The OLLI Players to Present Two One-Act Readings

02:52PM / Wednesday, October 15, 2025Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) at Berkshire Community College (BCC) announced a special theatrical event: a staged reading of two one-act plays, Mum Bett's Minute and The Loyalist, on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 2:00 p.m., at BCC.

The event is free and open to the public.

This presentation is part of OLLI's commemoration of the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution, exploring stories of identity, freedom, and loyalty during that formative period. Following the performances, a panel of scholars and community voices will engage the audience in a discussion.

About the Performances

Mum Bett's Minute centers on Mum Bett (Elizabeth Freeman), who, after winning her 1781 freedom suit, reflects on whether the ideals of the Declaration of Independence apply to someone formerly enslaved.
The Loyalist takes place with Flora MacDonald, the Scottish heroine who aided Bonnie Prince Charlie, who has relocated to North Carolina and faces a dilemma: will she side with the Revolution or remain loyal to the Crown?

The cast includes Kim Wafer, Robin Nardi, Mike Pepino, Peter Podol, Alice Roth, Amanda Schenker, Lisken Van Pelt Dus, and Neil Berman. Alice Roth serves as stage manager, with music by Brian Hailes. Panelists for the post-performance discussion include Katherine Kidd, Leyn Burrows, and Michael Forbes Wilcox.

This event is supported by the Michael and Nancy Vale Performing Arts Fund, established by a bequest to support theatrical programming at OLLI.

For more information, go to: https://berkshireolli.org/event-6367872

Tags: BCC,

iBerkshires.com Text Ads

rk MILES Blding Materials

Are You Ready to Update Your Home? Start With rk MILES. 4 Locations (800)670-7433

www.rkmiles.com

Greylock Youth SummerFest

Come join in on the wealth building fun! August 3-8. Click for event details. Insured by NCUA.

www.greylock.org

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Pittsfield Traffic Commission OKs Stop Signs, Parking Requests

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
05:48AM / Wednesday, August 12, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Traffic Commission granted stop signs and downtown parking requests during its recent regular meeting.

A petition from Ward 7 Councilor Kathy Moody to install stop signs at the corner of Thomas Road and Thomas Island Road was approved. One sign will be installed at Thomas Road and Thomas Island Road, and one at the corner of Thomas Island Road and Pecks Road.

Moody said for some reason, people don't understand they need to stop at the "very clear" intersection into the neighborhood alongside Onota Lake off Peck's Road.

"It's really difficult to see right there. Because of the corners, people are not stopping, and I have several phone calls from constituents that live on Thomas Island who have nearly been in very bad accidents there," she explained about the corner of Thomas Road and Thomas Island Road.

"If we could put a stop sign there, that would be terrific. It would help improve the safety of the neighborhood. It's a very small neighborhood. The roads are narrow. There are pedestrians everywhere. Having a stop sign to protect people at that almost blind corner would be very useful."

Police Sgt. David Hallas couldn't recall any significant vehicle accidents in that area, but said that speeding on that section of Peck's Road is "quite an issue."

Other commissioners commented that the roads on the island are very narrow, and it is one of the few places with mirrors so that drivers can see around corners.

Ward 1 Councilor Kenneth Warren's request for a stop sign at the intersection of Partridge Road and Oak Hill Road was also approved. He said it is a similar situation to Thomas Island.

View Full Story