Minerva Arts Center - The MAC

Promoting the importance of an arts-based education by providing high quality arts programming.

CLICK HERE for more information about our summer 2024 workshops

Summer 2019

Join us throughout the summer for nine full weeks of summer fun with Minerva!

An Actor’s Around the World: Musical Theater

Explore the techniques used in acting, singing and dancing for musical theater! Actors will hone their skills in choreography, vocal training, monologues, character and scene studies and more!
Workshop dates: Mon – Fri, 12:00 – 5:00pm, June 17 – June 21, Eclipse Mill, 243 Union St, North Adams.
Performance: June 21st at 5:00 PM
Ages 7 & up
Workshop Fee: $175

Art of Improv

Explore Improvisational Acting in this one-week workshop.  Through a series of games and exercises, students learn the techniques of improv, which are then applied to short-form and long-form improvised scenes.

Workshop Dates:  Mon – Fri 12:00 – 5:00pm, June 24 – June 28, at The First Congregational Church of Williamstown.

Ages 7 & up

Workshop Fee: $175

Filmmaking

Students create an original short film from concept to screen in this two-week intensive workshop.  A great workshop for students who are interested in writing, directing, design and technical elements, as well as acting.

Workshop Dates:  Mon – Fri 12:00 – 5:00pm, July 1 – July 12*, at The First Congregational Church of Williamstown.

*No Class Thursday 7/4

Ages 7 & up
Workshop Fee: $350

Gleekers!

Students present an evening of song and dance ranging from Contemporary, Classic and Broadway hits! During this one week workshop, students and teaching artists create a fully produced performance that will entertain audiences of all ages. Workshop focus in voice and choreography elements of a performance piece, with individual, duets, and ensemble numbers.

Workshop Dates:  Mon – Fri 12:00 – 5:00pm, July 15 – July 19, at The First Congregational Church of Williamstown.

Performance: July 19th @ 7pm

Ages 7 & up

Workshop Fee: $175

Little 2 Big Presents… The Little Mermaid

This multi-age three-week workshop celebrates classic musical theatre with focus on ensemble building, voice and physical technique, and a fully produced production with three performances.

Workshop Dates:  Mon – Fri 12:00 – 5:00pm, July 22 – August 10, at The First Congregational Church of Williamstown.

Performances: Friday, 8/9 at 11am & 7pm and Saturday, 8/10 at 2pm

Ages 7 & up

Workshop Fee: $525

The Ghosts of Shakespeare

Come play in the magical worlds of Shakespeare…the monsters, the spirits, and the shadows of the night. Oh my!
We will explore the ghostly characters and scenes throughout Shakespeare’s works. Creating a piece of theater that haunts, tickles, and illuminates the audience. More importantly the self as you gain further understanding of classic technique mixed with playful character exploration. Are you ready to get spooky?!

Workshop Dates:  Mon – Fri 12:00 – 5:00pm, August 12 – August 16, at The First Congregational Church of Williamstown.

Ages 7 & up
Workshop Fee: $175

Once Upon a Time… Summer Session

A great introduction to the world of theatre for Pre-K and Kindergarteners (ages 3 &up)! Games and exercises develop imagination and play, motor and language skills, focus, teamwork, self-confidence, and acting technique! Text is adapted from beloved Fairy Tales and Classic Fables from around the world!

Workshop dates: Mon – Fri 10am-2pm, August 12 – 16, at The First Congregational Church of Williamstown.

Performance: August 16th at 2pm.

Pre-K and Kindergarten (Ages 3 & up)

Workshop Fee: $150

Fall Musical 2019

Actors from Grades 1 and up are invited to join us for this exciting Performance Workshop, which culminates in a full-length musical production.
Workshop rehearsals will be held at the First Congregational Church, located at 906 Main St. Williamstown, MA.
Workshop will begin October 19th and performances are November 22nd & 23.
Rehearsals are scheduled for Saturday afternoons from 1 PM to 5 PM and Sunday afternoons from 2 PM to 5 PM.
Rehearsal dates are as follows: Oct 19th, 20th, 26th, 27th, Nov 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 11th*, 16th, 17th. (Tech week Nov 18th-21st TBD)
*Monday, November 11th Veterans Day rehearsal 12-5pm.
Grades 1st – 12th
Tuition: $275

2019 Community Theater

We have big plans for 2019, with multiple opportunities for actors in our community, ages 17 & up to get involved, including Dinner Theater, Musical Theater, and a Valentine’s Day Cabaret! Please email us: info@minervaartscenter.org if you are interested in performing in one or more of our upcoming shows.

Fall Musical – Ages 7 -12

Minerva Arts Center offers a Fall Theatre Arts Workshop for “just the Littles.” Students ages 7 – 12 have the opportunity to perform in their own musical!
Workshop rehearsals will be held at the First Congregational Church, located at 906 Main St. Williamstown, MA.
Workshop will begin October 1st and performances are October 26th and 27th.
Rehearsals are scheduled for afternoons, Mon-Thurs from 3 PM to 5 PM.
Rehearsal dates are as follows: Oct 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 8th*, 9th, 10th, 11th, 15th, 16th, 17th, 18th, 22nd, 23rd, 24th*, 25th*.
*Monday Oct. 8th Columbus Day rehearsal 12-5pm. (Tech week October 24th & 25th TBD)
Ages 7 – 12
Tuition: $275
Lead Teaching Artist: Chris Beaulieu
Creative Team: Laurie Brenner, Jennifer Y Howard, Nicole Rizzo, Cassandra Vallieres
Questions or for information on tuition assistance, email:   Jennifer at info@minervaartscenter.org

[Read more…]

Fall Musical – Ages 13 & Up

Minerva Arts Center offers a Fall Theatre Arts Workshop for “big kids” of all ages, 13 and up!
Please RSVP early so we can pick a show appropriate for the cast size, ages, and talents!
Workshop rehearsals will be held at the First Congregational Church, located at 906 Main St. Williamstown, MA.
Workshop will begin October 13th and performances are November 16th and November 17th.
Rehearsals are scheduled for Saturday afternoons from 1 PM to 5 PM and Sunday afternoons from 2 PM to 5 PM.
Rehearsal dates are as follows: Oct 13th, 14th, 20th, 21st, 27th, 28th, Nov. 3rd, 4th, 10th, 11th, 12th*. (Tech week Nov. 13th – 17th TBD)
*Monday Nov. 12th Veteran’s Day rehearsal 12-5pm.
Ages 13 and up
Tuition: $275
Lead Teaching Artist: Cassandra Vallieres
Creative Team: Laurie Brenner, Jennifer Y Howard, Nicole Rizzo, Chris Beaulieu
Questions or for information on tuition assistance, email:   Jennifer at info@minervaartscenter.org

[Read more…]

BUILD THE MAC Community Meeting

The public is invited to attend an “open house” meeting Thursday, May 3rd, 2018, to hear about the “BUILD THE MAC” plan to create a multi-use performing arts facility in Northern Berkshire County. 

WHERE: Orchards Hotel, 222 Adams Rd, Williamstown
WHEN:    6:00-7:00pm, Thursday, May 3rd
WHAT:    A short presentation at 6:30, followed by a question and answer session.
Light refreshments will be served.

Thank you to our sponsors for this event:
Orchards Hotel and Print Shop Williamstown

Volunteer Registration

Thank you for your interest in volunteering for the MAC!  Please fill out the following form prior to your first volunteer shift.

Volunteer

  • If you would like to volunteer as part of a school required community service program, please enter your school info below.
  • Please let us know what your best days are.
  • If Yes, tell us briefly how:
  • Who do we contact if there were an emergency while you were volunteering?
  • Due to the nature of our business, we require background checks for all of our teachers and volunteers. By checking the box below, you authorize the Minerva Arts Center to run a criminal background check (CORI) on you.
  • Please indicate which areas you have interest in helping.

Once Upon a Time… Spring Session

A great introduction to the world of theatre for students age 3-6yo! Games and exercises develop imagination and play, motor and language skills, focus, teamwork, self-confidence, and acting technique! Text is adapted from beloved Fairy Tales full of great characters!
Workshop dates: March 3rd through March 31st, 2018
10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at The First Congregational Church of Williamstown.
Performance: 
March 31st at 12:00 PM
Ages 3 – 6
Workshop Fee: $75

Once Upon a Time… Summer Session

A great introduction to the world of theatre for students age 3-6yo! Games and exercises develop imagination and play, motor and language skills, focus, teamwork, self-confidence, and acting technique! Text is adapted from beloved Fairy Tales full of great characters!
Workshop dates: August 13th through August 17th, 2018
10:00 to 2:00 PM at The First Congregational Church of Williamstown.
Performance: 
August 17th at 2:00 PM
Ages 3 – 6
Workshop Fee: $150

Sing-A-Thon

Join us on December 20th for a fun-filled afternoon and evening of karaoke-style singing!  Participants will have the opportunity to sing individually or in groups, racking up credit for every song performed!

Similar to a walk-a-thon, this event will allow students and adults to raise funds for the “Build the MAC” campaign – an ongoing campaign to acquire property for a Performing Arts Center in Northern Berkshire County!

Register today to start gathering pledges!

Download the pledge sheet here: Sing-A-Thon 2017