Berkshire Theatre Group Holds 8th Annual Richie duPont Award Event, 6/8

Berkshire Theatre Group will hold the 8th Annual Richie duPont Award Event on June 8 at 8pm at Firefly Restaurant in Lenox.

Tickets to the 8th Annual Richie duPont Award Event are $20. Contact the Colonial Ticket Office at 111 South Street, Pittsfield by calling 413-997-4444. Tickets can also be bought online at www.berkshiretheatregroup.org. The Ticket Office is openMonday-Friday 10am-5pm, Saturdays 10am-2pm or on any performance day from10am until curtain.

The Richie duPont Award was started in memory of the talented young actor, Richie duPont, who was a part of the Berkshire Theatre Group community, where he performed in two productions on the Fitzpatrick Main Stage. To honor his memory, the fund was established in 2005 to enable children to pursue their dreams of being on stage and afford them the opportunity to attend one of the BTG PLAYS! camp sessions.

James Fairbrother, age nine, a recipient of the Richie DuPont Award and participant in BTG PLAYS! April Vacation Camp, has said about BTG PLAYS! camps, "One thing that I learned that surprised me: at first I didn't know I liked theatre, but then I really liked it! I had fun and liked putting on our play The Ugly Duckling."

James' mom, Ivy Cote, commented, "I chose BTG PLAYS! for James' April break because he had not had a theatre experience before. One thing that stuck with James from his experience in BTG PLAYS! is to be open to trying something new and a little risky (being on stage). Once he got over his initial hesitancy, he loved being part of a performance team. BTG PLAYS! taught him to not be afraid to try something new. Give it a chance even if you're not sure you like it at first. It feels great to be part of a group working together for one goal: to perform a play that others will enjoy!"

The Annual Richie duPont Award Event will celebrate the life of Richie duPont and send kids to BTG PLAYS! summer acting camps. The Tony Lee Thomas Band will perform, and there will be a silent auction and light fare.

Sponsored by David Winn, Maureen Stanton, Firefly and Your Color Connection.

Berkshire Theatre Group's other 2013 benefit events:

Oklahoma! Opening Night Celebration
July 6 at 5pm
at The Colonial Theatre
Enjoy a preshow dinner, opening night performance, and a post show party with the cast.

Never Neverland Party
August 11 at 2pm
at The Colonial Theatre
Enjoy a family friendly dance party following a matinee performance of our community show, Peter Pan.

Annual Benefit Gala
November 9 at The Colonial Theatre

For more information on Berkshire Theatre Group's benefit events, contact Tara Young, Manager of Special Events and Donor Relations, at 413-448-8084 x14.

For more information about the the Richie duPont Event and our education programs, please visit our website at www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org