BTG’s Garage from Cars to Comedy

Built in 1920, The Garage serves as the lobby, administrative offices, and backstage space. Berkshire Theatre Group’s Garage is an intimate space, customizable for every occasion, which showcases up-and-coming local and regional performances. The Garage is named in honor of the Berkshire Auto Company, which opened in 1921 and was owned by Ralph O’Conner. Originally, the space was used as a showroom, housing the latest and greatest models of the day, and evidence of this can still be seen in the beautiful stained glass windows that proudly display the name, Berkshire Auto Co.

When The Colonial Theatre reopened in 2006, what would become The Garage, was used as a lobby space without a formal bar. The space was also used as a function space, housing holiday parties, receptions, after-work events, and seminars. (Pictured to the left.) Upon the merger of The Colonial Theatre and Berkshire Theatre Festival, when Berkshire Theatre Group was created, Kate Maguire, Artistic Director, CEO, immediately saw the untapped potential for the space. “I wanted to have some activity out there in that space. It felt like a space that was underused, and it also, to me, felt like a space that could be a gathering spot,” said Maguire. Within the first year of the merge, the lobby space was dubbed The Garage. A full bar, designed by Berkshire Theatre Group’s former Technical Director Tom Minucci, was added, a neon sign installed, and the space truly began to take on a life of its own. “I wanted audience members to come in and feel comfortable before entering The Colonial. I also wanted the community to be able to claim that space as their own,” said Maguire of her original vision for the space. “I asked a musician from our community named Noah Weiss, who also worked as my assistant, to design the programming, to create an exciting atmosphere.  And before we knew it, the Garage was born. It was really Noah who developed a dynamic plan and handed it on to us.”

Over the years, The Garage has grown from a communal space to become its own performance venue. While still retaining Maguire’s original vision, the space has also taken on the tone of a cabaret, and with the various and sundry entertainments that occur from music to dance parties, there is always something new happening at The Garage. Kathy Jo Grover, House Manager at BTG, said The Garage is a “unique space in Pittsfield that helps discover a lot of new, local talent.” One of The Garage’s most notable entertainments is The Comedy Garage. Featuring acclaimed comedians from near and far, The Comedy Garage offers a new comedian one Thursday a month. “The space,” according to Grover, “lends itself to having a club atmosphere, and is just about the perfect size for a comfortable, casual comedy club.” The arrangement of tables, hightops, and stools (conveniently right near the bar) deftly creates the perfect ambience for an unforgettable night of laughs.

One of the newest adventures for The Garage is offering carefully curated pre-show performances before most of the presented shows at The Colonial Theatre. The idea is to offer a pre-show performance before the main event to get the audience relaxed and ready for the show. Each performance is tailored to match the audience and style of the main Colonial show, for instance, before Fleetwood Macked at The Colonial Theatre earlier this month, David Grover was the pre-show performer. Performing pre-show in The Garage before Marvin Seals and JGB on Oct. 11 is BTG’s very own Rev Tor. Whether it be music, comedy, or community, BTG’s Garage has something for everyone.

Up next at the Garage is:

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News & Articles

From the Archive: Eva LeGallienne

By: Katie Birenboim (She/Her/Hers)   Devoted fans of BTG may gasp to discover that until doing a first round of research in the amazing BTG archives, I had never heard … Read On

Bah humbug! BTG's timeless holiday tradition, A Christmas Carol, is returning to The Unicorn Theatre! ❄ Fit for the whole family, explore the wonderment of the season with this classic story, running tomorrow, December 5 through Sunday, December 22.

Performances are beginning to sell out, so purchase your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org before it's too late!
There is still time to give today on Giving Tuesday. Until midnight tonight, all donations made will be matched 2:1 by a generous donor, TRIPLING your impact!

Each year, BTG helps enrich thousands of students’ lives through arts in education programs and continues to produce high quality performing arts for the Berkshire County community and beyond. You make it all possible.

To donate, please visit berkshiretheatregroup.org/support. Thank you! ❤
For Giving Tuesday, your donation will have even more impact! For today only, every gift you make will be matched 2:1 by a generous donor. Your $100 gift will provide $300 in support to our theatre, TRIPLING your impact!

Because of you, BTG has been propelled to new heights in providing quality performing arts, education and culture to Berkshire County and beyond. You make the difference. ❤️
Did you hear? Patrons who purchase a ticket to any regular season performance of A Christmas Carol at The Unicorn Theatre will receive exclusive access to purchase tickets for Winterlights at Naumkeag for 5pm entry on the same day as the performance. ❄🎄

For more information and to purchase tickets, visit berkshiretheatre.org today.
This Small Business Saturday, Berkshire Theatre Group is participating in Downtown Pittsfield's Pittsfield Passport promotion! Collect one sticker from The Colonial Theatre, along with other participating locations where you make a purchase, where, the more stickers you collect, the greater your chance of winning one of the three Downtown Pittsfield Prize Packages!

For more information, visit https://downtownpittsfield.com/2024/11/downtown-pittsfield-passport-nov-29-dec-24/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGy19BleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHRaCnK7LGNw2VWpr2oc-fbRH_cbUrl3HmLiksa89EbmksZKn1JgRvceK0w_aem_zOEAMn0oRfRzQVCZ7vAemQ
The holiday season is here, and all of us at BTG are feeling energized from Thanksgiving as we gear up for Giving Tuesday!

You make the difference in helping us continue producing quality performing arts and theatre for our community, so we hope you keep us in your thoughts among the many businesses in Berkshire County this year. 🤲❤️
Looking for gift ideas for the theatre lovers in your life? Now through Cyber Monday, receive a $10 gift certificate for every $50 spent on gift certificates! 🎁✨

To purchase gift certificates, please visit the link in our bio.
All of us at BTG wish you a Happy Thanksgiving! 🍂
We are just one week away from Giving Tuesday! 🤲❤️ 

At BTG, every story told, every beat of music, every laugh shared and every emotion stirred on our stages is because of donors like you. So, this Giving Tuesday, we are asking for your support as we continue to produce exceptional theatre for nearly 100 years for the Berkshire County community and beyond. Plus, your donation will be matched by a generous donor, doubling your impact!

BTG is grateful to you, because you make the difference. ❤️
Two new holiday shows, An Evening of Holiday Jazz with Tim Jones (@timhasglasses) and A Special Holiday Reading of Santaland Diaries, have been JUST ANNOUNCED! ❄🎄

For tickets and to learn more, visit berkshiretheatre.org.
Tomorrow, November 23, Wandering Dance Festival comes to a close with their showcase performance at The Colonial Theatre. Featuring a variety of professional and local dance artists, this event promises to be an unforgettable experience for the entire community.

Wandering Dance Festival is a program produced and presented by Mill Town Foundation. Tickets are available at berkshiretheatre.org, and are also offered at various price points and further financial assistance is available upon request. Email info@milltownfoundation.org for more information.
December is National Giving Month, and BTG is gearing up for Giving Tuesday, coming up on December 3! ❤️

Save the date and join us for a day of gratitude and reflection!
Time is running out! This week is your last chance to purchase 2025 Season 3-Show Passes for $150, so visit berkshiretheatregroup.org/passes to get your passes today! 🎫
Voting is now open for the 2024 BroadwayWorld Berkshires Awards, and BTG is on the ballot!

Be sure to vote for your favorite local performers, artists and productions before December 31st by clicking the link below, and thank you in advance!
https://www.broadwayworld.com/berkshires/voteregion.cfm
Double the shows, double the fun! Due to popular demand, an additional 5pm show has been added for Mutts Gone Nuts: Santa Paws on December 15 at the Colonial!

Join us at The Colonial Theatre for an unforgettable, dog comedy show filled with laughter and joy for the holidays by getting your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org.
Today on Veterans Day, BTG would like to celebrate and salute all veterans past and present for all you have sacrificed for our country. Thank you all for your service.
BTG is excited to be supporting Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.'s 3rd Annual Thankful Food Drive this November! 

Until November 30, a donation box can be found in the lobby at The Colonial Theatre for donations of non perishable food items that will go to South Community Food Pantry and St. Joseph’s Church Food Pantry. Donations can be dropped off Monday through Saturday between 12pm-5pm or when you come to the Colonial for any of our upcoming concerts!

For more information, visit the Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. website: https://downtownpittsfield.com/2024/10/downtown-pittsfield-inc-thankful-food-drive-3/
It's almost the most wonderful time of the year! The cast of A Christmas Carol have officially begun rehearsals Tuesday night this past week, and we are all beyond excited to once again bring this classic holiday tale to The Unicorn Theatre this December. 🎄☃

(Photos by Caelan Carlough)
Misty Blues, the band that has captivated audiences for a quarter of a century, is celebrating their silver anniversary at The Colonial Theatre TOMORROW (11/9). This powerful concert will feature over 25 special guest artists who have supported the band over the past 25 years, making it a night to remember.

Get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org and don’t miss this incredible opportunity to witness a historic celebration of blues music!
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