What happens when you mix movement, theater, music—and the audience’s imagination?

Just Add Water is an unscripted, genre-bending performance where you help stir the pot. Created and performed by veteran performance artist Tom Truss, this family-friendly show fuses dance, theater, and storytelling with live musical improvisation by award-winning composer and multi-instrumentalist Eric Shimelonis.

No scripts, no sets, and no safety nets—just fearless, spontaneous art where humor, heart, and creative alchemy converge. While audience suggestions inspire the action, don’t worry: you won’t be dragged onstage. Instead, you’ll witness magic made in real time—ephemeral, zany, deeply human.

At its core, Just Add Water is about connection—about what happens when artists and audiences co-create something wholly unique and unrepeatable.

Eric and Tom previously collaborated at Tanglewood’s Ozawa Hall, where Tom performed a live reading of one of Circle Round’s tales accompanied by Eric’s music. Just Add Water marks their second creative partnership—this time in a fully improvised, co-created journey of sound, movement and words .

About the Artists

Tom Truss is a dancer, actor, and educator whose 35-year career bridges movement, story, and community. From touring with professional dance companies to leading transformative workshops with brain-injury survivors, LGBTQIA+ teens, and immigrant communities, Tom’s work is rooted in authenticity, collaboration, and joy.

Tom has choreographed and directed over 150 original works, performed internationally, and taught at institutions including Jacob’s Pillow, Berkshire Pulse, Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and Siena College. Locally, Tom is beloved for their exuberant alter ego, Tipsy MacBoozle, and their visionary directorial work on productions like Rumors and Frankenstein.

Truss holds MFAs in both Choreography (University of Iowa) and Acting (University of Texas), and a BM in Piano Performance (College of Wooster). Certified in Alexander Technique and Internal Family Systems (IFS), Tom brings depth and versatility to every moment onstage.

Eric Shimelonis creates bespoke scores for each episode of WBUR’s acclaimed podcast Circle Round, adapting global folktales into rich soundscapes for kids ages 3 to 103. Whether composing for guest artists like concert violinist Hilary Hahn, members of the Boston Symphony Orchestra, or performing on rare global instruments, Eric brings unmatched depth and range to his work.

A genre-defying composer and performer, Eric has scored numerous feature films, shorts, and documentaries, and his classical compositions have been performed at Carnegie Hall, Boston Symphony Hall, Tanglewood, The Kennedy Center, and The Juilliard School. He is a longtime collaborator with the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

With a career that spans over 300 theatrical productions across New York City and regional stages, Eric is a Helen Hayes and Henry Hewes Award winner, and a Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel nominee. He is also a recipient of grants from the Theatre Communications Group and the National Endowment for the Arts.

—

Tickets: $20

Seating/Bar: 7:00PM Show: 7:30PM

This event is indoors.

—

We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible event environment for all attendees. We strive to provide an event that is welcoming, accommodating, and supportive of diverse accessibility needs.

Venue Accessibility: Our venue is wheelchair accessible. Accessible parking spaces and restrooms are available. And wheelchair accessible seating is available upon request. Please contact us at info@thefoundryws.com or 413.232.5222 for accessibility coordination.

—

Parking is limited at the venue so please utilize the three public parking lots in Town. One is across from the Post Office, one is behind Berkshire Bank and the other is just off Main Street. They are clearly marked. Do not park at Trúc Orient Express Restaurant or the Post Office or you might receive a ticket.

Visit Amici Berkshires for dinner before the show and with your ticket receive 10% off your meal.

All sales are final – The Foundry is unable to make any returns or exchanges.