Shirley Edgerton, Dennis L. Powell, Wanda Houston, Sherrie Bethel, John Bissell, Dr. Frances Jones Sneed, Dashine Moore, and John Lewis to be honored in February 24 celebration
Pittsfield, Massachusetts – Barrington Stage Company (BSC), under the leadership of Artistic Director Alan Paul and Managing Director Greg Reiner, proudly announces the inaugural Celebration of Black Voices Legacy Awards, a community-centered evening honoring the past, celebrating the present, and uplifting those shaping the future of the local Black community.The event will take place Tuesday, February 24, 2026, beginning with a pre-show reception at 5:00 PM at Mr. Finn’s Cabaret, followed by the awards ceremony at 6:00 PM at the St. Germain Theatre at the Sydelle and Lee Blatt Performing Arts Center (36 Linden Street).
“Barrington Stage Company has always believed that theatre lives most powerfully when it is rooted in community,” said Greg Reiner, Managing Director of Barrington Stage Company. “The Celebration of Black Voices Legacy Awards affirm that commitment by honoring the individuals and leaders whose contributions have shaped, strengthened, and sustained the Berkshires. As an inaugural event, this evening marks not just a celebration, but a promise—to listen, to uplift, and to continue building a more inclusive future together.”
The evening will begin with a festive reception featuring a live jazz performance by Living Legend Award recipient Wanda Houston, accompanied by her band—Andy Wrba, Conor Meehan, and Benny “Fingers” Kohn. Guests will enjoy drinks and light refreshments while gathering in celebration and connection.
At 6:00 PM, the Celebration of Black Voices Legacy Awards Ceremony will commence, hosted by Broadway veteran and BSC Associate Artist Alan H. Green. Directed by Josh Adam Ramos, the ceremony will include award presentations, special performances, and moments of reflection honoring individuals, businesses, and organizations whose contributions continue to enrich, empower, and shape the Berkshire community.
“This inaugural celebration is about visibility, gratitude, and joy,” said Sharron Frazier-McClain, Barrington Stage Company’s Director of Community Engagement and the event’s Creator and Producer. “It is a moment to acknowledge those whose work—often behind the scenes—has built foundations, opened doors, and inspired future generations. Every voice matters, and every legacy deserves to be seen.”
Honors
Ancestors’ Legacy Award: Shirley Edgerton
Honoring elders and trailblazers whose wisdom, leadership, and sacrifice laid the groundwork for today’s community strength.
Shirley Edgerton is an educator, DEI practitioner, and community activist. In 2010, she launched Rites of Passage and Empowerment, a mentoring program for young people of color identifying as female or non-binary.
Pillars of the Community Award: Dennis L. Powell (NAACP)
Recognizing those who consistently show up—quietly or boldly—to provide stability, guidance, and care across generations.
Dennis L. Powell is an accomplished chef, a graduate and former faculty member of the Culinary Institute of America, and President of the NAACP Berkshire County Branch since 2015. He was born and raised in Pittsfield.
Living Legend Award: Wanda Houston
Celebrating a legacy still in motion—uplifting, mentoring, and amplifying Black voices through art and leadership.
Wanda Houston has performed on stages throughout the U.S., Europe, and Australia, as well as on Broadway, film, recordings, and television. Berkshire Magazine named her one of the Berkshire 25 in 2022.
Celebration of Black Voices All-Star Award: Sherrie Bethel
Honoring a contributor whose talent, heart, and storytelling have shaped the spirit of the Celebration of Black Voices Festival.
Sherrie Bethel is a local poet and a core collaborator with the Celebration of Black Voices since its inception. She has been foundational to several CBV programs, including the Gospel Choir, Devised Theater, and Poetry Slam.
Allyship in Action Award: John Bissell (Greylock Federal Credit Union)
Recognizing the meaningful use of influence and resources to actively support and uplift communities of color.
John Bissell is President and CEO of Greylock Federal Credit Union and, alongside Julianne Boyd, a co-founder of Berkshire Underground. He was named CEO of the Year in 2019 by the Cooperative Credit Union Association.
Culture Keeper Award (Past & Present): Dr. Frances Jones-Sneed
Honoring those who preserve, teach, and advance Black culture, history, and traditions.
Dr. Frances Jones-Sneed is Professor Emeritus of History at MCLA. A scholar, writer, and civil rights activist, her work centers on the African American experience in rural and small-town America, with a focus on both the Deep South and the Berkshires.
Rising Changemaker Award: Dashine Moore (Beat the Streets)
Highlighting an emerging leader demonstrating vision, promise, and commitment to community transformation.
Dashine Moore is the founder of Beat the Streets, a program dedicated to empowering Pittsfield youth through basketball and mentorship.
Dream Forward Award: John Lewis
Recognizing visionary leadership that builds pathways for Black excellence, sustainability, and freedom.
John Lewis is the Founder and CEO of R3SET Enterprises, pioneering equitable resource distribution models for disenfranchised communities and reimagining how commerce, governance, and social equity intersect.
***Celebration of Black Voices Legacy Awards host Alan H. Green is an accomplished actor whose three-decade career has taken him from Broadway to the White House and from the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem to stages across the country. He is an Associate Artist and Board Member of Barrington Stage Company.
The evening’s director, Josh Adam Ramos is a director, producer, and arts educator whose work centers community-driven storytelling and inclusive artistic collaboration.Infused with artistry, storytelling, and deep appreciation, the Celebration of Black Voices Legacy Awards promises an evening of recognition, reflection, and collective joy—honoring the legacies that shaped our past while lighting the way forward.
Tickets are $30 available by calling 413.242.6411, or online at https://barringtonstageco.org/cbv-legacy-awards/ For more details about Celebration of Black Voices Legacy Awards contact Sharron Frazier-McClain at 413-997-6118 or at sfraziermcclain@barringtonstageco.org.
ABOUT BARRINGTON STAGE COMPANY
Barrington Stage Company (BSC) is an award-winning professional theater based in Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in the heart of the Berkshires. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Alan Paul and Managing Director Greg Reiner, BSC is dedicated to producing high-quality, compelling work; developing new plays and musicals; and engaging the community through robust, inclusive educational programs.
BSC welcomes more than 60,000 patrons annually and has earned national recognition for the excellence of its productions and the breadth of its educational initiatives, including the Playwright Mentoring Project, Musical Theater Conservatory, Youth Theater, KidsAct!, and other programs. The theater plays a vital role in the cultural life and economic revitalization of downtown Pittsfield.Founded by Julianne Boyd in 1995, the company’s national profile began with a widely acclaimed revival of Cabaret that transferred to Boston in 1997. Its reputation continued to grow with the world premiere of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin (BSC 2004), which later moved to Broadway (2005–2008) and won two Tony Awards. Additional notable productions include Christopher Demos-Brown’s American Son (BSC 2016; Broadway 2018); Mark St. Germain’s Freud’s Last Session (BSC 2009; Off-Broadway 2010–2012); Leonard Bernstein, Betty Comden, and Adolph Green’s On the Town (BSC 2013; Broadway 2014, four Tony Award nominations); Stephen Sondheim and George Furth’s Company starring Aaron Tveit (2017); and West Side Story honoring the centenaries of Leonard Bernstein and Jerome Robbins (2018).BSC supports the development of new work through two core programs: PlayWorks, focused on new plays, and the Musical Theater Lab, dedicated to new musicals. Since 1995, the company has produced 46 new works, 22 of which have transferred to New York and major regional theaters nationwide.