The Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts, encompassing areas such as Amherst, Hadley, Greenfield, and Northampton, offers a diverse array of theatre and performing arts events during the summer of 2019. Programming ranges from professional productions and comedy shows to workshops and youth circus performances. Additionally, specific opportunities for playwrights and theatre professionals are available, including a visiting artist position at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Professional Theatre Productions
Several theatre companies in the region are presenting professional productions featuring members of the Actors Equity Association and experienced theatre artists.
Chester Theatre Company
Located at the Town Hall Theatre in Chester, Massachusetts, the Chester Theatre Company has scheduled the following productions for July 2019:
Now Circa Then by Carly Mensch
- Dates: July 4 through July 14.
- Showtimes: Thursdays at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; Fridays at 8:00 PM; Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; Sundays at 2:00 PM.
- Synopsis: The production explores a budding romance between two young historical reenactors who become entwined with the lives of the immigrant couple they portray at a New York tenement museum.
The Night Alive by Conor McPherson
- Dates: June 27 through June 30.
- Showtimes: Thursdays at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; Fridays at 8:00 PM; Saturdays at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM; Sundays at 2:00 PM.
- Synopsis: Set in Dublin, the play follows Tommy, who saves a young woman from a beating. The event leads to complications and potential positive changes in the lives of Tommy and his housemates.
Silverthorne
Silverthorne, described as the Upper Pioneer Valley’s only small professional company, is the resident company at the Hawks & Reed Performing Arts Center in Greenfield’s Cultural District.
- The Fantasticks
- Cast: The production features members of the Actors Equity Association, including Stephanie Carlson (Easthampton) as Hucklebee, Autumn Tustin (Northampton) as Bellamy, John Reese (Greenfield) as Henry (The Old Actor), David Cavallin (West Springfield) as Mortimer, and Madeline Bolles Oldenberg (Colrain) as The Mute.
- Production Staff: Sharon Weyer (Northfield) serves as stage manager; Hannah Trobaugh designs the sets; John Iverson (Bernardston) is the Tech Director and Fight Choreographer; Jazmine Carroll (Keene, NH) handles costume design; and Molly Fletcher Lynch provides choreography. Rebecca Daniels is the producer.
- Ticket Information: Tickets are available at Eventbrite.com (search for "Fantasticks") or by calling 413-768-7514. Credit cards are accepted at the door or over the phone.
Ko Festival of Performance
Held at Holden Theater, Amherst College, the Ko Festival of Performance presents the following:
THE LAST RAT OF THERESIENSTADT
- Dates and Times: July 5 and 6 at 8:00 PM; July 7 at 4:00 PM.
- Personnel: Hilary Chaplain (Lead Writer/Performer/Deviser), Nancy Smithner (Director/Deviser), Ariel Lauryn and Mindy Escobar-Leanse (Puppeteers/Makers/Devisers), Sergei Dreznin (Composer/Musician), Sabrina Hamilton (Lighting Design), Judy Gailen (Scenic Design), and Stephen Ringold (Dramaturg).
- Synopsis: The show features Sofia Brünn, a Weimar cabaret star from 1930s Berlin, who is transplanted to the Theresienstadt concentration camp. She forms a friendship with Pavel, a rat puppet. The performance explores themes of resistance, hope, and the necessity of nourishing the soul.
OK, OK
- Synopsis: This performance, developed during a 2018 Ko Festival Rehearsal Residency, weaves personal biography and civic narrative. It is described as "hilarious, heartbreaking and informative" regarding the truths and untruths of the country.
- Running Time: Approximately 85 minutes.
- Suitability: Ages 12 and up.
Comedy and Improv
Happier Valley Comedy hosts events at the Happier Valley Comedy Theater, located at 1 Mill Rd (Route 9), Hadley, MA.
The Majesters
- Date: June 29 at 7:00 PM.
- Description: West Springfield's musical improv sensation kicks off their summer season. Following the show, there is a 9:00 PM showcase and open improv jam.
- Tickets: $13 online and at the door.
The Ha-Ha's & Friends: Axolotl
- Date: July 13 at 7:00 PM.
- Description: Local favorites The Ha-Ha's perform alongside special guests from Boston Axolotl.
- Tickets: $13 online and at the door.
- Info: www.happiervalley.com.
Workshops and Development Projects
"What We See" Theater Works
A.P.E. @ Hawley is launching "What We See," a month-long project running from July 7 to August 4, 2019, at 33 Hawley Street and SCDT. The project supports five theater works in development by providing a week of time and space in flexible performance venues. Public showings will occur at the end of each week.
Real Live Theatre
Located at 45 Amherst Road, Sunderland, MA, Real Live Theatre is presenting a workshop:
- Choreographing Intimacy: A One-Day Intensive
- Date: August 17 at 10:00 AM.
- Focus: This intensive is for all theatre practitioners. It addresses "Intimacy Choreography," a practice designed to protect actors from unsafe working conditions and blurred boundaries. The workshop emphasizes the importance of this practice for the mental, physical, and emotional health of actors and for the quality of the audience experience.
Toy Theater Workshop
While specific dates are not provided in the source material, a workshop is described that focuses on constructing a toy theater stage, scenery, and figures to create a multi-scene story. Participants will learn to use Toy Theater as a teaching tool in schools and community programs. The workshop encourages exploring various subject matter, such as songs, poems, or news items, to tell stories using simple means.
Youth Circus
Circus Smirkus Big Top Tour is coming to Northampton, presented by North Star.
- Show: "Carnival"
- Dates: July 9 and 10.
- Times: 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM.
- Location: Three County Fairgrounds, 113 Old Ferry Rd, Northampton, MA (Gate 4).
- Description: New England's premier traveling youth circus presents a lineup of acrobats, clowns, jugglers, and wire-walkers.
Employment and Submission Opportunities
Visiting Artist in Playwriting/Lecturer Position
The Department of Theater at the University of Massachusetts Amherst is seeking applications for a full-time, non-tenure-track lecturer position.
- Focus: African American Theater and Playwriting/Playmaking.
- Appointment: Spring semester initial appointment with the possibility of renewal for an additional year, beginning January 15, 2020.
- Requirements: Experience in playwriting/playmaking and African American theater/cultural production; a demonstrated record of professional theater experience at the national level.
- Responsibilities: Teaching undergraduate and graduate MFA-level courses in playwriting/playmaking and African American theater; interacting with the Department’s multicultural curriculum and public outreach initiatives.
Ko Festival of Performance Submissions
The Ko Festival of Performance accepts script submissions for its festival.
- Compensation: A small royalty is paid.
- Eligibility: This is not a workshop opportunity. Submissions must be finished scripts, not works-in-progress.
- Submission Protocol:
- Electronically, in PDF format.
- Filename should be the title of the play (or a reasonable abbreviation).
- Include a title page and character descriptions.
- Number the pages.
- Submissions not meeting these criteria will not be considered.
- Playwrights may submit more than one script, provided guidelines are met.
Conclusion
The provided source material details a variety of theatre and performing arts events and opportunities in the Pioneer Valley region of Massachusetts for the summer of 2019. The information includes professional productions by Chester Theatre Company and Silverthorne, comedy shows by Happier Valley Comedy, and unique performances such as "THE LAST RAT OF THERESIENSTADT" at Ko Festival of Performance. Additionally, educational workshops, youth circus events, and professional opportunities such as a visiting artist position at UMass Amherst and script submission calls are outlined. All information is based on the specific dates, locations, and personnel listed in the source text.