[Capdist-announce] PRESS RELEASE: WAM Theatre Announces Cast and Beneficiary for Fall Mainstage Production

[Gail Burns]

July 13, 2017

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

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/albums/72157683088414574

WAM Theatre Announces  Cast and Beneficiary for Fall Mainstage Production

LENOX, MA (July 13, 2017) – It was a picture perfect Berkshire evening on
Wednesday, July 12 as WAM Theatre supporters packed the bucolic grounds of
Hilltop Orchards in Richmond to celebrate and support the company’s eighth
season at the company’s successful Stars in the Orchards Gala. The full
house was in a great mood enjoying the tasty hors d’oeuvres catered by the
Orchards and wine made on site at Furnace Winery.

WAM’s 2017 Girls Ensemble cohort performed excerpts from their popular new
work What’s That Sound?, which toured local schools this spring. Live and
silent auctions added to the fun. Volunteer Karen Richards and Corporate
Sponsor Amy Lindner-Lesser of the RookWood Inn were honored with the 2017
WAMily Award for their support and service to WAM. The event raised more
than $25,000 for WAM’s Education programs and the company’s upcoming fall
play The Last Wife by Kate Hennig, directed by Kelly Galvin.

But the highlight of the evening was the opportunity to get a sneak peek at
scenes from The Last Wife performed by members of the cast. Gala audience
members were the first to hear that The Last Wife cast will be helmed by
Berkshire favorites Nehassaiu DeGannes, John Hadden, and David Joseph,
along with talented WAM newcomers Lily Linke, Alicia Piemme Nelson, and
Raoul Silver.

“All of us at WAM are delighted to announce the incredible cast for The
Last Wife”, exclaimed Kristen van Ginhoven, WAM’s Artistic Director. “This
ensemble of six, led by Nehassaiu and John, is the perfect cast to share
this contemporary retelling of the compelling relationship between
Katherine Parr and Henry VIII. In the hands of director Kelly Galvin, this
funny and powerful examination of patriarchy, sexual politics, and women’s
rights is sure to be an invigorating evening in the theatre that all will
want to see.”

Gala participants were also the first to learn the identity of the charity
that will benefit from the production. In keeping with their double
philanthropic mission, WAM Theatre will be donating 25% of the box office
proceeds from The Last Wife to their thirteenth beneficiary, The Soldier On
Women’s Program.

Since 2005, Soldier On has been providing services to women veterans and
currently offers a transitional housing program for up to sixteen homeless
female veterans in a trauma informed care setting. Soldier On provides a
safe, comfortable, structured environment that promotes healing and healthy
life choice, helping veterans realize their full potential by providing
them with activities and opportunities that embrace mind, body, and spirit.
WAM's donation will support care during the transition to independent or
family life for the residents of the Soldier On Women’s Program.

Executive Director Sara Scoco was on hand at the Gala to meet WAM
supporters and speak about the organization’s work.

“The Soldier On Women’s Program is thrilled to be WAM’s 2017 beneficiary
and honored to work with a program that is so passionate about improving
the lives of females,” Scoco said. “Their generous donation will allow
Soldier On to continue to provide services and support to homeless female
veterans, including groups within the program and follow up case management
services after women have successfully transitioned into the community.
Soldier On Women’s Program simply would not exist without benevolent donors
such as WAM, and we are absolutely delighted to be a part of this
experience.”

As the evening came to a close and the Gala audience enjoyed their
delicious apple cider donuts WAM Artistic Director, Kristen van Ginhoven
closed the evening by sharing WAM’s Philosophy of Giving for their unique
double philanthropic mission, saying, “WAM Theatre was founded in 2010 with
a unique mission: to use art as activism to support opportunities for women
and girls. After only eight years WAM is a nationally recognized theatre
entity, both for our philanthropic work and our creative vision. At a time
when the rights of women are being challenged both domestically and abroad,
WAM’s mission to provide philanthropy through theatre allows us to have
even greater impact. Thanks to all for your support!”

Another successful Gala for one of the Berkshires most exciting growing
companies.

About Soldier On

Soldier On has a single purpose mission of providing a continuum of
programs to ensure that homeless veterans and their families have access to
immediate and long-term housing with an array of supportive services
delivered to them where they live. Soldier On’s goal is to help veterans
become fully franchised and contributing members of their community by
helping them to regain physical, mental, economic and housing stability
within an environment of integrity, dignity and hope.

Since 2005 SOLDIER ON has been providing services to women veterans and
currently offers a transitional housing program for up to sixteen homeless
female veterans in a trauma informed care setting. Soldier On provides a
safe, comfortable, structured environment that promotes healing and healthy
life choice, helping veterans realize their full potential by providing
them with activities and opportunities that embrace mind, body, and spirit.

Soldier On Women's Program website:
http://www.wesoldieron.org/womens-program/

About The Last Wife

Performances of the Northeast Regional Premiere of The Last Wife are
scheduled for October 13-November 5, 2017, at Shakespeare & Company’s
Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre, 70 Kemble St, Lenox, MA. Tickets will go on
sale later this summer, but mark your calendars because this is a
production you will not want to miss!

A contemporary reimagining of the compelling relationship between Katherine
Parr, Henry VIII’s sixth and final wife, and the King, The Last Wife is a
funny, powerful examination of patriarchy, sexual politics, and women’s
rights. Starring Berkshire favorites Nehassaiu DeGannes, John Hadden, and
David Joseph, along with talented WAM newcomers Lily Linke, Alicia Piemme
Nelson, and Raoul Silver.

“WAM Theatre opened our 2016 Fresh Takes play reading with The Last Wife,
to a sold out and enthusiastic crowd. Presenting this play is exciting for
many reasons- one of which is that this is the first Fresh Takes play to be
chosen as a WAM Mainstage Production.” said Kristen van Ginhoven, WAM
Artistic Director. “Plus Kelly Galvin, WAM’s first Fresh Takes Curator,
will be directing this production. We couldn’t be more excited to have
Kelly at the helm directing The Last Wife.”

Quick Facts

The Last Wife

by Kate Hennig

Northeast Regional Premiere

October 13-November 5, 2017

at Shakespeare & Company’s Elayne P. Bernstein Theatre

70 Kemble St, Lenox, MA

Cast

John Hadden as Henry

Nehassaiu DeGannes as Kate

Lily Linke as Mary

Alicia Piemme Nelson as Bess

David Joseph as Thom

Raoul Silver as Eddie

Creative Team

Director: Kelly Galvin

Assistant Director: Lia Russell-Self

Set Design: Juliana von Haubrich

Costume Design: Stella Schwartz

Lighting Design: Aja Jackson

Sound Design: Alex Sovronsky

About the Playwright: Kate Hennig

WAM Theatre: 2016 Fresh Takes Reading Series. Writing: Her writing includes
poetry, stories, articles for industry publications, a dissertation, two
blogs, and a research paper. As a playwright Kate has been a member of the
Groundswell Playwrights’ Unit 2003 (More), Tarragon Playwrights’ Unit 2004 (
More), and the Banff Playwrights’ Colony 2007 (More) and 2008 (Waterworks).
Her play, The Eleventh David was produced in August 2006 as part of the
SummerWorks Festival, to great critical and audience acclaim. Kate has
written a monologue for movement and voice called The Penelope Principle.
She has written two highly subscribed blogs documenting her acting
experiences with the Royal Shakespeare Company, and with Billy Elliot: The
Musical on Broadway. Her play Waterworks was given a reading at the
Stratford Festival in 2012. Venues: The Banff Centre, Nightwood Theatre,
Tarragon Theatre, Blyth Festival, Grand Theatre, Shaw Festival, Stratford
Shakespeare Festival, Theatre Aquarius, Theatre Passe Muraille, and Volcano.
Et Cetera: Kate’s writing has been funded by the Toronto Arts Council, and
by the Ontario Arts Council through the Creators’ Reserve.

About the Director: Kelly Galvin

WAM Theatre: Emilie remount (Associate Director), Artistic Associate
(2012-2014), Fresh Takes Inaugural Playreading Series (Curator and
Producer), Blue Stockings reading (Director), Emilie (Producer).
Elsewhere: Directing:
Southwest Shakespeare Company (Photograph 51), Boston Playwrights’ Theatre (
Memorial), Shakespeare & Company (The Clean House reading, Fall Festival of
Shakespeare 2008-2013, Bankside Preludes), Boston University School of
Theatre (The Cherry Orchard, The Caucasian Chalk Circle, Dancing at
Lughnasa, The Duchess of Malfi, The Tall Girls, Changes of Heart).
Assistant Directing: Bedlam NYC, Orlando Shakespeare Theatre, Boston Center
for American Performance, Shakespeare & Company. 2016 Directing
Observership, Huntington Theatre Company. 2017 Artistic Development &
Directing Internship, Arena Stage. Training: MFA Directing and Certificate
in Arts Administration, Boston University. Wellesley College (BA, Political
Theory and Theatre Studies).

ABOUT THE CAST

Nehassaiu DeGannes (Kate)

WAM Theatre: Debut. Elsewhere: Intimate Apparel, Door of No Return, Or,
(Shakespeare & Co), The Convert (Underground Railway Theatre), King Lear
(Chicago Shakes), Marisol, Tallest Building In The World (Luna Stage), Doubt,
A Song For My Father, (Oldcastle), Door of No Return, EQUUS with Alec
Baldwin (John Drew Theatre, Guild Hall), Brave New World (Litmus/ Theatre
Passe Muraille), Hamlet (Driftwood), Romeo and Juliet, Three Musketeers
(Stratford Festival of Canada); and in NYC: T.B. Sheets (Buran
Theater), Gertrude
Stein Lab (director) & Three Gifts for Lenny Bruce, Celia (Target Margin),
readings & new play development with Ensemble Studio Theatre, Red Bull, The
Lark, New Dramatists, New Georges, Columbia U. Training: Trinity Rep
Conservatory, Brown University MFA. Awards: Berkshire Theater Award
Outstanding Supporting Actor for Or,. Center For Book Arts National Poetry
Award. Etcetera: Part-Time Lecturer, Theater Program, Princeton University.
Thank you Kristin, Kelly, Kate Hennig & WAM! Thank you Princeton & Jane Cox
too! Online: nehassaiu.com @NehassaiuActor

John Hadden (Henry)

WAM debut: The Last Wife. Elsewhere: John is a founding member of
Shakespeare & Co (2016 “Berkie” award-winner), co-founder/artistic director
of Counterpoint Theater (Boston), was artistic director at Hubbard Hall
(Cambridge, NY), and associate artist with We Players (San Francisco). He
has acted in and directed about 100 plays here and abroad, and his own
plays, including stray dogs, Hard Rain, King Fool, and Women at War, have
been seen at LaMaMa ETC, PS 122, EST, the National Arts Club, Arsenal
Center for the Arts, The Colonial, Mixed Company, the Wharton Salon, and The
Good Ear Review. A solo show, based on his book Conversations with a Masked
Man: My Father, the CIA, and Me (Arcade 2016), is currently on tour. Online:
johnlhadden.com.

David Joseph (Thom)

WAM Theatre: Debut Elsewhere: David has been at Shakespeare & Company
for twelfth
seasons, past roles include:  The Wharton Comedies, George Bailey in It’s a
Wonderful Life, Lysander in A Midsummer Nights Dream, Elyot in Private Lives,
 Dorante in The Liar, Sebastian in The Tempest, Clown 2 (12 Characters) in 39
Steps.  Other recent roles include Michael in Can You Hear Me Baby ( NYC &
The Goodwill Theatre), George in WORD PLAY  at Playwrites Horizons, (NYC),
Johnny in Hotel California (NYC), Coleman in I Married The Icepick Killer
at Stella Adler Theatre (NYC). David is in post-production for the feature
film he produced and starred in, Penny Land. Damsel by Douglas Burgdorf,
another feature film, premiered at the Spain International Film Festival.
Other Film credits: Romeo in Romeo & Juliet for The Boston Symphony
Orchestra,  Ang Lee’s Taking Woodstock, Glowing Screens Magdalena's Brain. Et
Cetera: David recently earned a Best Actor nomination for playing Charlie
Chaplin in The Consul, The Tramp and Americas Sweetheart at Oldcastle
Theatre. In 2008 and 2010, David sang the National Anthem at Fenway Park.

Lily Linke (Mary)

WAM Theatre: Debut Elsewhere: Recent credits include Good (New Repertory
Theatre), Julius Caesar, 1984, A Midsummer Night's Dream (Classic Repertory
Company), and The Wastelands Project (Children of the Wild). Training: She
received her BFA in Theatre Arts from Boston University. Et Cetera: Lily is
primarily a teacher and actor/educator, and has worked in schools,
theaters, and after school and summer programs on both coasts. She
currently manages New Repertory Theatre's Education department. Lily
currently resides in Somerville.

Alicia Piemme Nelson (Bess)

WAM Theatre: Debut Elsewhere: Buck Hill Productions (As You Like It, Much
Ado About Nothing, The Winter's Tale, The Taming of the Shrew), Bay Area
Children's Theatre (The Rainbow Fish Musical, Five Little Monkeys), Boston
University (Don Juan Comes Back from the War, The Cherry Orchard, Mad
Forest, The Duchess of Malfi, The Tall Girls), One Year Lease -
Apprenticeship (Σε Τουτο το βουνο), Tabard Theatre (You're a Good Man
Charlie Brown). Training: BFA Acting - Boston University, Physical
Theatre/Clowing - Accademia dell'Arte Awards: KCACTF Region VII Finalist
Online: ampnelson.com

Raoul Silver (Eddie)

WAM Theatre: Debut Film/TV: A Bread Factory Training: HB Studios, School of
Rock, Brooklyn Music Factory Et cetera: Raoul is 11 years old and lives in
Columbia County, NY. Upcoming: New York: Once Upon The Bronx (Theater for
the New City Dream Up Festival 2017) Online: www.youtube.com/raoulsilver

OUR SEASON SPONSORS

WAM Theatre is funded in part by Mass Humanities, which receives support
from the Massachusetts Cultural Council and is an affiliate of the National
Endowment for the Humanities; and by the Massachusetts Cultural Council
Cultural. Our 2017 sponsors include Adams Community Bank, the
Appelbaum-Kahn Foundation, Berkshire Magazine, Berkshire Sterile
Manufacturing, Blue Q, Brabson Library & Educational Foundation, Canyon
Ranch, Custom Business Solutions, The Dylandale Foundation, The Feigenbaum
Foundation, Futures Education, the Garden Gables Inn, Greylock Federal
Credit Union, Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, In Touch Printing, International
Schools Theatre Association, Interprint, Dr. Jay Wise, DDS & Dr. Casey
Jones, DMD,  Lee Bank, Massachusetts Cultural Council, MAXYMILLIAN
Technologies, Methuselah Bar and Lounge, No. Six Depot Roastery and Café,
RB Design Co., Redfin, The Rookwood Inn, Rouge Restaurant & Bistro, The Dr.
Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation, T Square Design Studio, Toole
Insurance, a. von schlegell & co., and Zonta.

WAM Theatre is also supported in part by grants from the Alford-Egremont
Cultural Council, Dalton Cultural Council, Lenox Cultural Council, New
Marlborough Cultural Council, Pittsfield Cultural Council, Cultural Council
of Northern Berkshires , Otis Cultural Council, Richmond Cultural Council,
Sandisfield Cultural Council, Stockbridge Cultural Council, Washington
Cultural Council, and West Stockbridge 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.

Since 2010, WAM Theatre has donated more than $32,500 to twelve nonprofit
organizations and provided paid work to more than 200 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 8th Season:*  <http://www.wamtheatre.com/special/>
Fresh Takes <http://www.wamtheatre.com/fresh-takes-2017/> | Emilie
<http://www.wamtheatre.com/emilie-remount-2017/>| Stars in the Orchard
<http://www.wamtheatre.com/stars-in-the-orchard-2017> | The Last Wife
<http://www.wamtheatre.com/the-last-wife/> | Leadership Summit
<http://www.wamtheatre.com/berkshire-leadership-summit-2017/>


Make a donation now <https://www.wamtheatre.com/donateonline/> to WAM
Theatre!
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