WAM Theatre will mark its 17th anniversary season with a lineup of mainstage productions and community programming focused on amplifying women’s voices, empowering young people and exploring the intersection of arts and activism.
The award-winning, women-owned company’s season will feature intimate storytelling, sharp comedy and historical works, alongside educational and community-based initiatives designed to engage audiences and support regional partnerships.
Artistic Director Genée Coreno said: “This season, WAM steps into a bold inquiry about influence, power, and the responsibility that comes with both, especially in moments when communities are searching for meaning. Now more than ever, we are reminded that theatre is a space to gather, to question, and to practice the kind of world we wish to inhabit.”
WAM stands for “Where Arts and Activism Meet,” and the theatre was co-founded in 2010 by Kristen van Ginhoven, now the executive director of Project SAGE in Salisbury, and Leigh Strimbeck in response to the book “Half the Sky: Turning Oppression Into Opportunity for Women Worldwide,” by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl WuDunn. Inspired by the call to “join an incipient movement to emancipate women and fight global poverty by unlocking women’s power as economic catalysts,” WAM’s vision is to create opportunities for women and girls through a mission of theatre as philanthropy.
This season, all WAM activities and events are united in their investigation of timely questions such as: What do we inherit? What do we believe? And what future are we brave enough to build? The season includes a full production of “Rooted,” by award-winning playwright Deborah Zoe Laufer (May 1-16); two readings in the WAM Fresh Takes series — “Amani,” by critically acclaimed playwright a.k. payne (June 14), and “Gorgeous,” by playwright Keiko Green (Aug. 16); WAM’s Summer Soirée benefit (July 26); and the fall mainstage production of “Camp Siegfried,” by Tony Award nominee Bess Wohl (Oct. 15-Nov. 1).
In addition, WAM’s 2026 season deepens its investment in the community with projects and programs in partnership with like-minded organizations, including the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and MOSAIC, the Elizabeth Freeman Center, the Lenox Library and Berkshire Community College. These activities spotlight changemakers working throughout the region to provide vital services and to engage the arts for democratic learning and expression, intergenerational dialogue and collective belonging.
To date, WAM has provided paid work to more than 500 theatre artists, the majority of whom are female-identifying. In fulfillment of its philanthropic mission, WAM donates a portion of proceeds from its mainstage productions to selected recipients. Since its founding in 2010, the theatre has donated more than $105,000 to 26 local and global organizations supporting gender equity in areas such as girls’ education, reproductive justice, human trafficking awareness and midwife training.
Managing Director Molly Merrihew said: “Artists and educators are the changemakers who nurture communities into vibrant, sustainable ecosystems fueled by collective, creative, and collaborative action. We hope you will join us.”
WAM Theatre has been widely recognized for its positive impact on cultural and community development in the region. This season is expected to deepen that impact.
Passes and single tickets are on sale now. For more information, visit wamtheatre.com.
Justine and Victor Valla in their studio with a painting of Victor’s,”Jonah and the Whale.” Robin Roraback 
