David Adkins
Artistic Director of Education and Training
(413) 448-8084 x19
davidadkins@berkshiretheatre.org
“My favorite part of working with young people is being part of their excitement and joy and laughter. They remind me that every day is new and filled with potential and hope. Seeing their growth and their success is very rewarding.”
About David
David is honored to help oversee BTG‘s extensive and multifaceted year-round educational programming, which includes in-school curriculum-based playwriting classes, after-school programs, performance based theater productions, the BTG PLAYS! Magic Tree House Touring Show and numerous community outreach events. David first came to BTG as an acting apprentice while studying English at Dartmouth College in the summer of 1985. He was subsequently an acting intern, a member of the BTG Children’s Theater Company, and then a Unicorn Company member. After graduating from The Juilliard School, he made his professional debut on the Fitzpatrick Main Stage, now The Playhouse, in 1989. Previously acting as the Director of the Summer Acting Intern Program and now Artistic Director of Education and Training, BTG has continued to be his artistic home now for 41 years.
David’s many years in educational theater embraces inclusive practices believing that accessibility, empowerment, individuality and respect are fundamental to students of every age. He has continued his professional development with training from the National Council for Mental Wellbeing, Mental Health First Aid and with Theatrical Intimacy Education.
He has directed, co-directed or overseen numerous productions at BTG, including Disney’s Frozen JR. and Moana JR., Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical JR., the yearly holiday production of Eric Hill’s adaptation of A Christmas Carol and this summer’s community production of the musical 1776. He has directed and/or overseen BTG PLAYS! Magic Tree House Touring Show, adapted from the award winning children’s book series by Mary Pope Osborne, which now travels to elementary schools in Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont and New York State. David has taught classes at BTG and elsewhere, as well as workshops and master classes on acting and auditioning for theater and film. He teaches and coaches privately in NY and continues to develop his classes, which include “The Actors Tool Kit,” “Acting Your Song” and “The Art of the Biz.”
David continues to work as a professional actor and as a professional script consultant. He made his Broadway debut with Tony Randall’s National Actors Theater and was in the company of the Tony-nominated play, Next Fall. He has worked Off Broadway (Manhattan Theater Club, WP) and worked extensively in resident theatres across the country. David performed at the Kennedy Center for the President Bill Clinton and First Lady Hillary Clinton in the play Darker Face of the Earth by poet laureate Rita Dove and has performed with such luminaries as Olympia Dukakis and Lynn Redgrave. He has guest-starred numerous times on television, working alongside Pierce Brosnan, Claire Danes, Tea Leoni, Jerry Orbach, James Spader and Forest Whitaker. David has won two Berkshire Theatre Critics Awards and has been nominated numerous other times. His highest achievement and most important work of his career though has been to share time and space with the extraordinary young people of Berkshire county as they experience the power, beauty and joy of live theater at Berkshire Theatre Group.
Allison Rachele Bayles
Director of Education
(413) 448-8084 x19
allison@berkshiretheatre.org
About Allison
Allison Rachele Bayles has worked with Berkshire Theatre Group for over 30 years. She has a BA in Psychology, was a certified MA public school teacher and has received training in Mental Health First Aid, Trauma Informed Practice, Safe Environment Training for youth and vulnerable adults, DIRE training and multiple professional development sessions offered by DESE and local agencies. She completed her internship at Baystate Children’s Hospital working in the Child Life department. In addition to being Director of Education, Ms. Bayles was a teaching artist working with elementary and middle school students, developed an online curriculum during the COVID-19 pandemic to keep students connected with Berkshire Theatre Group and has worked extensively in the area of readers theatre with her students. Additionally, Ms. Bayles sits on the St. Mary’s School Board, is a parent liaison and collaborates with many social service organizations in Berkshire County. She is Assistant Secretary for the Berkshire Theatre Group Board of Trustees. Outside of her work in theatre, she is the past President of Berkshire Grown—Berkshire County’s Buy Local Organization and past President of the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce. Ms. Bayles is a Paul Harris Fellow recipient for the Tri-town Rotary Club, received an award for her significant collaborative efforts with the College Internship Program working with college students on the autism spectrum in 2017, earned the 2023 Impact Award for Women of the Berkshires and is an advocate for Alzheimer’s research and funding.
Kathy Jo Grover
Artistic Associate, Education
(413) 448-8084 x23
kathyjo@berkshiretheatre.org
“My favorite part of working with students is seeing the joy of discovering that they can do something that they did not know they could do.”
About Kathy Jo
Kathy Jo Grover has spent much of her life helping young people discover their creativity, confidence and voices through the performing arts. A member of the Berkshire Theatre Group family for 18 years, she currently serves as Artistic Associate, Education who teaches acting, dance and playwriting in schools and summer programs throughout the region. She also directs and choreographs BTG community productions, the annual BTG PLAYS! Magic Tree House touring production and special events throughout the year.
Kathy Jo first joined BTG as an actor while continuing her more than 30-year performing career alongside her husband, David Grover, and the Big Bear Band. Her work with young people also includes many years as a paraprofessional in the Pittsfield Public Schools and Southern Berkshire Regional School District. During that time, she directed and choreographed productions for students at the elementary, middle and high school levels.
Whether she is introducing a student to the stage for the first time or helping a young performer develop their skills, Kathy Jo brings warmth, experience and a deep belief in the transformative power of theatre education to everything she does.
Maureen Pace
Education and Operations Associate
(413) 448-8084 x41
maureen@berkshiretheatre.org
“I love seeing the students grow over the years, building on what they have learned and accomplished, and becoming more confident in themselves!”
About Maureen
Since fall 2024, Maureen has been part of the team as Education Stage Manager, working on the BTG PLAYS! Magic Tree House elementary school touring productions, community productions and youth productions. Maureen loves the opportunity to work alongside students and young professionals as they grow both on and off the stage, especially helping young artists learn about and understand the many different aspects that come together to create a theatre production, from what happens on stage to the behind-the-scenes work that makes each show possible. Maureen earned her BFA concentrating in Stage and Production Management from Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama in 2024.
Michael Wartella
Teaching Artist
(413) 448-8084 x19
mwartella@berkshiretheatre.org
About Michael
Michael Wartella is an actor, director, musician and teaching artist who has spent the past four years as a Resident Teaching Artist with Berkshire Theatre Group’s Education Program. During his time at BTG, Michael has worked with young artists in many capacities, including as an in-school teaching artist, vocal coach, assistant music director and assistant director. He has cherished the opportunity to help build and grow the program while creating a supportive, joyful environment where students can take risks, discover their individual voices and grow as both artists and people.
As an in-school teaching artist, Michael works with elementary, middle and high school students, teaching theatre, acting, storytelling and playwriting. His teaching emphasizes creativity, confidence, collaboration and authentic self-expression, while introducing students to the fundamentals of the theatrical process. He has also taught musical theatre, acting, vocal performance and audition technique through master classes and Broadway workshops at colleges and educational programs around the country and in New York City, as well as working privately as a vocal and acting coach.
Michael brings more than 20 years of professional performing experience into the classroom. He has appeared on Broadway and in National Tours in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Mike Teavee), Tuck Everlasting (Hugo) and Wicked (Boq). Other favorite credits include The Wanderer at Paper Mill Playhouse; RENT, The Kid, Seussical and Oliver Twist Off-Broadway; Godspell at Berkshire Theatre Group, and Chasing Rainbows, A Midsummer Night’s Dream and A Prayer for Owen Meany regionally. His television credits include FBI: Most Wanted, The Mysteries of Laura and Loving Leah.
At the center of Michael’s teaching is a belief that theatre gives young people a place to be brave: to use their voices, explore who they are, make mistakes without fear and experience the joy of creating something together. He is proud to be part of Berkshire Theatre Group’s commitment to bringing meaningful theatre education to young people throughout the Berkshires.
