OLLI Players to Present Free Staged Reading of 'Into the Breeches' Oct. 4

03:26PM / Tuesday, September 29, 2026Print Story | Email Story

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Berkshire Community College (OLLI at BCC) Players will present a staged reading of a play called "Into the Breeches" on Sunday, Oct. 4 at 2 p.m.

The reading will be held in BCC's Robert Boland theatre, located on the main campus at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield. All are welcome to attend.

The event is free, but registration is requested. To register, visit https://berkshireolli.org/event-6835096. The performance is in-person only and will not be recorded.

According to a press release:

Written by George Brandt and directed by Jeannie Woods, the play was described in Broadway World as "an absolute delight… thought-provoking and heartwarming." The comedic piece is set in 1942 in the Berkshires, where a local theatre is struggling as the theatre's director and leading men are off to fight in World War II. The director's wife sets out to produce an all-female version of "The Henriad," based on William Shakespeare's history plays depicting the rise of the English kings. An increasingly unlikely cast comes together to prove the show must go on.

This event is supported through the generous philanthropy of Nancy and Michael Vale, whose bequest established the Michael and Nancy Vale Performing Arts Fund at OLLI at Berkshire Community College. This endowed fund supports theater-based OLLI programming.

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Second Streets Second Chances Awarded $85K for Workforce Re-Entry Program

By Brittany Polito03:00PM / Monday, September 28, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A local program for formerly incarcerated citizens seeking a technical career received $85,000 from the state.

On Thursday, the Healey-Driscoll administration announced $2.25 million in Re-entry Workforce Development Demonstration Program grants to 12 organizations that will provide job training, career support, and employment opportunities to 445 formerly incarcerated individuals returning to their communities.

Second Street Second Chances was allocated $84,712 to partner with the Berkshire County Sheriff's Office to offer a training program to 12 returning citizens with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry.

The funds will be used to put 12 returning citizens through a training program with a focus on the advanced manufacturing and engineering industry. Successful program graduates will be placed in manufacturing and welding roles at Onyx Specialty Papers and Hi-Tech Mold and Tool.

The program was one of 12 awardees, a majority on the eastern side of the state; Greenfield also saw funding.

"When people return to their communities, they should have a real opportunity to get a good job, support their families and build a stable future," said Gov. Maura Healey in a press release.

"These grants connect people with the training and experience they need to succeed and with employers that are ready to hire."

Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll said successful reentry means making sure people have the tools and opportunities to move forward, and these programs bring together community organizations, public safety partners, and employers to connect people directly with training and jobs.

Launched in 2022, Second Street Second Chances' mission is to provide a central point of access for medical and mental health, housing, job training, legal services, and more for a successful reentry into the community.

Early this year, the nonprofit saw an $89,000 grant from the program. Executive Director Lindsay Cornwell at the time said this funding allowed 2nd Street to expand its mission of supporting returning citizens in Berkshire County through meaningful workforce opportunities and a pathway toward sustainable employment.

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