“ The past teaches us to create fresh for the future,” says Pignatelli.“ Shame on us if The Playhouse, so rich in history, architecturally and theatrically, gets demolished due to neglect and becomes just another photograph in a book.”
When BTG first shut down The Playhouse, Maguire assumed they would return to it as a conventional theater, which is why they held on to the seats. But neither the Berkshires nor BTG need another traditional theater. The region has more than a dozen live theater spaces, and BTG operates three of them. Maguire began imagining not only theater, but an opportunity to hear the stories of what it means to be in the Berkshires.
“ Through thoughtful conversations with artists and a deeper understanding of how the field is evolving, it became clear that creating a flexible, innovative space— one that could serve artists and audiences for the next 100 years— was essential,” says Maguire, noting the extraordinary technical advances in theater.“ This approach also allows us to honor what makes the Berkshires such a unique and inspiring place for creative work.”
The reimagined Playhouse sees actors moving about in open, flexible spaces, and projections( digital images and video projected onto screens, surfaces, and actors) as a vital part of the performances. Art installations will be transportive and participatory, responding to visitor movements, recreating the journey of Tibetan Buddhism and refugee experiences. Museum exhibits will comprise curated shows, artifacts, and first-person stories of both iconic artists and residents. Immersive worlds will take visitors into clue-finding sets and thematic tours of New York tenement homes. The Playhouse also will be a welcoming space for the community to gather, create, celebrate, and connect.
“ I believe that The Colonial Theatre would be closed today if not for Kate’ s leadership,” says Pignatelli.“ My experience in helping restore The Playhouse into a world-class year-round venue and investment in our creative economy lays the groundwork for Kate’ s vision.”
Maguire’ s vision for The Playhouse is also rooted in the past.“ I remember in my early years spending weeks in the archives with my gloves on looking at letters about what The Playhouse meant to those who came here,” says Maguire, who has been the artistic director since 1998.“ Eugene Ionesco writing a play under the tree on the grounds of The Playhouse. Actress Eva Le Gallienne, the first woman on our stage, writing that‘ theater is about spreading beauty to a community.’ Katharine Hepburn complaining about how miserable she was as an apprentice at The Playhouse because‘ that actress, Jane Wyatt, got the leads, probably because I was too tall.’ Reading about how James Cagney traveled from doing vaudeville at the Colonial in Pittsfield one day to performing in Oh Boy at The Playhouse the next. More recently, when Judd Hirsch came to perform in The Stone Witch in 2016 at 81 years old, he said he was told‘ you haven’ t had a career until you’ ve performed at The Playhouse in Stockbridge.’ It’ s those stories that helped me realize how important The Playhouse is.”
Project curator Fran Rosenfeld, historian and former curator at the Museum of the City of New York, is working on telling stories of the local community through The Playhouse.
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Spring 2026 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 93