Bits & Bytes: Ryan named Simon’s Rock commencement speaker; ‘Noises Off’ at Unicorn Theatre; ‘A World of Fairies’ call for art; ‘The Crash Reel’ film screening

Political analyst Ryan to deliver commencement address at Simon’s Rock

Great Barrington — White House reporter for American Urban Radio Networks, CNN political analyst and award-winning author April Ryan will address graduates at the 49th commencement ceremony of Bard College at Simon’s Rock Saturday, May 19, at 11 a.m.

The only African-American female reporter covering urban issues from the White House, Ryan appears regularly on CNN as a political analyst. She is the 2017 National Association of Black Journalists’ Journalist of the Year and a Terker Fellow with the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs. She is a member of the National Press Club and one of only three African-Americans to serve on the board of the White House Correspondents’ Association. She has been featured in Vogue, Cosmopolitan and Elle magazines as well as the New York Times, the Washington Post and other publications.

Ryan is a native of Baltimore, Maryland, and a Morgan State University graduate, and she gives back to that community by serving as a mentor to aspiring journalists and broadcasters. She is the author of the award-winning book “The Presidency In Black And White,” and her latest book, “At Mama’s Knee: Mothers and Race In Black And White” examines race relations through the lessons and wisdom that mothers have given their children. Her book “Under Fire: Reporting from the Front Lines of the Trump White House” will be published in September and offers an inside view of current events in the Trump White House.

–E.E.

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The Berkshire Waldorf High School senior class cast rehearsing ‘Noises Off.’ Photo: Avida Love Photography

Berkshire Waldorf High School to present ‘Noises Off’

Stockbridge — The senior class of Berkshire Waldorf High School, along with their director, teacher and mentor Beth Robbins, will present “Noises Off” by Michael Frayn Friday, March 9, at 7 p.m.; Saturday, March 10, at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday, March 11, at 2 p.m. at the Unicorn Theatre.

Called “the funniest farce ever written,” “Noises Off” is a manic menagerie of itinerant actors rehearsing a flop called “Nothing’s On.” Doors slamming, on- and offstage intrigue, and an errant herring all figure in the plot. The winner of the Olivier Award for Best Play and the London Evening Standard Award for Best Comedy in 1982, “Noises Off!” was also nominated for the Tony Award and Drama Desk Award for Best Play of 1984.

Tickets are $10 for students, $15 for adults or $45 for a family. For more information, contact Berkshire Waldorf High School at (413) 298-3800.

–E.E.

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Children enjoy the 2017 fairy house exhibit at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead in Pittsfield. Photo courtesy Berkshire Historical Society

‘A World of Fairies’ fairy house exhibit calls for art

Pittsfield — Following up the success of its 2017 fairy house display, the Berkshire County Historical Society at Herman Melville’s Arrowhead will again celebrate Mount Greylock and the colonies of fairies observed by author Melville that inspired his story “The Piazza Tale,” which was written at Arrowhead in 1856.

“A World of Fairies: Across the Seven Seas” is a multilevel exhibit that will feature a collection of one-of-a-kind, artist-created fairy houses that will be displayed around the Arrowhead property from Saturday, July 21, through Sunday, Sept. 9. The exhibit will include a variety of workshops and programs.

Interested artists should read the guidelines, complete either the paper or online application and return the materials before Monday, April 30. For more information, contact the Berkshire Historical Society at (413) 442-1793 x14.

–E.E.

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BCArc to screen ‘The Crash Reel’

Pittsfield — Berkshire County Arc will celebrate Brain Injury Awareness Month with a screening of the documentary film “The Crash Reel,” which highlights Olympic snowboarder Kevin Pearce, who sustained a traumatic brain injury in a snowboarding accident. The screening will take place Monday, March 12, at 6:30 p.m. at Reid Middle School.

According to loveyourbrain.com: “Every 13 seconds, someone in the US sustains a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). Unlike most injuries, TBI often leads to lifelong physical, behavioral, and emotional challenges that are largely invisible. As a result, many people affected by TBI lack the support and understanding they deserve.” BCArc recently opened its 12th brain injury residence and continues to expand its Brain Injury Services program.

The event is free and open to the public. Registration is requested. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar or contact Katrina Cardillo at (413) 499-4241 or kcardillo@bcarc.org.

–E.E.