WAM Theatre raises $3,225 with online play reading
Lenox — WAM Theatre has announced the success of its first online play reading. “Campus Unrest,” written by WAM associate artistic director Talya Kingston, was presented May 3 via Zoom. More than 180 audience members from the USA, England, Canada and Germany joined the reading, and many participated in a talkback with the playwright. In line with WAM’s mission of donating a portion of all box office proceeds to organizations that work to benefit the lives of women and girls, the play reading has raised $3,225 for the COVID-19 Emergency Response fund created by BRIDGE.
The script follows Mia, Kwame and Darren as they arrived at a prestigious New England college in 2014 during a time of social upheaval. All the characters are determined to infuse their education with activism, but haunted by their own backgrounds and identities as well as the actual specter of a beloved professor.
“Since the onset of the quarantine and limited work for families, BRIDGE has been immersed in activating and mobilizing resources in order to serve the more vulnerable Berkshire populations,“ said BRIDGE founding director and CEO Gwendolyn VanSant. “The WAM community has joined us in this effort to support our BRIDGE network. Under Kristen’s [van Ginhoven, WAM producing artistic director] & my leadership over the years, BRIDGE and WAM have served as each other’s mutual aid in advancing our missions of equity and justice. We are deeply grateful for this latest partnership as it directly nourishes our shared community in the most essential and basic human ways.”
–E.E.
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1Berkshire to offer ‘Reopening the Berkshire Economy’ virtual presentation
Pittsfield — 1Berkshire will hold its fourth Virtual Town Hall, “Reopening the Berkshire Economy,” Friday, May 15, from 10 to 11:15 a.m. Moderated by 1Berkshire president and CEO Jonathan Butler, the panel will include Sen. Adam Hinds, D-Pittsfield; Williamstown town manager Jason Hoch; Berkshire Innovation Center executive director Ben Sosne; and Hancock Shaker Village executive director Jennifer Trainer.
The panel will share perceptions and observations on reopening the Berkshire economy, including points of caution, notes of optimism, and hard facts as they look at what an information-driven reopening timeline could and should be for the region. “As we look to the coming weeks and months, and how we want to safely and effectively reactivate our mostly dormant economy in the Berkshires, this group of regional leaders will provide exactly the types of perspectives we need to hear to give us a real understanding of and outlook on what that rollout looks like,” said Butler.
The event is free and open to the public but registration is required. For more information or to register, see the Berkshire Edge calendar, or contact 1Berkshire at (413) 499-1600 or info@1berkshire.com.
–E.E.
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Greylock promotes two business banking team members
Pittsfield — Greylock Federal Credit Union has announced the promotion of two members of its business banking team: Heather King and Chris Barry have been promoted to commercial loan officers.
King joined Greylock in 2013 and most recently served as a commercial credit analyst. She majored in economics at Mount Holyoke College and lives in Pittsfield with her husband, Jon, and Hannah and Emma, the youngest two of their five children.
Barry joined Greylock in 2006 and most recently served as a senior credit analyst. He is a graduate of North Adams State College (now Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts) and lives in Lee with his wife, Christine, and daughters Quinn and Paige.
–E.E.
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Hancock Shaker Village welcomes two new board members
Pittsfield — Hancock Shaker Village has appointed of two trustees to its board of directors: Caroline Holland, managing director of Mill Town; and William H. Vogt, retired managing director of JPMorgan Chase & Co.
Holland leads operations, strategy and project execution for impact investment fund Mill Town. Previously, she was the strategy and business development manager for General Dynamics Mission Systems in Pittsfield. Holland also serves on the boards of Berkshire Natural Resources Council and Barrington Stage Company. She holds a Master of Arts in international conflict and security studies from the University of Oregon and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Richmond.
Vogt, during a 30-year career at JPMorgan Chase & Co., held various management positions in corporate and municipal finance and private banking in New York, Tokyo, Hong Kong, Lagos and London. He is a director of Camphill Village USA, Camphill Ghent and the Camphill Village Copake Foundation, and serves on the town of Stockbridge’s planning board. He previously served as a Hancock Shaker Village trustee from 2005-10, serving as chairman from 2008–10. He holds an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and served in the U.S. Army for four years.
–E.E.
