Miss Hall's School Presents 'Decision Height'

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Miss Hall's School Theater Ensemble takes female empowerment to new levels with its upcoming production of "Decision Height," a dramatic story of the Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs) of World War II.

The show opens at 8 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 9, followed by shows at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 10, and 2 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 11. All performances will take place in the Woods Theater of the Elizabeth Gatchell Klein Arts Center on the Miss Hall’s School campus. 

General admission is $10, and reservations are recommended. Senior citizen and handicapped-accessible seating is available. Tickets can be bought online; after 4 p.m. Nov. 9, call 413-395-7023 for tickets.

This MHS production stars sophomore Hannah Holt as Virginia Hascall, who has left her home and fiancée to join the WASPs, female pilots whose noncombat service during World War II helped the Allies defeat the Axis powers. Fellow WASP trainees and pilots include junior Erica Morales-Armstrong as Edith "Eddie" Harknell; senior Ainsley Schuth as Norma Jean Harris; junior Emily Carmel of Pittsfield as Rosalie Harston; senior Jasmine Briggs as Alice Hawkins; and freshwoman Keely O’Gorman of Lee as Carol Henderson.

The cast also includes senior Trudy Fadding of Glendale as Mrs. Deaton, the trainees' "den mother"; junior Betty Xiao as flight instructor Ziggie Lewis; and sophomore Chelsea Li as trainee Mildred Simmons. Additionally, the show's ensemble features senior Rose Battista; freshwoman Bella D’Aniello of Pittsfield; junior Soleil Laurin of Pittsfield; sophomore Linda Le; freshwoman Halie Swallie; and freshwoman Ivy Zhou. 

The production's technical crew includes stage managers Faia Kronick, a senior from Pittsfield, and senior Ingrid O’Dell; costume assistants Meriel Nguyen and Matilda Tran, both juniors, and sophomore Lilian Jiang; and props assistants Mere Hall, a junior from Adams, and freshwoman Milie Madourie. The show is directed by Jennifer Jordan, director of theater and dance at Miss Hall’s School. 

As "Decision Height" unfolds, Virginia contemplates a life-altering decision, while she and her fellow trainees overcome their initial discomfort with each other to form a sisterhood. Ultimately, they discover what it means to be a woman in the military and their essential role in wartime. Written by Meredith Dayna Levy, "Decision Height" received the 2013 Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival New Play Award and premiered in January 2014.

New Camp Is Safe Place for Children Suffering Loss to Addiction

By Breanna SteeleiBerkshires Staff
06:26AM / Saturday, December 27, 2025

Last year's Happy Campers courtesy of Max Tabakin.

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A new camp is offering a safe place for children who have lost a parent or guardian to addiction. 

 

Director Gayle Saks founded the nonprofit "Camp Happy Place" last year. The first camp was held in June with 14 children.

 

Saks is a licensed drug and alcohol counselor who works at the Brien Center. One of her final projects when studying was how to involve youth, and a camp came to mind. Camp had been her "happy place" growing up, and it became her dream to open her own.

 

"I keep a bucket list in my wallet, and it's right on here on this list, and I cross off things that I've accomplished," she said. "But it is the one thing on here that I knew I had to do."

 

The overnight co-ed camp is held at a summer camp in Winsted, Conn., where Saks spent her summers as a child. It is four nights and five days and completely free. Transportation is included as are many of the items needed for camping. The camp takes up to 30 children.

 

"I really don't think there's any place that exists specifically for this population. I think it's important to know, we've said this, but that it is not a therapeutic camp," Saks said.

 

She said the focus is on fun for the children, though they are able to talk to any of the volunteer and trained staff. The staff all have experience in social work, addiction and counseling, and working with children.