We believe theater is an essential aspect of society and the development of culture, that theater helps build awareness, enlightenment and compassion for everyone.
We are committed to inclusion and equity, to building and nurturing a diverse, thriving community We practice and uphold core principles of anti-racism, equity and accessibility.
We challenge ourselves and recognize our responsibility to remove boundaries, increase community understanding and awareness.
We apply the highest principles to company practices, policies and programs and look for opportunities to undertake positive action against prejudice, racism, sexism, misinformation and the denigration of human dignity.
We prioritize anti-racism, gender inclusion, equality for all and economic justice, knowing these principles sustain our art and work.
WHO WE ARE
Jim Frangione
Jim Frangione
(founder/Artistic Director)
Jim Frangione is a founder and co-Artistic Director of Great Barrington Public Theater. He’s directed the premieres of Mark St. Germain’s plays Dad and Public Speaking 101; Will Lebow’s solo play, The Bard The Beat The Blues and the east coast premiere of David Mamet’s play, The Christopher Boy’s Communion. He directed Mamet’s Romance at Wellfleet Harbor Actors Theater; Seriously Funny: An Evening of Shorts by Mamet, Shel Silverstein and Harold Pinter at the Harvard/ART Institute for Advanced Theater Training; and Lady Randy by Anne Undeland. He was co-Artistic Director of Berkshire Playwrights Lab for ten years, directing and developing many new plays. Jim’s play Breakwater was first produced by GBPT and his play, Flight of The Monarch was produced by Gloucester Stage and at Shakespeare & Company. He’s acted in many plays with NYC’s Atlantic Theater, in National Tours, on Broadway and in regional theaters such as The Alley Theatre, The Mark Taper Forum, Long Wharf Theatre, the Humana Festival, Berkshire Theatre Festival and Shakespeare & Company. He’s appeared in the films: Joy, Transamerica, Spartan, Heist, State and Main, The Spanish Prisoner, Homicide, Suits, Claire Dolan and Maryam. Jim is an award-winning audiobook narrator performing over 400 titles.
Judy Braha
Judyt braha
(founder/Artistic Director)
Judy Braha is Artistic Director of Great Barrington Public Theater in the beautiful Berkshires, dedicated to the development and production of new works for the theater. She has been a director, teacher and arts advocate for over four decades. Long-time Head of the M.F.A. Directing Program at Boston University College of Fine Arts, her credits include theaters, prisons and universities throughout New England. With Andre de Quadros, Judy proudly taught for the BU Prison Arts Initiative and Race Prison Justice Arts. Recent Directing: Madame Mozart, the Lacrimosa, Things I Know To Be True, Mr.Fullerton, Dog People (GBPT), Representation and How To Get It (touring to a historic venue near you), The Exonerated, Our Class, Shakespeare In Love (BU/SOT), Mr. Fullerton, Between the Sheets, To Kill A Mockingbird (Gloucester Stage), Golda’s Balcony (New Rep), Flight of the Monarch (Shakespeare+Co.).
Deann Simmons Halper
Deann Simmons Halper
(FOUNDER / PRODUCing director)
Deann works as an actor, director, and producer. Most recently in the Berkshire area she appeared as Elmira in QWERTY at Mixed Company; Paulina Salas in Death and the Maiden at New Stage, Collette in Four Dogs and a Bone with Berkshire Actors Theatre, Jayne in The Attic, The Pearls and Three Fine Girls with WAM Theatre; Roz in Season by Season and Margery in Zara Spook and Other Lures both written by Joan Ackermann and Man’s Best Friend by Linda Josephs. She has numerous Off-Broadway and regional credits including Eva Ruby in Camelot's Ruby at Bank Street Theatre; Sandy in Paper Tigers at the Arc Light Theatre; Gwen Landis in Fifth of July and Viazaphuhrika in Strider, both opposite Tony Award winner Joe Mantello at the Roger L. Stevens Centre; Mom/Margaret in Love and Happiness and multiple characters in The Laramie Project at Barrington Stage Company; Karen/Muriel/Norma in Plaza Suite, Emily Dickinson in The Belle of Amherst and Vera in Mame all at TriArts' Sharon Playhouse; The Amish Project, Talking With, Sylvia, Galatea, Dear Liar and various other productions with the Aglet Theatre Company. Deann has produced several New York and Regional productions including the OBIE nominated Incommunicado and The Vagina Monologues. She has served on the Boards of Directors for Circle Rep, New York Stage and Film, TriArts' Sharon Playhouse, Barrington Stage Company and Berkshire Playwrights Lab; and is currently on the Board of Directors for Space on Ryder Farm and Board of Visitors at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts where she received her theatre training.
Serena Johnson
Serena Johnson
(Managing Director)
Serena Johnson brings over a decade of experience in fundraising and non-profit consulting to the Great Barrington Public Theater. A former performer with a degree in voice from Cal State University Northridge, Serena shifted to non-profit management post-college. She played a key role in establishing fundraising infrastructure for organizations like Glendale Arts, 18th Street Arts Center, and, most notably, Antaeus Theater Company.
At Antaeus, Serena contributed significantly to closing a $3 million capital campaign for a new theater in Glendale, CA. In 2021, she moved to the Berkshires and is now excited to be back working in the theater community with Great Barrington Public Theater. Serena's practical experience in building fundraising systems and her enduring support for the arts make her an asset to the Berkshires' cultural community. Her journey reflects a dedicated commitment to sustaining and advancing cultural institutions, showcasing a blend of passion and professional expertise.
Alyssa O’Connor
Alyssa o’Connor
(marketing Manager)
Aly O’Connor is thrilled to be part of the Great Barrington Public Theater team as their Marketing Manager. A Berkshire native, Aly is very excited to be back in the area after living in New York and New Jersey for the last 15 years. After high school, she moved to NYC to study Theater for a year at Marymount Manhattan College, and then went on to received a BA in Culture and Media Studies from Eugene Lang College at the New School University. After graduation, Aly worked at Nickelodeon for almost a decade, working her way up from an intern to Writer/Producer in their Creative Marketing department. There she worked on live tentpole events such as the Halo Awards, World Wide Day of Play, and the Kid’s Choice Awards, as well as many show launches, and countless series campaigns. Alongside her team, she won many awards for their promotional content over the years. After Nick, Aly went on to work on the agency side of the industry, getting the opportunity to Write and Produce work for AMC, CBS, Syfy, Food Network, and more. There she built full promotional campaigns, honed her Social Media skills, and created more original content than ever before. She joined GBPT at the very end of 2025 and is grateful for the opportunity to return to her Theater and hometown roots.