PITTSFIELD, MA — Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) participated in Creative Sector Day at the Massachusetts State House on Tuesday, March 3, presenting a performance by the cast of the BTG PLAYS! Magic Tree House touring production, Showtime with Shakespeare. The student performers shared a musical selection from the show as part of the day’s celebration of the Commonwealth’s creative community.
Creative Sector Day highlights the vital role of artists, cultural organizations, creative businesses and arts educators across Massachusetts while advocating for the funding and resources needed to sustain the creative sector. The event is part of Creative Sector Advocacy Week, led by MASSCreative.
While at the State House, BTG was honored with a commendation from the Massachusetts House of Representatives recognizing the organization’s contributions to arts and culture. The commendation reads in part:
Be it known to all that: The Massachusetts House of Representatives offers its sincerest congratulations to: Berkshire Theatre Group in recognition of bringing the art and culture of theatre to Pittsfield and beyond and being selected to perform at the 2026 Creative Sector Day. The entire membership extends its very best wishes and expresses the hope for future good fortune and continued success in all endeavors.
The BTG PLAYS! Magic Tree House touring production is made possible in part through a Mass Cultural Council Special Project Grant, which provides artist stipends supporting the professional performers who bring the production to schools and communities throughout the region.
BTG PLAYS! is Berkshire Theatre Group’s year-round education program, reaching thousands of students across Berkshire County through in-school residencies, after-school programs, touring productions and youth theatre experiences designed to inspire creativity, confidence and a lifelong appreciation for the arts. For more information about Berkshire Theatre Group and BTG PLAYS!, visit www.berkshiretheatre.org
About Berkshire Theatre Group The Colonial Theatre, founded in 1903, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, are two of the oldest cultural organizations in the Berkshires. In 2010, under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, the two organizations merged to form Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG). Berkshire Theatre Group’s mission is to support wide ranging artistic exploration and acclaimed performances in theatre, dance, music and entertainment. Every year, BTG produces and presents performances to over 68,000 attendees and, through our Educational Program, serves over 10,000 Berkshire County school children annually. In July 2020, Berkshire Theatre was the first company in the United States to earn approval from Actors’ Equity Association to produce a musical (Godspell) in the wake of the COVID-19 Pandemic. In 2028, Berkshire Theatre Group will celebrate 100 years of theatre.