Barrington Stage Company - Theatre in the Berkshires
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Play A Role

Operating on a $2.7 million annual budget, Barrington Stage Company (BSC) is a professional non-profit 501(c)(3) regional theatre serving an annual audience of over 45,000 and producing plays and musicals  in three venues: our Mainstage, Stage II and Youth Theatre.  

Based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the central Berkshires, BSC has become an integral part of downtown Pittsfield’s economic revitalization, offering year-round productions, playwriting workshops, special events, and educational programs for youth.

BSC has gained significant attention for creating innovative ways of developing new musicals. In the last five years, BSC mounted and produced several new works, including the The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which later transferred to Broadway.

As part of this commitment to developing new work, BSC and Spelling Bee composer/lyricist, Tony Award winner, William Finn, started the Musical Theatre Lab, a venue for young musical theatre writers to develop their efforts on all levels: from staged readings to workshops to full productions. 

Equally important is BSC's work with youth in Berkshire County.  In 2007, BSC's award-winning Playwright Mentoring Project, which serves youth at-risk in three communities in Berkshire County, received the Coming Up Taller Award, a national award given by the President’s Commission on the Arts and Humanities for outstanding after-school programming for youth.  These riveting stories from local youth are developed at BSC and presented annually in area schools.

Approximately half of our total annual budget is earned through ticket sales.  The balance must be raised from individuals, corporate sponsorships, foundations and government agencies in order to maintain our programs. Our donors perform an integral role in fulfilling BSC’s mission and we are grateful to everyone for helping us meet those goals.
If you have already given a gift to Barrington Stage, we thank you immensely for your support; if you have not given yet but are planning to do so, we thank you in advance for believing in our mission, for our commitment to the community and to the youth of Berkshire County.

There are many ways you can support BSC

Foundation Giving
Grants from local and national foundations play an important role in the work of the BSC by providing valuable general operating support, as well as supporting new program directions. For more information about programs you can support, or other ways you can give, contact our Development Office at 413 499-5446, x110 (or email development@barringtonstageco.org).

Special Events  
BSC’s special events are a key part of our fundraising efforts.  Our Annual Gala, which kicks off our summer season, is always the 3rd Saturday in June.  This is our largest and most high profile fundraiser of the year and includes a performance of our musical, a cocktail party, dinner, dancing and a silent auction.  

This year’s gala will be held on June 21, 2008 and includes a performance of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, which was developed at BSC in 2004, and after show festivities honoring William Finn. Please call the Development Office at 413 499-5446 or email development@barringtonstageco.org for further information.

In addition to the June Gala, BSC also holds a Spring Benefit in NYC each year and a fall fundraiser.

Gifts of Stock
A transfer of stock may be made directly to MTC’s broker at Wachovia  Services, Pittsfield, MA. We kindly ask that you notify MTC of your gift so that we may acknowledge it appropriately and ensure the correct transfer of funds. Please contact the Development Office at 413, 499-5446, x110 or email development@barringtonstageco.org to receive stock transfer instructions.

Matching Gifts
Your company may match your contribution. Ask your human resources department whether or not they match charitable gifts, and double the impact of your gift.

Planned Giving  
A charitable bequest helps to secure the future of Barrington Stage. For more information about making a planned gift to BSC, please call the Development Office at 413 499-5446, ext. 110 or email development@barringtonstageco.org.

Scholarship Fund
BSC provides scholarships to students-in-need to attend BSC’s KidsAct! classes throughout the year,  including our popular Summer KidsAct! classes. $500 sends a child to camp for three weeks, and gives him/her an opportunity to learn collaborative skills as well as acting, movement, dance, stage combat and voice.  We need to raise more than $6,000 in scholarships each year. You can donate online or by sending your gift to the Barrington Stage Company Development Office at the address below, and specify that your gift is for scholarships.

Barrington Stage Company Development Office
30 Union Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201
If you have any questions or would like to make a donation by phone, please call the BSC Development Office at 413 499-5446, x110 or email development@barringtonstageco.org.