Real Live Theatre
“When The Mind’s Free” Staged Reading
June 16 at 6:30 PM (Caregiver’s Event) and June 17 at 7:00 PM (Gala Event)
Shea Theater, 71 Avenue A in Tuners Falls MA
Tickets for both events
When The Mind’s Free is a dance-theatre piece that lifts language, ideas, and story from Shakespeare’s King Lear and places them in a contemporary context, that of a lesbian couple dealing with the early-onset-Alzheimer’s of the matriarch and the opioid addiction of their youngest daughter. The language in this piece is mainly contemporary and has emerged out of improvisations outlined and shaped by the director (Toby Vera Bercovici) and performed by the ensemble (Linda Tardif, Myka Plunkett, Annelise Nielsen, Liz Stanton, and Carolyn Goelzer).
After working on this project for the past few years, RLT is ready to share staged readings of the final script, including choreographed dance pieces (choreography by Annelise Nielsen) and original live music (composed & performed by Samuel V. Perry).
“There is a desperate need to increase the representation of those living with Alzheimer’s and caregivers in media and pieces like this; this disease continues to impact more families and we need art pieces to help the broader public understand this disease.” -Meghan Lemay, Alzheimer’s Association, Regional Manager, supporting consultant to When The Mind’s Free.
June 16 at 6:30 PM
This evening is a pay-what-you-can staged reading for anyone impacted by dementia/Alzheimer’s or addiction, featuring a community conversation with the Alzheimer’s Association as well as information about local resources for those living with, or caring for loved ones
with, memory loss and/or addiction.
Tickets
June 17 at 7:00 PM
This evening is for the general public and also serves as a fundraising gala to celebrate & support When The Mind’s Free – enjoy free food and a cash bar as well as the staged reading. Although ticket purchases are not tax-deductible, there will be options for making tax-deductible donations at the event.
Tickets
These 2023 staged readings will help us build momentum for the world premiere (here in the Valley!) in 2024, followed by a national tour 2024-2025.
This project is funded in part by generous grants received from the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
