Barrington Stage Company, which opens their 2011 schedule on June 15 with Guys and Dolls, has named Michelle Clarkin the new Director of Development and added Jim Benson to the Board of Trustees.
Great Barrington resident Michelle Clarkin returns to Barrington Stage Company as Director of Development, a post she held from 2008-2010. Michelle returns to the company after working in Smith College’s Advancement Office as a Major Gifts Officer for the last year. Michelle also serves on the Board of the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts and has more than seven years of fundraising experience in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
“I am thrilled that Michelle Clarkin has once again joined the BSC team. Her knowledge of the Berkshire community and our audience will be extremely valuable to BSC. She is the right person to guide our fundraising efforts, with a special emphasis on creating an endowment.” BSC Artistic Director Julianne Boyd
Pittsfield resident Jim Benson joins the Board of Trustees following his January appointment as the Chair of Barrington Stage’s Community Advisory Board, a committee comprised of local community members. Local restaurateur Jim Benson is active in his support of the arts and the local creative economy. Mission Bar and Tapas has helped bring much needed vibrancy to the downtown nightlife scene. Jim has used Mission as a platform to showcase music and spoken word and to launch the Word X Word Festival which is held throughout downtown Pittsfield, including the Barrington Stage Mainstage, every August.
“We are really happy at Barrington Stage that Jim Benson had joined our Board. He is a leader in the Pittsfield/Berkshire community who has a vision of what the future holds and the steps we will need to take to get there.” – BSC Board President MaryAnn Quinson