The Buildings of Berkshire Theatre Group

Berkshire Theatre Group was formed in 2010 by the merger of The Colonial Theatre and Berkshire Theatre Festival. Each of Berkshire Theatre Group’s celebrated four stages has a rich and unique history.

The Colonial Theatre and The Garage

Colonial Stage

The Colonial Theatre interior, view from the stage.

Colonial Postcard

Berkshire Theatre Group’s Pittsfield Campus is comprised of the historic Colonial Theatre and The Garage. The Colonial was built in 1903 and functioned as a theatre for decades until being turned into a movie theatre in 1937, though there were still occasional live performances.In 1951 it was announced that the theatre would be permanently closing. The Town Players of Pittsfield staged a final performance (Curse You, Jack Dalton) on the Colonial stage in December of 1952. Pictured to the right: Postcard of The Colonial Theatre c. 1914.

Colonial Exterior

The Colonial was bought by the Miller family, and turned into an art supply store, though the family took extreme care to preserve the features of the theatre. By 1997 the Friends of the Colonial Theatre had formed and were generating support and awareness with the hope of restoring The Colonial. The Colonial was designated a National Historic Treasure in 1998 and in 2001 the renovations began. In 2006 The Colonial reopened to the public. Pictured to the left: The Colonial Theatre after the renovation in 2006.

Originally, The Colonial Theatre would seat 1,200 patrons, and currently seats approximately 800. The Theatre was designed to maximize acoustics and ensure that every seat could clearly hear the actors on stage. One way this was achieved was by having no corners, only curved edges, and to this day the only corners in the theatre come from the addition of an elevator.

Garage

Today, the lobby of the theatre has moved into an adjoining building. Built in 1921 as the Berkshire Auto Company, the building was connected to The Colonial Theatre and serves as the lobby, administrative offices, backstage space in addition to housing The Garage (pictured to the right).The name is a tribute to the original building and hosts a variety of smaller, more intimate performances. The Garage offers a distinctive lounge atmosphere and is perfect for comedy and music.

Colonial Historic Lobby

Historic Lobby of The Colonial Theatre.

The Fitzpatrick Main Stage and The Unicorn Theatre

Watercolor of Stockbridge campus

Berkshire Theatre Festival Stockbridge Campus, painting by Leonard Weber from the BTF archives.

The Stockbridge Casino was completed in 1888. By the 1920s it had fallen into disuse and was sold to Mabel Choate, who in turn sold it to the Three Arts Society. In order to preserve the casino, they found a new home for the structure at the foot of Yale Hill Road. The casino was carefully taken apart and pulled by horses to its new location.

Hallock

When they rebuilt the structure they overhauled the interior to create the Berkshire Playhouse. The new theatre seated 450, and dressing rooms were added for the actors. The Playhouse remained more or less as it was until the 1940s. Pictured to the right: Terry Hallock watercolor of the Fitzpatrick Main Stage, 1990.

During the initial 1920s rebuilding and renovation, the three arts society bought the Mellon Barn, which was used as the scene and prop shop. The pigsty (devoid of actual farm animals) was transformed into living quarters for the interns who came to work at the theatre. The barn (now known as the Unicorn Theatre) was also used as an informal stage and it functioned as a workshop space for new and experimental theatre. Pictured below: Rear view of the Unicorn Theatre, painting by unknown artist from the BTF archives.

Unicorn

The Main Stage was renovated again in the 1940s and the 1990s. Today, the Main Stage retains much of its original character with the iconic arches and cupola. The building’s history and import to Stockbridge led to its addition to the National Register of Historic Places in 1976.

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

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

Last night on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon (@fallontonight), BTG alum Ali Louis Bourzgui (@ali.louis) performed a song from The Who's Tommy with Pete Townshend, guitarist and second lead vocalist of The Who! 

Click the link in our bio to see their performance. 🎵🎶
Today is World Theatre Day! 🎭 As we look ahead to celebrating 100 years of theatre at BTG in 2028, we are proud of continuing to give every audience member who walks into our four stages beautiful memories, enriching stories and joyful experiences that last a lifetime.
NEW! The Berkshire Eagle (@berkshireeagle) and BTG present a dazzling contemporary circus theater show, NECCA's (@neccacircus) Circus Springboard: What To Do If Your Balloon Pops, unfolding the extraordinary journey of our protagonist, Kato, through astonishing aerial and acrobatic acts. 

Purchase tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org and step right up to witness this touching, family-friendly celebration of resilience, self-discovery and the transformative power of the human spirit.
Friday, April 5, dive into an unparalleled musical journey with River of Dreams, New York and New England’s ultimate tribute to Billy Joel! Guided by the remarkable lead singer and classically trained pianist, John Cozolino, the band brings to life an unforgettable evening filled with all the songs audiences crave, including “Piano Man,” “Scenes From an Italian Restaurant,” “Pressure,” “Only the Good Die Young” and “Allentown.” 

Don’t miss the chance to witness this incredible homage to Billy Joel, so grab your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org!
Despite the unexpected snow this morning, all of us at BTG wish you a happy first day of spring! 🌷✨
Happy St. Patrick's Day! 🍀

Today, BTG would like to highlight our fall production of The Weir, written by Irish playwright Conor McPherson. The Weir is an unforgettable exploration of human connection, the echoes of personal haunting, and the mystical allure of Ireland’s folklore.

This fall, join us in continuing the celebration of Irish culture by purchasing tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org!
The party doesn't end with the Eras Tour! Join us at the Colonial on May 24 for our Tay Tay Dance Party, featuring and a dazzling display of synchronized lasers and lights fit for Taylor Swift herself.

Grab your friends and get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org and prepared to be bejeweled and enchanted!
JUST ANNOUNCED! In collaboration with Roundabout Theatre Company (@roundaboutnyc), join us on March 24 at the Unicorn for a staged reading of Dirty Laundry! A play about the absurdity and messiness of life and death, Dirty Laundry explores the complicated feelings of grief, love, loss, anger and lust.

Time is limited, so grab your tickets at berkshiretheatre.org today!
Starting with Eva Le Gallienne, who in 1928 starred in The Playhouse's first production, The Cradle Song, many women in the theatre community have helped push BTG to great heights and continue to do so today. 

So today, on International Women's Day, BTG is reflecting on all of the many incredible women who have worked with, and continue to support BTG. We are incredibly lucky and grateful for every single one of them.
Looking for a FREE, unforgettable musical experience for the whole family? ✨🎸

Terry A La Berry, the renowned drummer for folk legend Arlo Guthrie, is BACK at the Garage in the Colonial Theatre! You won’t want to miss out on this fun opportunity to be part of extraordinary music-making magic, so get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org!
THIS SATURDAY, March 9, internet sensation Andy Gross, who seamlessly blends comedy, magic and ventriloquism into one show, is bringing endless laughs and wonder to the Colonial stage!

Grab your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org 🪄✨
Although the weather was ironically warm for the winter, BTG's Frozen JR cast of over 50 elementary, middle and high school students from Berkshire County and beyond hit the ground running in their first rehearsal this past Sunday at the Colonial! ❄

(Photo by Caelan Carlough)
For the last day of Black History Month, we would like to highlight Felicia Curry (@thefeliciacurry), who starred as Nina Simone in BTG's 2021 production of Nina Simone: Four Women. 

An award-winning, DC-based actor and singer and Emmy-nominated host of PBS's WETA Arts, Felicia has won numerous awards, including being named one of "DC's Biggest Theatre Stars" by Washington Magazine and named one of "12 DC Stage Dynamos" by The Washington Post.
TOMORROW, March 1, dance like nobody is watching to iconic diva anthems at the Dawn of the Divas Dance Party at The Colonial Theatre!

If you enjoyed our 80s/90s Dancy Party and our other dance parties in the past, come join us again, as the legendary DJ BFG is BACK to spin the beats that will make you move and groove all night long! ✨

Limited tickets are available, so get yours today at berkshiretheatre.org.
LAST FEW DAYS to buy tickets for Zep & Co THIS SATURDAY, March 2, at The Colonial Theatre!

Combining the power of not one, but TWO legendary rock bands, prepare for an electrifying rock experience with Zep & Co as they merge the best of Led Zeppelin and Bad Company into an epic performance not to be missed!

Don't delay! Purchase tickets today by visiting berkshiretheatre.org.
BTG is remembers with a heavy heart the life of R. Michael Miller, a beloved scenic designer that worked with us for many shows, including Souvenir (2005), Sick (2009), A Delicate Balance (2010) and Babes in Arms (2010). His talents and bright light will be missed, and we are honored to have worked with him over the years.
Coming to the Colonial on Saturday, March 9, prepare to be spellbound and mesmerized by Andy Gross, who is not only a comedian, but also a magician and ventriloquist with over 1 billion views of his viral magic videos! ✨

Captivating audiences across the country, his live shows are hailed as some of the best touring comedy magic spectacles today that must be seen to be believed.

Grab your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org and prepare for an unforgettable evening of laughter and intrigue!
Follow Us