Archive for April, 2009

David Auburn to Direct BTF Production

n795967452_0David Auburn to direct BTF summer production of Sick by Zayd Dohrn.

Auburn has been working steadily as a director for both film and the stage since winning the Pulitzer Prize in 2001 for his play Proof. For Sick, he will be working with his fellow Julliard alum Zayd Dohrn in bringing this intriguing black comedy to the stage. This marks Mr. Auburn’s first return to Berkshire Theatre Festival since he worked with the company 13 years ago on a workshop production of his first play, Skyscraper.

On working this season with Mr. Auburn, Ms. Maguire says, “Obviously, getting someone of David’s stature to join us on this relatively new work is a dream come true. David combines both a writer’s sensibilities with a keen directorial eye and is the perfect person to help bring Zayd’s vision to the stage. I’m very excited to see the results.”

Click here to learn more about the Berkshire Theatre Festival and David Auburn’s production of Sick!

Pending Publication of Berkshire Art Jeweler and Writer’s First Book

512mmdbyccl_sl500_aa240_Art jeweler, writer and all around Berkshire Creative, Linda Kaye-Moses’ first book, Pure Silver Metal Clay Beads; Techniques and Inspiration will be published this July.

Now available for pre-order on Amazon.com, this book has been in progress for almost two years; from the publisher’s invitation to submit a proposal to the intended publication date. No stranger to writing, Linda Kaye-Moses’s work and articles have appeared in Lapidary Journal, Step-by-Step Jewelry, The Crafts Report, Metalsmith, Ornament, Art Jewelry, American Craft, American Style, The New York Times, and Craft Art International, among others. Her work has received several awards. She has also participated in numerous juried and invitational shows and is a member of several professional organizations, including the American Craft Council and the Society of North American Goldsmiths. Linda will be exhibiting her latest jewels at the prestigious Paradise City Arts Festival Saturday, Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day weekend.

In addition to her jewelry design and writing projects, Linda has also has also recently designed the Linda Kaye-Moses Doming Plates, tools for use with metal clay, which are now available from Rio Grande Jewelers Supply, Whole Lotta Whims and from the artist.

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

MatchBook.org

MatchBook.org

MatchBook.org is an online cultural marketplace that brings together New England’s performing and teaching artists and the people and organizations who present them.

This free website features an easy-to-search directory of artists, performance spaces and presenting organizations, designed to MATCH artists with presenters that BOOK them. Now in its third year, Matchbook.org has more than 2,300 registered users across the New England states. Click here to learn more, search the site and sign-up!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Barrington Stage Company’s Playwright Mentoring Program (PMP)

PMP is an intensive, seven-month, out-of-school activity that uses theatre as a catalyst to change the negative life patterns of at-risk youth and help them to develop positive self-images.  Over the course of the program teens are enabled to create an original performance piece based on their own stories in a safe and confidential environment where they can express themselves, can develop conflict/resolution skills and together can create a supportive community.

Since 2000 PMP has served more than 250 youths from throughout Berkshire County. Every PMP participant has currently recieved or is working towards a high school diploma or GED. Many students have gone onto college or junior colleg, including one student who recieved a full tution scholarship to Brown University and three students that have matriculated at Williams College.

Click here to learn more about this important community program!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Creative Economy Career Opportunities

social_networking

Check out these Creative Economy Career Opportunities!

Summer/Spring Internships, Berkshire Living

Communications Specialist, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Director of Marketing and PR, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival

Marketing Manager, Berkshire South Regional Community Center

Performance and  Technical Theatre Interns, Berkshire Fringe Festival

Project Lead Software Engineer, General Dynamics

Registrar / Office Administrator, IS183 Art School

Tech Support, Pine Cone Hill

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Award-Winning Contemporary Playwrights to Write for Berkshire Playwrights Lab

picture-23Playwrights Joan Ackermann, Eric Bogosian, Larry Gelbart, and David Mamet to Write Original Short Plays for Berkshire Playwrights Lab Gala-Actors Karen Allen, Elizabeth Franz, Dan Lauria, Wendie Malick, Peter Riegert, and Jay Thomas Set to Perform

Berkshire Playwrights Lab announces that award-winning contemporary playwrights Joan Ackermann, Eric Bogosian, Larry Gelbart, and David Mamet will write original short plays to be read by celebrated actors Karen Allen, Elizabeth Franz, Dan Lauria, Wendie Malick, Peter Riegert, Jay Thomas, and others at the organization’s Gala Season Opening on Friday, May 29, 2009, 8pm at the Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center.

The Berkshire Playwrights Lab is dedicated to encouraging, developing, and presenting new plays.  Through readings, workshops, and fully staged productions, The Lab provides emerging and established writers with a professional and creative environment, while offering audiences the unique and provocative opportunity to share in the dramatic evolution of premiere works.

Click here to learn more about the Berkshire Playwrights Lab!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

HCDC Business Workshops for Artists and Craftspeople

picture-32Hilltown Community Development Coroporation HCDC is offering a series of business workshops for artists and craftspeople, taught by Donald Clark, author of Making a Living in Crafts, at the Hilltown CDC in Chesterfield.

Off to Market — Wholesale and Retail
Wednesday, May 6, 2009, 6:00 PM t0 9:00 PM
This workshop is for craftspeople with a product line they are ready to take to market.  Topics include: differences between selling work at wholesale and retail; choosing the right marketing path, the right show, and the tools necessary for completing a competitive application; understanding the differences between buyers and customers, and the approach and tools needed for selling to each market; basic sales techniques.

Opening the Gallery Door
Wednesday, May 13, 2009, 6:00 PM t0 9:00 PM
This workshop is designed for artists and craftspeople seeking specific information about working with for-profit galleries.  Topics include:  considerations for choosing a gallery; discussion of the proper ways to approach galleries and what to expect from galleries; materials necessary to present work to a gallery; the artist‚s responsibilities to their gallery(s).  Participants are encouraged to bring images of their work (on a lap-top or CD if possible), as well as any printed materials they have produced.

Online Marketing for Artists and Craftspeople
Wednesday, May 20, 2009, 6:00 PM t0 9:00 PM

The fee for each workshop is $35, which is waived for low and moderate-income residents of the hilltowns.  Pre-registration is required.  For additional information, go to www.hilltowncdc.org or call 413-296-4536. Click here to check out the HCDC other business development workshops!

Workforce Investment Act Youth Formula Grant Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

Workforce Investment Act Youth Formula Grant Funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)

In anticipation of increased Workforce Investment Act Youth Formula Grant funds from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the Berkshire County Regional Employment Board, Inc. (BCREB), through a competitive bidding process, is seeking one or more qualified agencies/organizations to administer a Summer Youth Employment Program in Berkshire County, MA.

The funding for the summer youth program flows from the United States Department of Labor (USDOL) to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Labor and Workforce Development (EOLWD) to local Workforce Investment Boards (WIB). BCREB has not yet received final guidance or funding for the summer youth program, and therefore, this Request for Proposal (RFP) is based on current WIA Law and limited information regarding changes that are expected to apply specifically to ARRA WIA funds. In an effort to achieve the earliest possible implementation so youth in our communities are afforded every opportunity this funding has to offer, BCREB has posted this RFP prior to receiving the funds.

BCREB reserves the right to make necessary changes or adjustments to the program design or any statements made in this RFP upon receiving guidance from EOLWD. If any additional information is received by BCREB that fundamentally alters the described summer youth program, BCREB will provide written notification to each agency that has expressed interest in receiving updates regarding this RFP.

Click here for more information and the request for proposals!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Jobs!!! Jobs!!! Jobs!!!

job-search-crossroads

1.0 FTE Art Teacher Gr. 5-8, Monument Valley Regional Middle School

Assistant Cook, Berkshire Theatre Festival

Associate Producer, Monadnock Media, Inc.

Carpenters Helper, Undisclosed

Communications Specialist, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Coordinator/Lead Teacher, American Girl® Summer Sessions, Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum

Co-Executive Director, Earthdance Creative Living Project

Director of Marketing and PR, Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival

Education Coordinator Summer Programs, Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum

Embedded Software Engineer, Cxdesign

Freelance Graphic Designer, Undisclosed

Graphic Artist / Marketer, Undisclosed

Marketing Manager, Berkshire South Regional Community Center

Music Supervisor/Sales Associate, Boston Symphony Orchestra

Part-Time/On-Call Catering Chefs, Undisclosed

Professional Summer Theater General Manager, Berkshire Playwrights Lab

PT Summer Staff, Ventfort Hall Mansion and Gilded Age Museum

Research and Grants Officer, Hancock Shaker Village

Structural Engineer – Wood frame, Undisclosed

Summer Development Assistant, Berkshire Theatre Festival

Ticket Booth Attendant, The Mount

Tour Guide, The Mount

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!

Creative Economy and Its Impact on Western Massachusetts

picture-4Berkshire Creative Director of Operations, Helena Fruscio on WGBY’s VodCast:Watercooler with Susan Kaplan.

Listen as Maren Brown of the U-Mass Arts extension Service, Helena Fruscio of Berkshire Creative and Greg Liakos, from the Massachusetts Cultural Council discuss the Creative Economy; what it is and what it means to western Massachusetts.

Click here to view the video!

Do you have an item you would like to share about the creative economy? Suggest a Post to Berkshire Creative!