists collaborate to create original performance work for the public. More than a recital, Hatchery produces inspiring art for all.
Original work by The Hatchery Dance Company & Hatchery Pit Band
WHEN? Friday, June 12th at 7:30 PM Saturday, June 13th at 2:00 PM ( with the Hatchlings ) & 7:30 PM
WHERE? 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA in A.P.E.'s WORKROOM THEATER
Directed by Jen Polins, Katherine Kain & Ashirah Devi Dalomba
Special Guests: Sakina Ibrahim, Gabriella Carmichael, Erik Elizondo, Mollye Maxner
Hatchery Company Choreographers: Irina Andrews, Lila Gilman-Hollabaugh, Serena Gross, Andrew Jones-Monahan, Agnes MacLean, Frances Slabich, Ida Pitcher, Jamie Rose, Inna Selman
https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/hatchery-june--2026 |
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| | WAM Fresh Takes Readings Amani by a.k. payne Sunday June 14 (2pm and 7pm) Ventfort Hall 104 Walker St, Lenox, MA 01240 Tickets: wamtheatre.com/amani/
WAM’s 2026 Fresh Takes Play Reading Series opens with Amani by a.k. payne, directed by Vernice Miller (Mr. Joy at Chester Theatre; Where We Stand at WAM Theatre), on Sunday, June 14, 2026 (2PM & 7PM) at Ventfort Hall. The reading runs approximately 105 minutes with no intermission.
Amani follows a young girl coming of age in a world shaped by both love and injustice. Raised by her father, who builds a symbolic rocket ship in hopes of reaching a place beyond gangs and incarceration, Amani grows up between imagination and survival. As she moves into adulthood, she must define her own voice, desires, and future while questioning whether freedom is found in escape or radical presence. The play, a 2023 Susan Smith Blackburn Prize Finalist, moves fluidly between past and present, traversing domestic spaces, the carceral system, prom night, and imagined outer space.
WAM Theatre Equity and Belonging Facilitator Sabine Denise Jacques, who plays the title role, reflects, “For me, this season at WAM is a reminder of the practice of returning home to oneself—an invitation to reflect on our values and what it means to be fully present in loving community.”
The reading features Diaka Kaba Hill (Capital Repertory Theatre; Associate Artistic Director, Black Theatre Troupe of Upstate New York) as Dasia, Sabine Denise Jacques (WAM Theatre; Silverthorne Theatre Company) as Amani, Iniabasi Nelson (Capital Repertory Theatre) as Asom, Godfrey L. Simmons, Jr. (HartBeat Ensemble; Primary Stages; Ensemble Studio Theatre) as Smith, and Mirirai (Black Mirror, Broad City, Atlantic Theater Company, Playwrights Horizons) as Kofa, with stage management by Sarah Keyes.
Playwright a.k. payne shares, “I wrote Amani with the intention of imagining abundant space for Black girls and Black children impacted by the carceral system. I am thrilled to bring a reading of this play to WAM in its mission-aligned commitment to nourishing stories that center women and girls. I believe that the methods and intentions with which we make theatre are integral to any production, and I am grateful for the opportunity to create in spaces that aim to holistically support the themes of the work within and beyond the walls of the theatre.” |
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| | Next Open Stage to have a new host — Clara Witty — starting in June!
WHAT: Open Stage @ LAVA, hosted by Clara Witty WHEN: every 3rd Thursday, 6:30 p.m. signups and 7 p.m. showtime WHERE: The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., Greenfield https://www.facebook.com/events/1942855999982864/ https://thelavacenter.org/events/
The LAVA Center is proud to announce that the Open Stage series will have a new host starting in June, Clara Witty!
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.
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.
New 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 and personal interests. See less
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 LAVA Center is a community arts space in Greenfield, MA whose mission is to create opportunities and build inclusive community in and through the arts and humanities. We are focused on making The LAVA Center a space where all artists, including marginalized communities and individuals, can have their voices heard. The LAVA Center is located at 324 Main St., in downtown Greenfield, MA. https://thelavacenter.org |
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R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER: THE HISTORY (and Mystery) OF THE UNIVERSE
By D.W. Jacobs
From the life, work and writings of R. Buckminster Fuller
Directed by Barbara Karger
June 19-28, 2026
Futurist, environmentalist, architect, inventor and geodesic dome designer Buckminster Fuller takes us on a wild journey from his childhood in Massachusetts, to meeting Albert Einstein, to his extraordinary inventions, explaining how doing more with less can save both humanity and the planet.
CLICK HERE FOR R. BUCKMINSTER FULLER TICKETS |
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Shakespeare & Company Presents: Fireflies by Matthew Barber, Directed by Daniela Varon June 19–July 19 at 2 pm and 7 pm at the Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre Fri, Sat, Tue, Wed, Thurs at 7pm, Sun at 2pm 70 Kemble St. Lenox, MA 01240
From the author of Enchanted April, Retired schoolteacher Eleanor Bannister lives alone in tiny Groverdell, Texas, settled into her routines and secure in her standing as the town’s most respected woman. When a hole in her roof brings Abel Brown—a charming, smooth-talking drifter—onto her doorstep, he offers to repair the house and quietly begins to upend her carefully ordered life. As an unexpected late-life romance flickers to life, gossip spreads and doubts surface. Can Abel be trusted, or is he not quite who he seems? Either way, the whole town is watching.
Tickets are $30-$88 and on sale now at shakespeare.org, or by calling the Box Office at (413) 637-3353.
https://ci.ovationtix.com/403/production/1264346 |
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| | AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES |
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Play Incubation Collective is seeking an actor for the 2026 Incubation Residency of "The Opheliet Project," a brand new play-in-progress by Maizy Broderick Scarpa. The culminating reading will take place Sunday, November 15th at The Workroom, 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA. There will be 6-8 development rehearsals from June-Nov (mostly on the weekends) in advance of the reading. PIC is looking for a Black male actor who reads late 30s-early 40s and is facile with Shakespearean text to portray the role of Weston. Actors will be paid $20/hr for their rehearsal time and the public reading. A play synopsis and character breakdown, as well as a submission form, are available here.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfIPNFHFo9iv2ziSHz9atS66c3LNX3kHsYi32thU93v4_gMQw/viewform?usp=header |
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Barrington Stage Overhire:
I am looking for carpenters, electricians, audio hands, and general stage hands for the following ($19/hour):
Zionists: Pre-Hang: Week of 5/25 (dates and calls tbd) Load In: Week of 6/1 Tech Work Notes: 6/12-6/16 Load Out: 7/3-5
Driving Miss Daisy: Tech Work Notes: week of 5/25
Estate Sale: Changeover from Daisy: 6/21-6/22 Load In: 6/23-6/25 Tech Work Notes: 6/26-6/30 Load Out/ Changeover to DGQ: 7/25-7/26
Chorus Line: Hang/Load In: 7/5-7/10 Tech Work Notes: 7/11-15 Changeover to Noises Off: 8/8- 8/13
DGQ: Hang/Load In: 7/25-7/30 Tech Work Notes: 7/31-8/5
Noises Off: Tech work notes- 8/14-8/19 Changeover to Eisenhower: 9/6-7
Contact: productionmgmt@barringtonstageco.org
Thank you for sharing! |
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AUDITIONS FOR CELEBRATED STAGE COMEDY TO BENEFIT OUT NOW
Valley Players will hold auditions for Bryna Turner’s riotous comedy At the Wedding at the Bangs Community Center (70 Boltwood Walk, Amherst) on June 15 and 16, 6:30pm–9:30pm, by appointment only (www.valleyplayers.org). The show will feature 7 actors across ages (20s through 70s) and of all identities. Valley Players is also seeking a stage manager and costume designer (email info@valleyplayers.org to inquire about those positions). Call-backs will be at the Bangs Center on June 18, 6:30pm–9:30pm.
Auditioners may choose to perform a one-minute monologue from At the Wedding (which will be provided) or a prepared one-minute piece of their own choice. All auditioners will then be asked to read from sides provided at the audition.
Rehearsals will be at the Bangs Center on Mondays and Thursdays, 6pm–9pm from August 17 through September 25 (not every actor will be called for every rehearsal). Tech week will be September 26–29 at the Amherst Woman’s Club.
The show goes up as a picnic-theater production October 1–4 on the beautiful grounds of the Amherst Woman’s Club, with half of net ticket revenue going to benefit the local LGBTQ+ youth support organization Out Now (www.outnowyouth.org). Rain dates for the performances are October 8–11.
Written by Bryna Turner (BA Mount Holyoke College, MFA Rutgers University, 2018 Lincoln Center Emerging Artist winner), At the Wedding is a bittersweet, laugh-out-loud comedy about what happens when the best day of someone else's life is also the worst day for someone else. Over the course of a slowly unraveling wedding reception, the play follows Carlo as she attempts to make it through the night without drinking too much, talking too much, or trying to win back the bride.
At the Wedding premiered at Lincoln Center Theater, where it received the Laurie Foundation’s Theatre Visions Award, was a NY Times Critic’s Pick, and was featured as one of the NY Times’s 2022 “Unforgettable Theatrical Moments.” “Whimsical... laughter constantly flows, quite often outrageously so, through 70 lively minutes,” praised New York Stage Review and Theater Mania celebrated the play as “brutally hilarious.” New York Theatre Guide described At the Wedding as “bitterly funny” and filled with “wisecracking and wisdom-sharing about the unbreakable bond between love and pain.” “Fresh and trenchant,” raved the NY Times, “The lines are funny; Turner has a boxer’s sense of the two-punch rhythm of jokes... Also revivifying is the way Turner reshapes the wedding genre for our time, inviting new characters to the party.”
Valley Players’ production is directed by local theater artist Joe Van Allen. “Set just outside the reception itself, the play lingers in the liminal spaces of a familiar tradition,” Van Allen notes, “where Carlo and the other guests orbit the celebration and each other. Weddings come with rituals we all recognize, whether or not we fit into them, and while Carlo perceives this one as ‘aggressively heterosexual,’ she unexpectedly finds connection in the margins, with others navigating their own vulnerability, hope, and displacement.”
Van Allen explains that the Valley Players production will “center on the shift from standing outside the celebration to finding connection, even in the margins. At the Wedding reveals a community that is deeply human in its messiness, tenderness, and desire to belong. The play reflects the reality that these lives and experiences have always existed within and alongside our most familiar traditions. In doing so, it creates space for audiences, particularly those who are underrepresented, to see themselves not at the edges of the story, but at its center.”
Valley Players is an all-volunteer 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with a mission to enrich the quality of life in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts by producing nimble, meaningful, and accessible community theater and donating half of net ticket proceeds to other Valley nonprofits. In its first two years, Valley Players’ productions have raised funds for Cancer Connection, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, River Valley Counseling Center, Community Aid Pioneer Valley, the Peace Development Fund, the Literacy Project, and Way Finders. More information about Valley Players, including how to donate, become a business sponsor, sign up for auditions, or join the email list, is at valleyplayers.org.
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Bread and Wine Theatre Company
Something Eternal: Thornton Wilder on Time, Death, and Faith
Jun 12, 2026 at 5:30 PM
199 Main Street Northfield, Massachusetts 01360 United States
Announcing Something Eternal: Thornton Wilder on Time, Death, and Faith. This two-day conference includes lectures from Scott Key (PhD) and world-class Thornton Wilder scholar Lincoln Konkle (PhD) as well as readings of two of Wilder's most profound plays (Pullman Car Hiawatha and The Long Christmas Dinner). Set in the historic “Green Pastures” home built in 1887 in Northfield, MA, we hope to see you this June 12th and 13th! More conference information is available at https://greenpasturesstudycenter.org/2026-cslsc-conference-theme-statement/
https://donorbox.org/events/918451/steps/choose_tickets |
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Theatre of the Oppressed monthly workshop to conclude in June
WHAT: Theatre of the Oppressed workshop @ The LAVA Center WHEN: Sunday, June 14, 7–8:30 p.m. WHERE: The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., Greenfield https://thelavacenter.org/events/theater-of-the-oppressed-workshop-2026-06-12/
The LAVA Center’s monthly Theatre of the Oppressed workshop, facilitated by Ash Goverman, will have its final workshop in the current format on Sunday, June 14, 7–8:30 p.m. Stay tuned for news of special workshops later this year!
The workshop is based in the work of Augusto Boal, who developed Theatre of the Oppressed in Brazil inspired by Paulo Freire’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed. Boal describes theater as “rehearsal for the revolution.” His method transforms the audience from passive spectators into “spect-actors,” empowered to explore solutions to oppressive personal, social and political problems through theater and improvisation.
Participants will use Boal’s games as a tool for power analysis. The workshop will offer image theatre and forum theatre as methods for societal examination through our bodies, rather than cerebrally; in community, rather than in isolation. Theatre of the Oppressed is a connective tool for community engagement and embodied anti-perfectionism. Boal’s methods guide us to explore, analyze and ultimately transform our lived reality.
Ash Goverman is a theatre director, teaching artist and arts coordinator. She has studied Theatre of the Oppressed with Christina Marin.
This event is free of cost. Donations are appreciated. Questions? Email ash@thelavacenter.org. |
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WAM Theatre Announces Open Registration for Ballot Ballad Youth Program
WAM Theatre is pleased to announce the launch of its Ballot Ballad Youth Civic Engagement Program at Lenox Library for middle school students (ages 11-14). This 5 week pilot of the program will focus on women in American History and will explore one of the biggest “what ifs” in our country’s founding: “What if women had been in the room where it happened?” We will also examine the history and current landscape of civic engagement in Massachusetts and the United States. Participants will take part in ensemble-based theater taught by WAM Theatre Teaching Artist, Kelly Galvin, and craft original performance pieces. Open and free of charge to all who are interested.
Ballot Ballad is an interdisciplinary civics curriculum developed by WAM Artistic Director Genée Coreno in collaboration with Lisa Donovan of Berkshire Cultural Asset Network and Leslie Appleget of BERK12’s Portrait of a Graduate program. Ballot Ballad integrates art and advocacy to empower students with knowledge of their voting rights through collaboration and creative expression. Using theater, storytelling, and songwriting techniques students craft original performance pieces that blend personal narrative with collective advocacy to become engaged citizens who understand the broader importance of civic engagement.
“Partnering with the Lenox Library to share a module of Ballot Ballad feels especially meaningful. Libraries are pillars of knowledge; places of education, curiosity, and access; and we’re honored to bring this work into such an essential community space,” Artistic Director Genée Coreno said, “At WAM, a core part of our work is representation—ensuring young people can see themselves reflected in history and in the stories we tell. When students learn about the many women and girls who have created pathways to earning, learning, and expression it does more than inform, it models possibility. It helps them believe that kind of agency and impact is possible in their own lives. Through this program, students engage honestly with the history of the United States, who has been included, who has been left out, and imagine how we move forward together.”
This year’s session will be led by Teaching Artist Kelly Galvin, who said, “by imagining bold, brilliant women from our history, we pull up a chair for them and discover what becomes possible when their voices enter the conversation. I’m excited to lead this collaboration as we question the stories we’ve inherited and dream up new ones. And I love the joyful, fearless spaces WAM creates, where we can begin building a more inclusive, equitable world by imagining it together.”
Lenox Youth Librarian Vanessa Justice expanded, “We are excited to partner with WAM Theatre on the Ballot Ballad program this summer! I think these are important topics for the youth of Lenox (and the surrounding areas) to explore. They see what is happening in the world and should be able to inquire and talk about serious issues in a safe and creative space. I anticipate that they will learn from each other, from Kelly, and about themselves as well. It is easy to think of history as finite, something that happened to other people. But we are making our own history every day and it’s up to us to decide how we want to be remembered. I can’t wait to see what they create!”
No theatre experience is required to participate. The criteria for participation is enthusiasm , creative impulse, and the openness to new experiences. Parents, counselors, teachers, and community leaders are also encouraged to nominate students who would thrive in this kind of collaborative creative environment. At A Glance
Ballot Ballad: WAM Theatre Youth Civic Engagement Program Tuesdays: June 30, July 7, 14, & 21 4:00 – 7:00 p.m. Performance/Showing: Tuesday, July 28, 2026 6:00 – 6:30 p.m. Hosted at the Lenox Library (18 Main St, Lenox, MA 01240)
More info: wamtheatre.com/engage/ballot-ballad/
Application deadline: June 15, 2026 Email: Info@wamtheatre.com to register
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Community Music School of Springfield
Summer Musical Theater Camp
June 29-July 10th 2026 from 9-4
Community Music School of Springfield, 127 State St, Springfield, MA 01103
Join us for our second annual CMSS Rocks Broadway Musical Theater Camp! This camp is facilitated by the Community Music School of Springfield. Step into the spotlight this summer at Musical Theater Camp! Whether you love to sing, dance, act, or do it all, this immersive two-week camp will help you develop performance skills, build confidence, and have a blast bringing characters & song to life. $700 for the two-week camp FINANCIAL AID & PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE
https://communitymusicschool.asapconnected.com/#CourseGroupID=52476
Whether you love to sing, dance, act, or do it all, this immersive two-week camp will help you develop performance skills, build confidence, and have a blast bringing characters & song to life.
Hone your acting techniques, vocal training, choreography, and stage presence all while rehearsing for a final production! From scene work and improvisation to costume and set design, students will get a full behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to put on a show. No previous theater experience is required. The camp culminates in a live showcase for family and friends! Taught by teachers with advanced degrees in performance. Our performance hall is air-conditioned. |
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Summer Youth Theater Programs
Easthampton Theater Company is running 2 weeks each of Summer Nights youth theater programs in Springfield and Easthampton, MA! Open by application only until full, and provided at no cost to teens entering grades 7-12. We are also offering scholarships to attend Williston's new theater day camp program in Easthampton! Please go to easthamptontheater.com for more info and to apply, and direct any questions to info@easthamptontheater.com |
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Academy of Music Theatre
Academy Youth Productions Summer Musical Theatre Workshops
July 13-24, 9am-3pm; July 27-31, 9am-3pm; August 3-14, 9am-3pm
Academy of Music Theatre
There are still spots available for the Academy of Music's summer musical theatre workshops for kids! All workshops run 9am-3pm, Monday through Friday (no weekends), at the Academy of Music.
Second Act! is a two-week session for ages 10-12, July 13-24.
Second Act! EXPRESS is a one-week session for ages 10-12, July 27-31.
Encore! is a two-week session for ages 13-16, August 3-14.
https://aomtheatre.com/workshops/ |
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| | | Play Incubation Collective Summer Program Theatrical Toolkit July 27-31 9am-3pm Rising 2nd-5th graders Instructors: Tracy Einstein and Richie Barshay Theater lovers unite! In this one-week workshop, you’ll get to build your skills as a performer and join a supportive community of creative kids. Through theater games, movement and scene improvisations, songwriting and prop and set design, you’ll explore key elements of performance and ensemble building. The work will culminate in an end-of-week sharing where you’ll get to showcase your theatrical toolkit! |
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| | | Play Incubation Collective Summer Program |
Playmaking Journey August 3-14
9am-3pm Rising 2nd-5th graders Instructor: Brianna Sloane This fun-filled two-week workshop will guide participants through all of the elements of theatrical storytelling as you get to create your own original play. The first week will be spent building our ensemble and exploring theater, improv, and movement games in order to generate stories, dialogue, and characters. Inspired by all of that idea generation, the director will create a script for the second week and participants will experience all aspects of the rehearsal process culminating in a short performance on Fri Aug 14th. Through it all, there will be lots of space for collaboration, imaginative play, learning new skills, and making new friends!. |
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| | | Play Incubation Collective Summer Program |
Improvise & Devise August 3-7 9am-3pm Rising 6th-9th Graders Instructor: Anna Fox Enjoy making things up on the spot, working as a team, and creating your own performances? Whether you’re new to improv or very experienced, this session welcomes all skill levels and will provide plenty of opportunities for growth We will spend the mornings each day playing comedy improv games, and then apply those skills and concepts to our afternoon sessions, working as an ensemble to create (devise) our own original performance. The exciting part of improv is that it’s all made up, so while the games have structures and rules, we won’t know what will happen until we’re all in the room exploring together. So let's take risks, laugh and figure it out as we go! |
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| | | Western Massachusetts Theatre Companies |
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