Welcome to ShirleyArts!
Support
Thank you for supporting our mission through your participation and your donations!
You may use this button to make a donation to ShirleyArts!
Upcoming Events
***Shirley residency is NOT required for any of our programs and events.**
April 25th, 26th, 27th Death and Taxes
June 7th ShirleyFest
June-July James and the Giant Peach, Jr.
Nov. Fall Family Musical (TBA)
Dec. Family Christmas Concert and Sing-along
SPRING ADULT PLAY
Death and Taxes, by Pat Cook, is produced in cooperation with Dramatic Publishing Company.
Performances of this hilarious who-done-it will be April 25th and 26th at 7:30 pm, and 27th at 2:00 pm at the Ayer/Shirley Middle School Auditorium.
Come to the city council meeting, where : “...it becomes apparent the entire city council had seen the man, and each of them seems to be hiding something. Who murdered the stranger? Was it Cora Sedgewick, who was still dizzy at the time from stepping on a rake and being thumped in the back of the head with its handle? Or newspaper editor King, who's right on the spot to report the facts, if he could only find a pencil? Or maybe the mayor herself, who was doing her laundry in the back of city hall? “
Use the link below to order tickets for Death and Taxes using a credit or debit card. Tickets will also be available at the door for cash, check, or payment through QR code.
$20 for non-members $18 for ShirleyArts Members.
SUMMER CHILDREN'S PROGRAM AUDITIONS
James and the Giant Peach, Jr. AUDITION Notice
James and the Giant Peach Jr is produced through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
ALL actors, singers, dancers, and stage crew who have completed second grade, and are under age 18 are invited to take part in ShirleyArts! summer children’s musical program. Shirley residency is NOT required. During this program, students will:
Learn theater etiquette, acting and improvisation skills, singing skills, dancing skills, stage crew skills
Practice teamwork and communication skills
Learn to advocate for their own needs and to support one another
Rehearse and perform a two-act musical filled with kind and caring, and wild and crazy characters
Audition information:
All students who are willing and able to meet the rehearsal requirements will be invited to be in the show. The audition is to help the staff choose who would be best in each of the roles and the chorus. You do not need to prepare anything for this audition, but we strongly suggest you read about the story and characters, and listen to song samples from the show at https://www.mtishows.com/roald-dahls-james-and-the-giant-peach-jr
***All roles are open to any gender actor***
Date and time: June 23 at 2:00-4:00 pm at the Ayer/Shirley Middle School Auditorium
We will have paperwork for parents to fill out when you arrive.
One parent for each student may wait in the auditorium during the audition. Please try not to bring younger siblings.
After paperwork the staff will give everyone an explanation about the show and how the audition will run.
Everyone will be taught a short dance audition to perform with a small group, and part of a song from the show to sing. You will also be given pages from the script to read on stage. You may do some improvisation activities if there is time.
After the audition, the staff will choose which roles everyone will have. Meredith will email parents that night with casting information and information about our 1st rehearsal, which will be the next day - June 24.
PLEASE USE THE BUTTON BELOW TO FILL OUT ONE PRE-REGISTRATION FORM FOR EACH PARTICIPANT FROM YOUR HOUSEHOLD.
You may use the pay button to pay your participation fee now, or wait until the day of the first rehearsal.
Children must attend most rehearsals and all performances. Please plan trips and special activities accordingly - when students miss rehearsals it impacts everyone else in the cast.
Our Staff:
Director/Producer: Meredith Marcinkewicz, M.ED.
Choreographer/Inclusion Specialist: Laurie Marcinkewicz, M.ED.
Stage Manager: TBD
Rehearsals:
June 24 - 27, July 7-11, and July 14 - 18 from 2:00 -- 5:00 pm at the air-conditioned Ayer/Shirley Middle School Auditorium and Music Room. Address: 1 Hospital Rd., Shirley, MA 01464. A staff member will always be on site at least 15 minutes before rehearsals to let students in and make sure the space is ready, and will stay until the last student is picked up. Participants are expected to arrive in time to begin at 2:00, and to be picked up promptly at 5:00.
Performances:
July 18 & 19 at 7:00, July 20 at 2:00. All cast members are required to arrive 1 ½ hours before show time and stay after until their things are put away neatly. Parents and participants are required to assist with putting things away after the final performance on July 20, to the best of their ability.
Participation Fee: $200 for non-members
$180 for ShirleyArts! Members
This fee is due at the first rehearsal (June 24th), payable by cash, check, or through the Zeffy link on our website. Students will receive their scripts and the link to the rehearsal tracks after their fee has been paid.
***Scholarships are available.***
Contact Director Meredith Marcinkewicz if you would like more information about scholarship assistance or if you have any other questions, at email@shirleyarts.info.
Become a Sponsor
ShirleyArts! is delighted to offer sponsorship opportunities for our 21st season of high-quality, low-cost theatrical opportunities for all ages and abilities. Please consider purchasing an ad in our programs and saying yes to supporting accessible theatre for your customers and your community. Our 2025 season will feature four productions: Death and Taxes, our summer children's musical - James and the Giant Peach, JR, our fall family musical (TBA), and a Christmas concert and sing-along.
Ad Size Benefits Cost
Season Sponsor Full page ad in programs for four productions. $500
2 free tickets available to each production.
Listing on our sponsorship page.
Gold Sponsor Full page ad in program for one production $100
Silver Sponsor Half page ad in program for one production $50
Bronze Sponsor Quarter page ad in program for one production $25
Well-Wisher One line "Break-a-leg" message to a loved one $10
in the program for one production
You may use this button to pay for your sponsorship with a debit or credit card.
For more information about what it means to be a member, visit our SUPPORT/GET INVOLVED page.
If you are paying by check, please use the white link below to register for membership. Your information is never shared or sold.
Join ShirleyArts today!
Enjoy these benefits of membership, and more:
· 10% off tickets, tuition, and participation fees
· Priority seating for performances
· Special offers from our Merchandise Shop
· Special members-only activities
Annual Membership Fees for 2025:
Individual: $25
Family of 3 or more: $60
Membership Fees are tax-deductible.
You may use the button below to make a credit card payment, or you may send a check to ShirleyArts at P.O. Box 49, Shirley, MA 01464.
Enjoy a Slideshow of our Events of 2024
Click the button below to view the slideshow.
ShirleyArts!' Merchandise Shop
Support ShirleyArts! and show off your artistic side with clothing, accessories, magnets, pillows, and more. A portion of every purchase goes to support the work of ShirleyArts!
Our Mission
It is the mission of ShirleyArts! to support and promote the visual and performing arts for education and entertainment. We are a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization that has been serving North Central Massachusetts since 2004.
Statement of Non-Discrimination
ShirleyArts! is a non-profit corporation committed to the principle of equal opportunity in casting, education, membership, attendance, volunteering, and employment. ShirleyArts! does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age, national origin, disability, or economic status. To ensure equal opportunity for students and performers, scholarships are available for most activities.
2025 ShirleyArts! Board of Directors
Managing Artistic Director/Treasurer: Meredith Marcinkewicz
President: Desiree Feigley
Secretary/Website/Merchandise Shop: Laurie Marcinkewicz
Members-at-large: Tony Dean, Donna King, Karen Rau, Nancy Sawyer, Sarah Stevens
2025 Supporting Members
We are currently accepting registration for membership for 2025.
Jim Bargnesi, Cotter Family, Tony Dean, Nicky Demko Lowney, Angie Edmunds, Desiree Feigley, Gamache Family, Christine Guertin, Steve Guertin, Terrie Hyde, Forrest Hyde, Diane King, Donna King, Victoria Landry, Laurie Marcinkewicz, Meredith Marcinkewicz, Karen Rau, Sarah Stevens
"Sensory-Friendly Events" at ShirleyArts!
As part of our mission to make the arts accessible to all, some of our events will be labeled "Sensory-Friendly".
What to expect:
• Pre-show introduction to potentially frightening characters or startling situations (if applicable)
• Lower sound level, especially for startling or loud sounds
• Audience lights remain turned on at a low level in the theater during the performance
• A minimum of strobe lighting and lighting focused on the audience
• Audience members may bring items needed to help with their sensory experience – seat cushion, noise-cancelling earphones, fidget items, etc.
• There are plenty of seats available - groups are encouraged to leave a few seats open between their party and another group.
• There will be a designated quiet area for those who need to step out.
• Audience members may leave and return when they are ready – not just at designated times.
• Audience, performance, lobby, and restroom spaces are fully accessible.
• No nut or peanut products are available at the refreshment table. (We cannot guarantee lack of cross-contamination.)
• Performers and audience members are discouraged from using scented personal products.
