Williamstown – To set the stage for the inaugural season of the '62 Center for Theatre and Dance, the Williams College Archives has "hit the boards" with a retrospective exhibit of theatrical history at Williams College.
"Gaslights to Footlights: Stage and Theatre Productions at Williams" displays over two centuries of thespian paraphernalia, from the first play performed on campus (Aaron Leland's "The Fatal Error" in 1807) to today's Cap & Bells, the college's largest and most prominent student theatre organization.
The exhibition is on view until May 2006, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. - noon and 1 - 4:15 p.m. in Stetson Hall.
From 1795 to as late as 1858, student participation in theatrical productions could warrant a five shilling fine: according to an old copy of "Laws of Williams College," acting was prohibited in order to maintain "the decency and purity of morals" on campus.
Nevertheless, drama seemed to find loopholes: Williams archivists were surprised to find records of a play written and "exhibited" by Aaron Leland, class of 1808. His play "The Fatal Error, A Tragedy" seems to have been permitted because it was assigned "academic value." Leland was later christened "father of dramatics at Williams."
For the most part, early theatre at Williams was entirely student-run.
The Thalian Association, founded in 1860, was among the earliest official college theatre groups; students created the Dramatic Association in 1898, which would later become Cap & Bells.
In 1941, The Adams Memorial Theatre opened with their production of O'Neill's "Marco Millions." Even after the drama department was established in 1947, students continued to take strong roles in producing theatre. "Gaslights to Footlights" displays several student sketches of set designs, as well as programs from musicals that feature original scores by Stephen Sondheim '50.
The rest, as they say… can be found at Williams College Archives.
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North Berkshire Educational Study Updating Communities
By Breanna Steele & Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
CHESHIRE, Mass. — The steering committee for a regional study on secondary education is getting the word out to participating communities and asking for input.
The goal of the study is to focus on Grades 6 through 12 to understand current conditions across districts, hear people on their educational priorities, analyze strengths, opportunities, and challenges, and identify opportunities for future collaboration.
Steering Committee Chair Erin Milne, also a member of the Hoosac Valley Regional School Committee, introduced the study and why it was needed.
"We've been talking for decades about how the Northern Berkshire school communities can better collaborate with one another, rather than necessarily duplicating services," she told he Cheshire board. "And over time, it's become more and more of a pressing issue as our enrollment has been going down, but costs have been going up."
Hoosac Valley, North Adams, Mount Greylock Regional, Clarksburg, Savoy and Florida are participating in the study. A combination of declining population and rising costs are putting pressure on the districts, but the study will also look at educational opportunities that could come from collaboration.
In North Adams, Superintendent of Schools Timothy Callahan noted that "the reality is that in the North Adams Public Schools, our graduating class is now closer to what Lenox used to have as a graduating class 20 years ago ... So those are the realities, and what can we sustain, and what are the educational opportunities for our young people? Those are the questions that we're asking."
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Hoosac Valley High School has postponed this weekend’s football games following a reported alleged hazing incident involving a large number of football players, the athletic director announced Friday afternoon. click for more
The increase is because of a 9.12 percent hike in the levy based on the budget and fiscal articles approved for FY27 at May's annual town meeting. click for more
The mission of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires is to facilitate growth for charitable organizations through shared resources, affordable services, and creative collaborations. click for more
Talk about strangers in the night. There's lots of social intercourse between Frankie and Johnny. There's also lots of sexual intercourse. click for more
