 |
 |
|
What's new at the Mahaiwe?
Dear Mahaiwe Patron,
If you're curious about what goes on behind the scenes, this newsletter takes you there. Below you'll learn about staff updates, meet new board members, and see what initiatives are in the works.
You can expect editions of this newsletter a couple times a year, when there are big stories to tell.
Thanks for your support, and enjoy!
Team Mahaiwe
| |
|  |
Melissa Canavan is now Advancement/SCAN Manager. Melissa's new role will include more time interacting with donors and Members, in addition to increased engagement with Mahaiwe's Spanish-language Community Advisory Network (SCAN).
| |  |
Jessica Harding is now Box Office & Advancement Assistant. Patrons may recognize Jessica from the Box Office, where she'll continue to spend time in addition to her new role helping the Advancement Team.
| |
| | |
Meet Mahaiwe's newest board members
| |
|  |
Carrie Chen
Born in Taiwan, Carrie now resides in Great Barrington and Copake, NY, after years of working for international clients in landscape design as a partner at ONE Landscape. She is currently the owner of boutique bed and breakfast The Barrington, and Carrie Chen Gallery in Great Barrington.
| |  |
Roger Persell
Roger lives in Sheffield, MA, and is a part-time Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences at Hunter College, CUNY, having spent 25 years as a tenured Associate Professor there, starting in 1990. His scientific specializations include protein biochemistry, protein physiology, and the evolution of human behavior.
| |
| | |
|  |
Debi R. Feinman
An adjunct professor at Baruch/City University of New York, and principal of My Next Chapter Consulting, Debi is an experienced marketing communications expert who finished her quarter-century career at Ogilvy & Mather as Managing Director. She resides in New York City and Lee, MA.
| |
| | |
|  |
Sheila Parekh-Blum
Sheila's childhood and education span India, the U.S., the U.K., and Germany, and her professional life spans non-profit management / development and a career in fine arts. Now living in Mount Washington, MA, she is an investor and board member of Hivers & Strivers VC fund and an administrative manager to artist Kathleen Jacobs.
| |  |
Marc Siegel
Marc began his career as an actor, then quickly segued into commercial production, capping his career at INDEPENDENT MEDIA, INC., where he served as Executive Producer/Head of Production. He continues to consult in the advertising industry from his home in Mount Washington, MA.
| |
| | |
With funds raised at Mahaiwe's 2022 Gala, two dozen new drapes were secured and installed at the wings and back of the stage.
"We've added some really cool functionality to the Mahaiwe's repertory drape plot," says Mahaiwe Production Manager Lucas Pawelski. This includes a new cyclorama, a rear projection screen that supports better brightness and vibrancy, and a star drop — to create a star-field backdrop for shows.
The drapes were constructed by Rose Brand, longtime friends of the Mahaiwe.
| |
Staff Picks: What We Can't Wait to See
| |
"Hayao Miyazaki movies hit that sweet spot of nostalgia and timelessness. The animation and imagination are so comforting and fulfilling, and My Neighbor Totoro in particular gives life through its depiction of nature and symbolic spirts. "
—Gabe Napoleon, Marketing & Communications Manager
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Saturday, February 25 at 7pm
$8 / $5 ages 12 and under
| |
"Mining the richness of classical and jazz traditions, singer-songwriter Laufey puts her lovely voice to good effect in fresh, beautiful music of her own making. Everyone should come to this show so they can say they heard her when."
—Janis Martinson, Executive Director
Laufey
Friday, April 7 at 8pm
Tickets from $24
| |
"Birdcage will always hold a place in the queer canon! Loving, respectful, iconic performances from Robin Williams and Nathan Lane, and some of their all-time best work. Hilarious, witty and outrageous, one of the best comedies of all time!"
—Caitlin Teeley, House Manager
The Birdcage (1996)
Saturday, March 25 at 7pm
$8
| |
Grants
At the end of last year, Mahaiwe received two grants from the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation's Arts Builds Community Initiative Fund and the Massachusetts Cultural Council's Universal Participation Innovation Fund to form a Universal Participation Expert Users Group.
These funds will be used in 2023 to form an advisory group of individuals with disabilities and caretakers, to study and implement best accessibility experiences at the theater. The Mahaiwe will partner with Community Access to the Arts (CATA) in the initiative. Contact 413-644-9040 or info@mahaiwe.org to learn more.
| |
Massachusetts Cultural Council recently announced $51 million in Cultural Sector Recovery Grants, to "support creative individuals and cultural organizations across the state as the sector transitions to a post-pandemic world." As part of that, the Mahaiwe received the maximum award of $75,000.
| |
The Mahaiwe is honored to have received renewed grants from The Barrow Foundation and The Feigenbaum Foundation. These unrestricted grants from longtime Mahaiwe donors help fund the Mahaiwe's year-round operations and programming.
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
14 Castle Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Mahaiwe Box Office Hours:
Wednesday through Saturday from 12pm to 4pm
413-528-0100 | mahaiwe.org
|
|
 |
|
|
 |
|
