Barrington Stage Company to Host Playwright Mentoring Project Benefit Brunch, Performance and Reception

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

BSC Press Director Charlie Siedenburg, 551-655-0968

Barrington Stage Company to host

Playwright Mentoring Project (PMP) Benefit Brunch, Performance and Reception

Sunday, April 12

Benefit to Honor North Adams Mayor Richard Alcombright

(PITTSFIELD, MA) – Barrington Stage Company, under the leadership of Artistic Director Julianne Boyd and Managing Director Tristan Wilson, will host a Benefit brunch, performance and reception for its award-winning Playwright Mentoring Project (PMP) on Sunday, April 12. The Playwright Mentoring Project is the winner of the nationally renowned “Coming Up Taller Award” presented at the White House in 2007.  This year Barrington Stage was awarded a 2015 Commonwealth Award for Creative Youth Development, for its Education Programs, most notably the Playwright Mentoring Project for underserved youth.

Barrington Stage is proud to be honoring Mayor Richard (Dick) J. Alcombright of North Adams, MA. Mayor Alcombright has been a long-time and active supporter of the Playwright Mentoring Project. Through his counsel, advocacy, and passion for helping young people, Mayor Alcombright has provided major contributions to the success of the Playwright Mentoring Project.

The Benefit begins with a 12 noon brunch at the Pittsfield Elks Lodge (27 Union Street), followed by the PMP Presentation at 1:30pm at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center (36 Linden Street), with a reception following the performance.  Tickets are $100 (includes benefit, brunch and post-show reception.)  For more information on the Benefit, please contact Janie LaBrasca at (413) 997-6118 or jlabrasca@barringtonstageco.org.  All proceeds to benefit the award-winning Playwright Mentoring Project.

About BSC Playwright Mentoring Project (PMP):

Playwright Mentoring Project (PMP) is an intensive, six-month, out-of-school activity that uses theatre as a catalyst to help under-served youth learn valuable life skills that can aid them in developing positive self-images. Teens create an original performance piece based on their own stories in a safe and confidential environment where they can express themselves, develop conflict resolution skills, and together create a supportive community. Currently, PMP serves 70 young people across Berkshire County, including one court-mandated group in association with the Pittsfield Juvenile Court.

Barrington Stage’s PMP Benefit Committee Co-Chairs are Sheila Richman and Sue Connell, along with Education Committee members Reba Evenchik, Gus Leibowitz, Amy Mann, Phyllis Sandrew, Laurie Schwartz, Carole Siegel, and Rose Ann Sturgeon.

For more information on BSC’s Playwright Mentoring Project, contact program director Kim Stauffer at (413) 997-6117 or kstauffer@barringtonstageco.org.

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