WAM Theatre Appoints Five Members to Board of Trustees

Print Story | Email Story
LENOX, Mass. — WAM Theatre welcomed five new members to its Board of Directors.
 
Each appointee is a recognized leader within the Berkshire community and beyond, bringing expertise, lived experience, and a shared commitment to advancing opportunities for women and girls.
 
"We are thrilled to celebrate both our returning board members and those newly joining WAM Theatre's Board of Directors," said Deb Brothers, WAM Board Co-President. "Each member brings valuable expertise, lived experience, and fresh perspective that strengthens our collective leadership and deepens our impact. WAM's dedicated Board positions WAM to lead with vision, accountability, and care as we advance our mission for women and girls."
 
At the end of 2025, WAM welcomed Shela Levante (Executive Director of Institutional Advancement, State Commissioner for the Massachusetts Commission on the Status of Women), and Bryan Binder (Leads the firm's M&A Advisory practice at Jetty Rock Capital), At the start of 2026 WAM welcomed Peggy Malumphy (HR Professional and Board Chair of The Boston House), Diana L. Knaebe (Executive Officer of The Brien Center), and Elizabeth Nelson (Multidisciplinary Artist and Communications & Content Producer at Greylock). 
 
Carolyn Butler (Community Philanthropist and fundraiser) returned to the Board for her third term.
 
"This is a pivotal and energizing moment for WAM Theatre," added Managing Director Molly Merrihew. "With a growing and deeply engaged Board of Directors, we are strengthening our governance, expanding our community impact, and building shared investment in WAM's long-term sustainability. As we grow, we are increasing our capacity to leverage philanthropic support, cultivate meaningful cross-sector partnerships, and steward resources in ways that boldly advance our mission. Together—with our staff, board, artists and community—we are expanding opportunities for women and girls across the Berkshires while contributing to the national movement for gender equity."
 
"I'm very excited to collaborate with each of our board members this year," noted WAM Board Co-President Nicole Young-Martin. "Each person has such a deep love and admiration for WAM Theatre, making the work very enjoyable and rewarding. And, we have a diverse range of expertise including human resources, finance, equity and justice, fundraising, community outreach, marketing, and theatre producing that we can tap into, allowing us to help build organizational capacity as we work with WAM Theatre staff and leadership to usher in this next chapter. I thank everyone in advance for all the hard work and dedication that they'll contribute this year."
 
Those with expertise to share and are interested in speaking to WAM about volunteer opportunities including participation in a WAM Theatre Committee working alongside our Team and Board please contact WAM via email at info@wamtheatre.com.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

The Classical Beat: The Classical 'High Season' Bursts Upon The Scene

By Stephen DanknerSpecial to iBerkshires

It's well-known that the Berkshires and environs are a cultural epicenter for music lovers. With the tourist high season – from mid-June through Labor Day – concert activity increases exponentially, offering listeners a cornucopia of musical delights to please every taste. 

This week, two magnificent presenter "T"s share the spotlight, offering fabulous musical pleasures: Tanglewood in Lenox, Mass. and Taconic Music in Manchester, VT. Soon, though, a third outstanding venue – very different but also intimate and historic – Sevenars, will open its doors in rural South Worthington, Mass.

For two months of fantastic music, here's a heads-up on all three presenters:

Tanglewood Music Festival

For music lovers, Tanglewood in Lenox virtually defines music in the Berkshires. It is the largest summer concert presenter, with the most comprehensive schedule of performances across the full spectrum of musical styles and genres. Before getting into imminent opening events, bookmark the Boston Symphony's website, tanglewood.org for the full summer concert schedule, season highlights, tickets and general information.

Why go? It's all about the magnitude and the phenomenal diversity of programming. Whether you enjoy the pristine lawns for bring-your-own picnics, or prefer the proximity to gifted musicians in the Shed, the architecturally magnificent Linde Center for Music and Learning or in Ozawa Hall, Tanglewood, in all its incarnations is an informal, yet breathtaking place to relax and enjoy music in the most bucolic setting imaginable. 

Look for "Classical Beat" previews weekly, published online at iBerkshires.com for recommended concerts and related events programming at Tanglewood throughout July and August.

Here are this week's extraordinary concerts you'll want to plan to attend – the best in folk/rock. theatrical and symphonic music.  

  • Thursday, July 2, 8:00 p.m. in the Shed: Conductor Leonard Slatkin leads the Boston Pops in "American Titans," a program of the music of  Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim. Young performers pay tribute to these two phenomenal forces in 20th century musical theatre.
  • Friday, and Saturday July 3 and 4, 8:00 p.m. in the Shed: James Taylor and his All-Star Band.
  • Sunday, July 5, 2:30 p.m. in the Shed: The Boston Symphony, led by conductor Karen Kamensek and featuring baritone Zachary James, present an Abraham Lincoln-themed program featuring the world premiere of Philip Glass' Symphony No. 15 (‘Lincoln'). Other works on the program are Aaron Copland's "Lincoln Portrait" and John Williams' "Suite" from the film Lincoln.
  • Monday, July 6, 8:00 p.m. in Ozawa Hall: The first Tanglewood Music Center Orchestra (TMCO) concert, led by Tanglewood Music Center conducting Fellows, presents a program of Charles Ives ("Variations on ‘America',") Ralph Vaughan Williams ("Fantasia on a Theme of Thomas Tallis") and Beethoven (Symphony No. 8.) 

For tickets for all Tanglewood/BSO concerts (lawn and Shed seating) and for special events call (617) 266-1200 or (413) 637-5180; online: tanglewood.org or customerservice@bso.org. In Lenox, visit the Tanglewood box office at the Main Gate located at 297 West Street.

Taconic Music Festival

The month-long Taconic Music Festival, celebrating its 10th year, offers year-round concerts and educational initiatives built upon the rich traditions of classical music. The Festival started June 15 and continues until July 13. With just two more weeks of great programs, be sure to include Taconic Music on your "not-to-be-missed" concert agenda.

Why go? Based in Manchester, Vermont, co-founders Ariel Rudiakov and Joana Genova showcase their outstanding festival-resident mentor/performers and gifted student artists.

  • Saturday, July 4, 7:30 p.m.:  Maestro Ariel Rudiakov conducts the Taconic Pops Orchestra in a program focusing on music for stage and screen, featuring guest vocalist Maxine Linehan.

The concert will be held at the Arkell Pavilion, Southern Vermont Arts Center, 860 SVAC Drive, Manchester, VT. Reserved seating $20.-$85. 

For specific repertoire listings and other information, including tickets, and Taconic Music's year-round programs, call (802) 362-7162 or visit online at taconicmusic.org.

Sevenars Music Festival – Six Sunday Concerts – July 12-August 16

View Full Story

More Lenox Stories