The OLLI Players to Present Two One-Act Readings
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/
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