<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:right" align="right"><b>FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE</b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:right" align="right">Contact:
Kristen van Ginhoven</p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:right" align="right"><a href="http://www.wamtheatre.com" target="_blank">www.wamtheatre.com</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:right" align="right"><a href="tel:518%20243%209627" value="+15182439627" target="_blank">518 243 9627</a></p>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:right" align="right"><a href="mailto:kristen@wamtheatre.com" target="_blank">kristen@wamtheatre.com</a></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:right" align="right">Photo at: <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/wamtheatre/7532855314/in/photostream" target="_blank">http://www.flickr.com/photos/wamtheatre/7532855314/in/photostream</a><br>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in;text-align:center" align="center"><b><span>WAM Theatre
welcomes Ashley Berridge as new Board President</span></b></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in"><span>PITTSFIELD,
MA (09-07-12)- WAM Theatre is delighted to announce Ashley Berridge as WAM’s
new Board President. <span> </span>She takes
over from Nick Webb, who served as WAM’s President of the Board since it’s
founding in 2009.</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in"><span>Berridge states “I am thrilled to come
on board as president for WAM Theatre at a time when the organization is poised
for real growth. It is a particular source of pride for me to be a part
of an organization that has remained fiscally responsible its first 3 years in
existence, a true feat in the non-profit arts arena. I look forward to
helping Kristen to grow the board and take WAM to the next level as an
established and well-respected professional theatre organization in the
Berkshires. “ </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in"><span>Kristen van Ginhoven, Artistic Director
of WAM Theatre says, ‘We are excited to have Ashley as our new President. Her passion
for the theatre and creating opportunity for women and girls, her non-profit
and fundraising experience and her event expertise make her a perfect fit for
WAM. We are grateful to Nick Webb for his service as our inaugural President.
His work ensured we launched successfully, built an engaged board of directors
and developed a loyal community of supporters. We look forward to working with
Ashley and the rest of the growing board to increase WAM’s impact and ability
to create theatre for everyone that benefits women and girls.” </span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in">Ms. Berridge is an event manager who specializes in non-profit
and fundraising events.<span> </span>She
currently serves as Director of Special Events and Conference Planning at
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA).<span> </span>In addition to her role in events, she manages the college’s
capital campaign and alumni magazine.<span> </span>Prior to MCLA, Ashley worked in development and events
at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival as the Manager of Individual Support.<span> </span>Her background in the arts extends to
work as an arts manager for Parsons Dance Company, Nashville Opera, Alvin Ailey
American Dance Theatre, Merce Cunningham Dance Company, Nashville Symphony, and
Nashville Chamber Orchestra.<span> </span>In
2000, she co-founded the New York City-based theatre company Little Artistic
Value, serving as their founding managing director.<span> </span>A graduate of Oklahoma City University with a degree in
dance management, Ashley enjoyed a career as a professional dancer prior to her
foray into arts administration and event management.<span> </span>She stays connected to the arts through her husband
Brad, who is a freelance sound artist.<span>
</span>Their five-year old daughter Emma is a theatre artist-in-training.</p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:.1pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:.1pt;margin-left:0in"><span>Berridge concludes, “What drew me to
WAM in the first place is its double philanthropic mission. It is a place
where I can feel connected to an art form I enjoy while supporting a cause I
feel passionate about – women’s rights. WAM’s mission is unique and truly
selfless, which I love. And, the board is fully committed to honoring
that mission, which is fantastic! I am delighted to take on this new
leadership role and build upon the solid foundation that has already been laid
for WAM.”</span></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><span>WAM Theatre’s Board of Directors:
Ashley Berridge, Jim Benson, Brenny Rabine, Leigh Strimbeck , Tammy Valicenti,
Kristen van Ginhoven and Nick Webb.<span> <br></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0.1pt 0in"><br><span><span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0.1pt 0in">WAM's upcoming events include 'like/unlike':WAM
@ WordxWord from August 13-17, created and directed by Leigh Strimbeck, and the
World Premiere of 'The Old Mezzo' by Susan Dworkin from October
12-28. More info: WAMTheatre.com </p>
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<p class="MsoNormal"><b>About WAM Theatre:</b></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">WAM Theatre is a theatre company based in the Berkshires of
Massachusetts and the Capital Region of New York State. <span>Inspired by the book ‘Half the Sky: Turning
Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide’ by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl
WuDunn, </span>WAM Theatre was founded in 2009 by professional theatre artists <span>Kristen van
Ginhoven and Leigh Strimbeck.</span> WAM’s philanthropic mission is two-fold;
first, producing theatrical events for everyone, with a focus on women theatre
artists and/or stories of women and girls; second, to donate a portion of the
proceeds from those events to organizations that benefit women and girls. WAM
has donated nearly $5000 to its beneficiaries by creating professional theatre
for everyone that benefits women and girls. <span> </span><a href="http://www.wamtheatre.com/" target="_blank"><span>www.wamtheatre.com</span></a></p>
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<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:center" align="center">###<b><span></span></b></p>
<br clear="all">Kristen van Ginhoven<br>Artistic Director, WAM Theatre<div><a href="tel:518-243-9627" value="+15182439627" target="_blank">518-243-9627</a><br><a href="http://www.wamtheatre.com" target="_blank">www.WAMTheatre.com</a><br>
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