Shakespeare & Company names Executive Director
Lenox— Shakespeare & Company announces the appointment of Molly Merrihew as the organization’s new Executive Director, following a national search. Merrihew will partner with Artistic Director Allyn Burrows to guide the organization’s programs and operational work, as it approaches its 50th anniversary.
For Merrihew, the role marks a return to Shakespeare & Company, where earlier in her career, she spent eight years in marketing and public relations before joining WAM Theatre, where she ultimately served as Managing Director. Merrihew holds a master’s degree in Arts Administration from Boston University and an undergraduate degree from SUNY Potsdam, along with a Graduate Certificate in Human Resources from Cornell University, and brings more than 15 years of experience in nonprofit theater and the broader arts sector. Most recently, Molly completed the Transformational Leadership Program for Non-Profit Leaders at the Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health.
“We are truly thrilled to welcome Molly back to the Shakespeare & Company team in an even more robust capacity as Executive Director,” said Burrows. “Molly knows the company well, and she brings a crucial skill set to help steward us toward new horizons.”
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Norman Rockwell Museum appoints Director and CEO
Stockbridge— Norman Rockwell Museum announced the appointment of Graham C. Boettcher, Ph.D., as the Museum’s new Director and CEO, following a national search.
Boettcher comes to the museum following a transformative, 20-year tenure at the Birmingham Museum of Art (BMA), where he has served as the R. Hugh Daniel Director and CEO since 2017. Boettcher earned his Ph.D. and M.Phil. in the History of Art from Yale University, where his research focused on the politics of family and nation in antebellum American art. He also holds an M.A. from the University of Washington and a B.A. from Yale. An active member of the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), he has served on numerous national committees and boards, reinforcing his reputation as a trusted and respected voice in the global museum community.
Boettcher earned his Ph.D. and M.Phil. in the History of Art from Yale University, where his research focused on the politics of family and nation in antebellum American art. He also holds an M.A. from the University of Washington and a B.A. from Yale. An active member of the Association of Art Museum Directors (AAMD), he has served on numerous national committees and boards, reinforcing his reputation as a trusted and respected voice in the global museum community.
Boettcher has dedicated much of his career to exploring how visual storytelling shapes civic values and American identity. His specific expertise in the work of Norman Rockwell is well-established; in 2012, he curated the Birmingham presentation of “Norman Rockwell’s America” and organized the concurrent exhibitions “Norman Rockwell and Coca-Cola: Two American Classics” and “The Golden Age: American Illustration from the Collection of the BMA.”
“Illustration is ‘the people’s art,’ providing a critical lens through which we might better understand our nation’s ideals, aspirations, and contradictions,” said Boettcher. “As an artist responding to a period of rapid social, political, and technological change, Rockwell’s work is more relevant than ever.”
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WAM Theatre promotes Managing Director
Lenox— WAM Theatre announced the promotion of Erin Patrick from General Manager into the role of Managing Director. In close partnership with Artistic Director Genée Coreno, Patrick will oversee WAM’s production management and daily operations.
Patrick brings an expertise in both theatre administration and business management to her position at WAM. She has worked extensively as a stage manager, production and operations manager, and theatre educator in the Berkshires and nationally, and for the last 10 years, has been on faculty at Westfield State University. Patrick’s business acumen was developed and sharpened as the owner of multiple restaurants and hospitality businesses for over a decade. She holds a BA in Theatre and English from the State University of New York at Oneonta and an MFA in Stage Management from the University of Iowa.
“I am so proud to be able to step into leadership at WAM at this key moment of growth and deepening for the organization,” said Erin Patrick, Incoming Managing Director. “Now more than ever it feels vital to engage deeply in amplifying women’s voices and investing in women’s vision, opportunity, and leadership. I believe the team at WAM is uniquely positioned to carry that mission forward into our new chapter.”
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Greylock promotes Chief Growth Officer
Pittsfield— Greylock Federal Credit Union announced the promotion of Jodi Rathbun-Briggs to Chief Growth Officer, overseeing business banking, consumer and residential mortgage lending, retail services, digital experience, branch network performance, loan servicing, facilities, and community development portfolios.
Rathbun-Briggs began her career with Greylock in 2010. She additionally serves as Treasurer for Common Capital, a community development financial institution (CDFI) that provides access to loans, and on the 1Berkshire Foundation board of directors.
“Every decision we make at Greylock Federal Credit Union starts and ends with our members. In this role, I’m looking forward to listening — really listening — to what our members need, and building the products, services, and experiences that help them buy their first home, grow their business, or simply feel more financially confident. Growth means nothing if it doesn’t translate directly into better outcomes for the people we serve,” said Rathbun-Briggs.
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Avaloch Lodge reopens
Lenox— Avaloch Lodge, located at 10 Richmond Mountain Road in Lenox, has announced its official reopening of its Lodge guest rooms.
The winter refresh of the Lodge guest rooms include new blackout curtains, Annie Selke rugs, added shelving to the bathrooms, full-length mirrors, in-room benches, ceiling-mounted Noguchi-style lights, wall-mounted bedside sconces for reading, a modern table with two chairs, and the replacement of queen size beds with King-size beds.
The hallways have also received new carpeting and light fixtures, plus a fresh coat of paint, and one of the former guest rooms has been converted into a lounge with freshly brewed coffee in the morning and a Keurig all day, an ice machine, a refrigerator, and a microwave, and a TV area with a signature DVD collection. Breakfast boxes filled with pastries, fruit, yogurt, and local granola will be available, as well as a Tanglewood golf cart service.
The Main House, including the Ostrich Room, will remain under construction for the summer with additional plans for a café, an event space, a front office, and more.
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Gateways Inn Restaurant reopens
Lenox— Gateways Inn, located at 51 Walker Street in Lenox, has reopened its restaurant doors with a brand new food and beverage menu, plus a series of special events tailored to food and wine enthusiasts looking for a memorable culinary experience.
Gateways Inn has long enjoyed a leading reputation as a culinary destination in the Berkshires. Of its several owners over the years as an inn and a restaurant, most notable were Lillian and Gerhardt Schmid. At the time, Schmid held the distinction as the only chef in the United States to hold a Michelin star. During this time, Gateways served as the site for Norman Rockwell’s standing Thursday lunch club, the Marching and Chowder Society. Unveiling a new European cuisine menu with a French flair, the Gateways Inn sources only the best ingredients from the Berkshires area whenever possible, and offers nightly food and beverage specials to guests and visitors.
“We are so pleased to be opening our restaurant for business under the leadership of our highly regarded Executive Chef, Jeremy Berlin, who has been on numerous Michelin Star winning teams, including positions under the Gordon Ramsay Group and at Le Bernardin among others,” said Max Scherff, VP of Hospitality at Mill Town Capital. “Master Bartender, Andrey Matseyev, joins the Gateways Inn this year bringing his extensive experience in Bar Design and Beverage Programs, including time with the award winning Daniel Boulud team. We can’t wait for our guests to experience the incredible menus and beverages masterfully developed by our culinary team at the Gateways Inn.”
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Berdy Cheramy receives RSYP scholarship
Great Barrington— Berdy Cheramy has been named the 2026 Railroad Street Youth Project (RSYP) Railroad Street Youth Student Empowerment (RYSE) scholarship recipient.
Berdy Cheramy is a leader in his friend group, a track star, a caring friend, and someone who says yes to things and pursues opportunities passionately. He’ll be attending college in the fall – the first in his family to do so – where he plans to study computer science. “The RYSE scholarship will alleviate many of the worries related to tuition, materials, and other costs,” Berdy said. “It will not only help me financially but also provide a significant emotional and moral boost, enabling me to invest more confidently in my academic future.”
RYSE was founded in 2017 to provide a safe and supportive space for students to explore their options after high school. Youth who successfully complete the program are eligible to apply for a $20,000 scholarship that can be used over the next four years. Cheramy was selected to be this year’s recipient. There are still a few tickets available to the Culinary Arts Apprenticeship Dinner on May 20th, where Cheramy and other local youth will be celebrated.
