Triplex Cinema Hires Amy Handelsman as Executive Director

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Triplex Cinema has hired Amy Handelsman as its Executive Director. 
 
Handelsman has assumed her new position and will oversee all aspects of Triplex operations.
 
Nicki Wilson, President of the Triplex Board of Directors, stated that Handelsman's experience will be an asset to the Triplex.
 
"We are thrilled to have someone with such a wide range of experience join the ‘new’ Triplex as our first Executive Director. We have accomplished so much since we reopened 15 months ago and we look forward to Amy’s leadership to take us further in the coming years," she said.
 
Wilson also stated that completing the restoration of the fourth screen is a major goal for the coming year. This restoration will allow the Triplex to offer more films and thematic programming. Handelsman will lead the fundraising and development efforts for this project and other projects.
 
Handelsman's background includes serving as the Managing Director of Shakespeare & Co. in Lenox and experience in business development, strategic planning, fundraising, marketing, and fiscal and operational matters at arts-oriented non-profits.
 
Handelsman's prior experience includes working as a story analyst for Warner Bros., United Artists, and Paramount Pictures, and developing and producing movies for CBS, FOX, HBO, and Showtime.
 
Handelsman said she is looking forward to joining the staff and Board of Directors at the Triplex and continuing the work of providing "movies for all." She also stated that there are plans to create a cultural hub with readings, live music, art exhibitions, and a redesigned outdoor patio.
 
"I am so excited to be joining the dedicated and talented staff and Board of Directors at the Triplex, and to continue the work of the larger community in providing 'movies for all.' We have great plans in the works to create a true cultural hub. In addition to the stimulating programming and talkbacks, we'll have readings, live music, art exhibitions, and festive evenings on a newly designed outdoor patio. As we expand, we welcome the continued support of our valued patrons," Handelsman said.
 
Handelsman will work with Ben Elliott, Triplex Creative Director, to continue offering diverse cinema programming. Current screenings include a celebration of the life of David Lynch and " '75 at 50," a year-long look at films released in 1975. The Triplex will also continue partnerships with local organizations, including Jacob’s Pillow, The Berkshire Coop, No Comply Foods, Boondocks Film Society, and Temple Ahavath Sholom.
 
Triplex Cinema, Inc., is a 501(c)3 non-profit that provides film entertainment, including first-run, independent, foreign language, classic, children’s, and documentary films. The Triplex also showcases locally produced films and thematic programming and partners with schools and local non-profits for community programming.
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Great Barrington Unveils 9/11 Memorial Featuring World Trade Center Steel

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — A piece of history will now stand in front of the Great Barrington Fire Department, serving as a lasting reminder of the courage, sacrifice, and heroism of those who rushed in, stepped forward, and answered the call on Sept. 11, 2001.
 
Hundreds of community members gathered outside the Fire Department for the unveiling of a 9/11 memorial featuring a steel I-beam salvaged from the wreckage of the World Trade Center.
 
The monument marks the 25th anniversary of the terrorist attacks, and its effect reached far and wide beyond New York, said Deputy Fire Chief James Mead.
 
"There are moments in our lives that become markers of time. Moments when we remember not only what happened, but where we were, who was beside us, and how the world somehow felt different afterwards," Town Manager Liz Hartsgrove said. 
 
"For those of us who experienced September 11, 2001 — it is one of those moments for us to share."
 
The acquisition of the beam was a multi-year effort initiated by the late Andy Moro, former commander of American Legion Post 298 in Housatonic, and was carried on by the Legion's second vice commander, John Morris. 
 
Morris said he was able to obtain the warped steel I-beam through connections he made during his time as a New York City firefighter.
 
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