2016 MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES Festival Seeks Submissions; Deadline 5/30

Berkshire Theatre Group is now accepting submissions for the 6th Annual MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES Festival, taking place on October 14th, 15th and 16th at The Colonial Theatre in Pittsfield and The Unicorn Theatre in Stockbridge. The deadline for submissions is May 30th.

In the past 6 years, MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES Festival has featured cutting-edge theatrical works performed as staged readings, live music, film, short stories and dance in an atmosphere like no other. New and innovative pieces, as well as established work, will be presented by local Berkshire County playwrights, actors, directors, musicians and performers. Featured as performance blocks, MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES will allow audiences to enjoy the breadth and depth of the artistic talent that has landed in Berkshire County, while celebrating the best in the visual and performing arts. Professional artists and artists-in-the-making gather to share their talent with the Berkshire community. The festival will be curated once again by Hilary Somers Deely and Barbara Sims; two local artists who have helped create the rich cultural tapestry that permeates the Berkshires.

Submission Details:

Submitting artists must live and work in the Berkshires, at least part time. Submissions may include short plays, music, poetry, short stories, performance art/spoken word, film and dance.

All written material must include artist's name, address and contact information. Written material must be bound, with two copies submitted.

Music, dance, film and visual art must include 2 CDs or 2 DVDs with the artist's name, address and contact information, including phone number and email address. Filmmakers must include the aspect ratio.

No online submissions will be accepted. Materials will not be returned. The deadline for submissions is May 30th.

Please mail submissions to:
MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES Submissions
111 South Street
Pittsfield, MA 01201

MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES is a unique, intensive, artistic experience designed to provide opportunity for Berkshire regional performing and creative artists to present their work to the public. A grassroots, community outreach program, MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES is sustained by the generosity of Berkshire Theatre Group, in kind donors of specialty food and beverages, and individual patrons. MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES puts a high value on collaboration and risk taking and celebrates creativity in a wide spectrum of genres including; drama, music, dance, visual art, poetry, prose, and film. MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES is curated by Hilary Somers Deely and Barbara Sims (under the aegis of the Berkshire Theatre Group). For more information about MADE IN THE BERKSHIRES, visit www.MadeInTheBerkshires.org.

The Colonial Theatre, founded in 1903, and Berkshire Theatre Festival, founded in 1928, are two of the oldest cultural organizations in the Berkshires. Having united in November of 2010 under the leadership of Artistic Director and CEO Kate Maguire, these two institutions are providing the Berkshires and beyond with the finest in live theatre, music, dance and the visual arts in Stockbridge, MA and Pittsfield, MA. The Fitzpatrick Main Stage (314 seats), cataloged by the National Register of Historic Places, was originally designed and built by Stanford White as the Stockbridge Casino in 1888. The intimate Unicorn Theatre (122 seats) is a home for emerging artists and new theatrical ideas. The Colonial in Pittsfield (780 seats) re-opened in August of 2006, following a $21 million restoration, and boasts pristine acoustics, classic gilded age architecture and state-of-the-art technical systems. The Colonial is available to rent for performance events as well as other events/functions. For more information about renting our facilities, contact Ashlei Perkins at ashlei@berkshiretheatre.org, or (413)448-8084 x18. BTG also performs at The Garage, a music venue located in the lobby of The Colonial. BTG serves over 100,000 patrons per year and reaches over 13,000 students through its educational and outreach programs. To purchase tickets, call (413) 997-4444 or go online to www.BerkshireTheatreGroup.org.