Lenox Public Schools Celebrates the 25th Anniversary of the Duffin Theater

LENOX — From film festivals to fashion shows, lectures, plays, concerts, robotics tournaments, school assemblies, Town Meetings, and even a wedding, the Duffin Theater in Lenox has been a hub of cultural and community activity in the Berkshires for 25 years.

What started as a controversial project in the 1990s because of its $1.1 million price tag, the 500-person, handicapped-accessible, air-conditioned theater quickly became a draw for the Lenox school system, a treasured community gathering place and fundraising tool for organizations.

The theater, located at the Lenox Memorial Middle High School and dedicated to the late Dennis Jay Duffin, a beloved community leader, is now celebrating its 25th season.

“We had to convince people to vote for it,” said state Rep. William “Smitty” Pignatelli, who served on the Lenox Board of Selectmen at the time. “In hindsight, it’s probably one of the best things the town has ever done. It has enhanced the community tremendously and it’s more than served its purpose as a benefit and attraction.’’

The theater celebrated its vibrant past with anniversary events over the past few months, including a summer showcase, said Ryan Bannen, the Duffin’s manager.

Bannen hopes the event brought back fond memories and reminded the community of the theater’s potential. The COVID pandemic took its toll on live performances and gatherings, so Bannen is eager to see the theater once again packed with events throughout the year.

“This past weekend, we invited different community members and organizations that have used this space in the past to do a scene, or a skit or a song,” he said. “There is so much that happens in that space. There is really something for everyone.’’

The Albany Berkshire Ballet, Olga Dunn Dance Company, LMMHS’ Poorly Timed Sneeze Improv Group, and others performed at the celebratory event.

Bannen also included members of Duffin’s family in the celebration.

As a selectman, Pignatelli suggested dedicating the theater in Duffin’s name based on his lifelong service to the town and schools. The theater was dedicated on Oct. 11, 1998, four years after Duffin passed away.

Deirdre Swindlehurst, one of Duffin’s eight children, said the honor was fitting given her father’s contribution to the community. Duffin was a local business owner, who served on the Board of Selectman and School Committee.

He was a past president of the Kiwanis Club and the Central Berkshire Jaycees and was active in the Junior Miss and the Sing Out Lenox programs. Duffin was elected to the Massachusetts House of Representatives in 1970 and kept the seat until 1982.

“He was such a known figure in the community for his generosity and love of Lenox,” Swindlehurst said. “It’s rare to find people who give so much on a volunteer basis.”

Duffin died in 1994; his wife, Anne Marie died six months later.

Swindlehurst said six of Duffin’s children live in the Berkshires, including two in Lenox. Several family members attended the school and have enjoyed seeing the Duffin name on the theater.

Swindlehurst, a ballet teacher, has been in the theater many times herself for recitals.

“It just means a lot to my family,” she said. “It’s a beautiful theater and it’s been great for the whole town to have that gathering place.’’

Over the past 25 years, the Duffin has hosted the annual Town Meeting, community meetings about the Housatonic River cleanup, 9/11 ceremonies, fundraisers for the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires, and productions by the renowned Shakespeare & Co., said Albert Saldarini who served as the Duffin’s manager for 20 years.

It has held regional Lego robotics tournaments, a reunion of the legendary Music Inn of Stockbridge and of course school events such as fashion shows, concerts, musicals, plays and assemblies.

Saldarini, the manager from 1999 to 2020, said he took pride in helping ensure Duffin events went off flawlessly. He said the robotics tournaments were among his favorites.

“I enjoyed the youth and energy of the Berkshires Robotics Challenge,” he said. “It was a well-oiled machine, and the enthusiasm of the kids was intense. As the years went on, it got better and better.’’

Another popular event has been the annual concert organized by the Jewish Federation of the Berkshires.

Dara Kaufman, the federation’s executive director, said the fundraiser draws spectators from all over the region.

“It’s a wonderful space that allows us to celebrate our culture and heritage through music,” Kaufman said. “There really isn’t another space like it in Berkshire County. You have the acoustics, layout and ability to bring in such a large crowd.’’

Kaufman said the concert typically raises a significant amount of money, which in recent years has supported the Anti-Defamation League’s anti-bias training programs in Berkshire County.

People from all over the country visit Lenox each summer to attend the Berkshire Jewish Film Festival, which is held Monday nights at the Duffin, said Margery Metzger, the festival’s director. The festival was previously held outside, which meant films could only be shown when it was dark enough.

“We’ve been able to do a matinee and an evening show, so it was a great boon for the film festival,” Metzger said, noting that the theater’s accessibility has been particularly important for the festival’s audience.

Metzger said they’ve had special events for the 20th anniversary of the film festival, including a performance by Joshua Nelson, a Jewish gospel singer, and the 30th, with a showing of Charlie Chaplin’s “The Great Dictator.’’

Bannen, the current Duffin manager who was hired in July of 2023, said there is much to celebrate about the theater’s past, but he is also excited about its future.

He’s created Facebook and Instagram accounts to publicize the theater and its events and is working to keep technology current.

“I see making updates to bring the Duffin into the modern age so it’s more versatile and capable for even more events and productions,” Bannen said. “It’s important because this theater is very unique to Lenox and the Berkshire County area.”