LENOX, MA (October 21, 2026) – The Board of the Berkshire Theatre Critics Association (BTCA) has announced the nominees for the 2026 Berkshire Theatre Awards, colloquially known as The Berkies. The awards will be presented at 7 pm on the evening of Monday, November 9, 2026, at Shakespeare & Company’s Tina Packer Playhouse in Lenox, MA. This is the tenth time the awards will be presented to honor and celebrate the excellence and diversity of theatre in the greater Berkshire region.
In addition, The Larry Murray Award for Community Outreach and Support through Theater will be presented. Jim Frangione, Co-founder and Artistic Director of Great Barrington Public Theater, won the award last year for his work scheduling a full season of world premieres penned by playwrights who identify as female.
“Each year brings surprises and this one is no different,” said J. Peter Bergman, President os the BTCA Board. “Nominations of past winners and of persons new to the region have filled us with glee. There is no finer tribute to our theater companies than nominations that surprise and delight us, It makes our work and our awards even more special, Peter Bergman said.
The awards ceremony is open to the public, for a $10 ticket, the money to be used for the event itself. If you would like to attend the ceremony on Monday, November 9, at Shakespeare & Company’s Tina Packer Playhouse in Lenox, please call 413-769-8306 for reservations.
1. Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play:
A. Annette Miller, “Fireflies,” Shakespeare & Company
B. Gillian Glasco, “Estate Sale,” Barrington Stage Company
C. Jennie M. Jadow, “Rooted,” WAM Theatre
D. Peggy Pharr Wilson, “The Norwegians,” Shakespeare & Company
2. Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play:
A. David Adkins, “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” Berkshire Theatre Group
B. Destan Owens, “The American Five,” Berkshire Theatre Group
C. Harry Smith, “The American Five,” Berkshire Theatre Group
D. Jonathan Epstein, “Hamlet,” Shakespeare & Company
E. Matthew W. Korinko, “Driving Miss Daisy,” Barrington Stage Company
F. Nick Nudler, “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare & Company
3. Outstanding Scenic Design of a Play or Musical:
A. Adam Koch, “The Zionists,” Barrington Stage Company
B. Christopher Swader and Justin Swader, “Swingtime Canteen,” Sharon Playhouse
C. Nora Marlow Smith, “Rooted,” WAM Theatre
D. Riw Rakkulchon, “Deceived,” Dorset Theatre Festival
E. Sotirios Livaditis & Todd Rosenthal, “Noises Off,” Barrington Stage Company
F. You-Shin Chen, “Estate Sale,” Barrington Stage Company
4. Outstanding Choreography:
A. Kaitlyn Frank, “Hairspray,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
B. Kaitlyn Frank, “Newsies,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
C. Krystyna Resavy, “Swingtime Canteen,” Sharon Playhouse
D. Parker Esse, “A Chorus Line,” Barrington Stage Company
5. Outstanding Direction of a Musical:
A. Alan Paul, “A Chorus Line,” Barrington Stage Company
B. John Saunders, “Daddy Long Legs,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
C. John Saunders, “The Secret Garden,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
D. Steve Edlund, “Hairspray,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
6. Outstanding Costume Design of a Play or Musical:
A. Amy Avila, “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” Berkshire Theatre Group
B. Arthur Wilson, “Hamlet,” Shakespeare & Company
C. Cynthia Flynt, “The Tyrant Play,” Living Room Theatre
D. Fabian Fidel Aguilar, “Deceived,” Dorset Theatre Festival
E. Govane Lohbauer, “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare & Company
7. Outstanding Solo Performance:
A. Cloteal L. Horne, “Yellow Wallpaper 2.0-2020,” Great Barrington Public Theater
B. Patrick White, “A Distant Country Called Youth,” Harbinger Theatre
C. Shannon Lamb, “Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer,” Chester Theatre Company
8. Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical:
A. Jeanine Trimboli, “Hairspray,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
B. Savannah Stevenson, “42nd Street,” Sharon Playhouse
C. Tzintli Cerda, “Newsies,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
9. Outstanding Lighting Design of a Play or Musical:
A. Andrew Gmoser, “The Addams Family,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
B. Cory Pattak, “A Chorus Line,” Barrington Stage Company
C. Matthew Adelson, “iBoss,” Great Barrington Public Theater
D. Sam Rushen, “The American Five,” Berkshire Theatre Group
E. Wen-Ling Liao, “Lobby Hero,” Dorset Theatre Festival
10. Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical:
A. David Adkins, “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” Berkshire Theatre Group
B. David Webber, “Come From Away,” Majestic Theater
C. John Saunders, “Hairspray,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
D. Rafa Pepén, “A Chorus Line,” Barrington Stage Company
E. Stefan Egerstrom, “Lucia di Lammermoor,” Berkshire Opera Festival
11. Outstanding Direction of a Play:
A. Ariel Bock, “Hamlet,” Shakespeare & Company
B. Clay Hopper, “iBoss,” Great Barrington Public Theater
C. David Auburn, “Lovesong,” Berkshire Theatre Group
D. James Warwick, “The Norwegians,” Shakespeare & Company
E. Judy Braha, “Fragments,” Great Barrington Public Theater
F. Kate Kohler Amory, “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare & Company
12. Outstanding Sound Design of a Play or Musical:
A. Evan Dibbs, “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” Berkshire Theatre Group
B. Gage Baker, “iBoss,” Great Barrington Public Theater
C. Raphael Hendrick-Baker, “Amchitka,” Chester Theatre Company
13. Outstanding Lead Actress in a Musical:
A. Chelsie Nectow, “Come From Away,” Majestic Theater
B. Deanna Cudjoe, “A Chorus Line,” Barrington Stage Company
C. Hannah Shankman, “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
D. Madison Stratton, “The Addams Family,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
E. Samantha Gershman, “John & Jen,” Berkshire Theatre Group
14. Outstanding Lead Actor in a Musical:
B. Danny Binstock, “A Chorus Line,” Barrington Stage Company
C. Gabe Belyeu, “The Addams Family,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
D. Matt Faucher, “Sweeney Todd,” Hartford Stage
E. Michael F. McGuirk, “42nd Street,” Sharon Playhouse
15. Outstanding Ensemble Performance:
A. “A Chorus Line,” Barrington Stage Company
B. “Black Comedy,” Ghent Playhouse
C. “Come From Away,” Majestic Theater
D. “Come From Away,” Sharon Playhouse
E. “The American Five,” Berkshire Theatre Group
F. “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare & Company
16. Outstanding Production with Fewer Than Six Performances:
A. “Daddy Long Legs,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
B. “Lucia Di Lammermoor,” Berkshire Opera Festival
C. “Midsummer Dreamers,” Shakespeare & Company
17. Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play:
A. David Gow, “Hamlet,” Shakespeare & Company
B. Jamal James, “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” Shakespeare & Company
C. Michael Wartella, “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” Berkshire Theatre Group
D. Ray Anthony Thomas, “Driving Miss Daisy,” Barrington Stage Company
E. Steven Patterson, “On Golden Pond,” Bridge Street Theatre
18. Sally and Robert Sugarman Award for World Premiere of a NEW Play:
A. “Amchitka” by Mark St. Germain, Chester Theatre Company
B. “Dead Girl’s Quinceañera” by Phanésia Pharel, Barrington Stage Company
C. “Fireflies” by Matthew Barber, Shakespeare & Company
D. “iBoss” by Thomas Kee, Great Barrington Public Theater
E. “The Tyrant Play,” Randolyn Zinn, Living Room Theatre
19. Outstanding Lead Actress in a Play:
A. Cloteal L. Horne, “Yellow Wallpaper 2.0-2020,” Great Barrington Public Theater
B. Debra Jo Rupp, “Driving Miss Daisy,” Barrington Stage Company
C. Jennifer Apple,” Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” Shakespeare & Company
D. Karen Allen, “Lovesong,” Berkshire Theatre Group
E. Roxanne Fay, “Happy Days,” Bridge Street Theatre
F. Sarah Keyes, “iBoss,” Great Barrington Public Theater
20. The Larry Murray Award for Community Outreach and Support through Theater:
NO VOTING IN THIS CATEGORY BUT THANK YOU FOR YOUR NOMINATIONS.
21. Outstanding Production of a Musical:
A. “A Chorus Line,” Barrington Stage Company
B. “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
C. “Come From Away,” Majestic Theater
D. “Hairspray,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
E. “The Secret Garden,” Mac-Haydn Theatre
22. Outstanding Production of a Play:
A. “Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune,” Shakespeare & Company
B. “iBoss,” Great Barrington Public Theater
C. “On Golden Pond,” Bridge Street Theatre
D. “The Legend of Georgia McBride,” Berkshire Theatre Group
E. “Twelfth Night,” Shakespeare & Company