BWW Blog: Michael Hartung - Why Do I Dress Up Like A Pirate for a Living? 

I can't even tell you how many times I have had a conversation that goes something like this: "Why do I do this?" As an actor this can feel like a hard question to answer. I believe the arts are incredibly important in our world, especially in times when it is difficult to see past the heartbreaking events that seem to be occurring more and more frequently around the globe. But I have found that it can be challenging for me to explain the inherently intangible yet far reaching benefits of theatre and the arts.

I have been thinking about our first day of rehearsal for PIRATES OF PENZANCE at Barrington Stage Company quite a lot as of late. During our meet and greet, the Artistic Director of BSC, JuliAnne Boyd, took a moment to explain the company's relationship with its hometown of Pittsfield, Massachusetts.

Pittsfield's history is closely tied to the company, General Electric, who moved into the city in 1903. At GE's peak in the 1940's the Pittsfield plant employed about 13,000 people of the city's 50,000 person population. But as The Manufacturing industry lost steam, so did GE and their presence in Pittsfield dwindled. By the 1980's GE was laying off workers at a rapid pace. In 1992, the Pittsfield plant was down to only 530 employees. The mass exodus of the city's main business left Pittsfield in a harsh economic downturn. Enter: Barrington Stage Company.

By 2005, BSC had found success producing several critically acclaimed shows (25th ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE....helllloooooo) and was in search of a permanent space to call their new home. Conveniently, an old vaudeville theater sat empty in downtown Pittsfield. The theatre and Pittsfield's unappealing economic situation had deterred many people, but JuliAnne Boyd and Barrington Stage Company had quite a different outlook. They saw Pittsfield as a city in need of the arts. Unlike many areas around the Berkshires where white picket fences line the streets and art (quite incredible art at that) occurs as a result of the upper class demographic, BSC sought to be the start of lifting Pittsfield out of the sad memories and lasting effects of GE leaving town. And they did just that. To gain the trust of the people of Pittsfield, they made rapid renovations on their new theater and opened in the summer of 2007.

Now, Barrington Stage Company brings in 55,600 patrons to Pittsfield each season. They employ some of the best talent in the theatre industry (I mean, they were able to get Michael Hartung out here, people) and have created a reputation for producing top notch theatre. The effects of BSC's success is visible not only in the crowds of people meandering Main Street before a show, but in the new thriving businesses that cater to the out of town guests. A shiny new hotel, a trendy new bar, and a cozy coffee shop all contribute to Main Street's developing character.

The arts have become a vital part of Pittsfield.

Barrington Stage has ambitious plans for the future. They have started fundraising to renovate their cabaret and smaller theater space, as well as continuing to develop their outreach through educational programs for local youth as well as aspiring artists from around the country. As an actor working here, being a small part of this inspiring company, it is so rewarding to see the tangible positive effects of what we chose to do for a living. Not one day goes by that I go to work here and question why I do this. We dress up like pirates for many reasons, from putting a smile on a face that has forgotten how, to helping a community learn to thrive again.