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At long last, spring is here in Great Barrington. While the Mahaiwe does not stop for winter – and there's plenty to share from the last few months – the feeling of reawakening in the Berkshires is palpable. Warmer weather brings busier schedules, and both our historic theater and the Indigo Room are here to keep up. Whether it's Saturday on the mainstage or a movie night to break up the week, the arts feed the soul, and it is time to replenish. But first! Catch up on the latest news and backstage updates here in The Note Exchange, below.
—Team Mahaiwe
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Familiar Faces, New Roles
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Last issue of The Note Exchange announced a big transition for the Mahaiwe Board of Directors; in February, Sheila Parekh-Blum officially became Board Chair. At the same meeting, incumbent members Jamie DuMont and Jeff Lynch were appointed co-vice chair and clerk, respectively.
Parekh-Blum, DuMont, and Lynch assume these roles from Margaret Deutsch, Mandy Victor-Pieczarka, and Ron Ashendorf, all of whom remain on the board as active members.
We extend our deepest thanks to Margaret, Mandy, and Ron for their invaluable leadership over the years, and look forward to what's ahead!
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The Mahaiwe Team thanked outgoing Board Chair Margaret Deutsch with a familiar cityscape painted by Marge Bride
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Mahaiwe staff on hand for Billy Goats Gruff & Other Tales
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Every winter is host to at least one School-time Field Trip at the Mahaiwe, where area students come together for an educational program by a touring production company. The theater erupts with energy, as youth fill the chamber with enthusiasm and laughter. Even Mahaiwe administrative staff join the fun, leaving the office behind for posts at bus stops – desktops traded for walkie-talkies to help coordinate logistics.
This February, Mermaid Theatre of Novia Scotia brought two performances of their show Billy Goats Gruff & Other Tales to the youngest audiences of the Mahaiwe. Bright, geometrical set designs provided backdrop for live puppetry that celebrated foundational themes like friendship and bravery.
One performance specifically featured sensory-friendly aspects to accommodate processing sensitivities. Local nonprofit Families Like Ours joined for the show, sharing photos and reflections on Facebook.
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Families Like Ours' post on Facebook
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Headlining music act Black Violin. Photo by Sandra West Photography.
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Among the audience for hip-hop/classical duo Black Violin in February were students from Kids 4 Harmony, a music education wing of the nonprofit 18 Degrees.
Kids 4 Harmony's Assistant Artistic Director En-Ting Hsu shared feedback:
"Thank you again for your generosity — the students truly enjoyed the concert so much. It was such a meaningful experience for them, and we are deeply grateful for the opportunity."
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"Thank you very much for such a FUN night! My husband and I don't get out as much as we used to... We bought our tickets early, we LOVE the Mahaiwe and the evening did not disappoint!"
— Better Than Ezra attendee Shauna D.
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Programming Picks
Straight from the staff
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"I'm really looking forward to the Railroad Earth show. Great songwriting and a really polished band. They have a good following, but I always felt like they never get the recognition they really deserve. They are much more than just a bluegrass band, but I think if you enjoyed our Dan Tyminski, Old Crow Medicine Show, or Del McCoury concerts, you should come check this one out. You'll have to try really hard to not have a good time at this show!"
—Michael Beuth,
Senior Manager of Programming and Booking
Railroad Earth
May 9
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"Zarna Garg is my Staff Pick! Her comedy is laugh-out-loud funny and brilliantly insightful. There’s nothing better than seeing American culture reflected back by an immigrant who’s lived it, questioned it, and ultimately chose citizenship. Her observations on politics, social norms, and capitalism are smart, bold, and endlessly funny."
—Gabrielle Senza,
Box Office & Theater Assistant
Zarna Garg
June 19
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"Mahaiwe audiences have had more than one opportunity to soak in the nimble talents of Béla Fleck. This time around, his virtuosity will be matched by Edmar Castañeda and Antonio Sánchez, all three of whom play instruments you may not know you love, especially in combination (banjo, harp, and drum) until you see this don't-miss show."
—Janis Martinson,
Executive Director
BEATrio: Béla Fleck, Edmar Castañeda & Antonio Sánchez
June 27
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Of Many Talents
The Mahaiwe's 2026 Gala Performer, Anthony Roth Costanzo, makes headlines
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Mahaiwe staff also recommend this new article about Anthony Roth Costanzo, published in the Princeton Alumni Weekly. The piece offers a glimpse at what makes Costanzo stand out — not only is he an active opera singer in his prime, he is also an arts admin executive leading a company out of uncertainty with bold and inclusive initiatives.
Gala dinner packages and performance-only tickets for the Mahaiwe's August 2 event are available at mahaiwe.org/gala.
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A Big Thank You to All the Mahaiwe's Funders
and Community Partners!
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School-time field trips are made possible by the support of Mahaiwe partners
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In these first few months of 2026, the Mahaiwe was proud to receive funding from Adams Community Bank, Beacon Bank Foundation, Berkshire Money Management, Bulkley Richardson, Lee Bank Foundation, NBT Bank, and Price Chopper's Golub Foundation for our Performing Arts Education Program, which supports field trip programs to the Mahaiwe.
We thank the funders who support the Partnering with Latinx Communities Program and its Spanish-language Community Advisory Network (SCAN), now in its sixth year: the Avangrid Foundation, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation's Arts Build Community Initiative, Greylock Federal Credit Union, and the Dr. Robert C. and Tina Sohn Foundation.
The Mahaiwe also received funding from the Avangrid Foundation and the Fairfield County's Community Foundation for the Mahaiwe's Leonhardt Community Access Fund.
The Mahaiwe is honored to receive renewed support from the Barr Foundation, Beacon Bank Foundation, The Feigenbaum Foundation, the Geoffrey C. Hughes Foundation, and the Massachusetts Cultural Council. These generous Season Sponsors help fund year-round operations and programming.
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The ball keeps rolling in 2026. Our Digital Playbill is a one-stop shop for everything going on this year – and it's filled to the brim!
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Time for Tickets
A friendly PSA
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Note to ticket buyers: Please be wary of third-party resellers. Valid tickets to events at the Mahaiwe are only sold through our official channels (mahaiwe.org, our Box Office phone, or in-person at the window) and, occasionally, in conjunction with our rental partners.
Any tickets purchased through third-party, non-Mahaiwe resale channels (StubHub, SeatGeek, Facebook Marketplace, etc.) are often listed at inflated prices and may not be valid and/or legitimate.
While we will make reasonable efforts to honor third-party tickets, we cannot guarantee pricing accuracy, transfer validity, or resolve disputes for tickets purchased outside our official platform.
To avoid overpaying or complications, always make sure to double-check the website you are using says "mahaiwe.org" in the URL before finalizing your purchase. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us directly.
With that said, we look forward to seeing you soon and hope you enjoy the next show!
—Team Mahaiwe
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Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
14 & 20 Castle Street
Great Barrington, MA 01230
Mahaiwe Box Office Hours:
Wednesday through Saturday from 12pm to 4pm
413-528-0100 | mahaiwe.org
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