Western Mass Theatre News June 12, 2025

Your source for theatre events in Western Massachusetts.

Western Mass Theatre Newsletter View this email in your browser June 12 - July 2, 2025 This weekend: Shear Madness at the Majestic, new play readings at the LAVA Center, Too Fat for China at CitySpace, Within the Glow with Human Agenda Theater, and the opening weekend of The Amateurs at Silverthorne Theater Company. I'll be at a couple of those this weekend - perhaps I'll see you there!  The next issue will include events from June 19 - July 9. 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 Human Agenda Theater presents Within the Glow June 13 and 14 at APE Gallery Tickets and More Information Easthampton Theater Company Youth Theater Weeks July 14-18 and 21-25 at Williston Northampton School  Learn More and Apply Here Easthampton Theater Company Presents Guys and Dolls June 21-29 at Williston Theater in Easthampton Tickets and More Information Silverthorne Theater Company presents The Amateurs June 13-22 at Hampshire College 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 MAJESTIC THEATER PRESENTS ENCORE RUN OF SHEAR MADNESS JUNE 12-22 West Springfield’s Majestic Theater presents an encore performance of Shear Madness, the hit comedy by Paul Portner, June 11-22.  The audience-interactive whodunit was originally staged last fall as the first play in the Majestic’s current season. Acknowledged by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest running non-musical play in American theater history, it ran for over 40 years in Boston.  Set in the Shear Madness hair salon, the story focuses on the mysterious murder of the lady who lives upstairs from the salon.  The Majestic audience gets to match wits with the suspects and a pair of detectives to catch a killer in this interactive solve-the-crime comedy. The play, which drew raves reviews and sold-out crowds last fall, will feature its original cast members including Steve Sands (Tony), Elizabeth Pietrangelo (Barbara), Jack Grigoli (Eddie), Jeff Haffner (Nick), Michael DeVito (Mikey) and Benita Zahn (Mrs. Shubert).  Ms. Zahn will play her role the second week of the run, with Sandra Blaney in the role during the first week.  Bob Lohrmann will direct the show. Tickets to the show range from $35-$38 and can be purchased online, 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 WHAT: On the Boards ’25: a festival of new play readings by (mostly) local playwrights WHEN: every weekend in June:  Friday–Saturday, June 13–14, 7p.m.; Friday–Saturday, June 20–21, 7p.m.; Friday–Saturday, June 27–28, 7p.m.; Sunday, June 29, 3 p.m. WHERE: The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., Greenfield MORE DETAILS The LAVA Center is proud to present our third annual festival of new play readings by (mostly) local playwrights, “On the Boards.” This year’s festival will include new and developmental works by ten Massachusetts-based playwrights and five LAVA friends from further afield. Get a glimpse into the process of making theater, in this festival of readings of new works in several stages of development. On Fridays and Saturdays 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. There’s a different program every weekend, so come out to them all! On Sunday, June 29 there will be a shorter program of table reads, more casual presentations of shorter selections from six plays in development, also followed by talkback sessions. The schedule: Friday–Saturday, June 13–14, 7 p.m.:  “Aananda” by Sasha Aronson, directed by Cynthia Claudio “The Greatest Nation of All Time: A Political Farce and Time Travel Tragedy” by Stephen Fruchtman, directed by Penney Hulten Friday–Saturday, June 20–21, 7 p.m.: “Happy Husband Hunting” by Rex McGregor, directed by Ed Fitzgerald “Tennis Play” by Jeremy Geragotelis, directed by Ezekiel Baskin Friday–Saturday, June 27–28, 7 p.m.: “Jane Austen Ruptured My Spleen” by James Anthony Merolla, directed by Jill Franks “Glaucman’s Syndrome” by Sam Rahman, directed by Glenda Christo Sunday, June 29, 3 p.m. — Playwrights presenting 15-minute slices of their work as table reads for targeted feedback: “The Voice” by Eva Schegulla “Consensuality” by Karina Lutz “Dreamzzz” by Ezra Prior “Muse-aterium” by Deborah Kearney “No Sweat” by Howie Faerstein “Travel Whore: The Backside of International Relations” by Jo-Anne Hart On the Boards ’25 is made possible by grants from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and the local cultural councils of Amherst, Bernardston, Buckland, Conway, Gill, Greenfield, Leyden, Northfield and Shelburne. 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. https://thelavacenter.org  JackMcT Productions Audio Premiere of DEMOCRACY: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL Daily June 1 thru June 21...posted mornings. Email and Facebook Western Mass Composer John Tierney Announces the Audio Premiere of DEMOCRACY: AN AMERICAN MUSICAL On Sunday, June 1st, composer John Tierney will premiere the full audio recording of Democracy: An American Musical, a powerful new work featuring twenty original songs that explore both the promise of American freedom and the urgent threats it faces today. Created to inspire community dialogue, reflection, and meaningful civic engagement, Democracy: An American Musical delivers a timely, non-partisan message: democracy cannot be taken for granted. At a moment when powerful forces are working to transform our representative republic into something more closely resembling an oligarchic autocracy, this musical calls audiences to listen, feel, and act. You are warmly invited to experience the music beginning June 2nd at: https://www.jackmct.com/songsd187cecc Prefer to receive the music by email? Sign up to receive one song each day for twenty days by contacting John at: drjackmct@gmail.com John is currently seeking local community theater groups interested in co-producing Democracy: An American Musical royalty-free. To learn more, visit. jackmct.com CitySpace Too Fat For China: A Comic Look at the Agony of Adoption Jun 13, 2025 at 7:30 PM 43 Main Street, Easthampton, MA 01027 Too Fat for China  Recommended Age: 13+  June 13 | Doors: 7:00pm | Show: 7:30pm  Written, drawn and performed by Phoebe Potts  TOO FAT FOR CHINA follows Phoebe Potts, comic storyteller and professional Jew, as she tries, fails and eventually succeeds to adopt a baby.  After a US adoption goes horribly wrong, Potts finds herself surprised, disgusted and ultimately resigned to the role she plays as a middle class white lady in the business of adopting babies in the US and internationally. Potts’ tragicomic journey is about looking for more, more love, more life and more family and will do anything to get it, including having her morals and values fold in on themselves.  Potts comes to the stage armed with a larger than life hand cranked scroll of her own comic strips featuring the newsreel in her head. After a wave of sold out performances at Gloucester Stage Company, The Modern Theatre of Suffolk, and Watertown’s Mosesian Center for the Arts, Phoebe made her way to the Historic Fringe Festival of Scotland where Too Fat received stellar reviews for it’s 15 performances.  Phoebe recently took Too Fat for China to the United Solo Show Festival on Broadway in NYC where it won “Best Storytelling Show” for 2023. https://www.cityspaceeasthampton.org/all-events/#/events/140867 Human Agenda Theater Within the Glow - Original Theatrical Production June 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM June 14th at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. A.P.E. Ltd. Gallery, 126 Main Street, Northampton, MA 01060 Join Human Agenda Theater on June 13th and 14th for a show about gatherings. This troupe of traveling troubadours tells tales of times of togetherness, the challenges that make it hard to find community, and why our gatherings are still so important. Come join our tent for a weird, funny, and joyous time together. Prometheus himself recommends you attend. Hope to see you there! https://www.eventbrite.com/o/human-agenda-theater-109931101531 Silverthorne Theater Company The Amateurs 6/13, 6/14, 6/19, 6/20, 6/21 @ 7:30 PM; 6/14, 6/15, 6/22 @ 2:00 PM Emily Dickinson Hall, Hampshire College, 893 West St, Amherst, MA Silverthorne Theater Company presents the first mainstage production of our 2025 summer season, Jordan Harrison's The Amateurs, directed by Gina Kaufmann.  In this surprising comedy, a rag-tag theater troupe races across medieval Europe, struggling to outrun the Black Death. Their performances of crowd-pleasers such as “The Seven Deadly Sins” and “Noah’s Flood” are juxtaposed with complicated friendships, surprising sexual attractions, and status games. The Amateurs examines the value of art and creativity in the face of an epic crisis.  Starring Ryan Caster, Sabine Denise Jacques, Caleb Koval, Sam Samuels*, Mayte Sarmiento, and Patrick Toole, with designs by Carl Bridge (masks), Jensen Glick (costumes), Sabrina Hamilton (lights), Samuel Perry (sound), Alina Tschumakow (props), and Juliana von Haubrich (scenic). stcamateurs.eventbrite.com Our season is made possible by the generous support of the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, our sponsors, including Greenfield Cooperative Bank, Florence Bank, and Greenfield Savings Bank, 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. Chester Theatre Company Magdalene The show times and dates are as follows: 6/19 at 2pm; 6/20 at 7:30 pm; 6/21 at 2pm and 7:30 pm; 6/22 at 2pm; 6/25 at 2pm; 6/26 at 2pm and 7:30 pm; 6/27 at 7:30 pm; 6/28 at 2pm and 7:30 pm; 6/29 at 2pm Chester Theatre Company, 15 Middlefield Road, Chester MA 01011 In this newest play by Mark St Germain, eighteen years after the death of Christ, Peter seeks out Mary Magdalene, whom he banished after the crucifixion. Peter needs an ally against a self-proclaimed Apostle angling for power in the growing church. In Magdalene, the author of Freud’s Last Session and Becoming Dr. Ruth offers a startling new look at two historical figures and the clash that impacts the course of Christianity. Tickets and More Information Don't forget to check out the rest of our 2025 summer season!  Magdalene June 19-29  A Hundred Words for Snow July 3-13  A Case for the Existence of God July 24-August 3  Mr Joy August 7-17 Next Open Stage to take place at The LAVA Center Thursday, June 19 WHAT: Open Stage @ LAVA WHEN: every 3rd Thursday, 6:30 p.m. signups and 7 p.m. showtime; next one Thursday, June 19 WHERE: The LAVA Center, 324 Main St., Greenfield Website Facebook The LAVA Center is proud to present a performance series, the Open Stage, which 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. 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. Shakespeare & Company World Premiere: Lawrence Goodman’s The Victim Jun 19, 2025 at 7:00 PM 70 Kemble St The World Premiere of The Victim by Lawrence Goodman runs through July 21 at Shakespeare & Company. Three women, three interconnected monologues: a successful New York doctor (Stephanie Clayman) whose racial diversity training has gone horribly wrong. A health aide grappling with racism during the COVID-19 pandemic (Yvette King). A Holocaust survivor (Annette Miller), facing her own horror and finding her way back to love and healing. Who gets to call herself a victim? Who is the perpetrator? Staged at Shakespeare & Company in 2024 as a reading in the Plays in Process series, The Victim is about identity, our blindness to others, and the human capacity for cruelty and compassion. Tickets and More Information Valley Players A Walk in the Woods June 20-22 and June 27-28 at 7pm. June 29 at 2:30pm. First Congregational Church, 165 Main Street, Amherst, MA Valley Players will present Lee Blessing’s timely play "A Walk in the Woods", June 20–29, at the First Congregational Church in Amherst (165 Main Street). The show goes up at 7:00pm on June 20–22 and June 27–28 and at 2:30pm on June 29. Tickets are on a pay-what-you-can scale starting at $15 and are available at www.valleyplayers.org.  In keeping with Valley Players’ mission to support the community through community theater, half of net ticket revenue will be donated to the Amherst-based Peace Development Fund. Since 1981, the Peace Development Fund has worked to build the capacity of community-based organizations through grants, training, and other resources as partners in human rights and social justice movements, encouraging the development of diverse, self-sustaining, and economically viable communities to build a peaceful, just, and equitable world.  Praised by New York Magazine as “a minor miracle,” Time as “a work of passion and power,” and Drama-Logue as both “a marvelous piece of theater” and “a great treatise on the nature of mankind,” "A Walk in the Woods" follows the evolution of the personal and professional relationship between two nuclear disarmament negotiators—a Russian and an American—who meet informally in the woods outside Geneva over the course of a particularly tense year. Set in the waning days of the Cold War, Blessing’s play is a witty and moving exploration of conflict and coexistence, dialogue and diplomacy, and the critical role that making connections plays on the path to peace.  Valley Players’ production of "A Walk in the Woods" features Chip Roughton as American negotiator John Honeyman and Anthony Ferreira as Soviet negotiator Andrey Botvinnik and is directed and produced by Matteo Pangallo. https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/a-walk-in-the-woods Seating is limited, so reservations are strongly encouraged. A reservation will guarantee admission, but seating is on a first-come, first-seated basis and doors open for seating 30 minutes before curtain. The play runs approximately 2 hours, inclusive of a 15-minute intermission.  The mission of Valley Players is to enrich the quality of life in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts by producing nimble, meaningful, and accessible community theater. Valley Players is a volunteer-run 501(c)3 nonprofit that relies on the contributions of donors and business sponsors. To donate or become a business sponsor, join Valley Players’ contact list, or find more information about the group, visit www.valleyplayers.org. Easthampton Theater Company Presents Guys and Dolls! ...a musical fable of Broadway. Get your tickets now - good seats are filling fast. June 21-29, 2025 Williston Theater, Easthampton Directed by Eva-Husson Stockhamer Musical Direction by Deb Salli Produced by Michael O. Budnick Purchase Tickets Here! Guys and Dolls is a classic musical romantic comedy involving the unlikeliest of Manhattan pairings: a high-rolling gambler and a puritanical missionary, a showgirl dreaming of the straight-and-narrow and a crap game manager who is anything but. Guys and Dolls features some of Frank Loesser’s most memorable tunes, including the hilarious “Adelaide’s Lament,” the romantic “I’ve Never Been in Love Before,” the exuberant “If I Were a Bell,” and the classic “Luck Be a Lady.” Easthampton Theater Company will present this fully staged show with a live band and some of the finest acting, singing and dancing talent in the region! OUR TICKETING SITE IS LOCATED HERE More information about the company is available at our website at easthamptontheater.com. You can also visit our facebook page at the link below: facebook.com/easthamptontheatercompany ETHEL the Barn is thrilled to announce the radical production of White Rabbit Red Rabbit This global sensation by Iranian playwright Nassim Soleimanpour explores the restrictions, censorship and denial of individual choice faced under a harsh regime. A theater experience like no other. At each performance, a different actor will step onto the stage and be handed a script they’ve never seen before. No rehearsal, no director. On Saturday, June 21 at 7 pm, our first actor will be: Craig Pinder (London productions of Les Miz, Fiddler on the Roof, Royal Shakespeare Company) On Sunday, June 22 at 4 pm, our second actor will be Broadway veteran: John Hickok (Aida, Parade, Little Women) Come to one (or both!!) Suggested donation $20 All money collected will go to one or all of the following: The author Nassim Soleimanpour Valley to Valley (a collaboation between Climate Now of Western Mass and Association for the Production of Renewable Energy of Ecuador) Palestinian playwright, actor and activist Nabeel AlRaee Reserve Seat(s) JAY SEFTON’S AWARD-WINNING SOLO-PLAY “UNRECONCILED” PLAYS WEST SPRINGFIELD’S MAJESTIC THEATER FOR THREE SHOWS ONLY ON JUNE 26–27 The award-winning Unreconciled, based on the true story of an adolescent actor cast as Jesus in a school play directed by a parish priest later named in a grand jury report, plays the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, for three performances only on June 26 at 2PM and 7:30PM, and June 27, at 7:30PM. Co-written by Jay Sefton and Mark Basquill, and performed by Sefton, Unreconciled is directed by Geraldine Hughes.  Unreconciled takes audiences on a magic carpet ride through parental love and bewilderment during difficult times in this moving portrait of working-class life in a whiskey-drenched, sports-crazed suburb of Philadelphia in the 1980s. This 80-minute solo performance chronicles a survivor’s journey as he confronts his past, navigates a victims’ reparations program set up by the Catholic Church, and discovers the courage to use his voice.  Just back from a highly acclaimed run in Los Angeles, Unreconciled was recently named an official selection for opening weekend at the Belfast International Arts Festival in October 2025. The show had its world premiere at Chester Theatre Company in 2024 and won the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association awards for Outstanding Solo Performance, Outstanding World Premiere of a Play, and was nominated for Outstanding Production of a Play. It has since played in Belfast, Ireland, New York City, Wilmington, NC, Philadelphia, and Los Angeles, where it was named Stage Raw Magazine’s “Top Ten Recommended Picks.”  Unreconciled opened the 2025 season at Bare Bones Productions in Pittsburgh, and will be performed at the SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) National Conference in Harrisburg, PA in July.  There will be talkback discussions following each of the three shows.  The participants include Martin (Marty) Baron, former editor of The Boston Globe, during whose tenure the Globe won six Pulitzer Prizes, including for its investigation into the Catholic Church’s concealment of clergy sex abuse. That coverage was portrayed in the Academy Award-winning movie Spotlight. The talkback schedule is as follows: Thursday, June 26 at 2:00 p.m.—Len and Joyce Berkman and Jay Sefton, moderated by Melenie Freedom Flynn  Thursday, June 26 at 730 p.m.— Marty Baron and Jay Sefton, moderated by Dave Madsen Friday, June 27 at 7:30 p.m.— Skip Shea, Nancy Eve Cohen, and Jay Sefton, moderated by Dave Madsen (Click here for full bios of the panel guests) For a production history of Unreconciled, biographies of its creative team, reviews, upcoming tour dates, and information on the Unreconciled Project, visit the website at unreconciledtheplay.com.  Tickets for all performances of Unreconciled are available at The Majestic Theater, 413-747-7797 or majestictheater.com/unreconciled.  Shakespeare & Company Shake It Up: A Shakespeare Cabaret July 1, 2025 at 7:00 PM July 6  70 Kemble St, Lenox MA 01240 A celebration of Shakespeare-influenced music, text, and storytelling for those both new to or familiar with Shakespeare, this devised production was co-created by Jacob Ming-Trent and Shakespeare & Company’s Artistic Director Allyn Burrows. It transforms the playhouse into an upscale club, complete with cafe tables, signature cocktails, and chandeliers. Ming-Trent features as both an actor and musician in Shake It Up, while Burrows directs.  “Shakespeare was the original rock and roller,” said Burrows. “Or if he wasn’t, his friends certainly were. Just as music washes over the landscape, Shakespeare’s poetry permeates our lives in ways we may not even be aware of. “Mashing Shakespeare’s words and songs that they influenced can create an alchemy worth exploring,” he continued, “and stir up a lot of fun in the process.” https://shakespeare.org/shows/2024/shake-it-up-a-shakespeare-cabaret-2/   AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES Smith College Department of Theatre is clearing out the prop storage this summer! If you are interested in some of the things we will be getting rid of (frames, baskets, books, bottles to start with but more as we go...) reach out to set up an appointment to look. Contact Amy Putnam at aputnam04@smith.edu to set up an appointment.  MAJESTIC THEATER ANNOUNCES AUDITION SCHEDULE FOR 2025-2026 SEASON Auditions for both Equity and non-Equity performers for roles in the upcoming 2025-2026 Season at the Majestic Theater will be held in late June/early July, according to Producing Director Danny Eaton.  This will be the 28th Season of performances since the venue was re-opened for live theater in March 1997. Auditions will be held at the Majestic Theater in West Springfield on the following dates: Tuesday, June 24 – 10am-1pm & 2pm-6pm (Equity Principal Actors only) Wednesday, June 25 - 10am-1pm & 2pm-6pm (Equity Principal Actors only) Monday, June 30 – 6pm-11pm (Non-Equity Actors & Equity Drop-in) Tuesday, July 1 - 6pm-11pm (Non-Equity Actors & Equity Drop-in) Wednesday, July 2 - 6pm-11pm (Non-Equity Actors & Equity Drop-in) Equity Principal Actors and Non-Equity Actors will need to schedule their in-person auditions at the Majestic during the allocated times.  To book an audition time online, performers must visit https://www.majestictheater.com/auditions. All auditioners will read from sides (lines from a scene) provided by the theater. If you have not previously auditioned for the Majestic Theater, please also prepare a brief (one-minute) contemporary monologue. Monologues may be skipped due to time constraints. An accompanist will be provided on June 24 and 25 only. All others should bring tracks; a bluetooth speaker will be available. For questions about scheduling please contact Sue Dziura, Producing Director at sue@majestictheater.com. Actors will be auditioned for parts in the following productions: Once (musical), which runs September 4 – October 19, 2025, Steel Magnolias, which runs October 23 – November 30, 2025, The Hound of the Baskervilles, which runs January 8 – February 15, 2026, Dear Jack, Dear Louise, which runs February 26 – April 4, 2026, and Come From Away (musical), which runs from April 16 – May 31, 2026. Valley Players seeks play submissions for Take Ten, a staged reading showcase of new plays celebrating the Valley’s rich and diverse local writing talent. Take Ten will feature five brand new 10-minute plays written by Valley playwrights, chosen by leaders of the Valley theater community, directed by five Valley directors, and featuring a cast of Valley actors. Half of net ticket sales from the staged reading evening in October will be donated to The Literacy Project to support their work serving education and literacy needs across western Massachusetts. Playwrights seeking to submit a play for consideration must live in Franklin, Hampshire, or Hampden County and only one submission per person will be considered. Plays must be no more than 10-12 pages, feature a cast of no more than three actors, and have not been performed, published, or received a public reading.  There is no entry fee and no limitation on the topic, style, or genre of the play. Playwrights whose work is chosen will receive a cash honorarium in addition to the staged reading. Additional rules and instructions are available at www.valleyplayers.org. Submissions must be received by email to info@valleyplayers.org no later than July 31, 2025. The mission of Valley Players is to enrich the quality of life in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts by producing nimble, meaningful, and accessible community theater. Valley Players is a volunteer-run 501(c)3 nonprofit that relies on the contributions of donors and business sponsors. To donate or become a business sponsor, join Valley Players’ contact list, or find more information about the group, visit www.valleyplayers.org. Salmon Falls Climate Action Performances Oct 14, 2025 porches of Shelburne Falls and Memorial Hall in Shelburne Falls We are looking for directors and actors for three performances in October/November of about 12 five-minute climate related plays in Shelburne Falls. They are moving, surprising, and, at times, funny. It's part of the Climate Change Theater Action. We can choose from 60 skits written by people from all over the world. shelburnejackieb@gmail.com WORKSHOPS & CLASSES 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: 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). 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. A Weekend, Laboratory Workshop for Performers, Creators, and Shakespeare Enthusiasts Shakespeare & Company invites actors, directors, physical theater artists, and Shakespeare lovers to take part in Devising Shakespeare: Creating New Work From Old Wit, a dynamic, weekend-long laboratory workshop led by Director of Training Sheila Bandyopadhyay from Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13, at the Shakespeare & Company campus in the Berkshires. This hands-on workshop offers participants a concentrated opportunity to explore Shakespeare’s language through movement, ensemble work, and theatrical creation. Drawing on her background as a seasoned theater devisor and former Head of the Dell’Arte International Physical Theatre Program, Bandyopadhyay will guide participants through techniques for deconstructing and reinventing Shakespearean text, transforming it into bold new work. “A lot of theatre artists are interested in how to make something new from something classic,” said Bandyopadhyay. “This workshop is a way to gain skills, explore new creative territory as well as use text as a springboard for physical image and action.” Participants will form a temporary ensemble to experiment with physical storytelling, textual analysis, and devised creation. The weekend will culminate in a casual showcase of works-in-progress, open to friends, family, and the public. No prior devising experience is required, but an interest in physical performance is strongly recommended. Workshop Schedule: Friday, July 11 – 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, July 12 – 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday, July 13 – 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuition is $375, with discounts available for artists of the Global Majority. Additional discounts are available for alumni (15%) and union members (10%). A limited number of on-campus housing spots are available at $75 per night, offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Housing includes private bedrooms with shared kitchen, bathroom, and living spaces.  Learn more at shakespeare.org/actor-training or email training@shakespeare.org. About Shakespeare & Company’s Center for Actor Training The aesthetic of Shakespeare & Company was devised by Founding Artistic Director Tina Packer, Founding Director of Training Kristin Linklater, and a cadre of expert teachers. The Center for Actor Training’s approach is continually investigated, redefined, and reinvigorated, and welcomes actors, directors, writers, and teachers worldwide to work with the Company’s faculty.   Photo Caption: Shakespeare & Company has announced a weekend-long devising laboratory workshop led by Director of Training Sheila Bandyopadhyay from Friday, July 11 through Sunday, July 13, at the Shakespeare & Company campus in the Berkshires. SUMMER NIGHTS YOUTH THEATER Now taking applications for our second annual FREE program for ages 12-17 In Easthampton, MA on the campus of Williston-Northampton School July 14-18 and July 21-25 Go to easthamptontheater.com for more information and check out our flyer.   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! Summer Theater Workshops August 4-8, 8:30am-4:30pm 33 Hawley Street, Northampton MA This is a one week process-focused theater workshop that is tailored to the group's interest and skills. Ages 7-12 will explore storytelling, group work, improvisation, how to stage a theater production, and building social-emotional skills. Ages 15-18 will focus on monologues, partnered scene work, and how to create a character. Both groups perform for family and friends at the end of the week. Ages 7-12 is full day and Ages 15-18 is half day. https://www.nohoarts.org/theatre-and-film 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