Drury To Perform 'Matilda the Musical'

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NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The Drury Stage Company in conjunction with the Drury Music Department will perform Roald Dahl's "Matilda the Musical."
 
Performances will be held on Friday, March 31 at 7 p.m. and Saturday, April 1 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.
 
All performances will take place in the Drury High School auditorium, 1130 South Church Street in North Adams. Tickets are $5 for students and $10 for adults. Tickets will be sold at the door.
 
According to a press release:
 
Based on the Roald Dahl classic, "Matilda the Musical" tells the story of a little girl with
astonishing wit, intelligence and psychokinetic powers. She's unloved by her cruel parents but
impresses her schoolteacher, the highly loveable Miss Honey. Over the course of her first term at
school, Matilda and Miss Honey have a profound effect on each other's lives, as Miss Honey
begins not only to recognize but also appreciate Matilda's extraordinary personality. Matilda's
school life isn't completely smooth sailing, however – the school's mean headmistress, Miss
Trunchbull, hates children and just loves thinking up new punishments for those who don't abide
by her rules. But Matilda has courage and cleverness in equal amounts, and could be the school
pupils' saving grace!
 
The creative team behind "Matilda the Musical" is made up of Drury faculty. The show is directed and choreographed by theater teacher Liz Urban. Musical direction is by band teacher
 
Christopher Caproni. Technical direction is by arts tech teacher Greg Caproni. Art direction is by visual arts teacher Amanda Hartlage, and biology teacher Jackie Degiorgis serves as producer.
 
Roald Dahl's "Matilda the Musical" is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.
 
This project has been supported by a grant from the Gateway Fund of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.

Tags: Drury High,   musical,   

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NAHA Board Accepts Director's Resignation, Unlocks Tenants Association Office

By Jack GuerinoiBerkshires Staff

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — The North Adams Housing Authority Board of Commissioners officially accepted the resignation of Executive Director Jennifer Hohn and restored access to the Tenants Association office.

The board held a special meeting Thursday to vote to accept Hohn's resignation and determined that there are currently no plans to replace her.

"We didn't make any final determinations in terms of the executive session so we will schedule another meeting at another time," Chairwoman Leigh Uqdah said after returning from more than an hour session. "Day-to-day operations will continue to be managed as normal by staff."

Per their bylaws, board member Marie Harpin will continue to handle finances, and Uqdah will manage contracts.

Hohn stepped down on Oct. 8 after 24 years leading the agency. Her resignation followed rising tension between her and the NAHA Tenants Association, culminating in the scheduling of a formal grievance hearing between both parties.

The boiling point was the locking of the association's office this summer. Tenants alleged the lockout was retaliation for posting a video on social media depicting improperly functioning door alarms. Hohn claimed the office was locked for tenant safety and to stop the spread of misinformation.

Tenants Association President Corey Fortin asked if Hohn's security access had been removed. Uqdah confirmed her credentials were revoked the day she resigned, meaning she can no longer monitor security cameras remotely.

Jennifer Barbeau, a former city councilor who was liaison to the Housing Authority, asked when the board met to discuss Hohn's severance package. Uqdah stated that Hohn did not have one.

The board also accepted the resignation of Commissioner Richard Lavigne, though they will vote officially on the matter at their next meeting.

The open portion of the meeting was brief, with nearly an hour and a half spent in executive session. Before entering executive session, the board opened the floor to tenants.

"The tenants requested an opportunity to talk to the board," said Uqdah. "It has been quite a while, but we have decided to honor that."

Fortin, who posted the original video to social media, was the first to speak. He was clear in his request: unlock the office door.

"Let's cut straight to the chase tonight. The former resigned Director Jennifer Hohn ordered the office locked," he alleged. "She is gone. The lockout is a direct violation, and the board has a duty to end that tonight."

He cited federal and state laws that mandate the tenants association be provided with office space, including computer and network access.

"We are here with a direct administrative demand. We demand that the board vote tonight to unlock the doors," he said. "Do not let a resigned director's illegal action remain the board's ongoing liability. Open our door tonight, and let us get back to work."

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