The multidisciplinary performing arts venue, The Foundry, announces its launch into their fifth year of programming diverse, unique and high quality live arts. Opened in 2019, the venue survived the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown by holding events outdoors, live streaming inside the black box theater and giving space for artist residencies during a time that performers suffered the throws of financial hardship and lack of community. The intimate space continues to hold up often unheard voices, collaborate with local nonprofits, support emerging and touring artists and donate The Foundry Green to the West Stockbridge Farmer’s Market May through October.
After a quiet January spent planning for the upcoming year and celebrating the venue’s successes at an appreciation reception for membership subscribers, loyal patrons, staff and volunteers, The Foundry announces highlights of its 2024 line up.
The cold nights of February bring NYC comedian Mina Hartong, a member of the Lincoln Center Director’s Lab and a Jerome Arts Grant recipient, who will facilitate an Affairs of the Heart storytelling workshop in addition to headlining a show featuring comic Jaime Machotka. Before the chocolate and roses holiday, multidisciplinary performer Tom Truss will appear as Tipsy Carol AKA McBoozie to lead a Valentine Massacre Sing Along full of games, gifts and surprises. The end of the month brings back Berkshire favorite funny lady, Eryca Nolan celebrating Black History month with her show HERlarious.
March opens with the trio Grosse Isle. Sophie Lavoie du Lac-St-Jean (fiddle, piano, vocal), André Marchand the legendary (guitar, vocal), and Fiachra O’Regan, Irish champion (Irish bagpipes, whistle, banjo). Then Berkshire singer songwriter, Rees Shad and The Converations, celebrate the release of their album Galahad Blues, that reimagines the Knights of the Round Table recast as gangsters. The end of the month brings the Cuarteto Rotterdam flamenco quartet from Berlin. The group’s classic structure, consisting of bandoneón, violin, piano and double bass, provides a sound experience ranging between tradition and modernity.
March and April bring WAM Theatre’s popular Fresh Takes Play Reading Series. WAM and The Foundry have a history of collaboration and the venue is thrilled to continue the relationship in 2024. Another collaborative effort brings Berkshire Pulse’s Young Choreographers’ classes and program to the venue in the spring. The Foundry has frequently presented new works from members of the Pulse dance community.
Also in March, playwright, actor and director, Jessica Bashline will perform in her solo show Ann and Me: Or The Big Bad Abortion Play. Alternately harrowing and hilariously interactive, the piece examines the history of abortion in the United States. The play was developed at American Theatre Northwest & Syracuse Stage’s Cold Read Festival.
The venue celebrates the eclipse season with Lady Moon & The Eclipse, a multicultural 7-piece band from New York. Through soaring vocal textures and R&B/afrobeat-influenced rhythms, they radiate positive music and message that explores the Cosmic Soul. Spring also holds a return of the Berkshire’s beloved burlesque troupe, Gypsy Layne, who always fill the house with laughter, creativity and a good deal of glitter. Traveling from overseas in May, Louise Bichon presents a unique musical and sentimental journey, between her native northern Scottish isles and coast-to-coast Canada, in the footsteps of her late grandmother. Conor Hearn on guitar, Brendan Hearn on cello, and Ethan Setiawan on mandolins, bring an evening of lively fiddle tunes from Scotland and beyond.
June is Pride Month and folk/rock singer songwriter Namoli Brennet will bring her breathtaking, road-weary voice which is quick to deliver her wit and humor. Pride.com included her performance in Las Cruces as “One of the most iconic pride performances of all time.”
Last year, the venue debuted its Family Friendly Series and will bring back Happenstance Theater from Washington DC to present the hilarious Preposterous and Pinot & Augustine. Intergenerational audiences will be delighted to attend many more touring family friendly shows this summer.
For more information and tickets: thefoundryws.com