PITTSFIELD, Mass. — 2nd Street presents "REPAIR," a live, full-length performance integrating storytelling, music and movement, on Monday, Aug. 12 at 7 pm and Tuesday, Aug. 13 at 2 pm and 7 pm. 

 

The performances, which are free and open to the public, will be held at Berkshire Community College's Robert Boland Theatre, located at 1350 West Street, Pittsfield.

 

A cast of professional actors will bring to life the stories and life experiences of formerly incarcerated men in Berkshire County. Each performance will be followed by a talk-back, during which time audience members can ask the cast questions directly.

 

Lindsay Cornwell, Executive Director of 2nd Street, explained that the project was designed to provide an outlet for formerly incarcerated men to share their stories through an original piece of theater. In this way, participants can reflect on their lived experiences, take ownership over their narratives, derive meaning from obstacles they have overcome, and utilize past experiences to educate and inspire their community.

 

"REPAIR" was created in response to the community support of "RELEASE," which focused on the stories of formerly incarcerated women. Each of the three performances of "RELEASE" was attended by 80–100 people, most of whom stayed for the powerful talk-backs after each performance.

 

"Following the remarkable success of 'RELEASE,' which gave formerly incarcerated women a platform to share their stories, we eagerly anticipate experiencing 'REPAIR' with our male clients," Cornwell said. "The power of storytelling is extraordinary, especially when these narratives are brought to life on stage in such a compelling way."

 

"REPAIR" is created, produced and facilitated by co-directors Amy Brentano and Sara Katzoff, a collaborative team of devised theater makers who have created together for over a decade. As directors, educators and playwrights, they were also the creators of "RELEASE." Brentano is artistic producing director of The Foundry, a multi-disciplinary performance venue in West Stockbridge, while Katzoff is a freelance theater director and professor of theater at Bard College at Simon's Rock.

 

"As theater artists who have been invited into the community served by Second Street Second Chances, we are continually humbled by the tenacity and resilience of the men who have stepped forward to share their stories with humor, courage and generosity," Brentano and Katzoff said. "It has been a privilege to be invited in to listen, to learn and to facilitate the process of activating the transformative power of theater to tell these stories of 'REPAIR.'"

 

"REPAIR" is a companion to "Using Our Outside Voices," a collection of poetry, short fiction and other literary work by presently or formerly incarcerated individuals in Berkshire County planned for publication later this year, and "Insight Out," a juried exhibition of visual art created by presently or formerly incarcerated individuals in Berkshire County held at the Berkshire Museum in September 2023.

 

2nd Street acknowledges the financial and in-kind support of this project provided by Berkshire Community College; Berkshire Bank; Feigenbaum Foundation; Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation's Arts Build Community initiative with funding from the Barr Foundation; James and Irene Hunter Family Fund; First Avenue Fund; St. John's Episcopal Church of Williamstown; and The Foundry.