Will Call

Pittsfield, Mass.—The Board of Trustees of Hancock Shaker Village announced Wednesday, September 14 the appointment of Jennifer Trainer Thompson as president and chief executive officer. Ms. Thompson will assume her new role at the end of the year from her current post as senior vice president of partnerships and external affairs at the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art (MASS MoCA). Ms. Thompson has over 28 years of experience in arts administration and culture in the Berkshires. One of a small team that developed MASS MoCA beginning in 1988, she has been integral to the evolution of the museum, having organized and developed several departments, including development, membership, public relations, and most recently partnerships and external affairs.… The post Will Call #50: Hancock Shaker Village Appoints Jennifer Trainer Thompson New President and CEO appeared first on The Greylock Glass.

LENOX, Mass. — If you’ve ever wanted to see Hillary Clinton belt a show tune, Donald Trump sing a rock song, or New Jersey Governor Chris Christie perform a classical ballet, The Capitol Steps might just be the show for you. We were lucky enough to catch up with Capitol Steps (website, Facebook) writer and… The post Will Call #49: (Not) Tip-toeing Around the Issues with the Capitol Steps appeared first on The Greylock Glass.

William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest” brings together some very talented local flotsam. In this episode, we were lucky enough to catch Enrico Spada, founder and artistic director of Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park, with a little time to to talk about the 2016 presentation of William Shakespeare’s “The Tempest.” Considering that today is the opening of… The post Will Call #48: “The Tempest” Sweeps Ashore at First Street Common appeared first on The Greylock Glass.

Governor Charlie Baker issued a budget veto on July 8 that would slash funding for the arts, humanities, and sciences through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) by more than half. The cut would exceed the value of MCC’s two largest grant programs, reducing state cultural funding to levels not seen since 1994. In this episode,… The post Will Call #47 — Governor Slashes Arts Funding, Part 2 with Van Shields of the Berkshire Museum appeared first on The Greylock Glass.

Governor Charlie Baker issued a budget veto on July 8 that would slash funding for the arts, humanities, and sciences through the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) by more than half. The cut would exceed the value of MCC’s two largest grant programs, reducing state cultural funding to levels not seen since 1994. In this episode,… The post Will Call #46 — Governor Slashes Arts Funding, Part 1 with Matt Wilson of MASSCreative appeared first on The Greylock Glass.

Like Summer itself, “Orpheus in the Berkshires” enters the scene with a flourish. A wildflower bouquet of textures and colors, the piece immediately charms, providing just the right touch at this season’s picnic of theatre offerings. In its creation, the production of “Orpheus,” from the Williamstown Theatre Festival, redefines the phrase, “community theatre.” Reframing the concept as an artistic mission to embrace an entire community as both inspiration and raw material, playwright Lucy Thurber and director Laura Savia create a fantastical world that is as familiar in its faces, strengths, and  problems as the whole of the Berkshires itself.… The post Will Call #45 — Rebirth of a Legend, Rebirth of a Landmark with Orpheus in the Berkshires appeared first on The Greylock Glass.

A Whimsical Fantasy Celebrating the Arts The Berkshire Mountain Faerie Festival makes its debut in Adams, June 25, with activities, music, arts, and magic for believers of all ages. aaa When: June 25th, 2016 10:00am to 10:00pm Where:Bowe Field, Adams, Mass. (Adams Aggie Fair Grounds) Cost: $5 admission, children under 12 FREE Visit their Facebook page for more details.   Presented by: The Adams Arts Advisory Board with the Adams Agricultural Fair (non-profit 501c) being their fiscal agent Proceeds to: Public Art and Community Based Art within our region, including schools and libraries Activities Performances throughout the day on the main stage Celtic & Alternative Music, Bagpipes, and Dancers Faerie Vendors and Enchanting Foods Artists and Artisans Story Telling Tent with Noted Authors Embellish Faerie Wings Build a Faerie House in the Forest Puppeteers and the Fire Hula-Hoop Lady Entertainment Busker Stations The People-Powered Peddle Float The Dragon Mouth Fire Pit Artful Decorations and Whimsical Tent

We celebrate the Summer Solstice with one of the Summery-est passages we know. Enjoy!   The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame (Full text available at Project Gutenberg) VII. THE PIPER AT THE GATES OF DAWN The Willow-Wren was twittering his thin little song, hidden himself in the dark selvedge of the river bank. Though it was past ten o’clock at night, the sky still clung to and retained some lingering skirts of light from the departed day; and the sullen heats of the torrid afternoon broke up and rolled away at the dispersing touch of the cool fingers of the short midsummer night.… The post Will Call #43 — Special Summer Solstice Episode: The Piper at the Gates of Dawn appeared first on The Greylock Glass.

FIGMENT, a free, family-friendly participatory arts event held in multiple cities and attracting tens of thousands of participants each year, has announced their inaugural North Adams event. FIGMENT is an explosion of creative energy, a celebration of participatory art and culture where everything is possible. For one day, attendees will transform Windsor Lake into a large-scale collaborative artwork — and then it’s gone. Visit their website to learn about it’s mission, principals, and to check out great photos and videos of past events.… The post Will Call #42 — Though FIGMENT It May Be, Yet Just as Real as You Could Dream appeared first on The Greylock Glass.

Berkshire Cultural Resource Center Program Manager Michelle Daly joins us for our first show after our Winter hiatus. And somehow she’s the perfect guest to have on this episode in which we celebrate Spring while we look forward to the Summer-long extravaganza that is DownStreet Art! She’ll be at MCLA Gallery 51 on Monday March 28 from 6-8pm to meet artists, answer your questions and introduce the THREE opportunities available this year. Here’s your chance to network, ask questions and learn about opportunities for artists and creative entrepreneurs or to sign up to volunteer.… The post Will Call #41 — Now’s the Time to Start Getting Down with DownStreet Art! appeared first on The Greylock Glass.