LENOX - By popular demand, WAM Theatre is thrilled to announce the return of its acclaimed Elder and Teen Ensembles. This Spring, WAM invites Berkshire-based teens ages 13-18 and women over 65 to join the company on a journey of empowerment through creativity, teamwork, and devised theatre. WAM’s Elder Ensemble launched with a Meet & Greet in December; WAM is currently accepting applications for its 2023 Teen Ensemble now through March 10.
“This year, WAM Theatre wishes to echo the ongoing work of femme-identitied, non-binary and trans activists, artists and community organizers far and wide, who labor together to safeguard their agency and to reclaim the stories of their bodies,” stated WAM Theatre’s Director of Community Engagement Kaia Jackson who will facilitate the ensembles. “In this time of social and political upheaval, we believe that it is as important as ever to ask ourselves what we, as individuals and communities, need to get free, and to grieve, demand, affirm and celebrate together.”
“I am so grateful for the opportunity to co-create a container where local artists and storytellers can explore places of resonance and imagine new possibilities through ensemble-based devised theatre,” Jackson shared. “In this age of technology, theatre offers us a potent invitation to embody ourselves and our stories, and to explore how they speak to one another in real time.”
Both ensembles will meet at WAM Theatre’s brand new Creative Hub in downtown Lenox. The Elder Ensemble will meet weekly in March through April, and the Teen Ensemble will be held over the school Spring Break, April 18-21, 2023. Participants will be taught the practice of devised theatre, a collaborative process where an ensemble uses a variety of techniques—including writing, improvisation, games, movement, brainstorming, and more—to create original theatre. Both ensembles will create original work on the theme of bodily sovereignty– an orientation, affirmation and practice of agency and freedom in relation to one’s own body and the stories it chooses to tell.
Led by WAM Teaching Artists, the Elder Ensemble is a multi-week series for senior artists to bring their various talents, depths of vision and lifelong narratives together into conversation with one another. This year’s Elder Ensemble launched with a Meet & Greet in December that invited prospective participants, some returning and some new, to share their hopes, dreams and visions for the experience. Through ensemble games, theatre explorations and creative writing, they plan to identify stories that they will collaboratively curate alongside Teaching Artists into short pieces and vignettes for performance.
2022 Teen Ensemble Member Anthea Kaplan echoed this sentiment saying: “I learned a lot about collaborative creation. Bouncing ideas off of each other, supporting others’ ideas, and building ideas off of each other.” She went on to explain that: “what I remember most about Teen Ensemble is the community feeling. There isn’t any particular moment, but just a lingering comfort of being supported and affirmed by others along with supporting and affirming others.”
The Teen Ensemble is a paid theatre workshop for young people aged 13-18 to create together during the April School break. Since 2018, WAM has paid Teen Ensemble Members a stipend for their participation to help offset participation costs. WAM believes this contributes to a more diverse group of young artists from a variety of socio-economic backgrounds. The Teen Ensemble promotes teamwork, self-confidence, and creativity. Parents, counselors, teachers, and community leaders are encouraged to nominate students who would thrive in a collaborative creative environment. WAM is accepting applications now through March 10. Interested students can apply online at: www.wamtheatre.com/engage/teen-ensemble/.
Former experience in theatre is not necessary participation in WAM Theatre’s Ensembles. The only criteria for participation is enthusiasm and the creative impulse to voice their feelings and/or ideas through artistic expression.
Questions about either ensembles and nominations for Teen Ensemble can be sent to WAM Teaching Artist and Director of Community Engagement, Kaia Jackson at: kaia@wamtheatre.com.
At A Glance
WAM Elder Ensemble
Devised Theatre and Creative Collaboration for Women over 65 years
Led by WAM Teaching Artists Kaia Jackson and Co-facilitator TBC
March 14 - April 25, 2023
At The WAM Theatre Creative Hub, 55 Main Street, Lenox, MA
A paid theatre workshop for young people aged 13-18
Led by WAM Teaching Artists Kaia Jackson and Maizy Scarpa.
April 18-21, 2023
at The WAM Theatre Hub, 55 Main Street, Lenox, MA
Apply online at: https://forms.gle/CWaqrwuKMavzAwpe9.
Application deadline: March 10, 2023
