Continuing the evolution of the Berkshire Theatre Group (BTG) into the area’s largest multi-disciplinary cultural organization, Kate Maguire, CEO and Artistic Director has confirmed the news that Michael McDonald will be passing the gavel of the BTG Board of Trustees on to Ruth Blodgett. McDonald who helped facilitate the merger between the Colonial Theatre and the Berkshire Theatre Festival assures the continuity of the new entity as the leader takes her position. She will serve a one year term.
Ms. Blodgett was appointed Senior Vice President, Berkshire Health Services Planning and Development in July of 2001. She is responsible for long-range planning, marketing strategies, program development, community outreach and partnership development on behalf of BHS.
Blodgett previously served as Berkshire Medical Center’s Chief Operating Officer from 1995-2001, responsible for the operations of the hospital and affiliates including home care and physician companies. Prior to becoming Chief Operating Officer, Blodgett was Vice President for Ambulatory Care and other hospital services from 1987-1995. She began her career in healthcare planning and market analysis. Blodgett was also the 2010 recipient of the Berkshire Business & Professional Women’s “Woman of Achievement” award.
Blodgett earned a Master of Business Administration degree in Health Administration with a concentration in Marketing and Finance from the University of Chicago (1986). She has a Bachelor’s degree from Smith College (1982). She is originally from Swampscott, MA where she attended the Pingree School.
About Berkshire Theatre Group
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 helm 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 on three stages in Stockbridge, MA and Pittsfield, MA. The Fitzpatrick Main Stage (408 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 (800 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. Together they serve over 100,000 patrons per year and reach over 10,000 students through their educational and outreach programs. For more information on BTF call (413) 298-5536 and on The Colonial call (413) 448-8084. To purchase tickets, call (413) 997-4444 or (413) 298-5576 or go online to www.berkshiretheatre.org or www.thecolonialtheatre.org.
