PERFORMING ARTS
Community Access to the Arts' performing arts workshops include singing, drumming, dancing, juggling, and acting. Other workshops include poetry and yoga. Read more about our five performing arts companies below. Click here to view more photos from our annual performance!
The Juggling Connection
Directed by: Roger Reed
A former member of Mummenshanz Theatre, Roger began his work with CATA in 2001 and soon The Juggling Connection was formed. Comprised of eight performers, the group focuses on sometimes noisy, sometimes silent physical humor, object manipulation, magic moments, juggling, mime, and all-around foolery.
Performers:
Jonathan Boffa, Sue Croll, Natasha Lorick, Teresa Thomas, David Zahorian
The Moving Company
Directed by: Dawn Lane
Recognizing the talent of several individuals in her CATA dance classes, Dawn formed The Moving Company in 1998. The Moving Company choreographs and performs pieces which celebrate and acknowledge their disability and talent as dancers. They have performed at Shakespeare & Company, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Tewksbury Hospital, Berkshire County schools and healthcare settings, and with renowned dancer, Marge Champion.
Performers:
Susan Booth, Lorimer Burns, Hazel Elsbach, Jane Goodrich, JoAnne King, Dawn Lane, Natasha Lorick, Maria Mazzocco, Louisa Millonzi, Carol Ray, Marissa Rose, Tracy Salvadore, Teresa Thomas, Liz Thompson, Olivia Wilber
The Serenaders
Directed by: Vikki True
This thirty-five-strong ensemble accompanied by Peter Schneider consists of students and adults with a wide range of abilities. They learn and perform work written especially for them by Vikki, as well as anything from Peter's repertoire (and he can play anything). They perform annually at Shakespeare & Company and have shared the stage with Tom McGrath, percussionist, composer, and producer, and Ben Luxon, renowned baritone.
Performers:
Jane Cole, Kathy Horan, Tanny Labshere, Lenox Public Schools, Mary Maltzoff, Marissa Rose, Teresa Thomas, Valleyhead School
Shakespeare's Players
Directed by: Barby Cardillo & Diane Prusha
Based on an educational model developed for school residencies by Shakespeare & Company, this energetic group of eighteen has produced short adaptations of Macbeth, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Romeo and Juliet, and The Tempest. The prompting of lines to all actors transforms the stage to a place where the audience and the actors focus on acting rather than disability. In fact, the cast includes actors who are not verbal, yet embellish scenes and enchant audiences with their presence onstage.
Performers:
Matthew Baxter, Jonathan Boffa, Susan Booth, Annie Bradley, Jane Cole, Ellen Gerlich, Mary Huberman, Natasha Lorick, Mary Maltzoff, Cathy Marden, Josephine Monserud, Eric Schumann, Laurie Sunderland, Teresa Thomas, Pam Tuliebitz, Kellie Ward, David Zahorian
Tap Murmurs
Directed by: Stefanie Weber
Murmurs are irregular heart sounds that are produced as a result of turbulent blood flow, which is sufficient to produce audible noise. They can be classified by seven different characteristics: timing, shape, location, radiation, intensity, pitch, and quality. CATA’s nine murmurs have been performing since 2004.
Performers:
Jonathan Boffa, Jane Cole, Kathy Horan, Mary Huberman, Tanny Labshere, Marissa Rose, Laurie Sunderland, Teresa Thomas, Pam Tuliebitz