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.

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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

Join us and The Diego Mongue Band on-stage at the Colonial Theatre on October 12 for an intimate a trailblazing twist on the blues genre that defies conventions, captivating even the most entrenched blues enthusiasts.

Get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org and brace yourself for an unforgettable experience!
Wishing the cast and creative team of Copenhagen a happy opening night! 💥 

(Photo by David Dashiell)
Only one more day left to nominate BTG for Rural Intelligence's 2023 Readers' Choice Awards for Arts Organization, Live Music Venue, Live Theater Venue, and Performance Space, so scan the QR code or go to the link in our bio to cast your ballot now! ✨
Today on September 28, BTG is celebrating The Colonial Theatre's 120th anniversary 🎭🎼

Built in 1903, the Colonial opened its doors with a production of the operetta Robin Hood by the Bostonians, a famed touring group. Today, the Colonial still stands, having served hundreds of thousands of patrons, and counting.

We hope you join us at the Colonial soon as we continue to support wide-ranging artistic exploration and acclaimed performances in theatre, dance, music and entertainment!
BTG and The Trustees are thrilled to announce that patrons who purchase tickets for Copenhagen at BTG's Unicorn Theatre will be offered an exclusive opportunity to purchase tickets for the same day to the 5pm entry of The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show 2023. Whether you're captivated by the drama of Copenhagen or looking to bask in the splendor of the The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show, this partnership offers a day in Stockbridge filled with unparalleled entertainment and autumnal fun.

Get your tickets to see Copenhagen today at berkshiretheatre.org and you'll receive an email with your ticket access to The Incredible Naumkeag Pumpkin Show!
Did you enjoy our 2023 Season? If so, there are only 3 more days left to nominate BTG for Rural Intelligence's 2023 Readers' Choice Awards for Arts Organization, Live Music Venue, Live Theater Venue, and Performance Space, so scan the QR code or go to the link in our bio to cast your ballot now! ✨
This Friday, September 29 at 7:30pm, Harvest & Rust: A Neil Young Experience, comprised of beloved local Western Massachusetts musicians, hit the Colonial stage with Neil Young's greatest hits! 

Get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org 🎸
2024 Season Passes are on sale now! From now until November 1, receive 3 Standard tickets for any 2024 Produced Show to be used in any configuration (3 tickets to one show, 1 ticket each to 3 shows, etc.) for only $135 🎫🎫🎫

Don't wait! This offer is only available for a limited time, so visit berkshiretheatregroup.org/passes to get your 2024 Season pass today
On this day in 1975, The Rocky Horror Picture Show made its American premiere at the Westwood Theater in Los Angeles. After initially being deemed a failure, the film vastly exceeded expectations and now has the longest theatrical run for a film.

Visit berkshiretheatre.org or do the time warp towards our box office to get your tickets today to experience the queen of all cult films, including a thrilling after party and drag queen Nancy Nogood, at the Colonial on October 28!
It is almost here! Copenhagen, the Tony Award-winning play that explores the ethical dilemma of when science and politics collide, begins previews at the Unicorn Theatre this Thursday, September 28!

Get your tickets at berkshiretheatre.org today 💥🧪
Western Massachusetts-based band Harvest & Rust is hitting the Colonial stage on September 29! Representing the wide-array of Neil Young’s influential material in one show, Harvest & Rust captivates audiences with chart-topping hits including “Old Man,” and “Heart of Gold,” to the more electric explorations of Rust Never Sleeps like “Hey Hey, My My.” 

Visit berkshiretheatre.org to purchase tickets today 🎵
REMINDER! ✨ Voting ends soon, so make sure to vote Berkshire Theatre Group as Berkshire Eagle's Best of the Berkshires 2023 in "Live Theatre" and "Concert Venue" at the link in our bio! Thank you all for your support ❤️
Calling all Pink Ladies and T-Birds! 🦩🦅

Coming to the Colonial on October 15, The Olivia Show Tribute is an exciting musical journey filled with all of the late Olivia Newton-John’s award-winning hits and an exciting Grease sing-along where everyone can join in on the excitement!

Get your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org!
The Tony award-winning Copenhagen, running September 28-October 29 at the Unicorn, is a must-see for anyone interested in history, science or politics. Exploring how one secret meeting broke the friendship between two physicists involved in the race to create the first atomic bomb in WWII, Niels Bohr and Werner Heisenberg, Copenhagen forces us to confront the difficult questions that arise when science and politics collide. 

Don't miss this stunning production by getting your tickets today at berkshiretheatre.org!
Did you tap your toes to Million Dollar Quartet? Laugh along with On Cedar Street? Ponder long after What the Constitution Means to Me, Photograph 51, and The Smile of Her? If so, let us know by voting Berkshire Theatre Group #1 again in Berkshire Eagle's 2023 Best of the Berkshires Poll for "Live Theatre" and "Concert Venue" in the Entertainment category!

To vote, visit the link in our bio. Voting ends on September 24 at 5pm.
On Thursday, October 5, at 5:30 p.m., Berkshire Magazine (@berkshiremagazine) will celebrate this year’s Berkshire 25 by inviting all past honorees to mark this milestone—and everyone is invited to join the celebration! 

To purchase tickets, visit berkshiretheatre.org. Ticket sales will go towards our education programs at BTG ✨
Sing until you lose your voice, dance like nobody’s watching, and relive your glory days at The Olivia Show, an exciting musical journey honoring the memory of Olivia Newton-John! Audiences will be treated to Olivia's greatest hits with live vocals, powerful musicianship, amazing costumes and chart topping hits and an exciting Grease sing-along! 

Get your tickets at berkshiretheatre.org today 🎵🎶
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