MCLA's MOSAIC Presents 'ReWritten'

NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) and its public arts program, MOSAIC, will present "ReWritten," a multimedia dance-theater performance exploring the complex relationship between authors Herman Melville and Nathaniel Hawthorne.

The production will take place at MCLA's Venable Theater on Feb. 28 at 7 p.m. and March 1 at 2 p.m.

Blending dance, live music, visual art, projection, and theater, "ReWritten" reimagines an intergenerational queer love story through the lens of Melville and Hawthorne's remaining letters and literary influence. The performance explores themes of longing, artistic inspiration, and societal expectations.

Created and performed by dance artists Matthew Cumbie and Tom Truss, the show also features award-winning composer and bassist Summer Kodama, projection design by Roma Flowers, and scenic and lighting design by MOSAIC Director Jeremy Winchester.

Developed over four years, "ReWritten" has been shaped by residencies and collaborations with Berkshire arts organizations, including Arrowhead/Berkshire Historical Society, The Adams Theatre, and Berkshire Pulse.

Tickets are $10 for the general public, $5 for MCLA alumni, and free for current MCLA students, faculty, and staff. More information and ticket purchases are available at www.mcla.edu/mosaic.

Clarksburg Students Write in Support of Rural School Aid

By Tammy DanielsiBerkshires Staff
07:25AM / Sunday, March 15, 2026

Mason Langenback calculated that Clarksburg would get almost $1 million if the $60 million was allocated equally.

CLARKSBURG, Mass. — Eighth-graders at Clarksburg School took a lesson in civic advocacy this week, researching school funding and writing letters to Beacon Hill that call for fully funding rural school aid. 

 

The students focused on the hardships for small rural schools and their importance to the community — that they struggle with limited funding and teacher shortages, but offer safe and supportive spaces for learning and are a hub for community connections.

 

"They all address the main issue, the funding for rural schools, and how there's a gap, and there's the $4 million gap this year, and then it's about the $40 million next year, and that rural schools need that equitable funding," said social studies teacher Mark Karhan.

 

A rural schools report in 2022 found smaller school districts cost from nearly 17 percent to 23 percent more to operate, and recommended "at least" $60 million be appropriated annually for rural school aid. 

 

Gov. Maura Healey has filed for more Chapter 70 school aid, but that often is little help to small rural schools with declining or static enrollment. For fiscal 2027, she's budgeted $20 million for rural schools, up from around $13 million this year but still far below the hoped for $60 million. 

 

Karhan said the class was broken into four groups and the students were provided a submission letter from Rural Schools Advocacy. The students used the first paragraph, which laid out the funding facts, and then did research and wrote their own letters. 

 

They will submit those with a school picture to the governor.