A BENEFIT FOR
CLAIMING
HER PLACE
CELEBRITY PANEL DISCUSSES THE CHALLENGES WOMEN FACE IN THE ENTERTAINMENT INDUSTRY
SUNDAY
Theatre for EVERYONE that benefits WOMEN AND GIRLS
JUNE 30 : PM
14 Castle Street, Great Barrington, MA
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FROM THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR I love being part of this community, one that is so incredibly supportive of both the arts and women’s issues. Thank you so much for joining us this evening and being part of using theatre to effect change for women and girls locally and globally! Lots of people were part of making this event happen. They are highlighted in the Thank You section. Special thanks to the WAM Theatre Board of Directors and our supporters; without them, none of this could happen. In January 2010, after reading Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn’s Half the Sky: Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, I felt compelled to co-found a non-profit venture that uses theatre to benefit women and girls. In the book they share many stories where helping one woman, and making a difference from the bottom up successfully effects change. Storytelling is where the seed for this benefit was planted and we are thankful to Lauren, Michel, Marin, Linus and Debra Jo for sharing their stories with us this evening. I am especially thankful to Jayne for co-producing and hosting this event and being so enthusiastic about helping WAM make more impact. Since launching in 2010, thanks to the generous support of so many, WAM has become a strong presence in the community. We are proud that nearly 70% of our yearly budget goes directly to paying our artists and donating to our beneficiaries! Our goal for the next five years is to contribute more to our creative economy by providing more jobs and higher salaries to our professional theatre artists and making increased donations to our beneficiaries, organizations that are out there on the front lines working to benefit the lives of women and girls around the world. This benefit is another step towards that goal. We hope you enjoy your evening and will continue to support WAM Theatre’s growth by coming to Emilie in November and by being part of our donor community. Information on how to donate is in this playbill and on our website at www.WAMTheatre.com. Please consider joining at the 100 Club level or above. Our goal each year is to raise 100 donations of at least $100. WAM Theatre’s double philanthropic model means that by being here tonight you are supporting the arts and supporting women and girls. A double positive. Double WAMmy! Thank you! Warmly,
Kristen van Ginhoven Artistic Director
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TONIGHT’S PROGRAM A brief video introduction to WAM Theatre Welcome by host Jayne Atkinson Kristen van Ginhoven Introduces a Sneak Peek of WAM's Fall Play Emilie: La Marquise du Chatelet Defends Her Life Tonight performed by Jayne Atkinson and Michel Gill Announcement of the beneficiary of Emilie Panel Discussion: Lauren Ambrose Jayne Atkinson Michel Gill Marin Mazzie Linus Roache Debra Jo Rupp moderated by Kristen van Ginhoven The evening will run about 90 minutes with no intermission. No photographs or video allowed. Stage Manager: VALERIE BIJUR CARLSON* *appears courtesy of Actor's Equity Association
Kristen van Ginhoven, Artistic Director
WAM THEATRE BOARD Ashley Berridge (President), Tammy Valicenti (Treasurer), Nick Webb (Secretary), Vicky May, Kristen van Ginhoven ADVISORY BOARD Susan Dworkin, Ellen W. Kaplan, Brenny Rabine, Paul Rapp, Laura Roudabush, Abbie von Schlegell, Sharon Small, Kevin Craig West Leigh Strimbeck Board Member Emeritus, WAM Theatre Co-Founder
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ASSOCIATE ARTISTS Susan Dworkin, Juliana von Haubrich
A B O U T WA M T H E AT R E
the Capital d in the Berkshires of Massachusetts and WAM Theatre is a theatre company base ion into Opthe book Half the Sky: Turning Oppress Region of New York State. Inspired by Theatre was olas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn, WAM portunity for Women Worldwide by Nich Strimbeck. artists Kristen van Ginhoven and Leigh founded in 2009 by professional theatre yone, ; first, producing theatrical events for ever WAM’s philanthropic mission is two-fold nd, to donate and/or stories of women and girls; seco with a focus on women theatre artists and girls. ts to organizations that benefit women a portion of the proceeds from those even
Over three years, WAM has
DONATED OVER $7,000 to 5 BENEFICIARIE
S
(including 2 internationally)...
...provided work to nearly 60 ARTISTS, OF WHICH ARE WOMEN. collaborated with a total of 250, 75% ALMOST 2,500 PEOPLE. WAM Theatre's work has been SEEN BY ity with its “WAM is a positive force in the commun ributions cont rous gene and ing, ns fund excellent productio “WAM supported us with much needed en” wom ote prom and aid nary that s ordi tion to organiza but just as importantly provided extra Karel Fisher, Audience Member outreach and support for our project.” y ficiar bene Jeanet Ingalls, from of so worthy a cause. Shout Out Loud Productions “I was inspired and so proud to be a part of theatre” art the ugh thro Plus, I love that it’s all done o Mezz Old The in r acto Ryan Winkles, s a donation from WAM’s The Old Mezzo in 2012.
Beneficiary Shout Out Loud Productions receive
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THE PANEL LAUREN AMBROSE received two Primetime Emmy Award nominations for her role of Claire Fisher in HBO’s critically acclaimed and award winning series “Six Feet Under”. She was most recently seen in television on the critically acclaimed Starz show “Torchwood: Miracle Day” and the A&E miniseries “Coma”. In Film, Ambrose most recently appeared in Mike Birbiglia’s “Sleepwalk with Me” and “About Sunny”, in which Ambrose starred and received an Independent Spirit Award Nomination for Best Female Lead. Other film credits include “Wanderlust”, “Where the Wild Things Are”, “Cold Souls”, “A Dog Year”, “Starting Out in the Evening” and “Diggers”. On stage, Ambrose has appeared in the Broadway revivals of Exit the King and Awake and Sing; Buried Child at the National Theater of London, and as Juliet in Romeo and Juliet and Ophelia in Hamlet at the Public Theater’s Shakespeare in the Park. She is currently enjoying the film festival runs of two short comedies she produced and stars in, “I’m Coming Over” and “The River”, both written and directed by her husband Sam Handel and both made here in the Berkshires with an incredible group of friends and artists. JAYNE ATKINSON (Benefit Co-Producer) recently finished five years as Erin Strauss on “Criminal Minds”. Her other television credits include Karen Hayes on “24”, “Law and Order”, “White Collar”, and most recently she is appearing with husband Michel Gill on the Netflix hit “House of Cards”. Her love however is the theatre—Broadway: Blithe Spirit, Enchanted April and The Rainmaker. She will be appearing this summer at her home away from home, The Berkshire Theater Festival, as Eleanor of Aquitaine in Lion in Winter. Her favorite role however is wife and mother to her beloved Michel and Jeremy. MICHEL GILL Broadway: A Man For All Seasons (w/ Frank Langella) Off-Broadway: Speaking in Tongues (Roundabout) A Winter’s Tale (CSC w/ David Strathairn), Naked (CSC), Othello (N.Y. Shakespeare Fest. w/ Christopher Walken and Raul Julia), Lincoln Portrait (Joyce Theatre), Da Caravvaggio (MCC), Coyote Ugly (New York Theatre Workshop). Regional: Over 30 plays in leading roles: Yale Rep., Long Wharf, Berkshire Theatre Festival, The Folger, The Old Globe, The Huntington, Portland Stage, The Alley, Great Lakes Theatre Festival, Pittsburgh Public Theatre. FILM/TV: “House of Cards” - President Garrett Walker, “Patient 001” (2013), “Ideal”, “To Forget Palermo”, “Protocol”, “The Good Wife,” “Law and Order CI”, “L.A. Law”, “Guiding Light”, “All My Children.” The Juilliard School of Drama: 1985. 6
MARIN MAZZIE Broadway: Next to Normal (opposite husband, Jason Danieley); Enron (Drama League nom ); Kiss Me, Kate ( Outer Critics Circle Award, Tony, Drama Desk & Olivier noms); Ragtime (Tony, Drama Desk, OCC noms); Passion (Tony nom, PBS); Spamalot (also London); Man of La Mancha; Into The Woods; Big River. Encores!: Kismet, Out Of This World. Off-Broadway: Carrie (Drama Desk nom); The Vagina Monologues; The Trojan Women; and The World Goes ‘Round (also national tour). TV: ”The Big C”, “Smash”, “Without a Trace,” “Still Standing”, “Numb3rs,” “Jake in Progress,” “Stacked, “ “Ring Them Bells! A Tribute to Kander & Ebb,” “Sondheim’s 80th”, “Camelot”, “My Favorite Broadway: The Leading Ladies” & “The Love Songs,” and “The Boston Pops’ Tribute to Jerry Herman.” Marin has been heard in many of the country’s major symphony halls, cabaret and concert venues. Her CD Opposite You, with Jason, is on PS Classics. She holds an honorary doctorate from her alma mater, Western Michigan University. MarinMazzie.com; MarinandJason.com. LINUS ROACHE As an actor Linus worked extensively in theatre, television, radio and cinema across the world. In 2002 he won the London Evening Standard Best Actor award for his portrayal of Samuel Taylor Coleridge in Julian Temple’s acclaimed film “Pandemonium” and in 2003 he was nominated for a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Robert Kennedy in the FX TV movie “RFK”. With a career that has taken him from Shakespeare’s Richard II to Christopher Nolan’s Batman Begins, Linus is probably best known in the US for his portrayal of Assistant District Attorney Michael Cutter in the long running NBC Series Law and Order. This summer he will be joining the Cast of The History Channel’s hit show Vikings for its second season. DEBRA JO RUPP most recently appeared in the solo show Dr. Ruth: All the Way at Barrington Stage Company and is currently appearing in the retitled Becoming Dr. Ruth at Hartford TheaterWorks. She has appeared on Broadway with Kathleen Turner and Charles Durning in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof and several Off Broadway productions including Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune and The Butcher of Baraboo at 2nd Stage. Probably best known for her 8 year run as Kitty Forman in “That 70’s Show!” on Fox TV, she has made numerous television appearances including Jerry’s booking agent on “Seinfeld” and Phoebe’s sister-in-law on “Friends”. Her first film was “Big” with Tom Hanks and her first HBO run was in “From the Earth to the Moon” with Tom Hanks. Debra has been fortunate enough to find work near “home”: Williamstown, Berkshire Theater Group, Chester Theater, and was named an associate artist at Barrington Stage. She loves her dog, she loves her home, she loves her work and she loves Tom Hanks.
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BENEFIT STAFF KRISTEN VAN GINHOVEN (Artistic Director, WAM Theatre) For WAM Theatre, Kristen’s directing credits include: The Old Mezzo (World Premiere), The Attic, The Pearls and Three Fine Girls and Sarah Ruhl’s Melancholy Play. She recently was a director for the 10x10 New Play Festival at Barrington Stage Company. Elsewhere as a director, Kristen has worked at the Stratford Festival of Canada, Capital Repertory Theatre, Majestic Theatre, Cohoes Music Hall, and Emerson College. Kristen is an associate member of the Society of Stage Directors and Choreographers. She is a member of the 2013 Lincoln Center Director’s Lab. www.kristenvanginhoven.com VALERIE BIJUR CARLSON (Stage Manager) is pleased to be working with WAM again, having stage managed for 2012’s 24-Hour Theatre Project. She can be found throughout the summer here at the Mahaiwe, where she is entering her fourth year with Berkshire Playwrights Lab. During the school year, she directs the theatre program at The American School in Switzerland. As a stage manager, she has worked at Arena Stage, the Kennedy Center, Folger; she thanks her alma maters SUNY@Geneseo and Emerson College, for helping her to claim her place in the world of professional theatre. JAYNE ATKINSON (Co-Producer) See bio on page 6
WAM PRODUC TION HISTORY APRIL 2010: A WAM Welcome $1,000 for Women for Women International
NOVEMBER 2010: Melancholy Play by Sarah Ruhl $1,500 to The Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts
MARCH 2011: First Annual 24Hr Berkshire/Capital Region Theatre Project A co-production with The Mop & Bucket Company APRIL 2011: O Solo Mama Mia Festival $650 to Edna’s Hospital in Somaliland, to train one community midwife and provide her uniform and bus fare
AUGUST 2011: Women and Words: An Instant Theatre Piece Part of the Pittsfield WordxWord Festival
NOVEMBER 2011: The Attic, The Pearls, and Three Fine Girls by Martha Ross, Ann-Marie MacDonald, Jennifer Brewin, Alisa Palmer and Leah Cherniak $1,750 to Berkshire United Way’s Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative
APRIL 2012: Second Annual 24Hr Berkshire/Capital Region Theatre Project A co-production with The Mop & Bucket Company
AUGUST 2012: Like/Unlike created and directed by Leigh Strimbeck Company in residence at the Pittsfield WordxWord Festival
OCTOBER 2012: The Old Mezzo by Susan Dworkin (World Premiere) $2,400 to Shout Out Loud Productions: Taking Action to Address Sexual Trafficking
FEBRUARY 2013: 10x10on10 in the 10x10 Upstreet Art Festival A multi-media theatre and art exhibition in collaboration with Alchemy Initiative
FEBRUARY 2013: One Billion Rising Dance Party Hosted in collaboration with various community organizations
MARCH 2013: Half the Sky film showing in collaboration with Sisters of Peace Part of the Berkshire Festival of Women Writers
MAY 2013: Third Annual 24Hr Berkshire/Capital Region Theatre Project A co-production with The Mop & Bucket Company
THANK YOU We are very grateful to Beryl Jolly, Karin Watkins, Matt Adelson and everyone at the Mahaiwe for their support. We are deeply thankful to Cohen Kinne Valicenti Cook, Attorneys, for being the main sponsors for this benefit. Many thanks also to the Dylandale Foundation, Kirsten Vangness, Lyn and Richard Atkinson and Brian Shwab for their benefit support. Thank you to everyone who has already joined the 2013 WAM Donor Community. You make it possible. THANKS TO Blue Q, Bola Granola, Greylock Federal Cedit Union and Jane Iredale for the lovely audience thank you gifts. Anni Maliki, Asia Luna, Ben’s, Berkshire Fabrications/Jan Charbonneau, Bra & Girl, Cookiehead and Suzi Banks Baum/An Anthology of Babes for providing in-kind support for this event. Ariel Bock, Benita Zahn, Diane Perlman, Bess Hochstein and Yvonne Perry for their advice on planning, moderating, marketing, connecting and outfitting! Sarah Todd and all those interviewed for the online Claiming Her Place Interviews (they can be found at www.WAMTheatre.com/blog). Brad Berridge for the ‘WAM-tasia’ mix that was playing as you walked in. Juliana von Haubrich for helping make our set look elegant. Jeff Roudabush and the Barrington Stage Company props shop Thank you to everyone on Facebook and Twitter and email who shared our information and helped spread the word about this event.
WAM TEAM:
assistant to the artistic director KELLY GALVIN
graphic designer ENRICO SPADA 9
CO R P O R AT E SPONSORSHIP
LEADER SPONSORS $500 Berkshire Bank Foundation Interprint in Pittsfield, MA
2013 SEASON SPONSORS PRODUC TION SPONSORS $2,500+ Brabson Library & Educational Foundation
Did You Weekend? Pittsfield Cooperative Bank Pittsfield Cultural Council
Berkshire Magazine Dylandale Foundation Mass Humanities PARTNER SPONSORS $1,000 Greylock Federal Credit Union Cohen Kinne Valicenti Cook, LLC
Price Chopper Golub Foundation Custom Business Solutions Rogovoy Report SUPPORTER SPONSORS $250 Adams Community Bank Berkshire Fine Arts Toole Insurance
BECOME A CO R P O R AT E SPONSOR Become a corporate sponsor today and support WAM’s double-philanthropic mission.
ALL CORPORATE SPONSORS RECEIVE Free tickets to one WAM production An ad in on WAM Playbill Listing and link on WAM e-newsletter Listing and link on WAM e-newsletter Subscription to WAM e-newsletter erlink on web Company listing with logo and hyp the season out Mention in press releases through sponsorship level! Plus special benefits tailored to your
meet! ut sponsorship opportunities? Let’s Interested in talking with WAM abo om tre.c thea 243-9627 or kristen@wam Contact Kristen van Ginhoven at (518) Make checks payable and send to: • Lee, MA, 01238 WAM Theatre, Inc. • 440 Spring Street (c) 3 organization based in the WAM Theatre is an official non-profit 501 Region, New York State. Berkshires, Massachusetts and the Capital
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Emilie
La Marquise du Châtelet Defends Her Life Tonight
by Lauren Gunderson directed by Kristen van Ginhoven Emilie Du Châtelet is best known for her fifteen-year liaison with Voltaire but she was more than a great man’s mistress. She was one of the leading interpreters of modern physics during the Age of Enlightenment. In this play Emilie must defend her life by tallying her
November
7–24
Barrington Stage Company St. Germain Stage
achievements in Love and Philosophy—and searching for a formula that will convince the world of her worth. A portion of proceeds will be donated to an organization that benefits women and girls.
For tickets and info visit www.WAMtheatre.com
GIVING LEVELS:
Heroines & Heroes: $500+
Champion: $50–$99
Angels: $200–$499
Advocate: up to $49
Yes! I want to help WAM Theatre make a greater impact in 2013!
100 Club: $100–$199 NAME ___________________________________________________________________ STREET __________________________________________________________________ TOWN ___________________________________ STATE _________ ZIP CODE __________ EMAIL ___________________________________ PHONE __________________________
Enclosed is my check in the amount of $ ___________ payable to “WAM Theatre, Inc.” I would like my gift to remain anonymous Return to: WAM Theatre · 440 Spring Street · Lee, MA, 01238 Visit the SUPPORT page of our website for a complete list of benefits at every level of giving. Make a secure credit card donation directly at our website. All gifts to WAM Theatre are tax-deductible.