By Lara Tupper

“Every time an audience comes together for a theatrical event, a community is formed,” said Kristen van Ginhoven, who cofounded WAM (Where Arts and Activism Meet) with Leigh Strimbeck in 2010.

WAM is both a professional theater company and a philanthropic force. Since its founding, it has donated $105,000 to 26 international and local organizations that advocate for women and girls. Now in its 16th season and steered by artistic director Genée Coreno and managing director Molly Merrihew, WAM has expanded its programming to include more performances and community-building programs, all of which provide opportunities for meaningful dialogue.

“We must champion one another—in art and in life—to ensure that women’s voices remain bold, visionary, and unstoppable,” said Coreno.

The season kicked off in March (Women’s History Month) with a screening of The (M) Factor: Shedding the Silence on Menopause at Wander café in Pittsfield. “Your presence today is a radical feminist act,” Coreno told the audience of 70. The energized crowd responded to the film with outrage, frustration, and relief.

Edi Pasalis, a menopause educator/advocate and WAM Theatre board member, facilitated a discussion after the film and introduced local support for perimenopausal and menopausal symptoms, including resources for sexual wellness, pelvic rehabilitation, and HRT options. One attendee later said she sought medical care for her symptoms the next day. She credits the film—and WAM’s vision—for enabling her personal agency.

“Wherever women gather, change follows,” said Coreno. “Despite differences in class, generation, culture, and perspective, we can find connection and a deeper sense of self regard.”

To celebrate International Women’s Day, WAM hosted Creative Resistance: Women’s Impact Through Art and Activism, a two-part panel discussion at Berkshire Community College. Moderators Eden-Reneé Hayes (CEO of Pluralism Solutions) and Sarah LaDuke (WAMC) posed these questions: How can storytelling empower women and girls? How can community leaders enable policy change? The audience heard from local activists, and students from BCC—who were invited to attend at no cost—were among the first to inquire about how to get involved in local causes.

At a time when despondency can reign, WAM Theatre continues to instill participation and advocacy in Berkshire County. “Art is the light, the rally cry, the balm for despair,” said Merrihew. “This season shimmers with moments that will surprise you, stir you, and send you into fits of laughter. We can’t wait to share it with you.”