A local actor is looking to bring Shakespeare to Pittsfield's parks next summer, with possible evening performances at Springside.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Lenox actor and businessman Enrico Spada is seeking to expand the Berkshires' seasonal theater offerings with a new series of free outdoor performances in Pittsfield planned for summer 2014.
The proposed "Pittsfield Shakespeare in the Park," Spada told the city's Parks Commission on Tuesday, would include eight nights of quality professional theater under the stars tentatively scheduled for either July or August of the coming year.
"I think it's something that Pittsfield would benefit from," said Spada, "Especially the families that may not have the time or funds to get out to Barrington Stage or Shakespeare & Company."
Spada, who has worked for several years as marketing manager at Lenox's Shakespeare & Company as well as having his own graphic design business, says the idea is still in an "exploratory" phase, but has already enjoyed support from the city's Office of Cultural Development and the mayor. Shakespeare & Company has also given the idea its "blessing," a situation Spada said he hopes will eventually mature into deeper support and partnership*.
"Those are conversations that are ongoing, so we'll see how that pans out," he said.
Other support will also be needed, as the project has an estimated budget of $40,000, which the organizer will look to cover through the help of grants, local foundations, donors and other fundraising efforts.
In addition to paying actors, these funds will defray the costs of sound and lighting equipment, set design, costumes and a professional director and stage manager for the eight-show series.
Spada is considering nighttime performances at Springside Park, though he said other parks are also under consideration.
"The idea of having it under the stars at night ... creates more of a party, celebratory atmosphere," Spada told the Parks Commission.
Parks Recreation Coordinator Rebecca Tefft said the presentation was simply an initial advisory to the commission, and once more details were fleshed out the series would need to go through the customary process of permitting for park events.
"There's a lot more than just the Parks Commission involved in this," said Tefft. "Tonight was just proposing this to the commission to see what your thoughts were."
"It's a great idea," said commission member Clifford Nilan.
"Keep us updated," said commission Chair Dr. John Herman. "We'll want to know how it progresses."
*Clarification on Oct. 28, 2013: As stated in the article, Shakespeare & Company is endorsing the idea of public performances but other than that is not in any way affiliated with the initiative.
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BRPC Committee Mulls Input on State Housing Plan
By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Regional Planning Commission's Regional Issues Committee brainstormed representation for the county in upcoming housing listening sessions.
"The administration is coming up with what they like to tout is their first housing plan that's been done for Massachusetts, and this is one of a number of various initiatives that they've done over the last several months," Executive Director Thomas Matuszko said.
"But it seems like they are intent upon doing something and taking comments from the different regions across the state and then turning that into policy so here is our chance to really speak up on that."
The Executive Office of Housing and Livable Communities and members of the Housing Advisory Council will host multiple listening sessions around the Commonwealth to hear input on the Healey-Driscoll administration's five-year strategic statewide housing plan.
One will be held at Berkshire Community College on May 15 at 2 p.m.
One of Matuszko's biggest concerns is the overall age of the housing stock in Berkshire County.
"And that the various rehab programs that are out there are inadequate and they are too cumbersome to manipulate through," he explained.
"And so I think that there needs to be a greater emphasis not on new housing development only but housing retention and how we can do that in a meaningful way. It's going to be pretty important."
Non-commission member Andrew Groff, Williamstown's community developer director, added that the bureaucracies need to coordinate themselves and "stop creating well-intended policies like the new energy code that actually work against all of this other stuff."
Downtown Pittsfield Inc. proposed angled parking on North Street and was pleasantly surprised that the city responded with an in-depth study and new plans — even if they don't include angled parking.
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Officials celebrated Arbor Day on Friday by installing a commemorative plaque next to the American elm sapling. This is a tree that James McGrath, the city's park program manager, said Presutti would have been particularly proud of.
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Albert Ingegni III was applauded for four decades of service on the Zoning Board of Appeals during City Council. Mayor Peter Marchetti presented him with a certificate of thanks for his commitment to the community.
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