Berkshire Theatre Group

Education programs are a fundamental component of the Berkshire Theatre Group’s mission to serve our community. School field trips to our theaters allow students to experience diverse, educational and entertaining, programs that reinforce classroom curriculum, while fostering an understanding of and appreciation for the performing arts!

Performing Arts for Schools Education Fund

BTG’s education program is designed to enhance the classroom curriculum through creative programming. Donors are stepping forward to guarantee that all students, regardless of financial situation, will have access to this creativity-building resource. The following donors have stepped forward to ensure that all students will have access to the performing arts. We extend our gratitude to:

Cain, Hibbard and Myers, P.C. for their generous sponsorship of BTG’s educational programming

Nicholas Boraski for establishing an endowment gift in the name of his late wife Ruth Boraski, the income from which will be used to provide scholarships for student tickets to the BTG’s Performing Arts for Schools programs.

Linda O’Connell for establishing a multi-year fund to annually underwrite the BTG’s Performing Arts for Schools programs.

Nancy Vale for establishing a charitable remainder trust in the name of her late husband and actor Michael Vale to provide scholarships for student tickets to the BTG’s Performing Arts for Schools programs.

Performing Arts for Schools

2012-2013 School Year 

THE VELVETEEN RABBIT
Monday 10/15/12 • 9:30am
Presented by Enchantment Theatre Co.
with music by Don Sebesky
lyrics by Gloria Nissenson

"When a child loves you for a long, long time...then you become Real." So says the Horse to the Velveteen Rabbit in Margery Williams'' famous and much-loved literary classic. A plush rabbit, given as a gift to a young boy, yearns for the day the boy will choose him as his special playmate, so that he can become real. This innovative production combines the theatrical magic and signature style of Enchantment Theatre with the musical magic of Tony, Emmy and Grammy Award-Winning Composer/Arranger Don Sebesky. With an original musical score, life-sized puppets, masks and magic, Enchantment Theatre Company brings to life this charming tale of love and devotion, creating an unforgettable theatrical experience for the whole family.

Suitable for Grades: PreK-4

A CHRISTMAS CAROL
Tuesday 12/18/12, Wednesday 12/19/12, Thursday 12/20/12 • 10:00am
By Charles Dickens, adapted by Eric Hill
Directed by Eric Hill

Berkshire Theatre Festival’s annual production comes to the Colonial! Revel in the joy and redemptive power of Christmas as told in the timeless tale of Ebenezer Scrooge. It should be noted that this production runs for 90 minutes including intermission. Talk-back discussions are available upon request.

 Suitable for Grades: 2 and up

WE ARE GOING ON A BEAR HUNT
Thursday 1/31/13 • 9:30am
Adapted from the picture book written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.

Michael Rosen's award-winning book We're Going On A Bear Hunt is brought vividly and noisily to the stage in director Sally Cookson's fun-filled adaptation set to Benji Bower's versatile lively score. Join our intrepid adventurers on their quest to find a bear; as they wade through the gigantic swishy swashy grass, the splishy splashy river and the thick oozy, squelchy mud! Expect catchy songs, interactive scenes and plenty of hands-on adventure - plus a few special surprises!

"A fun-filled frolic" Guardian , "A perfect mini-adventure for the summer holidays" Daily Mail,  "Quite simply, the best show I've seen" Sky Arts

Suitable for Grades: PreK-2

BILL BLAGG’S SCIENCE OF MAGIC
Monday 3/4/13• 9:30am 

For centuries magicians have used scientific principles to make people levitate in mid-air and vanish in the blink of an eye. Illusionist Bill Blagg’s one-of-a-kind educational experience, The Science of Magic takes students on a rare, never-before-seen journey “behind the scenes” of the magic world. Students will discover firsthand how magicians use science to create the impossible!

Bill’s comedy-filled, action-packed, presentation is highly interactive and makes science fun and exciting! Students will use the Scientific Method in order to levitate one of their teachers in mid-air and even learn how the science of reflection can make their homework magically disappear! In addition, Bill even performs some of his mind-blowing, grand-scale illusions with a scientific twist! Bill melts through a solid sheet of steel while explaining atoms and molecules and presents an incredible display of the water cycle by making it snow from his bare hands! Students will watch in amazement as science creates magic right before their very eyes!

The Science of Magic is designed to excite, educate, intrigue and promote students to think “outside the box” and spawn their curiosity about how science and the Scientific Method are used by magicians to create the impossible!

Suitable for Grades: 4-8

THE CIVIL WAR
Wednesday, 4//10/13 • 9:30am

Over one hundred and fifty years ago, the United States of America split in half as the north and south waged war against each other over preserving a way of life versus preserving the union. While decisions made by Abraham Lincoln, Robert E. Lee, and General Sherman affected the course of American history, ordinary Americans carried out these orders, and often made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

The Civil War was a defining moment in American History - the fire of war burned away the scourge of slavery and, in time, melded the separate states into a true nation. In telling the tale of this large and complex event, this Theatreworks show focuses on the smaller stories of some of the soldiers who are caught up in it, including, Zak, a runaway slave who demands the right to fight his own fight; Will, his former best friend and "master;" Johnny, an Irish immigrant who volunteers to defend his new home; and Jackie, a girl who becomes a drummer boy.

Written by the playwright behind Theatreworks USA’s The Great Railroad Race, Footprints on the Moon, and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, this stirring production features traditional songs of the era while sensitively illustrating this complex, tumultuous chapter of American history. The Civil War illuminates the humanity and sacrifices of those who fought, and the many who died.

Suitable for Grades:  3 - 9

To book your field trip please download the ticket order form
Performing Arts for Schools Ticket Order Form