Celebrating Black History Month at BTG

In honor of Black History Month, Berkshire Theatre Group is featuring some of the many talented black artists that have performed with us throughout over 90 years of theatre history!

Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle are both in tuxes. Noble sits at the piano, playing, and looking back at Eubie who is standing behind him with hand on Noble's shoulders.

(L to R): Eubie Blake and Noble Sissle in their musical,
Shuffle Along at The Colonial Theatre, 1926.

 

Wayland Rudd sits on a throne draped with fabric in a regal costume looking off into the distance with a pensive expression on his face.

Wayland Rudd in The Emperor Jones by Eugene O’Neill at the Berkshire Playhouse
(now The Fitzpatrick Main Stage), 1930. Produced in conjunction with
the Hedgerow Theatre. Directed by Jasper Deeter.

 

Barbara Ann Teer (right side) and Cleavon Little (left side) sit on a fence talking. Barbara's character is barefoot and there is a wall behind them decorated in tiger print.

(L to R): Cleavon Little and Barbara Ann Teer in Does a Tiger Wear a Necktie?
by Don Petersen at BTF, 1967. Directed by Michael Schultz.

 

Gosset is center in the picture holding his hand up to accentuate his speech. He is wearing a bowler hat and facing Will Lee. Lee is slightly hunched over and listening.

(L to R): Will Lee and Lou Gossett, Jr. in Waiting for Godot
by Samuel Beckett at BTF, 1966. Directed by Gene Frankel.

 

Cicely Tyson is wearing a garish dress and has a flower in her hair. She is clutching a drink in her hand and looking at something that Hector Elizondo is pointing to.

(L to R): Hector Elizondo and Cicely Tyson in The Rose Tattoo by Tennessee Williams
at BTF, 1979. Directed by Craig Anderson.

 

Quitman Fludd III is doing a choreographed number and is turned sideways with one leg bent and slightly off the ground. He is facing out and holding his hand near his head as if to hold a hat.

Quitman Fludd III in Anyone Can Whistle  by Stephen Sondheim (composer, lyricist) and Arthur Laurents (author) at BTF, 1980. Directed and choreographed by Robert Tucker.

 

Three of the actors are around the kitchen table with Carrie Hamilton off in the background. David L. King is playing a trumpet, Frances is dealing with food, and John is leaning on the table.

(L to R): David L. King, Frances Foster, Carrie Hamilton, and
John McCurry in The Member of the Wedding by Carson McCullers
at BTF, 1985. Directed by Josephine Abady.

 

Fred Morsell is leaning slightly over a table. He is wearing a suit jacket and is midspeech.

Fred Morsell in Trains by Barbara Lebow at BTF, 1991. Directed by Richard Dunlap.

 

All of the actors are wearing formal wear and standing in a line on the stage.

(L to R): Allen Hidalgo, Jacquey Maltby, Lance Roberts, Terry Burrell, Brian Quinn,
and Monica Page in Sweet & Hot: The Songs of Harold Arlen at the
Fitzpatrick Main Stage, 1993. Written and Directed by Julianne Boyd.

 

Sheryl McCallum is leaning on the piano and singing.

Sheryl McCallum in Good Company at the Fitzpatrick Main Stage, 1997. Book by Sheldon Harnick and musical arrangements by Fred Wells. Directed by Michael Montel.

 

The actors are standing in civil war era period garb talking with one another.

(L to R): Shane Taylor, Nedrah Banks, and Wayne Scott in
Insurrection: Holding History by Robert O’Hara at
The Unicorn Theatre, 2002. Directed by Timothy Douglas.

 

Rachel Leslie stands in dramatic red lighting in front of a large portrait surrounded by packed suitcases. She has a sad but determined look on her face and radiates strength.

Rachel Leslie in Blues for an Alabama Sky by Pearl Cleage at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage, 2004.
Directed by Timothy Douglas. Photo by Kevin Sprague.

 

Amari and Christian sit on swings talking.

(L to R): Amari Cheatom and Christian Coulson in Dutch Masters by Greg Keller at The Unicorn Theatre, 2011. Directed by Brian Roff. Production photos by Christy Wright.

 

Bryonha and Taurean are toasting in costume on the set of Little Shop of Horrors.

(L to R) Bryonha Parham and Taurean Everett in Little Shop of Horrors at The Colonial Theatre, 2016. Music by Alan Menken with book and lyrics by Howard Ashman.
Photo by Ethan Heard (Director).

 

Treshelle and Lauren flank Joshua who is sitting down and signing to them. The stage is washed in blue light and Joshua and Lauren are sitting on a bench.

(L to R): Treshelle Edmond, Joshua Jackson, and Lauren Ridloff in Children of a Lesser God by Mark Medoff at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage, 2017.
Directed by Kenny Leon. Photo by Matthew Murphy.

 

Kristopher Saint Louis, Latoya Edwards, Eric R. Williams and Ariel Blackwood are standing in somber lighting singing to Claude.

(L to R): Kristopher Saint Louis, Latoya Edwards, Eric R. Williams, and Ariel Blackwood in Hair atThe Unicorn Theatre, 2018. Book and lyrics by Gerome Ragni and James Rado and music by Galt MacDermot. Directed by Daisy Walker. Photo by Emma Rothenberg-Ware.

 

Two lineman sit at a table discussing work while shawn, wearing a football jersey, sits at the counter listening.

(L to R): Shawn Fagan, Tré Alexander Dukes, and Joel Austin in The Petrified Forest by Robert E. Sherwood at The Fitzpatrick Main Stage, 2018. Directed by David Auburn. Photo by Emma Rothenberg-Ware.

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Read our suggestions on where to dine, and where to hang your hat.

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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

🎶👯‍♀️ Get ready to celebrate the amazing women of the Berkshires! 🌟 Join us at The Colonial Theatre TONIGHT for "Song & Dance: A Celebration of Women in the Berkshires." 🎉 Featuring a talented cast of female performers, this show will showcase the strength, resilience and creativity of women in our community. 💪🏼 From powerful ballads to stunning dance routines, this event will leave you feeling inspired and empowered. Don't miss out on this unforgettable night! Get your tickets now at https://www.berkshiretheatregroup.org/event/song-and-dance-a-celebration-of-women-of-the-berkshires/ #SongAndDance #WomenInBerkshires #BerkshireTheatreGroup #CelebrationOfWomen #Empowerment #Inspiration #PerformingArts #LiveEvent #GetYourTicketsNow
Have you heard of Hyprov? It's a hilarious and mind-bending show that combines hypnosis and improv comedy. The result is a unique and unforgettable experience that will leave you laughing and scratching your head in amazement.

The show is led by two talented performers: hypnotist Asad Mecci and improv comedian Colin Mochrie. Together, they take volunteers from the audience and guide them through a series of comedic scenarios, all while under hypnosis.

What makes Hyprov so special is how the performers seamlessly blend the two art forms together. You'll see improvisational comedy taken to new heights as the volunteers' subconscious minds drive the scene, leading to unexpected and hilarious moments.

If you're looking for a night of entertainment that will leave you feeling amazed and delighted, then you definitely need to check out Hyprov on Saturday, March 25 at The Colonial Theatre. Trust us, you won't regret it! #Hyprov #hypnosis #improvcomedy #hilarious #mindbending #comedyshow #entertainment #laughoutloud #unforgettable #mustsee 

Get your tickets now! https://www.berkshiretheatregroup.org/event/colin-mochrie-presents-hyprov-with-master-hypnotist-asad-mecci/
Our very own Allison Rachelle Bayles will be one of the awesome women honored at Song and Dance! A Celebration of Women of the Berkshires! Allison is the Director of Education here at BTG and we can’t wait to honor her during this celebration! 

https://buff.ly/3ldCPGe
The Secret Garden: Spring Version, is a new adaptation of the acclaimed Broadway musical abridged for younger audiences in an enhanced concert-style production that is as beautiful and spirited as the original.
This enchanting classic of children’s literature of hope and perseverance is reimagined in brilliant musical style by composer Lucy Simon and Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Marsha Norman. Orphaned in India, 11-year-old Mary Lennox returns to Yorkshire to live with her embittered, reclusive uncle Archibald and his disabled son Colin. The estate’s many wonders include a magic garden which beckons the children with haunting melodies and the “Dreamers,” spirits from Mary’s past who guide her through her new life, dramatizing The Secret Garden‘s compelling tale of forgiveness and renewal. Join us July 29 and 30 for this beautiful story.
Two-time Tony Award nominated actor, Kate Baldwin, joins the cast of “What the Constitution Means to Me!” This boundary-breaking play breathes new life into the Constitution and imagines how it will shape the next generation of Americans.
Kristen van Ginhoven, who will direct this co-production with WAM Theatre, connected to the play as an activist and as a former speech and debate coach for the International High School in Brussels, Belgium. “As an artist, activist, and human, I find myself yearning for more collaboration, accountability, and engagement.” van Ginhoven explained, “This play answers that call with humor, intelligence and poignancy. I look forward to using my past experience as a
speech and debate coach while having the privilege and joy of directing this co-production.”
It’s National Women’s Day! To celebrate we are going to share a little about our upcoming event, “Song and Dance! A Celebration of Women of the Berkshires!” The Berkshires serve as home to a number of women artists and women behind the scenes who are making a positive difference in our area, and celebrated musician Wanda Houston is looking forward to shining a spotlight on some of them. Houston spearheads a concert that will simultaneously pay tribute and entertain, fulfilling one of her own personal dreams. "For the last five years, I've thought about doing this show," recently explained Houston. "I wanted to find a way to celebrate women who work so hard to make the Berkshires a better place for us all." Highlights of the concert promise to be Wanda Houston singing "You make Me Feel Like A Natural Woman," a brief monologue about Elizabeth Freeman spoken live with choreographed movement, the full cast opening the show together, and much, much, more. 
Join us March 24 for this celebration of amazing women! 
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We are getting excited for our St. Patrick’s Day festivities here at BTG! The Young Dubliners, an American rock band who have been recording albums and touring since 1993 and whose style of music has come to be called Celtic Rock for the fusion of Irish traditional music with modern rock ‘n’ roll! They will be joined by Kilashandra, an award-winning Albany, NY–based band. They began meeting in fall 2021 as a group of friends getting together to play Celtic music in pubs and at regional Irish Festivals. Get your tickets now and join us for this awesome concert!
☀We announced our full summer season! We have some amazing shows coming up at BTG and we can’t wait for you to be a part of it! Follow the link in our bio to grab your tickets now!☀
UPDATE! Children's Auditions have been postponed to tomorrow night, March 1. Families that have registered should check their emails for more details. Thank you!
This is going to be SUCH a fun time! Twenty random volunteers from the audience will be put under hypnosis, their inhibitions evaporated and their minds no longer their own. The contestants will be methodically and hysterically whittled down until the five best are left on stage when one of the world’s leading improvisers enters! Colin Mochrie will take the stage to improvise with the top five while they are still under hypnosis, which will turn the show into an improv extravaganza! This show is March 25 and tickets are on sale now!
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The band is joyous, and their stage is full of smiles and laughter, both during and between songs. Max Creek is engaging, sculpting lengthy shows on-the-fly from their 200+ song catalog with rockers, ballads, deep jams and crowd sing-alongs. Furthermore, Creek is, most definitely, a family. 40-odd years in, the audience is a multi-generational stew—it’s not uncommon to witness old-school “Creek Freeks” getting down with their teenage (or older!) kids. Grab your tickets for April 7 now!
The Togetherness Project was created with the aim of building bridges through the power of art between teens and young adults in the Arts in Recovery for Youth (AIRY) Program and local residents in need of support. The Project involved AIRY members visiting and making art in Pittsfield with women Veterans at Soldier On, women and children survivors of domestic abuse at Elizabeth Freeman Center, and adolescents of color in the R.O.P.E. program (Rites of Passage and Empowerment). Artworks include drip pour paintings, Satori circles, watercolor triptychs and symbolic self portrait paintings.
Artwork will be on view March 10 through April 6 with an opening reception on Tuesday March 14 from 4 to 6 pm.
We recognize that Ukraine has been fighting for democracy for one year today. We hope for a better year ahead.  Our hearts are heavy for all souls lost.
May Miller was an award-winning playwright, poet, and professor who first came to prominence during the Harlem Renaissance. Miller was the most published female playwright of the Harlem Renaissance and had nine of her twenty plays selected for publication during the height of her playwriting career. Miller helped establish the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, serving as Chair of the Literature Panel for the Commission’s first three terms. From her retirement from teaching in 1943 until her death in 1995, Miller dedicated herself to writing poetry, publishing nine books of poems, and one edition of collected works.
This Saturday at 7:30 we've got "Tapestry, The Carole King Songbook" starring Suzanne O Davis. She'll be playing all of your favorite songs live on stage!
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Highlighting Berkshire women in the Arts, this show features performances by Gina Coleman, Olga Dunn Dance Co., Wanda Houston, Mary Ann Palermo and The All-Star Women’s Band, along with more of our extraordinary region’s unsung female heroes in the art, business, social and medical communities. Join us March 24 at 7:30pm for an evening of celebrating women of the Berkshires!
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This Saint Patrick’s Day we will be feeling extra lucky! We’ve got The Young Dubliners with special guest Kilashandra and Scoil Rince Bréifne Ó Ruairc, the Irish Dance Team from right here in Pittsfield! The dancers will be performing before the show in The Garage from 6:30pm to 7:20pm!
We all need a good laugh, am I right? This show will do the trick! Grab your tickets now for the Ivy League of Comedy Tour on March 3rd.
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Zora Neale Hurston was an American author and filmmaker. Her works focused on the struggles of being an African American woman and her writings went unrecognized for decades. She passed away in 1960 but between 2001 and 2018 she had 3 of her works released.
BTG has two audition opportunities coming up! Find out more through the link in our bio! 🤩
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