[Capdist-announce] PRESS RELEASE: WAM Theatre Announces Casting for Fresh Takes Reading of Photograph 51

[Gail Burns]

April 28, 2016

Contact: Gail Burns, Marketing and Publicity Associate

www.wamtheatre.com

pr at wamtheatre.com; 518.243.9627

Press Photos can be found at:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/wamtheatre/

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

WAM Theatre Announces Casting for Fresh Takes Reading of *Photograph 51*

Lenox, MA [April 28, 2016] - WAM Theatre is pleased to announce the cast
for the second in their 2016 Fresh Takes Play Reading Series, Photograph 51
by Anna Ziegler, directed by Kelly Galvin. The reading will take place
on Sunday,
May 15 at 3 pm at No. Six Depot Roastery and Café, 6 Depot Street in West
Stockbridge, MA.

Fresh Takes takes pride in featuring local actors, artists audiences have
grown to love on area stages over the years.  The cast of Photograph
51 features
Jennie Jadow as Rosalind, Ryan Winkles (WAM’s The Old Mezzo, Shakespeare &
Company’s Henry V) as Maurice, Brendan Cataldo (WAM Theatre’s Emilie, Gallery
Players’ Macbeth), as Don, Shayne David Peris (WAM’s Seven Homeless
Mammoths Wander New England, Capital Repertory Theatre’s The Blue Sky Boys)
as James, and Doug Seldin (Shakespeare & Company’s Comedy of Errors and
Mother Courage) as Francis. For detailed information on the cast go to:
http://www.wamtheatre.com/photograph-51/

Since 2014 the Fresh Takes series has been introducing Berkshire audiences
to ground-breaking works by established women playwrights, focusing on
relevant, provocative, uplifting plays that encourage dialogue and deal
with current and controversial issues in artful ways. The 2016 Fresh Takes
season is sponsored by No. Six Depot and Kristin and James Hatt.

An intriguing portrait of British scientist Rosalind Franklin and her—often
overlooked—role in the discovery of DNA’s double helix structure. This
complex tale explores how Rosalind, an intelligent, stubborn and courageous
woman, navigated a world dominated by men. This critically acclaimed play
ran on London’s West End in 2015, featuring Nicole Kidman. A balance of the
historical, romantic, and scientific, Photograph 51 is a touching play that
dramatizes the fight for education, equality and access for women.

“I'm intrigued by the central question that this play poses: What makes us
who we are?” Galvin said. “As the characters fight to find answers in their
study of DNA, the play itself delves into the mystery and complexity of
what makes us act the way we act, what makes us want the things we want,
and what makes us love the people we love.”

“I am thrilled to be a part of WAM's Fresh Takes play reading series One of
the mysteries that I look forward to exploring is whether or not Rosalind’s
devotion to her work, and her excellence in her scientific field came at
great cost to her emotional life, or , if, simply, she didn't "focus" on
such things,” said Jennie Jadow who will play the leading role of Rosalind.
“We don't tend to apply such musing to male characters, and mostly give
them license to be fully professionally immersed without being "burdened"
by the split focus of family and social obligations. What if we apply to
the same Rosalind? What if we let her simply be a scientific pioneer?”

“I also love Ziegler's treatment of Rosalind-- she draws attention to this
relatively unknown scientist and gives her a bit of the recognition that
she deserves for her remarkable work,” Galvin added, “but, even more
importantly, she renders a really truthful portrait of a woman, full of
complex desires, motivations, and fears. The play's terrific theatricality
combined with its intelligent treatment of the subject matter gives us such
a fun playground for storytelling.”

After Photograph 51 the Fresh Takes Series continues with The Oregon Trail
by Bekah Brunstetter, directed by Estefanía Fadul on June 19; Samsara by Lauren
Yee, directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian on August 21; and Grand
Concourse by Heidi
Shreck, directed by Sheila Siragusa on September 11.

This year, in response to our audiences request for deeper discussion
around the women’s issues raised in each play, WAM Theatre is partnering
with OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the Berkshire Community
College, to co-present a companion class called ‘Fresh Takes/Your Take’.
Starting on May 16, the Monday, following the reading of Photograph 51, WAM
Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven will share the underpinning of the
piece and its author, setting the scene for discussion of audience
questions, reactions, and experiences evoked by the Sunday reading.

About the Playwright: ANNA ZIEGLER

WAM Theatre: Debut. Plays: Photograph 51(recently ran on the West End in
London, directed by Michael Grandage and starring Nicole Kidman), The Last
Match (upcoming at The Old Globe Theatre in San Diego, CA and City Theatre
in Pittsburgh, PA), Boy (upcoming at Keen Company/Ensemble Studio Theatre
in New York City), A Delicate Ship (The Playwrights Realm,
August-September, 2015 at the Peter Jay Sharp Theater, New York City;
previously produced at Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park), Another Way Home
(upcoming in Washington DC at Theater J; previously produced at The Magic
Theatre, San Francisco, CA), Dov and Ali(Theatre503; The Playwrights
Realm), The Minotaur (Rorschach Theatre; Synchronicity Theatre) and BFF(WET
Productions at the DR2 Theatre, New York City). Et Cetera: She has been
commissioned by The Manhattan Theatre Club, Seattle Repertory Theatre,
Ensemble Studio Theatre, Virginia Stage Company and New Georges. Her plays
have been developed at The Sundance Theatre Lab, The O’Neill National
Playwrights Conference, The Williamstown Theatre Festival, New York Stage
and Film, The Araca Group, Old Vic New Voices, and Soho Rep’s
Writer/Director Lab, among others. Training: Anna is a graduate of Yale
College and holds an M.F.A. in dramatic writing from the Tisch School of
the Arts.

About the Director: KELLY GALVIN

WAM Theatre: The Tall Girls reading (director), Artistic Associate
(2012-2014), Fresh Takes Inaugural Play Reading Series (Curator and
Producer), Blue Stockings reading (Director), Emilie (Producer), 10x10on10
(Performer). Elsewhere: Boston University School of Theatre: Director: The
Caucasian Chalk Circle, Dancing at Lughnasa, The Duchess of Malfi, The Tall
Girls, Changes of Heart. Assistant Director: Parade, In the Next Room, or
the vibrator play. Shakespeare & Company: Company member since 2008.
Director: The 2009 Bankside Preludes, The Great Mail Robbery. Assistant
Director: All’s Well That Ends Well, Hamlet, and Twelfth Night. Performer: A
Midsummer Night’s Dream, Henry V, King Lear, Love’s Labour’s Lost, The
Learned Ladies, The Winter’s Tale, Shakespeare & The Language That Shaped A
World, Les Liaisons Dangereuses, and The Venetian Twins. Education Artist:
Fall Festival of Shakespeare, Riotous Youth, Young Company. Bedlam:
Assistant Director:Twelfth Night and What You Will (dir. Eric Tucker). Orlando
Shakespeare Theatre: Assistant Director: Julius Caesar (dir. Tina
Packer). Boston
Center for American Performance: Assistant Director: Krapp’s Last Tape & The
Dumbwaiter (dir. Clay Hopper). Kitchen Theatre Company: Director: Red,
Performer: Secret Order, Emmet & Ella. The Boston Publick Theatre:
Director: Young Company Romeo & Juliet. Awards: Davenport Prize for Acting
(Wellesley College, 2007); IRNE Nomination for Best Supporting Actress in Pride
and Prejudice. Training: Wellesley College (BA, Political Theory and
Theatre Studies). Currently pursuing an MFA in Directing and Certificate in
Arts Administration at Boston University.

AT A GLANCE

Fresh Takes Play Reading Series

Curated by WAM Theatre’s Artistic Associate Molly Clancy and hosted by No.
Six Depot Roastery and Café on 6 Depot Street in West Stockbridge, MA, on
select Sundays at 3 pm.

The 2016 Fresh Takes series is sponsored by No. Six Depot Roastery and Café
and Kristin and James Hatt.

There are only 30 tickets available per reading. Tickets are $20, which
includes a post-show conversation and the opportunity to meet the cast and
director. Refreshments will be available for purchase at the Café. For
tickets and more information visit:

http://www.wamtheatre.com/fresh-takes-2016/

The OLLI companion classes are offered in Room G-10 on the Pittsfield
campus of Berkshire Community College (1350 West Street), on Monday May 16,
June 20, August 22, and September 12 from 7-8:30 pm. $20 for reading only;
$40 for one reading/companion class; $139 for all four readings/companion
classes. For registration and information visit:
http://www.wamtheatre.com/fresh-takesyour-take-olli-classes/

May 15, 2016 (OLLI companion class May 16)

Photograph 51

by Anna Ziegler

directed by Kelly Galvin

June 19, 2016 (OLLI companion class June 20)

The Oregon Trail

by Bekah Brunstetter

directed by Estefanía Fadul

August 21, 2016 (OLLI companion class August 22)

Samsara

by Lauren Yee

directed by Megan Sandberg-Zakian

September 11, 2016 (OLLI companion class September 12)

Grand Concourse

by Heidi Shreck

directed by Sheila Siragusa

OUR SEASON SPONSORS

Our 2016 sponsors include the  Brabson Library & Educational Foundation,
Berkshire Magazine, Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing, Dylandale Foundation,
Feigenbaum Foundation, Greylock Federal Credit Union, International Schools
Theatre Association, Jon Gotterer DMD, Lenox Education Enrichment Fund,
Massachusetts Cultural Council, MAXYMILLIAN Technologies, Nina Molin MD,
No. Six Depot Roastery and Café, The Sherman Investment Group-RBC Wealth
Management, Petricca Industries, Pittsfield Cooperative Bank, Regina
Burgio, Rouge Restaurant & Bistro, and A. von Schlegell & Co.

WAM Theatre is also supported in part by grants from the Lenox,
Alford-Egremont, Pittsfield Cultural Council, Cultural Council of Northern
Berkshires , Washington Cultural Council, Monterey Cultural Council,
Stockbridge Cultural Council, West Stockbridge Cultural Council, Richmond
Cultural Council – local agencies that are supported by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council, a state agency.

ABOUT WAM THEATRE

Based in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, WAM Theatre is Where Arts and
Activism Meet. The company was co-founded in 2010 by Canadian director,
actor, educator, and producer Kristen van Ginhoven. WAM’s vision is to
create opportunity for women and girls through the mission of theatre as
philanthropy.

Inspired by the book Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for
Women Worldwide by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, WAM donates a
portion of the proceeds from its theatrical events to organizations that
benefit women and girls.

Over the past six years, WAM Theatre has donated more than $21,000 to eight
nonprofit organizations and provided paid work to more than 175 theatre
artists. In addition to the main stage productions and special events, WAM
Theatre’s activities include a comprehensive educational outreach program
and the Fresh Takes Play Reading Series. For more information, visit
www.WAMTheatre.com

# # #

-- 
Gail M. Burns

*Marketing + Publicity Associate*
www.WAMTheatre.com <http://www.wamtheatre.com/>
413-274-8122

*Our 7th Season:*Special  <http://www.wamtheatre.com/special/>| 24hr Project
<http://www.wamtheatre.com/2016-24-hour-theatre-project/> | Fresh Takes
<http://www.wamtheatre.com/fresh-takes-2016/> | Stars in the Orchard
<http://www.wamtheatre.com/stars-in-the-orchard-2016/> | Bakelite
Masterpiece <http://www.wamtheatre.com/the-bakelite-masterpiece/>

Make a donation now
<https://app.etapestry.com/onlineforms/WAMTheatreInc/donate.html> to WAM
Theatre!
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