LENOX — Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) and WAM Theatre are excited to announce the addition of three extra performances of their co-production, What the Constitution Means to Me. Due to overwhelming demand and the incredible response from audiences, these additional shows will take place on Sunday, May 28 at 7pm, Tuesday, May 30 at 7pm and Sunday, June 4 at 2pm at the Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge, MA.
What the Constitution Means to Me is a captivating and thought-provoking play written by renowned playwright Heidi Schreck. It explores the personal and political significance of the United States Constitution, delving into its impact on women’s rights, race and the pursuit of the American Dream. The play has received widespread critical acclaim for its compelling storytelling and timely examination of our nation’s founding principles.
Kate Maguire, CEO and Artistic Director of Berkshire Theatre Group, added, “The response we have received for What the Constitution Means to Me has been incredible. Audiences have embraced this production with open hearts and minds, sparking important conversations about our democracy. We are thrilled to extend the run and share this transformative theatrical experience with more people.”
Director and WAM Producing Artistic Director, Kristen van Ginhoven expressed her excitement about the added shows, saying, “After the past few challenging years, it is thrilling to see this show selling so well. We are grateful to audiences for embracing this show and are excited to add two more chances for audiences to enjoy the work of these extraordinary artists. Get your tickets now–they will go fast! See you at the theatre!”
Audiences are raving about the production, “It is amazing and anyone in office or thinking about running for office should see it. Better yet, everyone should see it.” “Powerful! Moving! Timely! Fun! LOVED every second of it! This is a must see!” “So, so good! Brava! We all loved it. Very thought-provoking.”
Tickets are also still available for Sensory-Friendly Performance
Tickets are also still available for the sensory-friendly performance onTuesday, May 31 at 6pm.
A “sensory-friendly” performance is a production that is slightly modified to accommodate individuals with sensory-input disorders, such as people on the autism spectrum. At this public performance, you will notice relaxed “house rules;” people may need to get up, move around, and leave the theatre during the performance, theatre lighting will remain at half for the duration of the performance and sound may be modified. Our goal is to create an environment where people with autism or sensory needs, along with their families, can enjoy coming to the theatre together and will feel comfortable, supported, and free to be themselves.
Tickets are on sale now. All plays, schedules, casting and prices are subject to change. To purchase tickets, visit www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org, wamtheatre.com, or contact our box office by calling 413-997-4444. The box office is open Tuesday through Sunday 12pm-5pm or on any performance day from 12pm until curtain.
WAM SUPPORT
WAM’s sponsors include Adams Community Bank, Blue Q., Berkshire Roots, Black Writers Read, Blue Spark Financial, BRAVA, Downright Pro, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Garden Gables Inn, Guidos Fresh Marketplace, Mill Town Foundation, Inc., Health Professional Coaching, Heller & Robbins Attorneys at Law, Interprint, Onyx Specialty Papers, Outpost Productions, Prix Fixe, Right To Be, RB Design Co., T Square Design Studio, Toole Insurance, a. von schlegell & co, Ventfort Hall, and the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts.
WAM Theatre is supported by the New England Foundation for the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC). WAM Theatre’s 2023 Season was also supported in part by grants from 1Berkshire, Berkshire Bank, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Brabson Education & Library Foundation, The Golub Foundation, The Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation, The Feigenbaum Foundation, Lee Bank Foundation, Mertz Gilmore Foundation, Parent Artist Advocacy League (PAAL), Scarlet Sock Foundation; as well as grants from the Dalton Cultural Council, Lee Cultural Council, Lenox Cultural Council, Pittsfield Cultural Council, Northern Berkshire Cultural Council, Otis Cultural Council, Sandisfield Cultural Council, and Washington Cultural Council.
About Berkshire Theatre Group
The Colonial Theatre, founded in 1903, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, are two of the oldest cultural organizations in the Berkshires. In 2010, under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, the two organizations merged to form Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG). Berkshire Theatre Group’s mission is to support wide ranging artistic exploration and acclaimed performances in theatre, dance, music and entertainment. Every year, BTG produces and presents performances to over 68,000 attendees and, through our Educational Program, serves over 10,000 Berkshire County school children annually. In July 2020, Berkshire Theatre was the first company in the United States to earn approval from Actors’ Equity Association to produce a musical (Godspell) in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
ABOUT WAM THEATRE
WAM Theatre is a professional theatre company based in Berkshire County, MA, that operates at the intersection of arts and activism. WAM creates theatre for gender equity and has a vision of theatre as philanthropy.
In fulfillment of its philanthropic mission, WAM donates a portion of the proceeds from their Mainstage productions to carefully selected beneficiaries. Since WAM’s founding in 2010, they have donated more than $85,000 to 25 local and global organizations taking action for gender equity in areas such as girls education, teen pregnancy prevention, sexual trafficking awareness, midwife training, and more.
In addition to Mainstage productions and special events, WAM’s activities include innovative community engagement programs and the Fresh Takes Play Reading Series. To date, WAM has provided paid work to more than 500 theatre artists, the majority of whom are female-identifying.
As a civic organization that embraces intersectional feminism (feminism that acknowledges how multiple forms of discrimination overlap), WAM understands that to address one piece of systemic discrimination means we have to address them all. This is on-going personal and professional work at WAM for the staff and board, detailed in their recently released accountability plan.
WAM Theatre has been widely recognized for having a positive impact on cultural and community development in the region. WAM is the recipient of the Creative Economy Standout Berkshire Trendsetter Award and previously, was named Outstanding Philanthropy Corporation of the Year by the Western MA Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Kristen van Ginhoven, WAM’s Producing Artistic Director, was honored by the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association (BTCA) with the prestigious Larry Murray Award, presented at the discretion of the BTCA Board to a person or theatre project that advances social, political, or community issues in Berkshire County.
