Things have been very busy in the education department at BSC. We hosted our 10th anniversary PMP benefit on March 18th at Jae’s spice. The atmosphere was wonderful. Past and present PMP participants shined on stage as they gave touching speeches, performed portions of the current season, and even rapped a tribute song for PMP director Frank LaFrazia.
This week all five PMP groups will perform their plays at local schools and community locations. Yesterday morning I performed with participants from the Tuesday night Pittsfield group at Taconic high school. We had an amazing audience and the show went wonderfully. It was moving to hear participants explain to the audience during our talkback how important PMP is to them and how they have found a lot of guidance in their group. One of the young women in this group told me backstage “I always get nervous before I go out on stage but when I’m out there it feels like my second home.” Hearing her say this makes me want to cry. Statements like this one remind my why I am so passionate about community theater education. Friday afternoon I will perform with the North Adams Thursday Afternoon group at the 411 in the 413 youth conference. Hopefully these community outreach performances will inspire other young people to take advantage of the opportunities for self discovery and growth that PMP offers.
All 5 productions will be staged at the final PMP public performance which will take place at BSC’s Stage 2 on Saturday April 9th at 2PM. Tickets are required for this performance and you can get yours by calling the box office at 413-236-8888.
Also don’t forget that Spring Kids Act! is here! I am currently directing the 11 to 14 year old participants. Our show title is “A Wii Little Problem” and this show really demands that the audience have an imagination. Let’s just say the show features a Ligiruck (lion/giraffe/duck) and a talking unicorn. 🙂 The Kids Act! Spring session culminates on Saturday April 23rd and two days later I head back home to California! I couldn’t think of a better way to say goodbye to BSC then putting on this fun, imaginative, play with my awesome Kids Act! participants. If your interested or know someone who might be interested in Kids Act! check out our two Kids Act Summer theater camps.
-Mallory Fehrensen, Education Intern