[Capdist-announce] PRESS RELEASE: WAM’s 2018 Fresh Takes Play Reading Series Concludes with "Escaped Alone"

[Gail Burns]

*August 20, 2018FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASEContact: Gail Burns, Marketing and
Publicity Associatewww.wamtheatre.com
<http://www.wamtheatre.com>pr at wamtheatre.com <pr at wamtheatre.com>;
518.243.9627Press Photos can be found
at:https://www.flickr.com/photos/wamtheatre/albums/72157667029106697
<https://www.flickr.com/photos/wamtheatre/albums/72157667029106697>WAM’s
2018 Fresh Takes Play Reading Series Concludes with Escaped AlonePopular
Series Expanding to New Location in West StockbridgeLENOX, MA (August 20,
2018) – The WAM Theatre Fresh Takes Play Reading Series concludes its 2018
season with Escaped Alone by Caryl Churchill at 3:30 pm on Sunday,
September 16, at a new location - the Old Town Hall, home to the West
Stockbridge Historical Society at 9 Main Street in that town. WAM Theatre
is very proud to be able to include this iconic feminist playwrights work
in our Fresh Takes Play Reading Series. This is the first time this play,
that premiered two years ago at London’s Royal Court Theatre, will be
presented to Berkshire audiences.  “I’m walking down the street and there’s
a door in the fence open and inside there are three women I’ve seen before…
so I go in.” In Escaped Alone, the latest work by one of Britain’s greatest
living playwrights, three old friends and a neighbor spend a series of
summer afternoons in the backyard chatting while visions of apocalyptic
horror play out inside their minds.  Drinking tea while contemplating world
catastrophe. Caryl Churchill, who has written over 40 plays, including Top
Girls and Cloud 9, in known for her theatrically poetic meditations on
grand political themes in which form is dictated by the content.  “Caryl
Churchill’s magnificent new play unleashes an intricate, elliptical,
acutely female view of the apocalypse” – Susanna Clapp, The Guardian “At
77-years of age, Churchill has written a play that captures older women
contemplating how to go on in a world that is collapsing around them.  This
feels very relevant, and at WAM Theatre we look for work that both features
women who aren’t usually seen on stage, and that initiates social and
political dialogue”, Associate Artistic Director Talya Kingston, who
curates the Fresh Takes Play Reading Series, remarked, “Escaped Alone is a
great fit.” “WAM welcomes Joan Coombs (Madam in Emilie La Marquise Du
Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight, 2014 & 2017) and Eileen Schuyler (Miss
Alyssa in The Old Mezzo, 2013) back to the fold for this reading, along
with two distinguished newcomers to WAM, Nancy Rothman and Denise Walker, “
said Kristen van Ginhoven, WAM Artistic Director who will be directing the
reading.  “All four artists live and work extensively in this region. To
pair them with the brilliant work of Caryl Churchill is a dream! I couldn’t
be more delighted to work with them to bring this story to life for
Berkshire audiences for the first time.”  WAM is grateful to No. 6 Depot
Roastery and Cafe for giving the Fresh Takes Play Reading Series such a
warm and welcoming home for its first five seasons. In a happy turn of
events the Fresh Takes audience is growing so the series is relocating to
the West Stockbridge Historical Society in the Old Town Hall on Main Street
for the final reading of our 2018 series. More room for more guests and all
the delicious snacks and fresh brewed coffee at No. 6 Depot are only a
short walk away.  Support for this reading has been provided by Jadwiga and
Donald Brown.AT A GLANCESeptember 16Fresh Takes Play ReadingEscaped Aloneby
Caryl Churchilldirected by Kristen van GinhovenSunday, September 16 at 3:30
pm - talkback followingAt the West Stockbridge Historical Society9 Main
Street, West Stockbridge, MAFeaturing: Joan Coombs, Nancy Rothman, Eileen
Schuyler, and Denise Walkerhttp://www.wamtheatre.com/escaped-alone/
<http://www.wamtheatre.com/escaped-alone/>Tickets: $25 general
admissionFresh Takes Play Reading SeriesNow in its fifth season, the Fresh
Takes Play Reading Series is curated by WAM Associate Artistic Director
Talya Kingston. The Fresh Takes Series is sponsored in part by No. 6 Depot
Roastery and Café in West Stockbridge where our readings of Swallow and
Honor Killing, were presented this season. Tickets are $25 general
admission, which includes a post-show conversation and the opportunity to
meet the cast and director. Please note all sales are final. No refunds
available. Patrons may exchange tickets up to 48 hours before curtain– not
including special event one-night performances. No refunds or exchanges for
already discounted tickets.For tickets and more information visit:
http://www.wamtheatre.com/fresh-takes-2018/
<http://www.wamtheatre.com/fresh-takes-2017/>ABOUT THE CAST:Joan Coombs
(Vi) WAM Theatre: Madam in Emilie, la Marquise du Chatelet Defends Her Life
Tonight, 10x10on10, Everywoman and 24 Hour Theatre Projects. Elsewhere:
Shakespeare & Company: Frieda in The Tale of the Allergist’s Wife, Mme.
Pernelle in Tartuffe, Hubbard Hall: Kate in All My Sons, The Theater Barn:
Bea in Don’t Talk to the Actors, Curtain Call Theatre: Rose in The Last
Romance, Linda in Death of a Salesman, Franklin Stage Company, Berkshire
Playwrights Lab, Theater Voices, Aglet Theatre Company. Film: Nurse in Like
Lambs. Recordings: Narrator in Kingdom of Hamelot.Nancy Rothman (Mrs. J)
WAM Theatre: debut  Elsewhere: Nancy Rothman has performed on stages
internationally, in New York and regionally with companies such as Bridge
Street Theatre, Blue Horse Repertory, the Lake Theatre, Walking the Dog
Theater, Stageworks, Storm Warnings Repertory, Barrington Stage Company,
the Actors’ Ensemble and PS21.  Favorite roles include Molly Ivins in Red
Hot Patriot, Mrs. Grinder in Grinder’s Stand, Eurydice in Antigone, Mrs.
Wire in The Lady of Larkspur Lotion, Miss Sook in Holiday Memories, Mrs. Ed
Carpolatti in Three Viewings, Myrtle Webb in Our Town, Charlotta in The
Cherry Orchard,  Amanda in Southern Comforts, and Erma Bombeck in At Wit’s
End.  Etc:  A founding member of Hudson Air Radio Theatre and the Diamond
Street Players (WGXC FM 90.7), Walking the Dog’s improv group Off Leash and
Blue Horse Rep’s Horse Play. Nancy performs and teaches improvisation at PS
21 in Chatham and elsewhere to all age groups. She is a proud member of AEA
and SAG-AFTRA.Eileen Schuyler (Lena) WAM Theatre: The Old Mezzo (Miss
Alyssa). Elsewhere: Capital Repertory Theatre: Blithe Spirit (Madame
Arcati), 4000 Miles (Vera Joseph) 33 Variations, (Gertrude), You Can’t Take
It With You(Penny Sycamore), Fuddy Meers (Gertie), Our Town (Mrs. Gibbs),
Stageworks/Hudson: A Wedding Story (Evelyn), Play by Play (numerous roles,
7 seasons); NYSTI: 25 productions including Death of a Salesman (Linda
Loman) and A Tale of Cinderella (Sorella Filomena), Studio Arena Theater:
Greetings! (Emily Gorski), Lake Effect (Ellen), Fulton Opera House:
Sherlock’s Secret Life (Mrs. Hudson); Queens Theater in the Park: Arsenic
and Old Lace (Abby Brewster), Theater Company at Hubbard Hall: Heartbreak
House (Hermione Hushabye). Recordings: Lost Landscapes (PBS), Sherlock’s
Secret Life audio book (Warner Home Classics, AUDIE winner). Et Cetera:
Artistic Director of Theater Voices, now in its 30th season; member of
Plays in Progress, Hudson, NY. Proud member of Actors’ Equity and
SAG/AFTRA, and delighted to return to WAM Theatre!Denise Walker (Sally) WAM
Theatre: debut  Elsewhere: Majestic Theater (Enchanted April, Harvey,
Breaking Up Is Hard To Do), New Century Theatre (Where’s Annie), Hartford
Stage (Our Town), Seven Angels Theatre (The Price), Ivoryton Playhouse
(Other People’s Money), Playhouse On Park (Equus, Moonlight And Magnolias).
 Film: The Lost Footage of Leah Sullivan, Germ of a New Insanity, The
Makeover, A Beautiful Mind, November Criminals. Training: MM Manhattan
School of Music. Et Cetera: Premiere performances of music by composer
Gwyneth Walker (Gestalt at Sixty, Museum Garden– poetry Mark Doty, No
Ordinary Woman– poetry Lucille Clifton).  She is a Member of AEA.About the
Playwright: Caryl ChurchillCaryl Churchill (playwright)  WAM Theatre:
Debut. Plays: Owners (Royal Court Upstairs, London); Objections to Love and
Violence (Royal Court); Light shining in Buckingshire (Joint Stock UK tour,
Royal Court Upstairs); Vinegar Tom (Monstrous Regiment, UK tour); Traps
(Royal Court Upstairs), Cloud Nine (Joint Stock UK tour, Royal Court);
Three More Sleepless Nights(Soho Poly and Royal Court Upstairs); Top Girls
(Royal Court); Fen (Joint Stock UK tour, Almeida Theatre); Soft Cops (RSC
at the Pit); A Mouthful of Birds with David Lan (Joint Stock UK tour, Royal
Court); Serious Money (Royal Court, Wyndham’s Theatre); Icecream (Royal
Court); Mad Forest (Central School of Speech and Drama, Royal Court); Lives
of the Great Poisoners with Orlando Gough and Ian Spink (Second Stride UK
tour, Riverside Studios, London); The Striker (National Theatre, London);
Thyestes translated from Seneca (Royal Court Upstairs); Hotel with Orlando
Gough and Ian Spink (Second Stride UK tour, The Place, London); This is a
Chair (London International Festival of Theatre at the Royal Court); Blue
Heart (Joint Stock UK tour, Royal Court); Far Away (Royal Court Upstairs,
The Albery Theatre, London); A Number (Royal Court); a new version of
Strindberg’s A Dream Play (National Theatre); Drunk Enough To Say I Love
You? (Royal Court); Seven Jewish Children (Royal Court); A Ring A Lamp A
Thing an opera with Orlando Gough (Linbury Studio, Royal Opera House); Love
and Information (Royal Court); Ding Dong The Wicked (Royal Court); Here We
Go (National Theatre); and Escaped Alone (Royal Court Theatre).About the
Director: Kristen van GinhovenWAM Theatre: The Bakelite Masterpiece, In
Darfur (New England Premiere), Emilie (New England Premiere), The Old Mezzo
(World Premiere), The Attic, The Pearls and Three Fine Girls and Melancholy
Play Elsewhere: Disgraced, I and You (Chester Theatre), Waxworks (Williams
College), The Whale (Adirondack Theatre Festival), 10 Minute Play Festival
(Barrington Stage Company), Petticoats of Steel (Capital Repertory
Theatre), Footloose (Cohoes Music Hall), Children’s Hour (Siena College),
Vendetta Chrome(Emerson College). Selected assistant directing: The
Physicists, 42nd Street (Stratford Shakespeare Festival of Canada), Two Men
of Florence (Huntington Theatre) Sleuth, Absurd Person Singular(Barrington
Stage Company). Training: Dalhousie University (BA), Queen’s University
(BEd), Emerson College (MA). Et cetera: Kristen is a member of the Society
of Stage Directors and Choreographers and a theatre artist for the
International Schools Theatre Association. She was a member of the 2013
Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and is a member of the Michael Langham
Workshop for Classical Direction at the Stratford Festival of Canada.
Kristen is the co-founder and Artistic Director of WAM Theatre. Website:
www.WAMTheatre.com <http://www.wamtheatre.com/>OUR SEASON SPONSORSOur 2018
sponsors include Adams Community Bank, Annie Selke, Baystate Financial,
Berkshire Bank Foundation, Berkshire Hand to Shoulder Center, Berkshire
Magazine, Berkshire Sterile Manufacturing, Blue Q, Brabson Library &
Educational Foundation, Canyon Ranch, The Charles H. Hall Foundation, CWM
Retirement Plan Services LLC, Custom Business Solutions, Dr. Jay Wise, DDS
and Dr. Casey Jones, DMD, The Dylandale Foundation, The Feigenbaum
Foundation, Frankie's Ristorante Italiano, the Garden Gables Inn, Greylock
Federal Credit Union, Guido’s Fresh Marketplace, Haven Cafe and Bakery,
Health Professional Counseling, International Schools Theatre Association,
Interprint, Lee Bank, Maggie Barry, Massachusetts Cultural Council, J.H.
Maxymillian, Inc., Methuselah Bar and Lounge, Natracare, No. Six Depot
Roastery and Café, Onyx Specialty Papers, RB Design Co., The Rogovoy
Report, The Rookwood Inn, The Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation, Rouge
Restaurant & Bistro, Salisbury Bank, T Square Design Studio, Toole
Insurance, a. von schlegell & co.WAM Theatre is also supported in part by
grants from the Alford-Egremont Cultural Council, Lenox Cultural Council,
New Marlborough Cultural Council, Pittsfield Cultural Council, Cultural
Council of Northern Berkshires, Otis Cultural Council, and Richmond
Cultural Council – local agencies that are supported by the Massachusetts
Cultural Council, a state agency. ABOUT WAM THEATREBased 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 $41,500 to
thirteen 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 <http://www.wamtheatre.com>###*


-- 
Gail M. Burns

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

My gender pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Our 9th Season:
Fresh Takes <http://www.wamtheatre.com/fresh-takes-2018/> | Alison Larkin
LIVE! <http://www.wamtheatre.com/alison-larkin-live/> | WAM Gala 2018
<http://www.wamtheatre.com/wam-gala-2018/> | ANN
<http://www.wamtheatre.com/ann/>


Make a donation now <https://www.wamtheatre.com/donateonline/> to WAM
Theatre!
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://capdisttheater.org/pipermail/capdist-announce/attachments/20180820/936ed5db/attachment.html>