Stories of Stockbridge: Bobbie Hallig’s History with Berkshire Theatre

How did you get involved with Berkshire Theatre?

Jane Fitzpatrick. She invited my husband and me to dinner at Blantyre with Bill Swan and Richard Dunlap, who was the Director at that time. That was the group. During the dinner, she addressed my husband and said, “How come we never see you at the theatre?”

“Because your seats are too uncomfortable,” he said.

She kind of laughed and said, “Oh I know that, and you know we need to do a capital campaign, and we need to get it organized and do it.”

He replied, “Well how much would seats cost?” She named a figure and he said, “O.K., I’ll buy the seats.”

I got interested after that, and I produced the big fundraiser for them the following year, “The Stars Come Out,” at Blantyre. That just took off from there. I did recognize the need to build a real second stage because what we had there was just falling down around us. So Larry Vaber and I raised the money and delivered it. We did it equally, and it was a real team effort. (Pictured below, Bobbie Hallig, Jane Fitzpatrick, and Larry Vaber.)

Bobbie Hallig, Jane Fitzpatrick, and Larry VaberI served as Vice President for 8 or 9 years and during that time, I was in a lot of turmoil during my own life, and Jane was really chasing me to takeover. The Fitzpatricks were amazingly generous because they were devoted to the community. So, whatever the community’s needs were, they were always trying to address them, and so at that point she decided to focus elsewhere besides the theatre. You can imagine how intimidating it was to step into her shoes because she’d been doing this for 22 years, and of course I wanted to change things. There was a huge board when I started, and I implemented the rule that everyone on the board must be actively raising money or doing work for the theatre, which many were already doing. There were some people who were highly critical of me at first, but we did so many good things, and I delivered The Unicorn, that they came around in the end. It all worked out.

Unicorn

The board I was running at that time was all male, and there was me in charge of it. Then Kate came in, and the first year she was revolutionizing everything. She had all these ideas and she wanted to do them right now, and so she put controversial things on the Main Stage and she got highly criticized. Kate and I talked and we decided that the controversial shows should be kept to The Unicorn Theatre (pictured above). Kate went on and became ever better, and of course Eric Hill is so gifted. She had her whole family working there: Isadora was on the Main Stage as Peter Pan, Emma was in the box office, and Alexander grew up in that theatre. Kate has had a record career for that theatre now, you know she’s up there with Billy Miles. We’ve been through a lot together and I’m very proud of her.

What were some of your favorite shows?

The Homecoming 2015 Photo by Michelle McGrady A lot of them are Eric Hill’s shows, and not necessarily his Blockbuster ones. I like controversial theatre. I’m not so much for the musicals, though I did like H.M.S Pinafore, that was very good. A season or two ago they did Homecoming, by Harold Pinter, and that was the best production I’ve seen of that show. (Pictured to the right: The Homecoming, 2015. Photo by Michelle McGrady.) I’ve seen it three other times in other theatres, but I’ve never seen it as good as it was in Stockbridge. That cast, his directing, everything about that show was perfection for me. I go to theatre a lot, and I go around the world, but this was one of my favorites. One thing that always stuns me is the quality of the sets. Berkshire Theatre does the best sets around, no one else even comes close, there is so much detail that goes into each one.

A Little Night Music Cast Photo by Reid Thompson

I do try to see every show of the season in the summers. I remember they did a very good production of A Delicate Balance, and Eric did a great job with Moby Dick. The performance of A Little Night Music at The Colonial Theatre was beautiful, and they did Talley’s Folly, which is one of my favorite plays ever. (Pictured to the left: A Little Night Music, 2014. Photo by Reid Thompson.) I am a great fan of Walter Hudson and David Adkins. Kate has really built a company of great actors that come back year after year, and I love that fact. I’m also so excited that Harriet Harris is coming back for Sister Mary Ignatius Explains It All For You, she was wonderful in Arsenic and Old Lace. (Pictured below: Arsenic and Old Lace, 2017. Photo by Michael Sullivan. L to R: Mia Dillon, Harriet Harris and Walton Wilson.)

Any final thoughts on Berkshire Theatre?

 I am happy to be a part of the history, and you know Berkshire Theatre has this amazing history and sweet story about the Main Stage, and I was able to help create a sweet story about The Unicorn. I will say that I’m invested in Berkshire Theatre and love it, but particularly we love that Kate runs it. It’s not just the theatre, it’s what she’s doing and who she is. She really makes sure that the work done at Berkshire Theatre projects what it means to be human.

Plan Your Visit

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

Get Started
Did You Know?
Just like NPR, Berkshire Theatre Group depends on the generous giving of its members!
Join Today!
We believe the performing arts can transform a community.
Learn More
Of the 16,000 Berkshire County school children, we serve 13,000 through our BTG PLAYS! Year-Round Educational Programs.
Learn More
Theatre is the place where we go to understand what lies in the human heart.
About Us
BTG's buildings, on two campuses in Stockbridge and Pittsfield, are historic treasures.
Theatre Info
Berkshire Theatre Group believes that the creative arts encourage freedom of speech and debate.
Get Involved
"Out of need will come the way. Once the pandemic ebbs, whenever that is, there will be an incredible need to gather again." - Artistic Director, Kate Maguire
Join Today!
The theatre has existed from the time of the Greeks. We will go on.
Learn More
Join Our Mailing List

Receive the latest BTG News, Updates, Special Offers, and more right to your inbox.

Subscribe

News & Articles

The Life of Joseph Merrick

Ahead of BTG’s production of The Elephant Man, read about the life of the real “Elephant Man” Bernard Pomerance’s play is based off of. Joseph Merrick was an extraordinary a … Read On

FINAL WEEK to experience BTG's production of The Elephant Man! Get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org before it closes this Sunday! 🎭🎪
31 0
Today at BTG, Ari'el Stachel (@arielstachel), director Tony Taconne and dramaturg/sound designer Madeleine Oldham, along with the rest of the creative team, began rehearsals for Out of Character! 

We are thrilled to welcome back Ari and bring this powerful, moving production about self-acceptance and identity to full-scale at The Unicorn Theatre!

(Photo by Caelan Carlough)
44 0
Mark your calendars! This Friday, June 6 at 6:30pm, our BTG PLAYS! Touring Show cast will perform a number from BTG's production of Magic Tree House: Pirates Past Noon KIDS at the south end of North Street (close to Park Square) as a part of Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.'s First Friday at Five! ✨
34 0
Today, all of us at BTG remember and honor all of the fallen soldiers who are no longer with us, and wish everyone a meaningful Memorial Day.
25 0
Ahoy! Climb aboard with Yacht Lobsters, the ultimate tribute to the smooth, buttery sounds of 1970s and 1980s soft rock THIS SATURDAY at the Colonial! Bringing the timeless hits of Steely Dan, the Doobie Brothers, Hall & Oates, Toto and more to life, Yacht Lobsters will deliver a festive, feel-good experience like no other. ⚓️

Purchase your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org, grab your captain’s hat, sip that Piña Colada and get ready to rock the boat!
26 0
Now through July 12, BTG is proud to partner with the Guild of Berkshire Artists in displaying their art show, "Creative Diversity,” in The Colonial Theatre lobby. The exhibit consists of ten works of art selected from Guild of Berkshire Artist applicants by a jury, and each piece is available for purchase and viewing Tuesdays-Saturdays from 12-5pm, as well as during Downtown Pittsfield, Inc.'s First Fridays Artwalks.

Come visit the exhibition to see the work of talented, local artists!
16 0
TOMORROW at The Colonial Theatre, experience Joni Mitchell's extraordinary music, all the way from her early folk roots to pop masterpieces and jazz-inspired compositions, brought to life by Big Yellow Taxi!

Time is running out, so purchase your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org.
14 0
BTG's summer season officially began yesterday morning as the cast of The Elephant Man began rehearsals at The Colonial Theatre. We are excited to work with this incredible group of artists and look forward to seeing the talent they will bring to The Unicorn Theatre later this month!

(Photo by Caelan Carlough)
87 0
This Saturday, Bob Marley's legendary band, The Wailers, will bring classic hits like "One Love" and "Redemption Song" to The Colonial Theatre! ✨🎸

Ticket prices go up the day of the show, so purchase tickets at berkshiretheatre.org today to get a $10 discount off each ticket in advance!
9 0
We’re going LIVE! ✨🎥 

News Channel 13 is broadcasting the evening news LIVE from Pittsfield this Friday, May 2—and they’re kicking things off at 4pm from inside The Colonial Theatre!

Tune in for a special pre-taped feature all about the Colonial’s incredible history and what’s next for this landmark. Tune in and see the Colonial take center stage!
50 1
This Friday, May 2, Korean-American comedian Henry Cho is bringing his clean, clever humor and hilarious observations on life, family and culture to The Colonial Theatre!

Grab your tickets now at berkshiretheatre.org and get ready for unforgettable evening of laughter and fun with friends, family or even just yourself!
75 1
Follow Us