Berkshire Theatre Group to Host Annual LET'S DANCE Ralph Petillo Benefit, 11/9

Berkshire Theatre Group has announced its annual benefit event, "Let's Dance!: A Benefit Event Honoring Ralph Petillo," on November 9, 2013 at The Colonial Theatre. All proceeds benefit Berkshire Theatre Group's numerous Education Programs.

"For all of us at BTG, Ralph Petillo has been a tireless supporter of our education programs and a great mentor for the children we train," said Kate Maguire, Artistic Director and CEO of Berkshire Theatre Group. "He has been in many of our community productions over the years and we're very deeply appreciative of Ralph's relentless dedication to BTG's mission."

Petillo has been leading BTG's community productions for several years as Captain Hook in Peter Pan, Rooster in Annie, Fagin in Oliver!, the great and powerful Oz inThe Wizard of Oz and has played several roles in our beloved annual, A Christmas Carol. In all of these productions, he has volunteered his time and remarkable talent. Petillo is also the Director of the Lenox Chamber of Commerce and former co-owner of Cheesecake Charlies in Lenox.

"I am very proud to be a part of Berkshire Theatre Group's educational community theatre program," said Ralph Petillo. "The experience of creating 'good theatre' by the community for the community is a very positive energy force that nurtures growth in the 'arts' and the living community itself. Berkshire Theatre Group's Colonial Theatre generates this energy and it becomes an inspirational catalyst that keeps on inspiring throughout Pittsfield and Berkshire County."

The Benefit Event Celebration will commence at 7pm in The Colonial Theatre's historic lobby with a mingle and munch spread provided Mazzeo's Ristorante. At 8pm, it's time to hit the dance floor as the festivities continue with live music by the Jus Us Band, Western New England's premier dance band. At 9pm, guests are treated to handcrafted delicacies from Chocolate Springs.

Education and training programs are a fundamental component of Berkshire Theatre Group's mission to serve our community. Study after study concludes that children who are introduced to the arts and given a chance to participate are more successful throughout their lives. BTG is proud to provide a multitude of arts opportunities to students. BTG Plays! encompasses in-school residency programs, vacation camps, after school classes, and the annual community production, through which local students have explored the art of theatre and shared their individual voices and creativity. This summer marked the 8th Annual Berkshire Theatre Group's Children's Theatre production. Over 100 children grades 3 and up from school districts across Berkshire County performed in packed performances of Peter Pan at the Colonial. Berkshire Theatre Group's Performing Arts for Schools provide affordable field trips to BTG's theatres, allowing students to experience diverse, educational and entertaining programs that reinforce classroom curriculum while fostering an understanding of and appreciation for the arts.

BTG has a strong commitment to investing in the next generation of theatre artists. Our highly regarded Summer Performance Training Apprentice Program, founded in 1929, offers students annually from all over the country, a multifaceted approach to actor training that combines a strong emphasis on movement and vocal technique. Apprentices are vital members of the BTG community, performing on at least one of our many stages, taking classes each day and assisting in a variety of departments. In addition, BTG provides internships and assistantships in all technical and administrative theatre fields.

BTG's goal is to better the quality of life in the Berkshires with diverse programming and a strong educational curriculum. While we primarily seek to enrich the cultural life of the community, the members of our staff and company, as well as audience members and donors, cannot help but contribute economically to the Berkshires. Now merged as Berkshire Theatre Group, the organization itself invests an estimated 3.8 million locally and total annual staffing is approximately 800 people. BTG now has a total economic impact of more than 6 million dollars. We now serve 17,000 students and meet 100,000 patrons on our stages annually.

Nurturing a symbiotic relationship between the theatre and our community is essential to a strong future for BTG, the Berkshires and our region. When you give to BTG, you have a positive impact both on our ability to produce works of cultural value and on your community. Our contributions to the local economy and educational programming help make possible an enriched present and future for Berkshire County.

"BTG's Community program is one of the best I have had the pleasure of working with," said Petillo. "Every time we participate from the stage or the audience at The Colonial or any one of BTG's stages, we make that theatre our home and we always take a piece of it with us. That is just beautiful. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of the beauty."

$500 Captain Hook's Sponsor includes admission to the Onstage Celebration, the dinner and dance party, a Commemorative BTG pint glass, and special recognition as Captain Hook's Sponsor at benefit event. $250 VIP Pass includes admission to the Onstage Celebration dinner and dance party and a Commemorative BTG pint glass. A $100 Dance Ticket includes admission to the Onstage Celebration, Dinner and Dance Party. To purchase tickets call Tara Young at 413-448-8084 x14 or go towww.berkshiretheatregroup.org.

To post a comment, you must register and login.