Real Live Theatre Presents: When The Mind's Free

Saturday, August 3, 2024, 7:30 pm until 9:00 pm
An original dance-theatre piece about a lesbian family navigating early-onset Alzheimer's, in conversation with King Lear

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RLT premieres our original piece of devised dance-theatre When The Mind’s Free, which follows a contemporary lesbian couple and their adult daughters as they navigate Alzheimer’s disease and addiction, and seek light in their darkest times.

Each performance concludes with a facilitated community cWestern MA Solar Installers - Northeast Solar, Solar Done Right - Solar Contractors Near Me (northeast-solar.com)onversation calling forth the lived experiences of audience members impacted by the themes of the play, providing a safe space where people can feel grief, hope, recovery, and a sense of belonging and community.

When The Mind's Free has been developed over a five-year period of improvisation and in conversation with Shakespeare’s King Lear, as well as in consultation with memory care organizations, caretakers, families, and individuals dealing with memory loss.

*Masks will be required for audiences Sunday, July 28 & Saturday, August 3; masking is optional at all other shows. This play includes Mature Content.*

Directed by: Toby Vera Bercovici

Featuring: Carolyn Goelzer, Myka Plunkett, Annelise Nielsen, Liz Stanton, Linda Tardif

Design & Production Team: Choreography by Annelise Nielsen, Lighting Design by Ezekiel Baskin, Sound Design & Composition by Samuel V. Perry, Costume Design by Mikayla Reid, Stage Management by Nat Solomon, Produced by Ellen Morbyrne for RLT

When The Mind’s Free is supported in part by grants from the Amherst, Greenfield, Hadley, Montague, and South Hadley Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

This production is also supported by a grant from the Irene E. & George A. Davis Foundation.

The Shea Theater also thanks their sponsors for this world premiere: North East Solar, Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts, the Mass Cultural Council, and the MCC-supported Local Cultural Councils of Conway, Greenfield, Montague, and Shelburne.

Special Thanks to Our Sponsors and Underwriters

Australis Aquaculture • Artisan Beverage Cooperative • Benjamin Company • Berkshire Brewing Company • Cohn and Company Real Estate Agency • Community Credit • Common Capital • Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts • Connecticut River Internists • Dean's Beans • Easthampton Savings Bank • FirstLight GDF Suezna •Gagne Wealth Management Group • Gill Tavern • Gilmore and Farrell Insurance Company • Goff Media • Great Falls Harvest • Green River Festival • Greenfield Community College • Greenfield Cooperative Bank • Greenfield Savings Bank • Loot • Massachusetts Cultural Council • Montague Bookmill • Montague WebWorks • Northeast Solar • People's Pint • Rainmaker Consulting • The Rendezvous • Solar Store of Greenfield • Stobierski and Connor • Told Video • True North Transit • Turn It Up

Exciting News for A Happening V: The Bestiary

Cloudgaze and Eggtooth Productions are thrilled to announce that we have received generous grants from the Mass Cultural Council as well as the Community Foundation of Western MA to support our 2025 Immersive Arts Festival, “A Happening V: The Bestiary.”

This festival will transform the Shea Theater into an exploration of theme, hosting installations, music, theatrical performances, and movement pieces, featuring the collective contributions of over 50 local artists. Audiences will experience otherworldly environments and narratives inspired by Aesop's Fables, George Orwell's Animal Farm, newly imagined cautionary tales, and creature myths of all origins.

Thanks to the Mass Cultural Council for their vital support this year.We'd also like to thank the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts for their support in the form of a Flexible Funding grant. We couldn't do this work without you!