This weekend: go check out Wizard of Oz at Amherst Community Theatre! Also playing: The Hound of the Baskervilles at the Majestic, Proof presented by Heartbeat Theater at CitySpace and Panopera’s Cinderella at 33 Hawley Street.
The next issue will include events from January 29 - February 18. 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
Jan 22 - 7:30 pm, 1/23 - 7:30 pm, 1/24 - 1:00 AND 7:30 pm, 1/25 - 1:00 pm
Bowker Auditorium, UMass Amherst
Click your heels and follow the Yellow Brick Road to UMass for Amherst Community Theater’s production of The Wizard of Oz! Join the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and Dorothy on their musical journey to the Emerald City. Featuring favorite songs from the MGM film like “Over the Rainbow” and “If I only Had a Brain”, L. Frank Baum’s timeless tale continues to thrill audiences. With dazzling costumes, stunning effects, and a full orchestra, this heartwarming story of friendship and courage will remind everyone that there truly is no place like home. Nine performances at UMass Bowker Auditorium in Amherst, MA running January 15–18 and January 22–25, 2025. Tickets: amherstacts.org/buy-tickets. Questions? Email producer@amherstacts.org.
MAJESTIC THEATER UNLEASHES THE HOUND OF THE BASKERVILLES
JANUARY 22 – FEBRUARY 15
West Springfield’s Majestic Theater will present The Hound of the Baskervilles January 8 through February 15. Written by Stephen Canny and John Nicholson, the play is a fast-paced, hilarious parody of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes mystery.
The plot involves legendary detective Sherlock Holmes and his trusty companion, Dr. Watson’s, investigation into the mysterious death of Sir Charles Baskerville, who is believed to have been killed by a supernatural hound. The comedy features three actors who play multiple roles, with plenty of physical comedy, slapstick and quick costume changes, while bringing the eerie plot to life in a high-energy romp that both spoofs and celebrates the iconic detective story.
Gina Kaufmann will direct the play. Hope Rose Kelly is stage manager, and production assistants are Elie Berman and Michael Garcia. Dawn McKay is costume designer and Dan Rist is lighting designer. Scenic designer is Dana Weintraub, and Ryan Hickey is sound designer.
The cast includes Jack Grigoli (Sir Henry, et al), Jay Sefton (Watson, et al), and Abuzar Farrukh (Holmes, et al). Understudies include Tom Dahl and Gabriel CiFuentes.
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/hound-of-the-baskervilles. 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
Heartbeat Theater PROOF by David Auburn
January 23 and 24 at 7:30pm; January 25 at 2:00pm CitySpace's Blue Room in Old Town Hall
Newly founded Heartbeat Theater announces its inaugural production: Proof, the Pulitzer Prize winning drama by David Auburn. Directed by Jason Rose-Langston, Proof opens January 16 in The Blue Room at CitySpace in Easthampton MA.
Set in the early 2000s, Proof is a commanding exploration of truth, authenticity and the fine line between brilliance and instability. Jumping between past and present, the story centers on the family of a recently deceased mathematical genius. Through moments of profound revelation, deep healing, bitter judgement and good humor, Proof examines how we reconcile grief, question the future and make peace with the legacy left behind.
https://www.heartbeattheater.org/tickets
PanOpera Inc Cinderella
Jan 24, 2026 at 6:00 PM Sunday, 1/25/25 4:00 PM Northampton Center for The Arts, Flex Room, 33 Hawley Street, Northampton, MA
PanOpera is thrilled to present Pauline Viardot's charming adaptation of the classic fairytale, Cinderella. This chamber opera, performed in English with piano accompaniment, will be sure to warm your hearts. Join us for a weekend of magic, romance, and happy endings! I
In keeping with our mission to make great art accessible to all, tickets are pay-what-you-can (minimum $5 donation) with a suggested donation of $20.
Do-Si-Do: Three Improvised Duos!
Saturday, January 24th @7pm
A limited run on the 4th Saturday of the month! Bacon & Eggs... Peanut butter & Jelly... Pam & Scott... Some things are just better together! Experience some of the greatest pairs in history with Do-Si-Do! Each show will feature three fantastic two-person improv shows, followed by all six performers coming together to mix it up and play with everything they created in the first part of the evening. Hosted by the long-running duo We Made A Thing with Happier Valley Comedy's Founder and Artistic Director Pam Victor and Scott Braidman, this month featuring Moe McElligott and Julie Waggoner, and Katharine Daube and Karin Perlman.
A special one-time only collaboration between Happier Valley Comedy and the Northampton Playwrights Lab to raise funds for the Lab's 2026 Play by Play Festival. Featuring HVC performers Pam Victor, Scott Braidman, Maddy Benjamin
at Happier Valley Comedy, 1 Mill Valley Rd just off Route 9, in Hadley Tickets: $20 from www.happiervalley.com
An Improv Show and a Talk Show Walk into a Bar... We interview our special guest live onstage and then launch into a series of completely improvised scenes inspired by their answers! Featuring Maddy Benjamin, Scott Braidman, Sally Ekus, and Pam Victor, with visiting improvisers Will Luera and Gosia Różalska!
Our special guest: Johnny Memphis is a longtime hero of the local music scene with celebrated work as a writer, performer, and WRSI radio host for 21 years! He founded The Johnny Memphis Band in 2012, playing "roots rock ‘n’ roll infused with country, soul, bluegrass, Celtic, swing and blues." Please note that this show is not a musical performance!
Exit 7 Theater Production of Pride and Prejudice: Get your tickets now!
February 6th-22nd with performances on Friday and Saturday at 8pm, and Sunday Matinee at 2pm 37 Chestnut St, Ludlow MA 01056
Jane Austen’s beloved classic novel is brought to fresh, fun new life in Kate Hamill’s adaptation of Pride and Prejudice. There is little hope for the four Bennet sisters beyond “ensnaring” a wealthy future husband, but Lizzy dreams of more than the schemes and games of courtship. A young woman with a bright mind and free-spirit, she is determined to avoid the trappings of a loveless marriage while laughing at the foolish antics of others. When she meets the solemn Mr. Darcy, she immediately judges him to be all that she detests: proud, arrogant, rude and so without civility that she can hardly endure his presence. Lizzy comes to discover, however, that first impressions may not be all that they seem and that she must learn the true characters’ of others before jumping to harsh conclusions. Is there any way to grow past one’s prejudices? Even then, how can two partners ever be sure of their future happiness together? Hamill’s Pride and Prejudice is a delightful, zany, energetic take on the classic tale full of laughter, madcap characters, and heartfelt fun.
Five College Opera presents The Marriage of Figaro
Friday, February 6 at 7:30 PM and Sunday, February 8 at 3:00 PM
Bowker Auditorium, UMass Amherst
The Marriage of Figaro is Mozart’s sparkling comedy of love and class, set during a single chaotic day. When Figaro and Susanna’s wedding plans are jeopardized by Count Almaviva’s entitled advances, a whirlwind of disguises and misunderstandings ensues, culminating in a joyous celebration of wit, compassion, and the triumph of love.
Presented in Italian with projected English supertitles
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!
Online Ticketing closes at 2pm on February 11, 2026
Tickets available at door via cash, check, or Venmo
Doors: 7:30pm
Film: 8pm
John Sheldon’s THE RED GUITAR produced by Serious Play
Film Screening of the Live Performance &
Fundraising Event for SERIOUS PLAY- Wed., Feb. 11
A virtuoso guitarist, a red Stratocaster,
a life in sound.
Now an exquisite film of the live performance.
The Red Guitar struck a perfect chord with audiences in Scotland over two August tours with many a sold-out night. With his apple red Fender Stratocaster in hand and his extraordinary talent, John Sheldon caught the attention of audiences and reviewers alike at the Edinburgh Fringe. From the first appearance of the Stratocaster in the hands of Buddy Merrell (Lawrence Welk Show) and Buddy Holly in the mid-50s paralleling the birth of the hydrogen bomb, John takes his audience on a memory stirring flight with his discoveries and musical advancements through encounters with folk music, blues, cowboy themes, and eventually rock. Crossing paths with the likes of James Taylor (neighbor and collaborator), Van Morrison (joined Van’s band at 17) and Jimi Hendrix (called John ‘a great player’), John has revealing stories to tell in this original and totally unique personal life tale. And don’t make any mistake about John’s musical prowess. He is a master of his guitar craft. He creates a whole world of sound with unbelievable technical skill, a quick inventive musical mind, and some impressive live looping as hands and feet assemble an entire sound score that can stir the musical heart of the most hardened soul.
John's ironclad belief in the power of sound pervades the whole performance, the conviction that music is not just entertainment, but a soul saving enterprise, worthy of the lifelong commitment he has made to it. His technical skill never overwhelms the story- the poignant, the humorous, the moments of connection, of illumination. The journey continues, setting a course to the center of who we truly are: vibration.
Artistic Director, Sheryl Stoodley:
I have collaborated with John on many Serious Play productions over the past 17 years. He does not merely play music, he is music. It is this rare sense of connection and assurance that drives his creative gift.
Serious Play Theatre Ensemblewww.seriousplay.org is based in Northampton, Massachusetts USA, where it was founded over 30 years ago. The company works to create a dynamic integration of theatre, movement and text, and has a history of engagement with ensemble-created scripts that are informed by contemporary issues. Productions have toured to NYC and Boston, and to Athens, London, Edinburgh and to the JoakimInterFest in Kragujevac, Serbia, where its production of the politically charged Milosevic at the Hague, won an international award for “dramatic innovation and theatrical boldness”. Serious Play is a member of NEAP, and an Artist Associate with A.P.E.
AUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
APPLAUSE Auditions Book by Betty Comden & Adolph Green Music by Charles Strouse, Lyrics by Lee Adams.
Male and Female Leads and Ensemble auditions by appointment only Sunday, January 25th and Tuesday, January 27th, Wednesday, January 28th
Easthampton Theater Company is excited to announce auditions in January for the musical Applause, book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green, music by Charles Strouse, and lyrics by Lee Adams. We are seeking talented and dedicated actors of a wide range of ages. All roles are available; none are precast. We strongly encourage actors of all races, ethnicities, and gender identities to audition. Applause is based on the 1950 film All About Eve and the short story on which the movie is based, Mary Orr's "The Wisdom of Eve". The story centers on aging star Margo Channing, who innocently takes a fledgling actress under her wing, unaware that the ruthless Eve is plotting to steal her career and possibly her man. The original 1970 Broadway production was nominated for ten Tony Awards and ultimately won four: the overall production won the Tony Award for Best Musical, Lauren Bacall won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical, and Ron Field won both the Tony Award for Best Direction of a Musical and the Tony Award for Best Choreography.
The show is directed by Manuel Morales and produced by Eva Husson-Stockhamer. Our music director is Evan Kos and our choreographer is Brianna Husson-Stockhamer. Several roles in this production are open to actors of any gender identity. We encourage all performers to audition for the roles that resonate with them. We are conducting auditions by appointment only Sunday, January 25th and Tuesday, January 27th at the Easthampton Congregational Church. Performances will be held at the Williston Theater in Easthampton and are on June 5th* (invited dress,) 7th, 11th, 12th, 13th, and 14th. The readthrough will take place in early March 2025. Rehearsals will start in earnest at the middle of March. All actors will not be called for every rehearsal. However, all actors are required to be available every day during production week, which will start on Monday, June 1st.
...for more audition information, audition form and sign-up link.
If you experience any issues accessing the audition materials (including music, PDF files, or other resources), or if you require any assistance or accommodations to participate in the audition process, please contact us at info@easthamptontheater.com. We are happy to help ensure an accessible and inclusive experience for all participants.
Greenfield Community College THE LARAMIE PROJECT
Auditions Jan 28 & 29 4-7pm, Callbacks Jan 30 4-7pm
Sloan Theater, ground floor South Building, at Greenfield Community College, One College Drive, Greenfield MA 01301
Auditions and Crew Interest for THE LARAMIE PROJECT by Moisés Kaufman, directed by Tom Geha.
Please fill out audition sheet after scanning QR code or clicking link, then attend either Wed, Jan 28 or Thu Jan 29 anytime from 4-7pm where you'll be handed material to read for the audition.
PIC is seeking a Japanese-American actor who reads as in their 30s-50s to play journalist Francis Yamamoto in our first PIC PIPS of the year-"Harry Truman & the Volcano," by Sean Barry. The reading will take place Sun March 1st 6:30-10:00 pm at The Workroom, 33 Hawley St Northampton, MA. There will be 1 development work session (3 hrs) in advance of the reading, to be scheduled between Feb 25th-Feb 28th. Actors will be paid $20/hr for their rehearsal time and the public reading, plus a travel stipend (if needed and we are unable to find someone locally). If you are right for this role or you know someone who is, please fill out or pass along this Google form by January 25th: https://docs.google.com/.../1FAIpQLSeljxPCKFqmDj.../viewform Ideally, we’d love to find someone in Western Mass for this role, but if you have contacts located closer to Boston or Hartford, or other parts of New England within driving distance, we would be open to working with them.
Holyoke Community College Theater Dust: Auditions
Wednesday February 4th 2-5pm Thursday February 5th 2-5pm Leslie Phillips Theater
Auditions Dust By Danielle Mohlman Directed by Fig Lefevre Leslie Phillips Theater Wednesday February 4th 2-5pm Thursday February 5th 2-5pm Auditions will consist of cold readings. Auditioners do not need to prepare monologues. Anyone is welcome to audition. Callbacks if necessary will be held Friday February 6th 2-5pm. Performance dates April 15th-18th 2026 mwhiton@hcc.edu For scripts and more info Fill out an audition form at this link: https://forms.gle/MLakLBtWa7oMXUQ67
facebook.com/hcctheater
Position: Executive Director
With the Academy of Music entering a leadership transition following Debra J’Anthony’s nearly two decades of dedicated executive leadership, the Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the launch of a search for its next Executive Director. This moment represents an exciting opportunity to build on the Academy’s rich history as a municipally-owned, nonprofit-operated historic theater and to lead the organization into its next chapter of artistic vitality, community engagement, and long-term sustainability.
The next Executive Director will serve as the chief steward of one of the nation’s oldest continuously-operating theaters, guiding its artistic, operational, and financial leadership while honoring its deep civic and cultural roots. Working in close partnership with a committed Board, dedicated staff, municipal leaders, artists, and community partners, the Executive Director will balance tradition and innovation while ensuring artistic excellence, broad community access, and financial resilience. This role offers the opportunity to lead a beloved cultural institution at a pivotal moment, shaping a future that is both grounded in history and open to thoughtful evolution.
Reports to
Board of Trustees
Pay Status
Salaried, Full-time, Exempt
Salary range
Starting salary of $120,000
Desired start date
July 1, 2026
Application Deadline
February 27. Early applications are encouraged.
Benefits and PTO
Paid vacation and accrued sick time, partial medical and dental benefits, and access to a 403(b) retirement plan with employer contributions subject to vesting.
Supervises
Director of Finance and Administration, Technical Director, Development and Communications Manager, Education Director, Theater Manager
Schedule and location
The Executive Director is expected to be on site and actively engaged in the life of the theater, with some flexibility for remote work to support balance and focus.
Our Mission
To enrich the Pioneer Valley’s quality of life by offering first-class performing arts and film presentations in a historic theater of national significance. Encouraging the use of the historic stage for social, educational, and professional events, the Academy of Music seeks a broad and diverse audience through its programming and outreach efforts.
Here is a link to the Academy’s Artistic Guidelines
About the Academy of Music
The Academy of Music (“the Academy”) is a historic institution known for its elegant design and rich, storied past. In the late 19th century, Edward H.R. Lyman, a philanthropist and Northampton native, envisioned a new venue for culture and theater in his hometown. On May 23, 1891, the Academy opened its doors to the public for the first time. One year later, Lyman deeded the Academy to the citizens of Northampton, making it the first municipally owned theater in the nation. Located in the heart of downtown, the theater offers a unique platform for local, regional, and national performing artists.
The Academy’s programming falls into four primary categories:
Academy Productions: Producing one to two plays annually, the Valley Voices Story Slam, the Regional Youth Poetry Slam, and special community events.
Academy Presentations: Presenting national touring artists.
Rentals: Hosting local and regional arts organizations and nonprofits, as well as promoters who present national touring acts.
Education Programming: Offering programs for ages 6–19 in dance, show chorus, and musical theatre, including the production of three musical theatre shows annually.
As a nonprofit community-based organization, the Academy participates in downtown events such as First Night, co-produces KidsBestFest with the Northampton Arts Council, ensures affordable rental rates and ticket fees for local arts organizations and patrons, and supports and mentors local arts organizations in creating and staging successful productions.
With significant economic impact on the city and surrounding towns, the Academy is one of downtown Northampton’s leading visitor destinations—not only through total ticket sales, but also through the consistent draw of visiting patrons to Northampton and its more than 100 shops and restaurants.
The Academy has an operating budget of just over $1 million and is governed by ten voting members of the Board of Trustees, with the Mayor of Northampton serving ex officio and the President of Smith College as an honorary board member. In 2023, the current Executive Director informed the Board of her intention to retire after nearly two decades of dedicated leadership. A substantial grant from the Barr-Klarman Massachusetts Arts Initiative supported the development of both a Leadership Transition Plan and a Strategic Plan, ensuring the Academy is well-positioned, well-supported, and thoughtfully prepared as it embarks on this pivotal transition.
About Northampton
Northampton, Massachusetts, is a vibrant small city in the Pioneer Valley known for its historic charm, progressive values, and a strong artistic and intellectual culture shaped in part by the presence of Smith College and neighboring Five College communities. With a population of just under 30,000, Northampton combines the intimacy and accessibility of a walkable downtown with the energy of a regional arts destination, home to galleries, live-music venues, theaters, independent shops, and a year-round calendar of cultural events. The community is highly educated, culturally engaged, and widely known for its LGBTQ+ friendliness and inclusive social fabric, helping create a welcoming environment for residents, artists, and visitors. The city is surrounded by natural beauty, providing outdoor recreation opportunities year-round.
The cost of living remains more approachable than in many metropolitan areas in Massachusetts, contributing to a sustainable quality of life for artists, educators, professionals, and families. This blend of cultural vitality, community engagement, and reasonable livability makes Northampton an ideal location for creative leadership and a thriving performing arts institution.
The Opportunity
The transition in leadership at the Academy creates a rare opportunity for a skilled and mission-driven Executive Director to step into a well-loved institution at a meaningful moment in its evolution. The Academy has been guided for nearly two decades by a deeply committed leader who has extensively restored and updated the theater, strengthened its profile, deepened community trust, and built an organization that is widely recognized as a cultural anchor for Northampton and the Pioneer Valley. With this strong foundation in place, the next Executive Director will inherit a vibrant theater, a passionate board and staff, and a community that cares deeply about the arts. The organization is poised for renewed clarity, thoughtful evolution, and deeper connection to the region’s creative landscape, offering an incoming leader the chance to bring fresh ideas, build collaborative relationships, and steward a beloved historic venue into its next chapter.
For the right candidate, the role invites both meaningful work and visible impact. The Academy’s reputation, stunning venue, and deep community roots provide an inspiring platform for a leader who values public service, artistic excellence, and community engagement. The breadth of the Executive Director’s work — combining artistic vision, community partnerships, fundraising, storytelling, and organizational leadership — will appeal to someone energized by multidimensional roles and community arts settings. The next leader will be welcomed into an environment receptive to new approaches, strengthened internal culture, dedicated volunteers and audiences, and the continued evolution toward a more distributed, collaborative leadership model. This is an ideal role for someone who finds satisfaction in building capacity over time, strengthening systems, and shaping a future vision that reflects both tradition and possibility.
Areas of Focus for the Next Leader
The following focus areas are grounded in stakeholder insight and represent meaningful opportunities for collaboration, thoughtful leadership, and steady organizational development.
Financial Resilience & Long-Term Sustainability - Continue adapting to changing audience trends, explore earned and contributed revenue opportunities, and position the Academy for long-term facility, programmatic, and organizational sustainability.
Organizational Effectiveness & Team Support- Strengthen internal workflows, communication practices, and cross-department coordination while fostering a collaborative, supportive organizational culture that promotes staff confidence, professional growth, and well-being.
Mission, Identity, & Public Voice - Guide shared conversations around mission, identity, and brand expression to ensure the Academy’s public voice clearly reflects its values, aspirations, and role as a community-centered cultural institution.
Community Integration & Strategic Partnerships - Deepen relationships with the City, Five Colleges, local arts organizations, schools, and community partners to expand access, strengthen collaboration, and increase the Academy’s community impact.
Programming Strategy & Governance Partnership - Balance rental, presented, and mission-aligned programming while working closely with the board and staff to ensure strategic alignment, clear roles, and thoughtful long-term planning.
Primary Responsibilities
Artistic Direction, Programming, & Community Engagement
Shape a clear artistic and programming vision that advances the Academy’s mission and strengthens its role as a community-centered cultural hub.
Curate presented and produced events, film, and educational programming in collaboration with internal leaders, promoters, renters, and artistic partners.
Foster relationships across local arts organizations, educational institutions, and civic stakeholders, serving as a visible spokesperson and community ambassador.
Support brand storytelling, audience development, and communications strategies that reflect the Academy’s mission, inclusivity, and artistic profile.
Financial Planning, Fundraising, & Sustainability
Oversee financial planning, budgeting, and performance in partnership with the board, the finance committee, and the Director of Finance and Administration.
Develop and strengthen earned revenue strategies across programming and operations—including ticketed performances, education programs, rentals, and presenting activity—to support long-term financial sustainability, while balancing mission impact and organizational capacity.
In partnership with the board and with the support of the Development and Communications Manager, build meaningful relationships that drive contributed revenue from individual donors, foundations, businesses, and government partners, and steward the Academy’s reputation as a trusted community nonprofit.
Work collaboratively with the City of Northampton on capital planning, facility-related grants, and shared financial oversight connected to building projects.
Organizational Leadership, Culture, & Operations
Support a healthy and collaborative staff culture grounded in communication, professional development, clarity of roles, and shared purpose.
Promote interdepartmental alignment across finance, education, rentals, production, technical operations, audience services, and development.
Steward the historic facility and coordinate with the City and technical leadership on maintenance, capital priorities, infrastructure needs, and operational planning.
Serve as a thought partner and steady collaborator with staff, volunteers, renters, and artists to ensure a positive experience across the Academy’s ecosystem.
Board Partnership & Strategic Alignment
Work closely with the board to advance long-term organizational vision, annual goals, and progress toward strategic priorities.
Provide transparent reporting, financial and program performance insights, and thoughtful recommendations that support informed governance.
Engage the board in fundraising and community relationships while clarifying shared roles and building strong alignment between board and staff leadership.
What We’re Looking For
The ideal Executive Director will be a trusted leader, a skilled communicator, and a visible community presence who embraces the Academy’s mission, history, and civic role. They will bring a balance of artistic literacy, nonprofit management, financial acumen, and genuine enthusiasm for working in partnership with staff, board, artists, local organizations, donors, and municipal leaders. Collaborative and steady in their leadership style, the ED will listen deeply, foster internal alignment, and engage the community with warmth, clarity, and cultural awareness. They will thrive in a multidimensional environment where programming, community engagement, fundraising, storytelling, and organizational stewardship are interconnected.
Required Skills and Prior Experience:
Leadership in the Performing Arts Ecosystem – Significant leadership experience (typically gained over several years and through multiple leadership roles) within a performing arts, presenting, or community arts organization, with fluency in programming cycles, production needs, and the rhythms of a presenting house.
Artistic Literacy & Program Insight – Direct experience with arts programming, event booking, or rentals, and an understanding of how to balance presented work, community programs, and mission-aligned artistic decisions.
Nonprofit Management & Staff Leadership – Experience managing a mid-sized nonprofit, guiding teams, supervising department leaders, and supporting a collaborative and inclusive staff culture.
Community Presence & External Relationships – Passion for serving as a visible ambassador, cultivating strong relationships with municipal partners, mission-aligned organizations, academic institutions, and local businesses to integrate the organization into the cultural and civic fabric of a community.
Industry Representation and Advocacy – Experience serving as a representative and advocate for an organization and its mission area across regional, statewide, and national platforms, including participation in professional associations, conferences, and sector-wide initiatives, and contributing to broader conversations that shape arts funding, policy, and field-wide collaboration.
Facility & Capital Stewardship – Experience leading and coordinating facility, capital, and/or infrastructure projects. Comfort collaborating with municipal partners; an understanding of how historic buildings shape operational needs is a bonus.
Financial & Operational Competence – Skill with budgeting, financial planning, earned and contributed revenue strategies, and operational oversight that supports long-term sustainability and informs effective decision-making.
Fundraising, Grants & Relationship Development – Experience with fundraising across a range of sources, including individual donors, foundations, public funding, and community-based support.
Board Leadership & Collaborative Governance - Track record of cultivating board development, engaging the board in fundraising and community partnerships, and fostering a culture of clarity, accountability, shared vision, and an effective, authentic working relationship between board and staff.
Communication & Collaborative Leadership – Excellent interpersonal and communication skills; ability to listen actively, integrate multiple perspectives, present confidently in public settings, and nurture a workplace culture grounded in trust and shared purpose.
Equity Orientation & Cultural Awareness – A demonstrated commitment to equitable, inclusive, and welcoming practices; experience addressing systemic barriers within organizations and communities; and the ability to engage diverse communities with cultural humility.
Youth Arts and Educational Programming – Experience with youth arts or educational programming is highly desirable, given the Academy’s strong foundation and meaningful potential for future growth and revenue.
Educational or Professional Preparation – A comparable depth of professional experience in organizational leadership in the performing arts; graduate training in arts administration, performing arts, business, or related fields is preferred.
To apply:
The Academy has engaged LJN Advisory to partner with them in hiring for this important role. Please email a cover letter and resume by February 27 to LJN@lornajanenorris.com with “Academy of Music – ED Application”in the subject line. Attach your cover letter and resume as separate PDF files, and include your last name in each file name. Cover lettersshould be responsive to the mission and values of the Academy and to the responsibilities and qualificationslaid out in the full position profile. We will begin reviewing applications right away and encourage candidates to apply early. Each application will be acknowledged and given careful attention.
Inclusivity & Accessibility Statement
The Academy of Music is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status.
We know that no candidate will meet every requirement listed, and encourage you to apply even if you don’t check every box. We recognize that leadership excellence is developed through many pathways and encourage candidates whose experience may not follow a traditional nonprofit or arts leadership trajectory to apply.
If you require any accommodations during the hiring process—such as for scheduling, interview format, or written materials—please let us know. We are committed to making the process accessible, respectful, and welcoming for all.
WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
Tom Roché's Improv Class Mondays 6pm - 7pm & 7pm - 8pm 150 Bridge St, Springfield MA (Hope Center for the Arts)
What You’ll Learn
Foundational improv skills
Intermediate & advanced improv skills
Scene work & character building
Creative risk-taking
Group trust & ensemble strength
Performance mindset
Vulnerability & confidence through play
Price Options
Drop-in: $25
FREE for teens (13–18) from Springfield, Holyoke, Chicopee, and certain Hampden County areas
Tom Roche is Theatre Teacher at Hope Center for the Arts with nearly 2 decades of experience in directing, acting, theatre, improv, stand-up & sketch comedy experience
Sign Up Today! Show Up In Person or Email: RocheCTom@gmail.com
Phone: 413-326-7593 Instagram: @thetomroche
The Foundry Spontaneous Combustion
Jan 28, 2026 at 3:30 PM Wednesdays until March 11 (7 total) The Foundry, West Stockbridge MA
Spontaneous Combustion
2 Months of Improv with Tom Truss
Wednesdays 7PM-9PM (TIME SLOT FULL) *
WEDNESDAYS 3:30PM-5:30PM (AVAILABLE)*
January 28-March 11
If you’re craving connection, want to push a boundary, or are just ready to play- these improv classes are just for you. In this series of seven classes, followed by an optional performance, we’ll focus on building characters, creating stories, and saying yes to ideas and impulses. Tom Truss is a master teacher and facilitator with over 40 years experience leading groups in art making, and theater and dance improvisation. With an MFA in acting and an MFA in choreography he draws on these forms to create whimsical, heart centered and thought provoking work and classes.
CLASS TOTAL- $170 for all 7 Classes
Includes participation in Just Add Water event on March 13!
Community Music School of Springfield CMSS Rocks Broadway- February Break Camp
February 16-20, register b Jan 31! Community Music School of Springfield, 127 State St, Springfield, MA 01103
A musical theater camp for ages 8-18. This camp takes place during the Feb school break. Students will learn show tunes, acting, and performance skills in this high energy weeklong program! We will culminate the program with a Friday performance. Register by Jan 31st to secure your spot!
Introducing PIC Kids April Vacation The World of Clown Instructor: Meem Mattei
You are invited to enter the joy-filled, rule-bending world of the clown! You’ll spend the week playing theater games and exploring movement and costumes with the goal of creating your own unique clown character. All skill levels are welcome, whether or not you’ve done a theatrical clown camp in the past. The skills you develop this week will not only help you become a better performer but will help you celebrate the wonderful uniqueness of your loveable human self.
Have you ever dreamed of being on SNL? Want to work with a group of your peers to write and perform in a series of original sketches? Then The Writers’ Room is the place for you. We’ll eat lunch together and spend the first half of each workshop session in a mock writer’s room, going over comedy essentials and drafting up sketch ideas as a group. Then, we’ll spend the second half of the afternoon on our feet, playing improv games, and exploring the acting components in the sketches we’ve just imagined. The goal is to leave the week with new connections, and several new comedic ideas, in hopes that you’ll be inspired to continue exploring these ideas beyond the workshop.
West Springfield’s Majestic Theater announces a summer apprentice program, seeking to provide emerging artists in the Pioneer Valley and beyond with professional performance experience and educational offerings from industry professionals.
Majestic Theater Apprentices will perform in one or both Majestic Children’s Theater productions. The 2026 season is announced as Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus!: The Musical! and The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical. Additionally, apprentices will have non-performance responsibilities in administration, technical theater, front of house, and/or theater education. Program benefits include educational workshops led by Majestic Theater staff and other industry professionals, and a $250/week stipend. Limited housing may be available. Program runs approximately late June through mid-August.
This program is open to college-aged young professionals, current college students, and recent graduates with a declared major in a related field and/or relevant experience in theater performance. The Majestic Theater welcomes and encourages applications from artists of all genders, races, ethnicities, and backgrounds.
Applications will go live on the website (majestictheater.com/apprentice) February 2, 2026, followed by an interview/callback process for selected artists.
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