INTRODUCING The Drama Circle @ The Village Lyceum in Petersham (MA)

INTRODUCING The Drama Circle @ The Village Lyceum in Petersham (MA)

The Drama Circle, which was started in the 1990s at Mount Wachusett Community College, has a new home at The Village Lyceum in Petersham. We invite writers to submit their scripts for possible readings and will occasionally have readings of classical works, Shakespeare and more modern authors such as Horton Foote. One play we hope to "read" and possible produce is The Traveling Lady which in many ways can also be filed under the Petersham Unitarian's dedication to social justice issues.

"Foote’s play tells the story of dreamy Georgette Thomas, who has traveled with her daughter to meet her husband, Henry, an alcoholic who has served time in jail but who’s currently newly employed and on the wagon. It all takes place on a porch where various townspeople come and go and comment on the troubles of this young couple." https://www.villagevoice.com/…/horton-footes-maligned-cham…/

Genevieve Fraser​
Artistic Director, The Drama Circle
For further information: (978) 544-1872
FraserGenevieve@gmail.com

“Digging Deep to Find Your Voice” Writing Class offered at New Salem Academy Summer Arts Intensive 2017

Genevieve Fraser

“Digging Deep to Find Your Voice” Writing Class offered at New Salem Academy Summer Arts Intensive 2017

Creative writing course offered by Genevieve Fraser

Bio

When I was a freshman at UNH, my English professor gave a talk on the Great American Novel literary genre.  I determined to someday write such a novel, but first I had to find a story with a theme worthy of the subject.  Though I dropped out of college before graduating, through the years I toyed at writing with stream of consciousness poetry and fits and starts of short stories and plays. Later, with child in tow, I returned to UNH and got serious. I graduated with degrees in Communications and Theater and a minor in English, which was followed by an MFA in Theater/Writing at Brandeis. 

Since then, I’ve used my writing background as an exhibits developer, journalist, environmental technical writer, in public relations, as an aide to a state senator, a planner for the Private Industry Council and community college, and as a commissioned playwright.  Finally, while working as an aide to the senator on a veteran’s project, I happened upon a subject worthy of the designation - a Great American Novel - and spent 10 years researching, interviewing and writing the story.  The result was a creative, non-fiction novel, “In the Claw of the Tiger,” a true story based on the life of a World War II survivor of the Bataan Death March and POW camps in the Philippines and Japan. 

Course Description

The three-day, creative writing course, “Digging Deep to Find Your Voice,” will encourage participants to explore creative writing for two hours per day through journaling, observation techniques, theatrical role playing, poetry, narrative essay development and story-telling.  The exercises are meant to enhance each author’s observation of an environment, whether it’s a room full of people, sidewalk, café, beach or any other place they find themselves.  Immediacy as well as memory will be explored. Each of the five senses will be engaged in terms of the potency of observation and how this might become transposed onto the written page.
The course is meant to be a 24-hour a day journey, where even dreams play a role in creating a narrative. But along with developing an awareness of self, personal attitudes and reactions, authors are expected to spend non-class time observing others and sharing what they observed verbally and in brief role play. The awareness of their inner and outer life should help participants explore character and narration as well as a sense of place and time. But for plot, the class may draw from personal history or observation of comings and goings or from historic characters and events.

In-class writing will consist of stream of consciousness writing where brief exercises will encourage unedited rapid writing.  One of the purposes of stream of consciousness writing is to break down barriers we often build that block creativity.  Even apparent nonsense, at times, can reflect hidden truths. Poetry will also be used to explore word juxtaposition and meaning rarely used in everyday language.  Physical objects, art and photos as well as subjects such as fear, shopping and jewelry might be used as writing prompts. Along with shared prompts, a basket filled with written prompts where authors can grab a prompt at random will be on hand.  By mid-week, the class will focus on an original story, play or poem to complete by the end of the week.Course MaterialsNotebook, pen and pencis and/or laptopLocationNew Salem AcademyLecture“Digging Deep to Find Your Voice”Exploring the world around you, as well as yourself, to create art.

The course will run on Monday - Wednesday, July 17-19 from 9:00 - 11:30 am. For further information on available courses, check out  

https://www.facebook.com/SummerArtsIntensive/

Courses are still open. Call today to reserve your space. Electronic Registration can be paid online via PayPal, or by phone with credit card. Please submit the electronic form to Amy Fagin: 20thci@gmail.com or mobile 978-799-5332. Mail in registration to: Amy Fagin 236 Neilson Rd. New Salem, MA, 01355. Contact us for information on scholarships. Please make checks payable to Friends of Historic New Salem Look for us on Facebook at New Salem Arts Intensive.

   

Drama Circle Opens at the Village Lyceum, Petersham Massachusetts

The Drama Circle Opens at the Village Lyceum, Petersham Massachusetts

Genevieve Fraser, artistic director of the Drama Circle has announced the organizational rebirth of the Drama Circle at the Village Lyceum in Petersham, MA.  The Drama Circle is dedicated to showcasing original scripts for the stage and screen.  The organization also plans to sponsor readings of Shakespeare and other classical works. Events are free and open to the public with audience members often enlisted to read and comment on scripts.  

The Drama Circle which originated at Mount Wachusett Community College, Gardner, MA reviewed dozens of original scripts throughout New England during it's eight year run and offered staged readings for a dozen more. One of the scripts, "Lincoln: The Musical" by Dr. Michael Riccards went through readings and staged readings and was ultimately showcased as a full scale production at the Town Hall in Orange, MA in 2012. 

Josef DellaGrotte

Sunday, May 21, 2017, Michael Riccards original play, The Poor Man of Assisi was presented. Nearly all those who attended participated in the reading and the discussion that followed. The Poor Man of Assisi follows in historical sequence the life of the Catholic saint, Francis of Assisi who founded the Franciscan Order of monks.

Charles Tower

A special thanks to Josef DellaGrotte for playing the part of St. Francis and Charles Tower who played several of the major roles, along with Phil Hubbard. Both actors, Charles and Phil, had also appeared in Lincoln: The Musical.  Charles played John Wilkes Booth and Phil was Secretary of State Seward who survived an assassination attack in his home at the same time that Lincoln was assassinated in the Ford Theater.

James Carmody (rt) with Phil Hubbard and Charles Tower

Additional readers for The Poor Man of Assisi included Janet Lawson, Melody Salvadore, James McCrohon and his father, Jim McCrohon. James Carmody read the part of Pope Innocent. I had cast Jim Carmody many years ago as the Duke of Norfolk in A Man for All Seasons. It's always wonderful to have former cast members join in the readings, but people of all ages and abilities are welcome.

Once a script is accepted and scheduled, the writer is expected to provide scripts for the reading. The Drama Circle will be held in the Davis Memorial Hall in back of the Petersham Unitarian Church on the Town Common. Dates for future readings, to be announced. For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at FraserGenevieve@gmail.com or call (978)-544-1872.

Janet Lawson, Genevieve Fraser and Melody Salvadore, readers at the Poor Man  of Assisi by Dr. Michael Riccards.

Village Lyceum reading of Michael Riccards play, “The Poor Man of Assisi,” Sunday, May 21 at Davis Memorial, Petersham, MA

Village Lyceum reading of Michael Riccards play, “The Poor Man of Assisi,” Sunday, May 21 at Davis Memorial, Petersham, MA

The Village Lyceum is inviting audience participation in a reading of Dr. Michael Riccard's original drama, "The Poor Man of Assisi," to be held in the Davis Memorial building, in back of the Petersham Unitarian Church on Sunday, May 21 at 2:00 pm. A discussion will follow the reading. Dr. Riccards is a past president of Fitchburg State College and author of "Lincoln: The Musical" which was performed at the Orange Town Hall as part of the Quabbin Civil War Remembrance in 2012 with Genevieve Fraser directing.

According to the playwright, "This play predates the pope's use of the name and describes one of the most popular Catholic and Protestant saints in history. Francis, the son of a wealthy merchant, was a soldier and troubadour who came home from captivity after fighting for Assisi and heard God tell him to fix his church. He thought God meant a local rundown church, but it was a call to fix the Roman Church," Riccards explained.

"His gospel was one of poverty, chastity and Christ's admonitions. His rule was too strict for some but after generations had passed was respected throughout western Europe. On one occasion, he avoided the commitment of the Crusades and sought to go to visit the Mohammedans and convert them to Christianity. He was not successful but won the respect of leaders of Islam," Riccards said. Saint Francis died young and was quickly canonized. He is frequently seen as the patron saint of the environment, of animals and of the poor and needy.

For further information, contact Genevieve Fraser at FraserGenevieve@gmail.com or Telephone (978) 544-1872.

PHOTO: Dr. Michael Riccards, as seen in a televised interview by the Hall Institute of Public Policy on great presidents, is the author of the play, "The Poor Man of Assisi," to be read in the Davis Memorial building, in back of the Petersham Unitarian Church on Sunday, May 21 at 2:00 pm. A discussion will follow the reading. Dr. Riccards also wrote the play. "Lincoln: the Musical" whivch was performed at the Orange Town Hall in 2010.

Improvisational Acting for Teens and Young Adults at Workshop 13 with Genevieve Fraser

Improvisational Acting for Teens and Young Adults

Instructor: Genevieve Fraser

Through short improv games and relationship-based scene work, the group will explore the ability to think on their feet and outside of the box. The class will introduce the concept of subtext and "living in the moment" onstage and will culminate in a final short-form improvised performance for friends and family.

5-weeks on Thursdays, beginning October 2 from 4:00 - 5:30 pm.

Workshop 13, a Cultural Arts and Learning Center

For more information:

Contact:
413-277-6072 or info@workshop13.org

Location:
Workshop13 is located at 13 Church Street Ware, MA 01082.

Drama Circle's Genevieve Fraser, to Teach Acting Technique starting in September at Workshop 13

Genevieve Fraser

Join the artistic director of The Drama Circle, Genevieve Fraser for a 5-week acting class titled, "Acting Technique: Building a Character from the Toes on Up" at Workshop 13, 13 Church Street in Ware, Massachusetts.  Fraser most recently directed "Lincoln: the Musical" by Michael Riccards.

Workshop 13 Theater  & Acting Space

Through the practical application of Method Acting, Fraser will take you through both the interior life and the logical behavior of a character as well as the subtext in a script, the meaning behind the words of a text.  

Genevieve as Mrs. Laurey with Abraham Lincoln

Observation, visualization, improvisation, speaking to get a response, ensemble acting in scene work and use of objects and props will be investigated through a variety of exercises. 

 The  class is being held on Thursday evenings from 6:30-8:30 pm beginning September 11th.  


Fraser holds a BA in Theater & Communications from the University of New Hampshire and an MFA in Theater-Playwriting from Brandeis. 

Fraser directed "A Man for All Seasons" by Robert Bolt

---------------------------------------------------------------

Workshop 13 

ACTING TECHNIQUES 101GF – $125 Non Member / $100 Members

Instructor: Genevieve Fraser

5 week course – Thursdays 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Dates: 9/11, 9/18, 9/25, 10/2, & 10/9 – Class limit – 10 students 

For registration information, please visit:  
http://workshop13.org/classes/

Children's Literature Memoir "Running through Time" for All Ages

Children's Literature Memoir "Running through Time" for All Ages

The artistic director of the Drama Circle , Genevieve Fraser of Orange took a break from her own writing in the past year to edit what she believes will become a children's literature classic for all ages by her sister, Lillian Fraser Douville.  "Running through Time" is the multi-generational story of a New England family told through short stories, poetry, paintings and family photographs.

"Running through Time" is set in the loving environment of a group of people devoted to one another.  It is written as a memoir starting when the author is 2 years old in March 1940.  And as with many tales, the story begins "once upon a time" but quickly expands into a delightfully humorous, yet poignant story.  

"Once upon a time in a snug place on this planet, that has long since disappeared, a first child, Lillian, soon nicknamed Lulabelle, was born to a couple with empty pockets.   They were rich in their own way, as their hearts were filled with hope and their minds overflowed with dreams of better days ahead..."

Lullabelle

Book I, "The Adventures of Lulabelle" is the story of a very endearing and mischievous little girl which spans to encompass seven generations of family history as told to Lillian, nicknamed Lulabelle, by her elders. But all is not bright and whimsical in this child's life. Her beloved baby brother, Donnie, is born with a chronic illness, later diagnosed as cystic fibrosis.

Book II, "A Move to the Country" continues the story of Lulabelle, now in her teens and referred to by her proper name Lillian.  Donnie's poor health and the addition of three more children spur her parents to leave their home in pollution-plagued industrial Massachusetts and buy a farm in rural New Hampshire.

Book III, "Chicken Stories" are told during Lillian's thirties while living in Connecticut as a wife and mother of three girls, working as a pre-kindergarten teacher. "Chicken Stories" is the compelling, witty, heart-warming but ultimately heartbreaking tale of the family's adopted chickens, Bormiff and Gondor, and their sweet, black bear of a dog, Damian.

"Running through Time" concludes with "Farm Stories" which serves as an epilogue by her daughter, Rebecca Douville Albright.  "Running through Time" is published by Xlibris and is available through Amazon, Barnes and Noble and booksellers throughout the world.  

Lillian Fraser Douville is an artist and retired school teacher living in Downeast Maine with her husband Donald.

PHOTO CAPTION: The front cover for "Running through Time" was painted by the author, Lillian Fraser Douville.