GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. Great Barrington Public Theater (GBPT) plans busy winter and spring, with free readings of new plays from Berkshire Voices, and a series of live, sit-down conversations with theater influencers.

 

"We focus on new work, and audiences let us know that their love of theater on stage as well as behind the scenes is more than a summer fling," Great Barrington Public's Artistic Director Jim Frangione said. "We're are definitely not hibernating. We have a packed few months coming up, with free readings of new plays now in development with Berkshire Voices, and a "Conversation With" series, evenings of lively and illuminating discussions and Q&As with a few of today's lead influencers on how to create theater, from the good idea to a great play. We have a terrific performance and presentation space in St. James Place for building community and conversations, and we invite everyone to join us for new plays and great conversation this winter and spring."

 

The GBPT off-season schedule starts Tuesday, Dec. 12, 7pm at St. James Place in Great Barrington, with a free reading of "Iodine." A new play currently in development with Berkshire Voices, "Iodine" is an adaptation of the Haven Kimmel novel, written and directed by storyteller Michelle Joyner, who directed GBPT's productions of The Shot in 2022 and The Stones in 2023.

 

The live series begins, Monday, Jan. 29, 6pm, with a sit-down Conversation With Jeff Zinn, writer, actor, director, and founder of Wellfleet Harbor Actor's Theater on Cape Cod. Jeff Zinn sits with Jim Frangione to talk about Zinn's new, 20-part podcast, "GURUS: The Story of Acting, from Stanislavsky to Succession." 

 

Next up, Monday, February 26th, 6pm is a Conversation With Neil Pepe, Artistic Director of NYC's Atlantic Theater Company. He and Frangione will talk about the state of theater today, what new plays are in development at Atlantic, what should we expect Off Broadway, and what happens behind the scenes when a theater company like Atlantic moves a play to Broadway, including the recent transitions, The Band's Visit, Kimberly Akimbo, and from several years back the hit play, The Beauty Queen of Leenane

 

On Monday, March 18, 6pm there will be a live Conversation With Berkshire Theater Artists' Forum. GBPT Associate Artistic Director Judy Braha and Jim Frangione talk with Berkshire Theater Artists' Forum, several well-known area theater artists, about their work as playwrights, directors, and designers, and the value and joy of making theater with fellow Berkshire residents 

 

Coming in the spring, Tuesday, April 9, and May 9, 7pm there will be free readings of two yet to be selected new plays now in the works at Berkshire Voices. Titles, playwrights, directors and casts will be announced at a future date.

 

"We had a wonderful summer and as we move to the new year, we look forward to fostering a deeper connection with our audience, taking you behind the scenes into the development of new works and to exchange ideas amongst theater artists inside and outside our community," Associate Artistic Director Judy Braha sums up. "We're here year-round, committed to keeping theater a vital part of community and culture in the Berkshires."

 

As of now, all events are scheduled at St. James Place, 352 Main St., Great Barrington, MA. More information can be found on the company website.