Latest news with #AlleyTheatre
San Francisco Chronicle
24-06-2025
- Entertainment
- San Francisco Chronicle
Why this theater leader is leaving one of the top arts jobs in S.F.
American Conservatory Theater Executive Director Jennifer Bielstein is leaving her role after seven years on the job, opening one of the top leadership positions in Bay Area theater as the industry continues to absorb pandemic aftershocks. A first-class professional with a sterling résumé, Bielstein is heading to the Alley Theatre in Houston, where she'll be managing director to another Bay Area expat — Artistic Director Rob Melrose, who co-founded the Tenderloin's now defunct Cutting Ball Theater. 'I remain a friend to and champion of ACT and the San Francisco Bay Area arts community and look forward to cheering you on from across the country,' Bielstein said in a statement. Melrose called Bielstein 'a legend' in the theater world — lauding her time at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago, Actors Theatre of Louisville and the Guthrie Theater in Minneapolis in addition to ACT — and emphasized the personal qualities he believes will guide the Texas company forward. 'I also feel that Jennifer's warmth, kindness, and collaborative spirit are just what we need as we chart our way to Alley Theatre's next era of success,' he said in a statement. That same spirit helped guide ACT through one of the most turbulent periods in its history, which ACT Board President Joaquín Torres (who's also the assessor-recorder for the City of San Francisco) acknowledged. 'Because of her contributions, ACT is better positioned to address the challenging times arts organizations are facing throughout the Bay Area and across the country,' he said in a statement. 'She will be deeply missed.' Bielstein's foremost accomplishment during her tenure was keeping San Francisco's flagship theater afloat through the COVID-19 pandemic as many other theaters in the region closed. She led the company through initial performance postponements; reopening schedules penciled, then scrapped; fitful government relief; Zoom and radio theater; wars among audience members with different masking and vaccine preferences; and the halting, ongoing challenge of re-engaging and retaining audience members who got out of the habit of going out to shows. With Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon, Bielstein presided over the historic night when ACT first reopened to post-pandemic audiences, for 'Freestyle Love Supreme,' and her term brought to the theater such notable productions as 'Hippest Trip — The Soul Train Musical,' 'Big Data,' 'The Wizard of Oz,' 'Fefu and Her Friends,' 'The Lehman Trilogy,' 'A Strange Loop' and 'The Headlands.' In 2022, she also oversaw an anonymous $35 million donation to the theater, the largest single gift the company had ever received from any source. Made in honor of Toni Rembe, a longtime ACT board member, it occasioned the renaming of the former Geary Theater in Rembe's honor. But Bielstein also had to make difficult decisions during her tenure. In 2020, the theater shuttered its storied costume shop, where thespians and members of the public alike could rent stage-quality attire for Halloween, immersive shows or themed parties. The following year, the theater announced plans to close its Master of Fine Arts acting program, a crown jewel of the Bay Area theater scene that had trained such celebrities as Denzel Washington, Anna Deavere Smith, Annette Bening and Elizabeth Banks and attracted generations of young talent to the Bay Area who might otherwise head straight to New York or Los Angeles. Bielstein departs at the end of August. David Schmitz, whose company Amplify Leadership Advisors specializes in interim leadership and consulting, will serve in Bielstein's stead until the board names a successor following a national search. Whoever takes the helm will inherit an organization with 60 years of history, a budget of $25 million; a year-round, full-time staff of 105 plus more than 500 seasonal or temporary workers; a six-show mainstage season across two prominent downtown venues, and a robust Young Conservatory program that's educated such talented alumni as 2025 Tony Award winner Darren Criss.
Yahoo
29-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Fun in 2025: Exciting events for all ages in and around Brockton
The new year is here, and there's so much to look forward to. Whether you're dreaming of a break, or you're pumped to make this year even better than the last, there is something for everyone. From fun events for the whole family to exciting adult-only outings, there's no shortage of ways to get out and enjoy the season in and around Brockton. Whether you're trying to hold onto that positive energy from last year or looking for a fresh start, there is a great lineup of events to keep you inspired and entertained. Here's a peek of some events coming up in the Brockton area in 2025. If you're looking for something more mellow after a hectic New Years, check out the monthly paint nights held by Brockton Arts. On the last Saturday of every month, the organization hosts a painting night at 86 Center St. in Brockton from 7 to 9 p.m. This event is all inclusive. There will be food, drink and painting supplies. Tickets are $40 for adults, $10 for children ages 13-18, and no charge for children under the age of 12. Get ready to rumble! Lots of your favorite wrestlers are back at the Brockton VFW Post 1046 at 283 N Quincy St. for the 2025 Snow Brawl on Friday, Feb. 7 at 7:30 p.m., doors open at 6:45 p.m. Wrestlers include World Class Channing Thomas, Undeniable DJ Powers, MLW Superstar Brett Ryan Gosselin, Rhode Island Lion Nico Silva, Punjabi Lion Jora Johl and more. All ages are welcome and there is free venue parking. General admission tickets are $20 and front row tickets are $25. Doors open at 6:45 p.m. Love it, hate it, forget about it. Valentine's Day can be an interesting holiday. There's lots of ways to celebrate. Make it fun this year and instead of stressing out or crying, sing and laugh your way through it. On Sunday, Feb. 9 at the Alley Theatre at 133 Center St., Middleboro Elvis will take the stage. Elvis tribute artist Dan Fontaine III is a famous Elvis tribute artist who has won awards across the nation. Doors open at 12:30 p.m. and the concert starts at 1 p.m. Tickets are $40 per person. Food and drinks will be available. For ticket information, email burtwoodschool@ Ticket sales support The Burt Wood School of Performing Arts. The Alley Theater has events nearly every week. For a complete list of upcoming events at the Alley Theater visit The Special Olympics mobile polar plunge fundraiser will be held on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025 at Massasoit Community College, One Massasoit Blvd., Brockton. Registration starts at 10:30 a.m. and the plunge is at 11:30 a.m. It's showtime! Check out the Paris Cabaret at the Starline Experience at 49 Monk St., Stoughton. The dinner theater includes music, charcuterie trays and cocktails. 2025 marks the 21st anniversary of The Paris Cabaret, honoring the variety's best with music and skits from the shows of: Carol Burnett, Julie Andrews, Ed Sullivan, Donny and Marie, Heehaw, Laughin, Smothers Brothers and more. Dates include: May 3, May 10, May 11, May 17, June 7 and June 21. The Paris Cabaret has a calendar of events to fill your 2025 calendar. Check them out at To make a reservation call 781-297-7469. If you happen to like Kendrick Lamar's Superbowl performance this year, you can see him on May 12 at 7 p.m. with SZA for The Grand National Tour at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Kendrick Lamar is a 17-time Grammy award-winning rapper and SZA is 4-time Grammy award winning R&B artist. Tickets range from $233 - $575. Baseball is coming back Campanelli Stadium in Brockton. The New England Knockouts will be playing their first home game against the New York Boulders Friday, May. 15. According to former New England Knockouts Director of Media and Relations Brett Chaves, there will be more events to look forward to other than baseball at the stadium this year. "We are working on a beer festival and local country concert and that will be in August," said Chaves. The town of Easton is celebrating 300 years and will be having multiple family-friendly events this year. These events include: Easton family fun day on April 19, The Easton Grange 196 history night on April 21, Easton 300 art and cultural festival on April 26, Easton 300 picnic and flag ceremony on June 14, Easton 300 fireworks on June 14, Easton 300 parade on July 12, Easton 300 Block Party on Sept. 6, Easton 300 antique car show on Oct. 11, Easton 300 bonfire on Oct. 11, and Easton 300 anniversary gala/ball on Dec. 27. For more information on the events, visit This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: things to do near brockton in 2025
