WAM Theatre hosts on-line and in-person workshops and gatherings throughout the year. Community Engagement activities are generally connected to our mission and open to all on a free or pay-what-you-can basis. Current offerings are listed below.
Location and accessibility:
All in-person workshops take place at the WAM Theatre Creative Hub, 55 Main Street, Lenox, MA. Entrance to the side of the wooden church with the rainbow flag outside, free street parking.
The space is wheelchair accessible and on the BRTA bus line. Access BRTA information HERE.
Caregiver stipends are available as needed. Apply for a reimbursement.
Questions about a workshop or gathering? E-mail WAM’s Director of Community Engagement Maizy Broderick Scarpa: Maizy@wamtheatre.com
Introduction to Devised Theatre
with Priscilla Kane Hellweg
Saturday, September 23, 1:30 – 4 pm
In-person at the WAM Hub in downtown Lenox
Priscilla will guide the group through devised theatre exercises to share ideas and together imagine a better tomorrow. We will draw upon our collective ideas, hopes, experiences, and practices to create a distilled performance of theater, dance, and rhythm as a final sharing, just for us!
“Telling stories is the way we all connect with each other; you can fall in love with a fellow human in an instant. I think teaching is like that; people in a room together get a chance to feel our collective humanity. We’re all here to tell some story that’s burning a hole in our pocket, and at some point or another, we’re all scared or stuck, but we persist. I respect the desire in all of us to create. I’m thrilled to partner with WAM. The work and the mission of this company are aligned with social justice and storytelling.” —Priscilla Kane Hellweg, WAM Teaching Artist
This workshop is currently SOLD OUT, please email talya@wamtheatre.com to be added to the waitlist.
Priscilla Kane Hellweg and participants of a devised theatre workshop.
Devising Theatre Online
with Nicole Orabona
Saturday, September 30, 2-4 pm
On-line over Zoom
Curious about expanding your artistic practice and connecting digitally with a greater sphere of collaborators? Using improvisation and collaboration, participants in this workshop will explore the process of creating art and connecting using digital platforms. While this workshop will be taught through the lens of theater, creative artists of other disciplines are welcome and encouraged to participate.
“As a theatre maker and activist, I am such a huge fan of WAMs mission and absolutely chuffed to present this workshop!” says Teaching Artist Nicole Orabona. “My theatre practice thrives in a collaborative environment. During the early isolating days of the pandemic, I was lucky enough to find ways to make art virtually that could fill me with the same satisfaction of rolling around on the floor in a studio. I’m excited to share these practices with the WAMily!” —Nicole Orabona, Teaching Artist
This workshop is currently SOLD OUT, please email talya@wamtheatre.com to be added to the waitlist.
Community Story Circle
with Maizy Scarpa
Tuesday, November 14th from 6-7:30 pm
In-person at 55 Main Street in Lenox
This third workshop (not currently open for public enrollment) invites participants to give voice to challenges, dreams, fears, and desires present in their communities today. Through a story exchange facilitated by WAM Director of Community Engagement Maizy Scarpa, Community Story Circle aims to create a space where we imagine—and begin to build—a future where WAM more fully meets the needs and aspirations of our neighbors, in an ever-changing world. What do you need to feel welcomed? And what do you hope to find once you’re here?
“As long as humans have had fires to gather around, we’ve met in circles to unpack our fears and dreams through storytelling. This is a powerful act; in the process, we combat isolation, understand ourselves and our neighbors better, and build community. Sharing stories, real or imagined, is also a crucial step towards creating intentional and positive change.” —Maizy Broderick Scarpa, Teaching Artist & Director of Community Engagement
This event has a limited capacity. To express your interest in participating, please email maizy@wamtheatre.com.
This series of free community workshops has been made possible by an Arts Build Capacity Incubation grant from the Berkshires Taconic Community Foundation.