(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – In keeping with WAM Theatre’s double philanthropic mission, the acclaimed October world premiere production of The Old Mezzo by Susan Dworkin led to a $2,400 donation to the production’s beneficiary, Shout Out Loud Productions, a local nonprofit taking action to address sexual trafficking. The check presentation was made following the final performance at the Berkshire Museum in Pittsfield.

Kristen van Ginhoven, WAM Theatre’s Artistic Director says, “We are delighted with the success of our first world premiere. In 2012, our third year in operation, WAM Theatre performed for over 1,000 people, provided paid contract work to nearly 30 theatre professionals and now, made our largest donation to date to a beneficiary. We are very proud of these accomplishments and thankful to all who support our work to create theatre for everyone that benefits women and girls.”

WAM Theatre began its 2012 season in April with the second sold out 24hr Capital Region/Berkshires Theatre Project hosted at Shakespeare & Company, in which over 50 theatre artists came together to produce 5 new works by women playwrights in 24hrs. The 2013 WAM/MopCo 24hr collaboration will take place on May 18 at Proctor’s Theatre in Schenectady, NY.

In August, WAM Theatre was company in residence at the WordxWord festival in Pittsfield, presenting the first workshop performance of ‘like/unlike’, created and directed by Leigh Strimbeck, Artistic Advisor and co-founder of WAM Theatre. ‘like/unlike’ was created over five days in residence with a team of seven theatre professionals who explored the impact of social media on the lives of women today. The project was funded by WordxWord, the Brabson Library and Educational Foundation, Pittsfield Cultural Council and presented Upstairs at Spice Dragon.

Also in 2012, Artistic Director Kristen van Ginhoven was the recipient of a Martha Boschen Porter Fund Award, a fund administered by the Berkshire Taconic Foundation. The award supported the world premiere production of The Old Mezzo. The play, presented in October at the Berkshire Museum, revolved around the political awakening of a great opera singer and was deemed ‘a winner’ by critics.

WAM Theatre’s 2013 season will be announced in the new year.