Western Mass Theatre
September 11 - October 1, 2025
This weekend: Auditions for The Wizard of Oz! Auditions for Beauty at GCC! And also coming soon: Seeing Violet by Peter Snoad in Ashfield, and a great class for teens interested in acting on camera!
Once at the Majestic runs through mid-October: check out Max Hartshorne's review here.
The next issue will include events from September 18 - October 8. 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
Amherst Community Theatre - Auditions for The Wizard of Oz
September 12-14 at Amherst Regional Middle School
More Information HereTeens on Camera Acting Workshop with Cherrix Casting
October 2-30 at Northampton Center for the Arts
More Information and RegistrationGCC presents auditions for Beauty
September 15 and 16, 4-7pm at the Sloan Theater, GCC
Story and Character Breakdown HerePauline Productions & Devereux Productions present Seeing Violet
September 26-28 at First Congregational Church in Ashfield
Tickets and More InformationYOUR 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 OPENS 28TH SEASON OF PLAYS WITH ONCE SEPTEMBER 11 – OCTOBER 19
West Springfield’s Majestic Theater open its 28th Season of plays with the musical Once, which runs September 4 – October 19. The Majestic Theater is located at 131 Elm Street in West Springfield, MA.
Once, with a book by Enda Walsh, and music and lyrics by Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova, is a modern, heartwarming musical about an Irish street musician and a Czech immigrant who form an unlikely bond over their shared love of music. Set against the backdrop of Dublin, the show captures the magic of creative connection, love, and the healing power of song. With a score that blends folk, pop, and soul, Once features intimate performances that bring out the raw emotions of its characters.
James Warwick will direct the play, with the Majestic’s Producing Director Sue Dziura named stage manager. Michael Garcia is assistant stage manager, and Maggie Hollinbeck is music director. Scenic director is Juliana Von Haubrich, and Dan Rist is lighting designer. Sound design/engineer is Ryan Hickey, and Dawn McKay is costume designer.
The cast includes Nick Anastasia (Guy), Hillary Ekwall (Bank Manager/Dance Captain), Maggie Hollinbeck (Baruska), Chris Cotten (Da), Katy Cotten (Reza), Kate Theis (Girl), Kevin Tracy (Billy), Omar Sandakly (Svec), Patryk Mathieu (Andrej), Michael Devito (Eamon), Violet Falkowski (Emcee), Eliza Wiener (Ex-girlfriend), and Josie Dziura/Jules Magoffin (Ivanka).
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
Shakespeare & Company
MOTHER PLAY: a play in five evictions
through October 5
70 Kemble St, Lenox MA 01240
With a martini in one hand and biting commentary in the other, matriarch Phyllis - headstrong, but resourceful - runs her household with a mix of tough love and theatrical flair, determined to prepare her kids Carl and Martha for the harsh realities of the world whether they like it or not.
As Carl and Martha navigate their own paths, Phyllis remains an ever-present force, doling out brutal honesty, unsolicited wisdom, and the occasional guilt trip with impeccable timing.
Written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Paula Vogel, Mother Play is a sharp-witted, darkly comedic exploration of family, identity, and survival spanning four decades, five apartments, and many hardships from cockroach infestations to painful conflicts. It premiered on Broadway just last year, earning four Tony nominations, two Drama Desk Awards, and an Outer Critics Circle Award.
Tickets and More InformationPerformances of the original play Ismene to take place at The LAVA Center in September
Antigone bade her sister say no more. “Your choice was to live,” she said, “mine to die.” —Antigone, quoted by Edith Hamilton
The LAVA Center and playwright/director Jan Maher are thrilled to announce a special collaboration to present Maher’s play Ismene in mid-September. The project, made possible in part by the Greenfield Local Cultural Council, features Freya Andromeda in the title role and Liza Manchester as Martha.
Fans of the classic Greek tragedies may (or may not) remember Ismene as the sister of Antigone and daughter of Oedipus. Over the course of several plays penned by Greek tragedians, her parents and all three siblings die. But there is no record of Ismene’s death. In Maher’s play she has been wandering the earth looking for resolution. When she meets Martha, a shy, journal-keeping woman, she is finally able to tell her own story in her own terms.
Ismene debuted in Seattle where A. J. Mell in the Seattle Weekly characterized it as “Probing, sensitive, and accessible… rife with lyricism and unexpected humor.” Ken Freehill of Actors Equity Association called it “a brilliant script,” saying he was “thrilled to have been part of the audience.”
Kiersten Samalis, who has acted, directed, stage managed and run tech for LAVA in several projects over the past couple of years is stage manager/assistant director for Ismene.
This production of Ismene is a benefit in conjunction with LAVA’s year-end fundraising campaign. Patrons are invited to make a donation above their sliding scale ticket price ($1–$30) to support LAVA’s mission to keep the vast majority of programming free or donation-based.
Performances are Friday and Saturday, Sept. 12 and 13, 7 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 14, 2 p.m.
To purchase tickets, visit https://www.tixtree.com/o/lava.
Made possible with funding from the Greenfield Local Cultural Council.
For more information or to schedule interviews, contact jan@localaccess.org.
Flip the Script
Saturday, September 13th @7pm
We invite a local playwright to bring an unfinished script to the show; an original work that's never seen the stage. Then we read the character descriptions, cast the show, and launch into its first ever performance. Once we run out of lines, we drop the scripts and improvise the rest of the play while the playwright watches in delight (or horror!) Featuring experienced improvisers Mandy Anderson, Maddy Benjamin, Scott Braidman, Moe McElligott, Laura Patrick, Pam Victor, and Kate Zak. Our playwright for Septmeber is Harley Erdman!
https://www.happiervalley.com/2nd-saturdays.htmlKEVIN: A Solo Performance with Multiple Voices
Written & Performed by Kate Brandt
directed by Talya Kingston
at The Foundry, West Stockbridge, Thursday Sept 18 and Friday Sept 19 at 7:30pm
KEVIN is a comedic solo performance about struggling with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder as a woman and mother. Through the lens of colorful characters, this piece brings levity to an otherwise heavy topic and aims to normalize the complexity of living, surviving and (hopefully) thriving in life, despite having compromised brain chemicals.
FOR MORE INFORMATION AND TICKETS CLICK HERE
PIC will be presenting our 4th annual All Ages Salon and Social at a new location this year- outdoors at The Creation Station at 63 Strong St in Easthampton on Sat Sept 20 from 3-5pm. We're seeking adult and youth performers from all disciplines to sign up for this open-mic style opportunity. If interested in presenting, follow the link below to fill out the form. We will be in touch to confirm your participation.
The All Ages Salon is FREE for all to attend. Adult performers are invited to share 5-7 minutes of original work, while youth performer can share 3-5 minutes. Pieces can be something new and in progress or something you've performed before. The performances will be followed by social time for the artists and audience to get to know each other and explore the beautiful outdoor grounds. Click the link for more information and to sign up as a presenter.If you plan to attend as part of the audience (it's free!), we'd love for you to let us know here!
If you have any questions about the salon, please reach out to rachel@playincubation.org.Not In Charge: Improv Comedy Inspired By True Stories
Saturday, September 20th @7pm
Don't miss this talented group of friends in an improvised show inspired by true stories from the cast! Not In Charge is Mandy Anderson, Maddy Benjamin, Sally Ekus, Julie Waggoner, Jim Young, and Kate Zak.
Tickets and More infoPauline Productions & Devereux Productions
Seeing Violet by Peter Snoad
Sep 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM
9/27 at 2pm & 7pm, 9/28 at 2pm
1st Congregational Church of Ashfield
Pauline and Devereux Productions' Workshop Production of Seeing Violet by Peter Snoad, Directed by Jeannine HaasPlaying One weekend only Sept. 26-28
Betsy and John, a modern couple in New England, are converting the carriage house at their old manse into an apartment. The renovation unearths a manumission paper for a woman named Violet as well as some human remains.
Who was Violet? What happened to her? Why is her freedom paper in the crawl space under the carriage house? And whose remains were found?
When a young woman arrives to rent the apartment, the mysteries begin to unfold in unexpected ways.
As clues to Violet's life are revealed, the lives of the couple begin to intertwine with hers in frightening and surprising ways. They struggle with this new light on their lives and their relationship. Is history simply stories of the past, or is history alive and present in our relationships and choices?
Betsy and John face these questions as they work their way through revelations of family, responsibility, and love.
Pauline and Devereux Productions are excited to bring this new, relevant play to life in their workshop production. Boston Playwright Peter Snoad will be present, along with the Producers, Director, Actors and Audience, for a Post-Show Discussion on Opening Night (Friday) as well as the Saturday and Sunday Matinees.
TICKETS: Seating is limited. Advanced Tickets are recommended
$35 Patron, $25 Regular, $20 Discount, $10 Youth (ages 14-21).
https://theticketing.co/e/seeing-violet, or at Ashfield Hardware or at the Door (cash or check)
WHAT: Seeing Violet by Peter Snoad, Director: Jeannine Haas Featuring: Moe McElligott, Chip Roughton, Sabine Denise Jacques
WHERE: First Congregational Church of Ashfield, 429 Main St. (route 116)
WHEN: Friday, Sept 26 at 7pm, Saturday, Sept 27 at 2pm and 7pm, Sunday, Sept 28 at 2pm
For more information go to www.paulinelive.com
This production was made possible by grants from the Mass Cultural Councils LCC’s of Conway, Ashfield and Goshen.
https://theticketing.co/e/seeing-violetDo-Si-Do: Three Improvised Duos!
Saturday,September 27th @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 Maddy Benjamin and Gabriel CiFuentes, and Sally Ekus and Kate Zak.
https://www.happiervalley.com/do-si-do.htmlAUDITIONS & OPPORTUNITIES
Holyoke Community College Theater
Auditions: The Last Living Gun
By Ryan Stevens
Directed by Cordelia Winter Dwyer
Leslie Phillips Theater
[Fine and Performing Arts Building] 303 Homestead Ave. Holyoke MA 01040
Thursday September 11th 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 September 12th 2-5pm.
Performance dates November 20th-22nd 2025
mwhiton@hcc.edu
For more info Fill out an audition form at this link https://forms.gle/p18oKkezefZYUxNLA
facebook.com/hcctheater/Amherst Community Theater
Auditions for the Wizard of Oz
9/12: 6 pm-9:15 pm, 9/13: 10 am-6:45 pm, 9/14: 10 am-6:45 pm. Callbacks 9/15 6-9 pm
Amherst Regional Middle School, 170 Chestnut St, Amherst, MA 01002.
Amherst Community Theater is pleased to announce auditions for The Wizard of Oz, directed by Stephanie Flinker with Musical Direction by Cindy Naughton and Choreography by Mary Ann Holmes. This multigenerational production features singing, dancing and acting for the whole cast. In addition to the traditional characters, there will be many featured roles for all ages in both Munchkinland and Oz: Harmonic Trees, Dancing Crows, Performing Poppies and more. You might even land a role as a flying monkey! Tappers are encouraged to come and share their skills.
Auditions will take place September 12-14 at the Amherst Regional Middle School, callbacks September 15. Nine performances in January 2025 at Bowker Auditorium, UMass. Children age 7 (and having entered grade 2) through adults are encouraged to audition! For an audition appointment and more information, including character descriptions and audition music, please visit amherstacts.org/auditions or contact producer@amherstacts.org.
https://amherstacts.org/auditions/Majestic Theater
NEW VOICES--Call for Play Submissions
Submission Deadline September 15, 2025
NEW VOICES at the MAJESTIC THEATER
New Voices is the Majestic Theater's new play development program designed to expand opportunities for playwrights and other theater-makers across the Pioneer Valley which includes North Central CT to Southern VT, and to introduce our community to new themes, ideas, and cultures we may not otherwise be familiar with. BIPOC, AAPI, and/or LGBTQIA+ playwrights are strongly encouraged to submit their work.
Two plays will be chosen by a diverse committee of theater professionals affiliated with the Majestic Theater and will go on to have a staged reading in November 2025. After being selected, New Voices playwrights are provided a team of professional artists, including a director and cast, to perform their play on the Majestic mainstage for an audience.
Readings will take place on Monday, November 17, 2025 and Monday, November 24, 2025 Submission Deadline for Playwrights: September 15, 2025
Email submissions to Producing Director, Sue Dziura at sue@majestictheater.comGreenfield Community College Theater Department
Auditions for Fall Production of BEAUTY
Sloan Theater at GCC
Mon, Sep 15 at 4pm-7pm*
Tue, Sep 16 at 4pm-7pm*
Callbacks Wed, Sep 17 at 4pm*
*Plan on attending either Monday OR Tuesday for Auditions, as well as Wednesday for Callbacks. You can arrive anytime during the 3-hour audition time, but arriving closer to the start is better for pairing you with other actors.
https://tinyurl.com/BEAUTY-Characters-Setting
No audition preparation or production experience required. Flexible casting (12 actors total). Casting younger and older actors of all types. Open to all students, faculty, staff, and the surrounding community.Exit 7 Theater
Auditions for Pride and Prejudice!
Sep 29, 2025, 6:00 PM
October 1st, 2025 6-9
37 Chestnut Street 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.
Come audition for this exciting new take on a classic. Auditions will be open to all, and no roles are precast. Casting ages 16+. While we will take walk ins, we encourage you to follow our provided links to sign up for a timed slot in advance. Callbacks will be on October 3rd, by invitation.
https://www.exit7players.org/auditions/pride--prejudice-auditions/
Show Dates: February 6, 7, 8, 13, 14, 15, 20, 21, 22, 2026
Rehearsal Dates: Our read through will be in late October, and we will begin our full rehearsal process in November. We will typically rehearse on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6:00-9:00 and on Sunday afternoons/evenings. Tech Week will be February 1st-5th. There will be no rehearsal on Thanksgiving, or between the dates of December 23rd-January 4th.
Please note that the original version of Kate Hamill’s Pride and Prejudice has actors playing multiple parts. While we intend to separate these roles, we reserve the right to offer actors more than one part.The Mount and Straw Dog Writers Guild Invite Emerging Writers to Apply for the 2026 Writers Residency Hosted at The Mount in Lenox, MA
The Mount, Edith Wharton’s Home, is once again collaborating with Western Massachusetts’ Straw Dog Writers Guild to offer a unique residency experience for nine emerging writers. The residency focuses on writers who are developing their craft in the genres of poetry, fiction, creative nonfiction, and plays. The residencies run weekly from March 1 - March 21, 2026. Three writers will be selected for each week. Residencies include lodging at a neighboring inn, a workspace at The Mount, breakfast, lunch, and a $500 stipend.
Applications opened on September 1 and will close on October 1, 2025, at 5:00 pm, or once 300 applications have been received. 2026 Residents and Finalists will be announced on December 14, 2025. Submissions are reviewed anonymously and ranked based on the following criteria: quality of writing, originality of voice, the potential for growth as a writer, and strength of the statement of purpose.
Who is Eligible: Emerging poets, writers of fiction, or creative nonfiction who have not published a book or chapbook in any genre and will not have a book or chapbook forthcoming before March 1, 2026.
For more information and access to the application form, visit EdithWharton.org or contact writersinresidence@edithwharton.org
MA CULTURAL COUNCIL GRANTS
Applications open as of today and due October 15, 2025.
Check the MCC website and see if your agency is eligible.Stage Manager Opportunity
Easthampton Theater Company's March 2026 Production of Enchanted April.
Detailed Information is available on our web site HERE. T
This position includes a stipend. Rehearsals begin in January, 2026, with a read-through and some workshops in December.
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
JAN 17 & 18 – For Love! For Liberty! 300 miles with Knox's Cannons - Original Musical, Auditions in Oct 6, 2025 at 6 pm!
This original musical features a rebellious middle school history class and a reenactment grandfather and his bored grandchildren who are transformed at the US Park Services’ Springfield Armory when they learn about Henry Knox, the love of his life, Lucy, and his amazing trek from Fort Ticonderoga to Springfield, MA, and then on to Cambridge with 120,000 lbs of cannon in January 1776, a feat that saved the revolution!
Needed: Actors, Singers, Dancers, Reenactors, Ages 10 and up!
Join the MA250 Revolution Celebration!!WORKSHOPS & CLASSES
