“Some of us may also be those things, but what we’re doing here is making a play.” But even though Community Works is not designed as a therapeutic program, it sometimes functions as one. We aren’t activists,” Sherwood explained. In addition to collecting stories from Berkshire residents, Community Works also partners with 11 organizations, including Soldier On, a housing agency for previously homeless veterans, and BCArc, a center for adults with developmental disabilities, traumatic brain injuries and autism (members of the BCArc cast portrayed delightfully spooky mountain spirits).Īlthough Community Works brings cast members of radically different backgrounds together in the room, the program does not seek to solve the complexities of PTSD or class inequality. “The Man in the Mountains” is in fact a Berkshire folk legend - Killebrew discovered it during the off season brainstorming sessions, or “story-circles,” that the creative team behind Community Works conducts with local participants. Instead of disturbing their peace, he travels up to the mountains to watch over them from on high. ![]() In the story, a soldier from the Revolutionary War arrives home to find that his family, presuming him dead, has moved on without him. During a storytelling session around a campfire in the woods, Sam discovers a ghost story, “The Man in the Mountains,” which helps her move past her grief. Summer’s Soldier (written by playwright Boo Killebrew, with music by Heather Christian and lyrics by Lucy Thurber with additional music and lyrics by Christine Bile) follows a seventh grader named Sam (12-year-old Lee resident Carter Marks) processing the loss of her father who has recently died in combat overseas. (The oldest cast member was beloved Williamstown resident and longtime festival usher Doris McNabb). We’re definitely referencing that - our stories are always epic, to accommodate such a large cast – but all of them have been world-premiere plays and musicals.”Ĭommunity Works has a large cast indeed - about 73 Berkshire area residents, ranging from ages 6 to 94, and festival-affiliated actors made up the cast of this year’s musical. “Most community-engaged theatres typically do Shakespeare, or myth, or a tale that has been told for centuries. ![]() “We’re the only program in the country doing community-engaged theatre that produces a new play,” explained Hayley Sherwood, who has produced Community Works for the past three summers. Pooling the talents of visiting theatre-makers alongside local creatives, Community Works participants collectively generate a world-premiere play performed in, and featuring actors from, Berkshire County. In a few days’ time, both the man and woman would be backstage, awaiting curtain alongside the 73 other cast members of Summer’s Soldier, a world-premiere musical presented through the William-stown Theatre Festival’s Community Works program.Ĭommunity Works, founded in the summer of 2015, is a program that facilitates creative collaboration between artists affiliated with the Williamstown Theatre Festival (WTF) and residents of Berkshire County. “They’re sisters,” replied a middle-aged woman, “and they wrote that piece themselves.” “Well, that just sounds wonderful!” an elderly man marveled. The sound wafted through the audience of the ’62 Center for Theatre and Dance, where pockets of off-duty actors reclined munching home-made chocolate chip cookies. Standing in the exact spot where Uma Thurman had performed the night before, two pre-teen girls teased a melody out of twin violins. Summer’ s Soldier featured more than 70 cast members, mainly Berkshire County residents. The cast of Summer’ s Soldier gathers for an early rehearsal.
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