Sunday, February 9, 2025

News and Ideas Worth Sharing

BITS & BYTES: American Mural Project joins Museums for All; Olana summer art and nature program; Kitchen residency at Heirloom Lodge; Berkshire Theatre Group auditions; Ghent Playhouse auditions

“We want to ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances, feels that they belong here,” said Amy Wynn, Executive Director of American Mural Project.

American Mural Project joins Museums for All to offer access to low-income families

Winsted, Conn.— The American Mural Project (AMP) is proud to announce that it will join Museums for All to encourage people of all backgrounds to visit museums regularly and build lifelong museum-going habits. The program will launch on Saturday, February 1st, enabling those receiving food assistance (SNAP) benefits to visit for a minimal admission fee of $3 per person. 

“This partnership with Museums for All reflects AMP’s mission to make art and cultural experiences accessible to everyone. By reducing financial barriers, we hope to welcome more families to explore the mural exhibit and discover the stories it celebrates about creativity, collaboration, and American workers,” said Amy Wynn, Executive Director of AMP. “We want to ensure that everyone, regardless of their financial circumstances, feels that they belong here.”

American Mural Project. Photo by Sky Johnson. Courtesy AMP.

AMP’s indoor mural exhibit depicts diverse American workers and serves as inspiration for creativity and collaboration. Guests can view the 120-foot long, five-story high mural from three levels and hear the workers’ real-life stories through an audio tour. Guided tours are also available. The exhibit is open to the public on Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays from noon to 5 p.m. More information can be found online. 

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‘Panorama: Summer Art + Nature Program’ at Olana State Historic Site open for early-bird registration

Hudson, N.Y.— Back for its 16th annual season, The Olana Partnership will offer five weeks of “Panorama: Summer Art + Nature Program,” a hands-on exploration for children ages six to 11 from July to August at Olana State Historic Site. Discounted early bird registration is open now through through February 1st.

Experience art, science, and nature through sketching, lake exploration, hiking, painting, play, and more, all while meeting new friends and learning from the experts. The whole summer focuses on art and nature with special guest visits and activities each week. Highlights for each of the four weeks include exploring habitats, animals, and ecosystems that are within Olana’s 250-acre artist-designed landscape, unleashing your own inner sculptor by experimenting with clay, wire, and paper mâché, learning about architecture and building your own creations, and experimenting with professional materials like paint, charcoal, and collage.

Courtesy Olana.

“Panorama is one of our most exciting and fun programs of the year” said Carolyn Keogh, Director of Education at The Olana Partnership. “The Olana Partnership’s education team looks forward to welcoming new and familiar faces each summer for weeks of engaging play, exploration, and discovery.”

The program runs Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Discounted early bird registration is available through February 1st. Regular registration will close on June 1st. Full scholarships and financial support for transportation are available for students who attend Title 1 schools and/or receive SNAP and EBT benefits. To apply for funding or to learn more email education@olana.org. Registration and more information can be found online. 

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Kitchen Work Foundation residency award at Heirloom Lodge 

West Stockbridge— The Kitchen Work Foundation (KWF,) a California non-profit, is pleased to announce the first-ever KWF Residency Award, to be celebrated at Heirloom Lodge in West Stockbridge in April. 

One winning chef will be provided with a $10,000 cash prize, local lodging, the opportunity to write their own menus and assume leadership of the kitchen at Heirloom Lodge for one week and three nights of dinner service. Winners of KWF Residency Awards can expect to be assisted by members of the Heirloom Lodge kitchen staff, as well as interns from the culinary program at Berkshire Community College. 

Courtesy Kitchen Work Foundation.

Applicants for this award should be talented and ambitious culinary professionals who look forward to a week-long residency dedicated to showcasing their food, platings, and culinary imagination. Winners will be selected for the strength of their menu proposal, resume, professional references, and interview. Candidates are encouraged to apply from any geographic locale. All are welcome to apply. The deadline to apply is March 1st. The application and more information can be found online.

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Berkshire Theatre Group announces auditions for Roald Dahl’s ‘Matilda The Musical JR.’

Pittsfield— Berkshire Theatre Group seeks young actors to audition for its upcoming non-Equity youth production of Roald Dahl’s “Matilda The Musical JR.”

Rebellion is nigh in “Matilda JR.,” a gleefully witty ode to the anarchy of childhood and the power of imagination. This story of a girl who dreams of a better life and the children she inspires will have audiences rooting for the “revolting children” who are out to teach the grown-ups a lesson. Packed with high-energy dance numbers and catchy songs, “Matilda JR.” is a joyous girl power romp. Children and adults alike will be thrilled and delighted by the story of the special little girl with an extraordinary imagination.

Roles are open to young actors of all ethnicities and genders currently in grades three through 12. Auditions will be held Monday, February 10th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. and callbacks are scheduled for Tuesday, February 11th from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The performances are April 25th through April 27th at The Colonial Theatre.

Courtesy Berkshire Theatre Group.

The auditions will take place at the Colonial Theatre, located at 111 South Street in Pittsfield.  Students should come prepared to learn songs from Matilda JR. and may be asked to read from the script. They may also be asked to sing 16 bars of a song they already know a cappella.  Students should dress in clothing and footwear they can move around in. To schedule an audition time slot or for further information, email auditions@berkshiretheatre.org.

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Ghent Playhouse announces auditions for ‘Working, A Musical’

Ghent, N.Y.— The Ghent Playhouse announces auditions for “Working, A Musical,” based on Studs Terkel’s 1974 best-selling book of interviews with American workers. Directed by Michael C. Mensching and Michael McDermott, with musical direction by Joanne Mensching. Auditions will be held Monday, February 10th and Tuesday, February 11 at 6:30 p.m. The performances are April 10th through April 27th at The Ghent Playhouse, located at 6 Town Hall Place in Ghent, N.Y.

“Working” paints a vivid portrait of those we so often take for granted:  the school teacher, the waitress, the telephone operator, the mason, the millworker, the housewife, to name just a few. Nominated for a Tony award in 1978, this production of “Working” has since been updated for a modern age.

Courtesy Ghent Playhouse.

Actors of all age, race, ethnicity, identity and body type are encouraged to audition. Those auditioning are asked to prepare 16-32 bars of a song. An accompanist will be provided. Each participant will also read from the script. Please provide a current resume and a complete list of conflicts for the period of February 18th through April 27th. More information can be found online. Email the directors at senor65@aol.com and irishmike518@yahoo.com with any questions. 

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The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.

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The Edge Is Free To Read.

But Not To Produce.