Handbill & Callboard:
February Theater Productions and Call for Auditions in Western MA

Support a love for theater with these featured February theater productions in Western MA! A great way to engage in your community while supporting an interest in theater studies.

Performances include community theater at the the Majestic Theater in West Springfield, improve at 121 Club at Eastworks in Easthampton, youth theater at the Drama Studio in Springfield, a new play festival at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center in Pittsfield, and a new playreading series at Smith College Department of Theatre in Northampton! 

MYSTERY/COMMUNITY THEATER
Through February 14
An Inspector Calls. Set in England, An Inspector Calls follows Arthur Birling, a wealthy mill owner and local politician, and his family as they celebrate the engagement of their daughter Sheila to Gerald Croft, son of her father’s chief competitor. The mystery commences when a shadowy stranger arrives announcing himself as a police inspector and begins to interrogate the Birlings about their possible involvement in the death of a young working-class factory girl. As the result of his questioning, each person begins to believe they’ve contributed to her death in some way. But is Inspector Goole truly who he claims to be? Come witness this spellbinding mystery that examines the fascinating study of human nature and society. The performance is presented by The Majestic Theater, 131 Elm Street West Springfield, MA. ($$$)

IMPROV/SOLO THEATER
Tuesday, February 2. 7pm
The Seth Show: A Year to Live. Seth Lepore is a solo artist with a gift for complex character development. In this performance, Seth will hand the microphone over to Emanual Manual, a character with only 4 months left to live. Emanual will amuse audiences with his philosophical approach to death, which is riddled with absurdity and preposterous accuracy. Lepore will challenge himself and his audience anew, creating a framework for the inevitable part of life we all must face. This show also offers a wonderful opportunity for those interested in the craft of writing and character development to see the elements of personality come together in an entertaining and authentic way. Performance will be held at the 121 Club at Eastworks. 413-527-1000. Eastworks Building, 116 Pleasant Street, Suite 121, Easthampton, MA. ($)

YOUTH THEATER/SHORTS
Friday, February 5 & Saturday, February 6 at 7:30pm; Saturday, February 6 at 4pm; Saturday, February 6 at 7:30pm;  Sunday, February 7 at 3pm
Winter Shorts Festival. The Drama Studio is an educational conservatory theater that educates young people on all aspects of theater arts while supporting their individual artistic talents. The Winter Shorts Festival will feature two short plays developed and performed by young actors in the program. The first is Kristin’s Rainbow, an ensemble piece created by faculty member Amelia Hays-Rivest and the members of the 2010 ACT Class. This play tells the story of a young girl who is emotionally numb from her parent’s constant fighting and is unable to respond to the needs of her friends or her younger brother. A mysterious girl arrives and encourages Kristin to experience a “rainbow of emotions,” encouraging Kristin to confront difficult emotions and embrace hope. This play offers an excellent platform for discussing the importance of exploring and honoring our feelings. The second play, On the Chin, was written by Steve Hays and follows the story of two camp counselors who embark on a hike with nine of their campers. As the two try to create a positive bonding experience for their young charges, they must navigate the souring of their own relationship from the previous summer. This play highlights the process of self-discovery and healing emotional wounds. The festival brings together educational themes while also giving audiences the opportunity to witness the developing talents of young theater artists. Performances will be held at the Drama Studio. 413-739-1983. 41 Oakland Street, Springfield, MA. ($$)

NEW PLAY FESTIVAL/CONTEMPORARY
February 11 through Sunday, February 28
10×10 New Play Festival. The Barrington Stage Company is hosting their 5th annual 10×10 New Play Festival, which will feature 10 new ten-minute plays by 10 playwrights. All of the plays are performed by a diverse ensemble of six actors. The festival brings together local playwrights and community audiences, providing not only a platform for writers to showcase their new work, but giving audiences an exciting contemporary theater experience. The production is being presented by the Barrington Stage Company and performances will be held in the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center. 413-236-8888. 36 Linden Street, Pittsfield, MA. ($$$)

CONTEMPORARY/PLAY READING
Thursday, February 18. 7:30pm
Livy in the Garden. The New Playreading Series will present a reading of this contemporary new play by Ellen Kaplan. This story follows Livy who is terrified about giving birth. Watch as Livy steps into a fairy tale world where she encounters wise older women who help her navigate through fear and into the birth rituals of ancient times. The reading will be presented by the Smith College Department of Theatre and will be held in the TV Studio, Smith College, Northampton, MA. (FREE)

Find more theater productions across the regions on our
Theater Bulletin Board!

---

AUDITIONS

AUDITIONS/SPIRITUAL THEATER
Sunday, February 7. 7-10pm
Our Lady of Kibeho. Come be a part of this spiritually uplifting production by Oliver Award-winning playwright Katori Hall. Based on real events, Our Lady of Kibeho takes place in 1981 when a young village girl from Rwanda claims to see the Virgin Mary. Skepticism gives way to fear, faith, and fate, causing upheaval in the school community and beyond. The show will be presented by the Smith College Department of Theatre and auditions will be held in Acting Studio 1, Mendenhall Center for Performing Arts, 122 Green Street, Northampton, MA. (FREE)

Find more theater productions across the regions on our
Theater Bulletin Board!