LENOX, MA (October 21, 2025) – WAM Theatre is proud to announce the 2025 performance by its Elder Ensemble: Still Singing an original piece written by Michael Kennedy in collaboration with its performers – local women aged 65 and older. Directed by Michael Kennedy and KD McTeigue, the performance will take place Sunday, October 26 at 2pm at The Foundry in West Stockbridge.
Over two months, ensemble members have met weekly to build community, explore creativity, and collaboratively craft a new performance rooted in their lived experiences. This year, WAM has expanded its rehearsal sessions from two to three hours each week allowing for deeper creative engagement and storytelling.
This year’s final performance Still Singing, written by Michael Kennedy with the Ensemble’s support, is set in 2027 amid civil unrest and collapsing basic systems. Eight American women form a sanctuary in an isolated Berkshires home—seeking survival, they discover community.
“The Foundry is honored to host WAM’s Elder Ensemble, giving voice and empowerment to women of a ‘certain age’ who’ve lived and continue to live full lives with much to share,” said Amy Brentano, Artistic Director of The Foundry. “Their wisdom, humor, and powerful presence need to be seen and heard. The impact is palpable and one to be cherished.”
Elder Ensemble member Nancy Tunnicliffe reflected on the process: “I learned so much about the devising process and how it draws deeply from our life experiences, building not only a powerful script, but a strong sense of community and love among us. I’ve realized—I have something to say, and this part of my life is about saying it. Being an elder is both a gift and a responsibility: to share our stories with those who walk alongside us and those coming behind.”
The Elder Ensemble is one of WAM Theatre’s community devising programs, which invite participants of all ages and backgrounds to create original performances that center their stories and voices. No prior theatre experience is required—only curiosity, courage, and a willingness to collaborate.
“Every year, the Elder Ensemble reminds us of the power of story,” said Michael Kennedy, co-director of the program. “The work we make together grows from laughter, vulnerability, and connection—it’s a joyful act of collective creation.”
The 2025 Elder Ensemble performance continues WAM Theatre’s mission to create theatre for gender equity and social justice while amplifying the perspectives of those often underrepresented on stage.
2025 Elder Ensemble Participants include: Lisa M. Avery, Jo Bellomo, Barbara Cohen, Barbara Cortez-Greig, Frances Jones, Alyce Kaplan, Lee McClelland, Kathleen Owen, and Nancy Tunnicliffe.
“The Elder Ensemble is WAM’s mission in action,” shared Genée Coreno, Artistic Director. “Through collaboration, storytelling, and joyful risk-taking, these women are creating theatre that celebrates lived experience and uplifts the community. Their work reminds us how powerful it is to be seen and to share our voices.”
“The Elder Ensemble reminds us that storytelling and creativity know no age limit,” added Molly Merrihew, Managing Director. “These artists bring such courage, humor, and heart to the work—they redefine what it means to make theatre in community. The result is always something deeply moving and uniquely theirs. I can’t wait to see what they’ve come up with this year.”
At A Glance
What: WAM Theatre’s 2025 Elder Ensemble Performance: Still Singing
When: Sunday, October 26, 2025 at 2pm
Where: The Foundry, 2 Harris Street, West Stockbridge, MA
Tickets: $10 Subsidized | $15 Standard | $20 Pay-It-Forward
Reserve tickets at wamtheatre.com/elder-ensemble
Facilitated & Directed by: Michael Kennedy and KD McTeigue
A devised performance created by women-identifying individuals aged 65 and older.
More about WAM’s Teaching Artists & Directors
Michael Kennedy (she/her/hers) is a playwright, director, actor, teacher, and producer based in New York’s Capital Region. Current role with WAM: Teaching Artist for the Elder Ensemble. Selected Artistic Credits: Michael has written and directed 14 plays and 5 films, addressing multiple social issues, including substance use disorder, racism, classism, housing instability/homelessness, suicide, sex trafficking, anti-war activism, re-entry after incarceration, and caretaking. She has acted in stage productions since she was a teenager, participated as an actor in Forensic Interviewing Training for child sexual abuse for 15 years, and has extensive experience as a Playback Theater conductor. Educational/Childcare experience: Michael wrote and directed 7 plays with high school students as a teacher with the NYS Theatre Institute Theatre Arts School and SummerStage programs. She is a trainer in Creative Group Work, acting, creating safe spaces for theater work, and group building. Creative inspiration: Michael is inspired by every artist who is using their work to educate, advocate and encourage audience members to take direct action in their own communities for social justice. Community Engagement/Activist work: Michael has over 30 years of experience working in both human services and theater. Creative Action Unlimited is the synthesis of her extensive experience working directly with marginalized populations and her experience as a theater maker. Each of the stage and film productions at Creative Action Unlimited are original scripts, developed collaboratively, about specific social issues. In addition, Creative Action Unlimited is the umbrella organization for the Social Justice Artists Collective, a group of artists of various disciplines whose work intersects with social activism. Membership/Affiliations: Founder and Artistic Director of Creative Action Unlimited; member of the Dramatists Guild. Selected training: BS in Human Development, MS in Community Psychology, extensive training in psychodrama and creative group work. Awards/proudest achievements: Michael’s proudest achievement is knowing that, for over 30 years, she designed and developed compassionate, respectful and effective programs for individuals who faced multiple personal challenges, including trauma, addiction, and violence. She is also proud of the collaborative relationships she continues to foster among artists, community organizations and educational institutions. Final word: After years of admiring the WAM’s mission and commitment to excellence, Michael is honored to return to the team as a Teaching Artist for the Elder Ensemble. Connect:creativeactionunlimited.com
KD McTeigue (she/her) is an actor, director, and writer from the Hudson Valley. KD is excited to partner with Michael Kennedy and the ensemble in the collaborative creation of new work. Selected Credits Include: WAM Theatre, Capital Repertory Theatre, The Outer Loop Theater Experience, Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble, Theatre Voices, and the Theatre Institute at Sage.
WAM SUPPORT
WAM Theatre’s Performance Season is supported by many individuals and foundations including: Adams Community Bank, Baystate Financial, Blue Q., Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Berkshire Roots, Black Writers Read, Brabson Family Foundation, Brava/Ombra, Blue Spark Financial,Doctor Sax House, The Feigenbaum Foundation,Greylock Federal Credit Union,GKV Foundation, Guidos Fresh Marketplace, Handful Photography, Lee Bank Foundation,Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) Mill Town Foundation, Inc., Higher Bar, Health Professional Coaching, Heller & Robbins Attorneys at Law, Interprint, Onyx Specialty Papers, Outpost Productions, RB Design Co., Scarlet Sock Foundation, T Square Design Studio, a. von schlegell & co, WomenArts. and the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts. With additional support from Local Cultural Council Grants from the Dalton Cultural Council, Lee Cultural Council, Lenox Cultural Council, Pittsfield Cultural Council, Northern Berkshire Cultural Council, Otis Cultural Council, Sandisfield Cultural Council, and Washington Cultural Council. WAM was also the recipient of recent support from the New England Foundation for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts, and U.S. Small Business Administration’s Shuttered Venue Operators Grant.
ABOUT THE FOUNDRY
Built in 1994 as a glass blowing studio, The Foundry’s name references its roots. Today, the venue produces theater, music, comedy, spoken word, educational workshops, and more—providing a safe place to create dangerous work. Work that counteracts passivity and isolation, and bridges the distance between people. The Foundry invites joyful creation, brave exploration, and meaningful connection. Come meet the person sitting next to you, share what you’re seeing, buy them a drink. We aim to present relevant live performance that’s accessible to diverse audiences—art that connects, inspires, and helps us leap across cultural boundaries. A holding tank for raw, funny, challenging, and empowering work that changes the lens through which we view each other.
ABOUT WAM THEATRE
WAM Theatre envisions a world where women and girls have equal opportunities and equal access to learning, earning, expression, and aspiration. Based in Berkshire County, WAM’s mission is to create professional theatre with a focus on the stories of people who identify as women, and to use that art as activism to support opportunities for women and girls, especially those from historically marginalized communities. Since its founding in 2010, WAM has donated over $105k in box office sales to more than 26 local and global organizations taking action in areas such as girls education, reproductive justice, sexual trafficking awareness and more. WAM is dedicated to harnessing the power of storytelling, and creating an ecosystem where female-identifying artists have the tools and community they need to be empowered leaders in our community. For more information, visit www.wamtheatre.com