Western Mass Theatre News April 24, 2025

Your source for theatre events in Western Massachusetts.

Western Mass Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser April 24 - May 14, 2025 This weekend: audition for Annie with Springfield Community Theater of Mass! It's closing weekend for Book of Days at GCC, opening weekend for the Spongebob Musical at Exit 7, and tonight (one night only!) you can catch a reading of The Scariest Thing to See in the Woods presented by Silverthorne at the Shea!  The next issue will include events from May 1 - 21. 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 Submit Your Theatre Event Springfield Community Theater of Mass presents Auditions for Annie April 26, 10-5 at 52 Sumner Ave in Springfield Sign Up Here Greenfield Community College presents Book of Days  April 24-27 at the Sloan Theater, GCC Tickets and More Information Silverthorne Theater Company presents The Scariest Thing to See in the Woods April 24 at the Shea Theater  Reserve your free ticket  Exit 7 Players present Spongebob the Musical April 25-May 11 at Exit 7 Theater, Ludlow MA Tickets and More Information YOUR EVENT HERE $5 per week for your poster and ticket link in top billing! Email me to reserve your dates. Click to Access: Western Mass Theatre Personnel Spreadsheet PERFORMANCES Silverthorne Theater Company The Scariest Thing to See in the Woods Apr 24, 2025 at 7:00 PM The Shea Theater, 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA 01376 Join us for our final Theater Thursday reading of the 2025 season: Julia Byrne’s new play, The Scariest Thing to See in the Woods. Five people set out into the woods on an experiment, to build a new society of their own, in this new work from Byrne, whose political thriller To Serve The Hive was produced locally in 2024.  Directed by Ezekiel Baskin, and starring Gabriel CiFuentes, Sophia Defayette, Jake Kuhn, Marcus Neverson, and Weaver, the reading will take place at 7:00pm on Thursday, April 24th, 2025 at the Shea Theater in Turners Falls.  Tickets are free, but space is limited, so reserve your tickets now at scariestthing.eventbrite.com. Silverthorne welcomes donations for this event so that we can continue making our work accessible to all.  This reading is made possible by the generous support of the Greenfield Cultural Council and the Montague Cultural Council, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. GCC Theater BOOK OF DAYS by Lanford Wilson April 24, 25, 26 at 7:30pm and April 27 at 2pm Matinee Sloan Theater at Greenfield Community College Join us for GCC's spring theater performance of Book of Days by Lanford Wilson, directed by Tom Geha.  Part comedy, drama and mystery! When murder roars through a small Missouri town in 1998, Ruth Hoch begins her own quest to find truth and honesty amid small town jealousies, religion, greed and lies. This tornado of a play propels you through its events like a page-turning mystery and proves that there are no small roles in life.  "An intriguing, prismatic and thoroughly engrossing depiction of contemporary small-town life with a murder mystery at its core... a splendid evening of theater" — Variety  "Fascinating… a densely populated, unpredictable little world [filled with] intriguing characters who touch each other’s lives through an elaborate series of connections… Above all, there’s the language… You could go to the theater night after night and never hear language so supple." — St. Louis Post-Dispatch. http://gccfor.me/bookofdays Note: Please leave ample time for parking due to construction on campus.  Admission:  General $15  Students/Seniors $5  Tickets: gccfor.me/bookofdays -or- cash at the door Smith College Department of Theatre presents Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare directed by Daniel Elihu Kramer April 24, 25, 26 at 7:30 PM Theatre 14  Mendenhall Center for the Performing Arts at Smith College 122 Green Street Viola and her twin brother Sebastian wash ashore in Illyria and are separated. Viola dresses as a boy and goes to the court of Count Orsino, who finds himself deeply attracted to this boy “Cesario.” Sebastian meanwhile finds himself with Antonio, a pirate who wants to buy him presents. Orsino sends Viola to court Olivia on his behalf, but Olivia is more attracted to Viola. And all of that is just the beginning.  Tickets $5-15 at smitharts.ludus.com. Free for Smith students by contacting the Box Office. The Mount Holyoke College Department of Film Media Theatre Presents: “Marie Antoinette” by David Adjmi April 24, 25, 26 at 7:30 PM April 27 at 2:30pm Rooke Theater The Mount Holyoke College Department of Film Media Theater ends the 2024-25 season with a bold and inventive play by David Adjmi, “Marie Antoinette.”  In Adjmi’s contemporary take on the young queen of France, Marie is a confection created by a society that values extravagance and artifice. But France’s love affair with the royals sours as revolution brews, and for Marie, the political suddenly becomes very personal. From the light and breezy banter at the palace to the surging chants of “Liberté, Egalité, Fraternité!” in the streets, “Marie Antoinette” holds a mirror up to our contemporary society that might just be entertaining itself to death.  “Marie Antoinette is an explosive, hilarious, and maybe a little less-than-historical frolic through history. Exploring themes of gender, wealth, and power, Adjmi critiques celebrity culture and the ruling class. With talking sheep, too many wigs, and a whole lot of glam, we are thrilled to bring to life this over 200 year old story with a modern twist.” - Director, Mariana Considine ‘25  This production is directed by Mariana Considine ‘25. Set Design by Vannessa James, Costume Design by Jensen Glick, Lighting Design by Sam Skynner, and Sound Design by Gillian Tomlinson ‘25.  Performance Dates and Times:  Thursday, April 24, 7:30 pm  Friday, April 25, 7:30 pm  Saturday, April 26, 7:30 pm  Sunday, April 27, 2:30 pm  Tickets: $15 General Admission | $10 Students and Senior Citizens  For more information or to reserve tickets, please visit mhc.ludus.com or contact us at PerformingArts@MtHolyoke.edu. mhc.ludus.com BROADWAY HIT MUSICAL WAITRESS AT MAJESTIC THEATER APRIL 24 – JUNE 1  West Springfield’s Majestic Theater will present Waitress, the Broadway hit musical by Jessie Nelson, with music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, from April 17 through June 1. The play, based on the 2007 indie film of the same name, follows the story of Jenna, a waitress at Joe’s Pie Diner in the south. Growing up, Jenna learned to bake from her mother, who had a pie recipe for just about every life situation. As an adult, baking becomes more than just a vocation, it’s her greatest joy and the best medicine for dealing with her dysfunctional marriage and the disappointments of her small-town life. Waitress features an eclectic cast of characters who bring this hopeful story to life and bring audiences on a journey full of new love, new life and finding out what a little sugar, butter and flour can do. The Majestic’s Associate Producing Director Sue Dziura will also direct this play. Danny Eaton is producing director, and Stephen Petit is production manager/stage manager. Associate Production Manager is Aurora Ferraro. Josiah Durham is scenic designer, Daniel Rist is lighting designer, and Dawn McKay is costume designer. Elisabeth Weber is music director. The cast includes Chelsea Nectow (Jenna), Gregory Boover (Dr. Pomatter), Yewande Odetoyinbo (Becky), Lyndsay Hart (Dawn), Nicholas Futris (Ogie), Michael King (Earl), Mark Dean (Joe) and Joshua Mason (Cal). According to Eaton, “Waitress certainly had a hugely popular Broadway run, and the music by Sara Bareilles is unexpectedly evocative. It fits in with all the other musicals we’ve staged here at the Majestic in that it’s more character-based and story-driven. Waitress is a musical that’s very grounded in real life, offering relatable characters and a compelling storyline.  And, of course, there’s pie! Granny’s Pie Factory in East Hartford will be our pie sponsor for the show, and their terrific pies will be for sale in our café.” Tickets to the show range from $35-$38 and can be purchased in person at the box office or by calling (413) 747-7797.  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 CitySpace A Grotesque Love Story Apr 25, 2025 at 8:00 PM Blue Room at CitySpace: 43 Main Street, Easthampton, MA 01027 The Grotesque Burlesque and CitySpace Presents Join The Grotesque Burlesque as they return to The Blue Room for a night exploring queer love, magic, and relationship through interactive healing burlesque. Friday, April 25th | Doors: 7:30pm, Show: 8:00pm | 18+ Tickets: $20-$30 The Grotesque Burlesque will transform CitySpace’s Blue Room into an immersive love fest, inviting audiences to explore the intricate tapestry of the dream world and the beyond. This interactive, healing theater arts group features queer burlesque performance that welcomes audience engagement. Their latest work centers on the theme of queer love, inviting you to experience this emergent, evocative piece. Lex Grotesque (aka Jupiter Returned) is a Black, transgender- nonbinary, queer, educator, activist, and witch. Lex specializes in somatic healing, process arts, contemporary dance movement, theater arts, and curriculum development. Co-founder of Moon Prism Arts Collective; a queer makerspace & arts community in Easthampton, Ma & Literacy Educator and Teacher. Tickets and More Information Exit 7 Players Spongebob the Musical Fri 25 April, 2 May, 9 May & Sat 26 April, 3 May, 10 May @ 8:00pm; Sun 27 April, 4 May, 11 May & Sat May 3 @ 2:00pm Exit 7 Theater, Ludlow MA Fri April 25, May 2, 9 @ 8:00pm  Sat April 26, May 3, 10 @ 8:00pm  Sun April 27, Sat May 3, Sun May 4, 11 @ 2:00pm  The Spongebob Musical is the adaptation of Nickelodeon’s long-running animated children’s sitcom of the same name. We find ourselves in the undersea city of Bikini Bottom, inhabited by happy-go-lucky and ever-optimistic yellow sea sponge SpongeBob SquarePants and his equally quirky circle of friends and neighbors. SpongeBob’s pleasant existence is abruptly interrupted when it is discovered that Mt. Humongous, a nearby volcano, will erupt within the next 48 hours and completely obliterate Bikini Bottom. SpongeBob, trying to prove to himself and the world that he is not “just a simple sponge,” resolves to save the day when everybody else has given up all hope. Though SpongeBob SquarePants is incredibly fun and family-friendly, its timeless story of identity, crisis, and community is also a witty allegory that examines and critiques the politics of the modern era, and it does so in such a way where children will appreciate and understand the plot line, while adults can read between the lines and extract even more from the musical’s message. https://www.onthestage.tickets/show/exit-7-players/6636796d9efc480e401cb62f General Adult: $23.00 Student with ID/ Youth (12 & under): $20.00 Senior: $20.00 Preferred: $25.00 Revelry at 33: There’s No Place Like Home Northampton, MA - Click your heels and follow the yellow brick road to Revelry at 33: There’s No Place Like Home, the fourth annual fundraiser for the Northampton Center for the Arts (NCFA), happening Saturday, April 26 from 7:00 to 10:30pm in the Center’s stunning home at 33 Hawley Street. This year’s Emerald City-themed celebration honors our longtime and beloved board member Dorothy Nemetz, who is retiring from the board this month. Dorothy has been an invaluable part of the success of NCFA, as well as the Northampton Community Arts Trust and the arts community more broadly.  Revelry at 33 brings the magic of community and creativity together under one roof, featuring: Live music throughout the evening featuring Now’s the Time Trio, Kim Chin-Gibbons, and Tony Silva Short performances by Sherine Khatoun and the Emerald City Dancers, and poetry-on-the-spot by Dane Kuttler Art sales from over 35 local artists (yes, you can take a piece of the magic home!) An online and in-person silent auction full of unique and exciting items Delicious bites and desserts by Seth Mias Catering, and signature cocktails crafted just for the occasion Join the VIP Experience: Remember when a phone was a phone, not a newspaper, a computer, a GPS, a game of solitaire, or a spycam? Guests who opt for VIP tickets will be treated to a 6:00pm private performance of “A Brief History of the Telephone,” a brand-new play by Obie Award-winning playwright Deb Margolin. Tickets for this signature event are available online at www.nohoarts.org! Standard tickets are $65 early bird/$75 at the door, and VIP tickets are $90 early bird/$100 at the door. Early bird sales ending Saturday April 19th.  For 40 years, the Northampton Center for the Arts has been a cornerstone for creatives across the Valley, providing affordable space, arts education, events and a platform for interdisciplinary collaboration. Your support helps ensure the NCFA continues to thrive and serve the community for years to come. Whether you're a lover of the arts or just looking for a fabulous night out, Revelry at 33 promises an unforgettable evening. So come hungry, come curious, and come ready to celebrate—because There’s No Place Like Home. Northampton Center for the Arts A Brief History of the Telephone Apr 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM 33 Hawley St Remember when a phone was a phone, not a newspaper, a computer, a GPS, a game of solitaire, or a spycam? Come be part of OBIE award-winning playwright and performer Deb Margolin's newest work in progress "A Brief History of the Telephone." Deb insists that when a young person's phone rings, they call the police, because they never heard that sound before. Is that you?  Let's chit chat and chew the fat, as Deb explores a lifelong passion for the sexy, disembodied possibilities of talking with friends and strangers on the phone. At this show, not only can you leave your hat on, you can leave your phone on! You can call Deb during the show if you want! Let's bring talking to people back in fashion! Live and in-person, Deb Margolin...she's a smooth operator. Tickets and More Info This performance can only be seen with a VIP ticket to Revelry at 33, a celebration and fundraiser for NCFA that invites our community to eat, drink, and celebrate the local arts scene. Seating is limited, so please get your tickets in advance! Scripted/ Unscripted  Saturday, April 26 @7pm One scripted actor sticking to their lines... One improviser with no idea what scene they're in... One unique, messy, beautifully wild ride! Experience the fan-favorite mashup of theater and improv comedy, Scripted/Unscripted! Inspired by the original show Gravid Water, which ran at the UCB Theatre in NYC. Featuring a rotating cast of experienced improvisers and talented local actors! April's Scripted actors are Stephanie Carlson, Gabriel CiFuentes, Moe McElligott, and Myka Plunkett! April's Unscripted actors are Scott Braidman, Sally Ekus, Pam Victor, and Kate Zak! https://www.happiervalley.com/scripted-unscripted.html Starlight's Youth Theatre Hello Dolly May 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM May 3 at 1:00 PM and 7:00 PM The Academy of Music - Northampton, MA Starlight's grade 7-12 students are performing the iconic Broadway show Hello, Dolly! First premiering in 1964, this show tells the romantic and comic story of matchmaker Dolly Gallagher Levi. The original Broadway production and revival productions have won many awards including “Best Musical” and “Best Score.” Our students will fill the stage with song and dance as they perform some of the greatest songs in theatre history. Tickets and more info. XANADU Book by Douglas Carter Beane and music and lyrics by Jeff Lynne and John Farrar Directed by Rose Schwietz Malla May 2, 3, 8, 9 at 7:30 p.m. May 3 &10 at 2 p.m. May 7 at 10 a.m. The Rand Theater, Bromery Center for the Arts $5 students, seniors, Card to Culture, $17 general admission Content advisory: mild references to sex, some coarse language. Recommended for children age 10 and up Tickets on sale through the Fine Arts Center Box Office (413-545-2511 and online), as well as at the door on the night of the show. To make our shows more affordable, we offer Card to Culture pricing for qualifying patrons. UMass Theater presents XANADU, a musical with roller-skates!  "The musical Xanadu is about two of the greatest things in the world: falling in love and making art," says UMass Theater grad student Rose Schwietz Malla, explaining what drew her to suggest this show for our 2024-2025 season. The 2007 musical, which Schwietz Malla is directing in the Rand Theater, was inspired by the infamous Olivia Newton-John movie and runs May 2-10 at UMass. Tickets for this joyful, singing, dancing, rollerskating extravaganza are on sale now. The story follows Sonny, a disillusioned artist, who is visited by Clio, a Greek Muse in disguise as a leg-warmer-wearing, roller-skating Australian. Quickly the two develop a relationship and a business plan: to open a roller disco. Along the way, they encounter cohort of fierce goddesses, an inspired old-timer, and plenty of crazy 80’s antics, all to the tune of infectiously catchy songs from the rock band ELO. Maya Quiñones, the production's dramaturg, explains that like many Gen Z-ers, she loves unironically campy, unabashedly cheesy, big moments like this musical. Buzzwords for this production are sparkly, joyful, neon, and playful. "We take playfulness seriously, and that's about the only thing we take seriously," Quiñones says. Roller disco is an inclusive culture that invites everyone to the party, and we're inviting you to join ours! Tickets are on sale now, so roll on over to the box office! Call 1-413-545-2511 or go online. Tony Montanaro: A Love Story performed by Karen Montanaro with special guest, Jack Golden performing The Last Hurrah-Ha When: May 3, 2025 at 7:30 pm Where: Shea Theatre 71 Avenue A, Turners Falls, MA Tickets are available at: https://sheatheater.org/  for $20   Eggtooth Productions presents Karen Montanaro’s one-woman, multi-media show, Tony Montanaro: A Love Story, a comical, profound, intimate, and breathtaking account of the personal and professional relationship between Tony and Karen Montanaro.   Tony Montanaro: A Love Story is based upon the creative relationship Karen had with her husband Tony, perhaps the most famous American Mime performer in our history. When Tony and Karen met in 1987, Tony was a world-renowned mime artist and Karen was a professional ballet dancer. Tony was 60 years old and freshly divorced. Karen was 27 years old and the only “relationship” she had ever had was with ballet. Tony was ready to leave his former life, buy an Airstream and hit the road. Karen was at a dead end, suffering from anxiety attacks and a life-threatening malaise. Thus began a relationship that Karen credits with saving her life; imparting grand lessons in vulnerability, artistry, playfulness and more playfulness.   Opening for Montanaro will be long-time friend and collaborator, Jack Golden from Leyden, MA performing The Last Hurrah-Ha. Jack has evolved his own creative alchemy and The Last Hurrah-Ha is the latest episode his one-of-a-kind work.   Drawing on decades of performing, The Last Hurrah-Ha is a look back and a look ahead in the life and times of an actor, clown and active septuagenarian. Melding the base elements of clown, story, and movement, he transforms his vast collection of experiences into surprising inventions that will bring laughter, tears, and recognition.   Jack earned his clown shoes at San Francisco’s renowned Pickle Family Circus (where Bill Irwin got his start), then studied mime, movement and improvisation with Master Physical Theater Artist Tony Montanaro.  He was part of the New Vaudeville troupe The Wright Brothers, and then became a solo performer travelling to schools throughout the US, delighting children and delivering an environmental message. The Understudies: An Improvised Musical Saturday, May 3 @ 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! More Information Valley Players Bard in the Bar: Richard III May 4, 2025 at 6:00 PM Progression Brewing, 9 Pearl Street, Northampton, MA Valley Players will host its third Bard in the Bar event on Sunday, May 4, 6pm-8:30pm, at Progression Brewing (9 Pearl Street, Northampton, MA)! For this reading, we’ll be doing Shakespeare’s timely play of tyranny and resistance, RICHARD III. Tickets are on a pay-what-you-can scale starting at $0 and half of net proceeds will be donated to Community Action Pioneer Valley. The other half will support the Valley Players’ production of Lee Blessing’s "A Walk in the Woods", coming up in June. Bard in the Bar is an unrehearsed, script-in-hand, drink-in-hand reading of a Shakespeare play to benefit an area nonprofit or charity. Note that food and drink will be available for purchase from Progression Brewing. Outside food and drink is not permitted. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/bard-in-the-bar-richard-iii Roles are on a first-reply, first-served basis and are available to anyone who wants to sign up; specific parts will be distributed randomly about one week before the reading. To sign up for a role, email info@valleyplayers.org. 2nd Saturdays Presents: The Armando with Special Guests Kornfeld & Andrews Saturday, May 10th @ 7pm The 2nd Saturdays cast is joined by special guests Louis Kornfeld and Rick Andrews from Magnet Theater NYC! Together we'll perform an Armando, where true stories inspire a run of improvised scenes and characters. The second half of the show will be Rick and Louis performing their celebrated long-running duo Kornfeld & Andrews! Featuring experienced improvisers Mandy Anderson, Maddy Benjamin, Scott Braidman, Moe McElligott, Laura Patrick, Pam Victor, and Kate Zak, with frequent special guests joining the fun! https://www.happiervalley.com/2nd-saturdays.html AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES LAVA Center Greenfield Audition The Comedy Project Apr 24, 2025 at 4:00 PM LAVA Center, 324 Main Street, Greenfield, MA Bring 5-10 minutes of material to audition for a comedy revue to be held at LAVA 7pm Thursday, May 22. Questions: andrea@thelavacenter.org The Academy of Music Theatre seeks applications for the position of Box Office Manager, a full-time, salaried position. The Box Office Manager Is responsible for controlling all aspects of selling tickets for the Academy of Music Theatre, from initial contact with Academy Executive Director for Academy presentations and productions, and with renters after a contract is signed through post-show office reports after a show has closed. The Box Office Manager works closely with the Executive Director, Theater Manager, box office attendants, Director of Finance, and renters of the Academy to make sure show webpages are built according to Academy and renter standards, tickets are accurately sold, customer and renter concerns are addressed in a courteous and professional manner, and internal reports are completed in a timely manner for reconciliation. The Box Office Manager is responsible for daily operation of computer software and online ticketing systems, answering phone calls and emails, observing proper box office policies and procedures, and following customer service best practices. This person must be able to respond to customer complaints and deal with any issues that arise at the ticket counter or via patron feedback. They must also be able to meet the needs of renters, including troubleshooting website or software problems, as they arise. Work activities include: - Undertaking the daily sales of tickets, managing held seats, arranging pre-sales, etc. and entering data as required - Working directly with the ticketing agency to create new seating charts and fulfill other special requests as needed - Providing periodic reports and customer lists to Academy renters - Providing ticket reports for the Executive Director and Finance Committee - Maintaining the box office cash drawer; reconciling end-of-shift revenue, preparing deposits, and maintaining records; and maintaining proper change for the cash drawer - Managing and responding to patron complaints regarding any box office-related issues - Undertaking any other responsibilities relating to ticketing services, as self-identified or requested This is a full-year, salaried position with a regular weekly schedule and variable event schedule that averages 40-hours/week across the year. Qualifications: Preferred Qualifications: - 1 year of relevant experience working in a box office (or similar customer service) environment - Basic knowledge of box office protocols and procedures - Excellent customer and client service skills - Working knowledge of online ticket sales platforms and credit card procedures - Strong math and data skills   Education: - High School diploma or work experience in related field   Other Skills: - Cash handling experience - Strong computer and internet literacy - Proofreading and editing - Attention to detail - Time management   The successful applicant must be available to work during the Academy’s standard box office hours, Tuesday through Friday from 2:30-6:00pm, as well as taking on most event shifts (generally nights and weekends) in the box office. How To Apply: Please submit a résumé outlining relevant experience to Theater Manager, mslabaugh@aomtheatre.com 247 Main St., Northampton, MA 01060. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis through April 23, 2025. Apply by: April 23, 2025 Salary: $50,000 - $55,000 / Per year Springfield Community Theater of MA's Annie the Musical Auditions! Auditions will be from 10-5pm on April 26, 2025 The Theatre at 52Sumner - https://52sumner.com SCTof MA is excited to announce Auditions for our Inaugural Musical, Annie! With performances August 2nd and 3rd of 2025! https://www.springfield-community-theater-of-ma.org Springfield Community Theater of MA proudly presents it inaugural musical Annie! Auditions will be held on April 26, 2025 from 10-5pm at 52Sumner  Auditions will be in 15 minute increments and are open to ages 6 and above.  COME PREPARED TO:  Sing ONE MINUTE of one song from Annie (No accompaniment) Deliver a short poem or reading of any appropriate kind from memory - less than ONE MINUTE Wear "movement friendly" clothing (no jeans). You will be asked to learn a simple dance routine on stage.  REHEARSAL SCHEDULE:  Named adult and Annie rehearsals will begin in May Full cast will begin July 7th and run through the month of July. More detailed schedule will be supplied after casting is complete.  DEADLINE TO REGISTER:  April 25th 2025  Questions? and to Register or for more information please visit: https://www.springfield-community-theater-of-ma.org JACKMCT PRODUCTIONS Audition Announcement Auditions will continue until casting is complete. On-Line (Zoom) AUDITION ANNOUNCEMENT Now auditioning singers for Recording and Performance Project for DEMOCRACY: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL whose purpose is not only to entertain, but to inspire community dialogue, reflection, and meaningful political and social action to support and defend our democracy. Project is centered in Amherst, Mass.  Singers, please watch this short introductory video For more information please visit: www.jackmct.com Democracy: An American Musical was created to shine a light on the promise, practice, imperfections, and potential of democracy in the US. Right now, powerful forces are working to reshape our representative republic into something resembling an oligarchic autocracy. The goal is not only to engage and entertain, but to reach audiences on an emotional level with a non-partisan message: we cannot take democracy for granted. Through music and storytelling, I hope to inspire community dialogue, reflection, and meaningful political and social action to support and defend democracy.  The composer/playwright, John McDonnell Tierney has written five full-length musicals some of which have been produced Off-Broadway and in prestigious festivals. LAVA announces auditions for June festival of new play readings WHAT: Auditions for On the Boards: New Play Fest WHEN: Saturday, May 3 and Monday, May 5 (sign up for times) WHERE: The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., Greenfield https://thelavacenter.org/on-the-boards/  The LAVA Center is excited to announce auditions for the third annual On the Boards festival of new play readings by (mostly) local playwrights. LAVA seeks a wide diversity of actors to perform in readings in a variety of plays. Auditions will take place on Saturday, May 3 and Monday, May 5 at The LAVA Center in downtown Greenfield. Performances will take place the weekends of June 7, June 14, June 21 and June 28. Honoraria will be offered. No memorization will be required. Experience is welcome but not necessary. No preparation will be required for auditions. For more information or to sign up for an audition slot, visit https://thelavacenter.org/on-the-boards/.  Valley Light Opera Auditions for Valley Light Opera's Fall Show: H.M.S. Pinafore May 15, 2025 at 7:00 PM 5/16/25 @ 7 PM; 5/17 @ 10:00 AM Wesley United Methodist Church, 98 N Maple St, Hadley, MA VLO is delighted to announce auditions for Gilbert & Sullivan's H.M.S. Pinafore, or The Lass Who Loved a Sailor.  In VLO’s 2025 50th Anniversary production, the story of H.M.S. Pinafore comes forth like a lost novel by Jane Austen. Concerned with social status, rank, forbidden and/or unexpressed love, family, and societal pressures, this Regency era setting is the perfect platform for secrets, sighs, longing, and romantic frustration. The characters are real people, not cartoons – they feel deeply and react honestly, even within the trappings of their stylized lifestyle. Along with lyrical, beautiful singing, there will be a concentration on realistic (at turns dramatic and comedic) acting, and thoughtful character development. Also please note, we will be employing the use of British accents (for he is an Englishman!) and excellent diction, spoken and sung, will be of great importance. Sign Up Here Information can also be found at vlo.org. WORKSHOPS & CLASSES Shakespeare & Company will host a Weekend Intensive at its Lenox, Mass. campus from Saturday, April 26 through Sunday, April 27, designed for professional actors, theater students who seek an introduction to Shakespeare & Company’s training methods, alumni who wish to refresh and reconnect, and those new to acting Shakespeare. Shakespeare & Company’s Weekend Intensives integrate voice, movement, and monologue work. Rigorous attention is paid to identifying and offering skills specific to the needs of each participant throughout the weekend.  This Intensive will be led by the Center for Actor Training’s Director Sheila Bandyopadhyay, Training Programs Manager Kristen Moriarty, and Producing Associate and Designated Linklater Voice Teacher Ariel Bock.  “The Weekend Intensive is a fantastic way to experience our unique training aesthetic and connect with other creative individuals,” said Bandyopadhyay. “The format offers those who are new to Shakespeare, as well as seasoned professionals, time to engage with voice and movement training and work on a Shakespeare monologue. We welcome all who are curious and ready to explore.” Tuition is $385, and scholarships are available for BIPOC artists. Alumni and union member discounts are also available. The Lenox Weekend Intensive has housing available on the Shakespeare & Company campus for $65 per night, featuring single occupancy with a shared kitchen, bathroom, and living room. For more information or to apply, visit shakespeare.org/actor-training, or call (413) 637-1199, ext. 114. Photo Caption: Tim Hackney as Friar Lawrence rehearsing for ROMEO AND JULIET, Act III, scene iii. 2024 Month-long Intensive. January 21, 2024. Photo by Christina Lane. Theater enthusiasts are invited to go Behind the Curtain this spring and summer, through Shakespeare & Company’s series of discussions led by Shakespeare scholar Ann Berman. Held on select Saturdays throughout the spring and summer at the Shakespeare & Company campus, these free public talks offer audiences insight into the creative process of Season 2025’s productions, featuring directors, cast, and design team members as they explore themes, artistic choices, and behind-the-scenes stories. Behind the Curtain talks begin on Saturday, March 8, and continue through Saturday, August 16: May 3, 10:30 a.m. – Romeo & Juliet with directors Jonathan Epstein and Kevin G. Coleman (Jane Iredale Lobby, Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre) June 21, 10:30 a.m. – The Victim with director Daniel Gidron (Rose Footprint Theatre, outdoors) July 5, 10:30 a.m. – Romeo & Juliet with directors Jonathan Epstein and Kevin G. Coleman (Rose Footprint Theatre, outdoors) July 19, 10:30 a.m. – The Piano Lesson with director Chris Edwards (Rose Footprint Theatre, outdoors) August 2, 10:30 a.m. – The Taming of the Shrew with directors Tina Packer and Allyn Burrows (Rose Footprint Theatre, outdoors) August 16, 10:30 a.m. – Mother Play with director Ariel Bock (Rose Footprint Theatre, outdoors) For more information and to reserve free tickets, visit shakespeare.org/talks-tours, or call the Box Office at 413.637.3353. Photo Caption: Ann Berman, far right, leads a series of free Behind the Curtain talks in the spring and summer at Shakespeare & Company. Pictured are director Dalia Ashurina (far left) and playwright/cast member Awni Abdi-Bahri of Three Tall Persian Women, which debuted at Shakespeare & Company last year. Photo by Eran Zelixon. About Shakespeare & Company Shakespeare & Company was founded in 1978 by Tina Packer. Located in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, the Company offers performance, education, and actor-training opportunities year-round, and attracts more than 40,000 patrons annually with a core of more than 150 artists. About Ann Berman Ann Berman holds a Master of Arts in Shakespeare Studies from King’s College, London, through a program that partnered with Shakespeare’s Globe. She also holds a Master’s of Education in Special Education from Boston University and a bachelor’s degree in English from SUNY Binghamton. Before relocating to Berkshire County, she served as a longtime volunteer with the Actors’ Shakespeare Project in Boston. She taught Shakespeare’s plays at the Life-long Learning at Regis College program (LLARC), in tandem with what play ASP was performing at the time. Now a resident of Lee, Mass., Berman is also an active member of The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI). This spring, Shakespeare & Company invites actors of all backgrounds and experience levels to take a bold, hilarious leap into the world of Clown with Clowning For Actors, a three-day workshop led by renowned faculty member and master clown teacher Michael F. Toomey. Running Friday, May 9 through Sunday, May 11, this workshop blends physical theater, improvisation, and personal exploration to help actors reconnect with their Clown—the most human, vulnerable, and ridiculous version of themselves. Participants will be guided through a journey of presence, play, and authentic connection, rediscovering the joy of performance through laughter and mischief. “Across cultures, the Clown has always served as a mirror—revealing what is most honest and deeply human in all of us,” says Toomey. “This work is about inviting the audience to laugh with us, at us, and ultimately at themselves.” The workshop schedule is as follows: Friday, May 9: 7:00 – 10:00 PM Saturday, May 10: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM Sunday, May 11: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM   Held on the Shakespeare & Company campus in Lenox, Massachusetts, Clowning For Actors is open to performers of all abilities and backgrounds. Tuition is $395, with discounted rates available for alumni (15%), union members (10%), BIPOC artists, and students ($345). For more information and to apply, visit shakespeare.org or email training@shakespeare.org. Photo Caption: Matt Harper participates in 2023's Clowning for Actors workshop at Shakespeare & Company. Shakespeare & Company has announced its 2025 Summer Shakespeare Intensive, providing actors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the works of Shakespeare during our vibrant summer performance season. The Summer Shakespeare Intensive is modeled after the internationally acclaimed January Month-long Intensive and designed for undergraduate theater students, recent graduates, and early-career acting professionals. This year’s session will take place May 28 – June 22 and run for four weeks, six days a week, offering classes in Linklater Voice Work,  Monologue and Scene Work, Play and Stage Fight, Movement and Dance, the Actor-Audience Relationship, and more. Sheila Bandyopadhyay, director of the Center for Actor Training, explained that participants follow a progression of exercise throughout the program and work on scene studies, culminating in final performances open to company members, family, and friends.  “Our program is unique in scope and personalized attention,” she explained. “The participants train their voices, bodies, and imaginations, and the faculty works to offer each individual the support they need to advance to the next level of their craft.  “Alongside this is the strong community bond that develops between the actors themselves; friendships and professional affiliations that we hope will last a lifetime.”  Tuition is $5,850 and includes double-occupancy housing and breakfast provided each day, A limited number of single rooms may be available for an additional fee. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. For more information and to apply, visit shakespeare.org/actor-training, or email training@shakespeare.org. Photo Caption: Sofonyas Alebachew, at left, and Lidia Callau, right, during the 2024 Summer Shakespeare Intensive, held at Shakespeare & Company's Center for Actor Training in Lenox, Mass. The Shea Theater is delighted to offer their second annual Immersive Summer Theater Program for Kids ages 8-12! *July 7-18 session 1 *July 21- August 1 session 2 *9-3 Monday-Friday *Performance at 2 pm second Friday  *Two week attendance not required to participate  *Cost is $450 with some scholarships available Registration opens at sheatheater.org on February 10. Questions? Please reach out to sheatheaterartscenter@gmail.com Testimonial from last summer:  My child loved the Immersive Theater Camp at the Shea! The theater games were super fun and they loved all aspects of rehearsal and performance for Alice In Wonderland. Atticus and Enzo manage to be both clear and fun Directors, and are doing a wonderful job nurturing the next generation of immersive theater enthusiasts. It was a big highlight of the summer! Each day of the program will be dedicated to creating and rehearsing the immersive theater performance, as well as learning and participating in various acting games and workshops. The performers will rehearse and perform in an immersive theater show based on a fairytale, a Shakespeare play, or a myth. This Immersive approach encourages imagination, collaboration, and creativity while teaching acting and movement techniques in a nurturing and holistic environment. The medium of Immersive Theater is an innovative theater format that allows audience members to wander wherever they wish within a play, finding characters and scenes at their own will in different rooms and spaces. No audience member has the same experience; they all will see different scenes in different locations, piecing together the story as they go. And if being onstage is not for your child, there is lots of backstage creativity  to be invented, too. SESSION ONE-We will perform a theatrical version of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, rewritten by Atticus Belmonte and incorporating themes and elements from various versions of the Oz story. SESSION TWO-We will perform Cinderella, primarily inspired by the Grimm Brothers' Aschenputtel and collaging imagery from other versions and fairytales.  Atticus Belmonte is a 20 year old writer, director, actor, and theater major at Bard College. He is a founder of Patch Productions that he formed with his siblings and several friends taking his immersive theater pieces to the Shea where they have offered several productions. Enzo Belmonte is 17 years old and grew up doing theater, specifically Shakespeare and immersive theater. He has a special skill set in technical theater and will create lights and sound for the show. Registration is now open! Is your creative kiddo ready for a fun-filled summer of channeling their inner wild creature, creating their own fairy tale, and discovering their inner clown? Does your tween or teen enjoy making things up on the spot, working as a team, and creating their own performances? Registration is now open for PIC Kids Summer with options for rising 2nd-9th graders. Younger artists (rising 2nd-5th graders) will adventure through the creative process as they explore theater, movement, visual art, and more. Each week follows a different theme, and all weeks will culminate in a sharing of the young artists' original work on Fridays at 2:30. Keep scrolling for detailed descriptions of each week. JUL 21-25        Growl and Groove JUL 28-AUG 1  Fairy Tale Mashup! AUG 4-8          Theatrical Clown 1 AUG 11-15       Theatrical Clown 2 9am-3pm each day  $350/week Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, 130 Pine St, Florence   Older youth artists (rising 6th-9th graders) will spend each morning playing comedy improv games, and then apply those skills and concepts to the afternoon sessions, working as an ensemble to create (devise) their own original performance. With improv you never know what's going to happen, so these creative kids will be taking risks, laughing, and figure it out as they go! All of this collaborative fun will culminate in a sharing at 2:30pm on the Friday of each session. AUG 4-8       Improvise and Devise 1 AUG 11-15 Improvise and Devise 2​ 9:00am-3:00pm each day  $350/week Bombyx Center for Arts and Equity, 130 Pine St, Florence ​ Learn more and register! Submit your workshop, class, audition, performance, or any other theatre opportunity here! Western Massachusetts Theatre Companies Academy of Music Theatre Amherst Community Theater Arena Civic Theatre A.C.T. Youth Theatre Barrington Stage Company Berkshire Theatre Group Chester Theatre Company CitySpace Completely Ridiculous Productions Drama Studio Double Edge Theatre Easthampton Theater Company Eggtooth Productions Exit 7 Players Ghost Light Theater Great Barrington Public Theater Greenfield Community College's Theater Department Hampshire Shakespeare Company Happier Valley Comedy Hawks and Reed Performing Arts Center Human Agenda Theater Ja'Duke Center for the Performing Arts K and E Theater Group Ko Theater Works/Ko Festival of Performance Majestic Theater Mount Holyoke College Rooke Theatre No Theater Northampton Community Arts Trust Northampton Playwrights Lab PaintBox Theatre Panopera Pauline Productions Performance Project Phantom Sheep Players Play Incubation Collective Plays In Place Real Live Theatre Serious Play Theatre Ensemble Shakespeare & Company  Shakespeare Stage Shea Theater Arts Center Silverthorne Theater Smith College Department of Theatre South Hadley Players Spindrift Theatre St. Michael's Players Starlight's Youth Theatre, Inc. Theater Between Addresses Theatre Guild of Hampden TheatreTruck UMass Department of Theater UMass Theatre Guild Unity House Players Valley Light Opera Valley Players WAM Theatre Ware Community Theatre Westfield Theatre Group Wilbraham United Players Williamstown Theatre Festival World and Eye Want to know even more about events in Western Massachusetts and beyond, including reviews, interviews, and previews? In the Spotlight, Inc. Berkshire on Stage Stagestruck ArtsBeat TV/Radio and News Column Local Theater Critic Max Hartshorne Copyright © 2025 Western Mass Theatre, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you signed up to receive the Western Mass Theatre Newsletter. This newsletter is published weekly on Thursdays and all information about upcoming performances and auditions is reader submitted. The newsletter is limited to information about theatre in Western Massachusetts. unsubscribe from this list    update subscription preferences