WAM Theatre to Present like/unlike at WordXWord Festival

WAM Theatre will be company in residence at the 2012 WordXWord Festival from August 13-August 17. Over five days of public rehearsals in the Upstairs at Spice Dragon on North Street, they will be working with an ensemble of professional actors to create a free workshop performance on Friday, August 17 at 8pm of 'like/unlike', created and directed by Leigh Strimbeck, WAM Theatre co-founder.

'like/unlike' explores the impact of social media on women's lives and will feature professional actors Pooja Karina, Brenny Rabine, Erica Tryon and Kristie Wortman. Dramaturge Cindy Parrish and Technical Director Robert Bovard are also working on the project.

"This show about social media and its impact on women and girls has been on my mind for several years," says Leigh Strimbeck, creator and director. "What a thrill that WAM Theatre is the company in residence at the WordXWord Festival and we are going to be doing the first, very important phase of the work this August! I am particularly excited that all rehearsals are open, and people can drop by Upstairs at Spice Dragon and check out the process. The talkback after the show on Friday night is something else I am counting on to be a dynamic part of developing this work."

WAM Theatre's artistic director, Kristen van Ginhoven, says, 'We are grateful to the Brabson Library & Educational Foundation, MADMACS, Pittfield Cultural Council, Spice Dragon and WordxWord for making it possible to do this first workshop. We hope people will help us generate material for this workshop by going to our Facebook and Twitter pages and joining the social media conversations that are currently unfolding.'

Jim Benson, creator of the WordXWord festival, adds," "This residency enriches our audience's experience and broadens the festival's reach. The subject addressed by this work seems especially relevant to a festival that puts words, and the evolving way they are used, at center stage. Beyond this single work, WordXWord also sees WAM Theatre as a dynamic partner in the arts, with an impact - especially on the lives of the women and girls in our community - that is positive and significant. We are thrilled to support their work. "

All takes place Upstairs @ Spice Dragon, 297 North Street, Pittsfield, MA:

Monday, August 13: 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm
Tuesday, August 14: 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm
Wednesday, August 15: 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm
Thursday, August 16: Noon-5pm, 7pm-10pm
Friday, August 17: Noon-5pm, 8pm Workshop Performance followed by a talkback.

For more information: www.WAMTheatre.com