The Berkshire Theatre Critics Association will celebrate the region’s theatrical achievements at its 10th annual Berkshire Theatre Awards, known as the Berkies, on Monday, Nov. 9, at 7 p.m. at Shakespeare & Company’s Tina Packer Playhouse in Lenox, Mass. Sharon Playhouse received six nominations, including scenic design and choreography for “Swingtime Canteen,” acting honors for Savannah Stevenson and Michael F. McGuirk in “42nd Street,” and outstanding ensemble performance for “Come From Away.” Call 413-769-8306 for reservations.
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Students in Housatonic’s AP Literature class traveled to Hartford on Wednesday, Oct. 28, to see a live production of Dracula at the Hartford Stage theater. The production is a reimagining of the classic Bram Stoker tale arranged by playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm.
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Housatonic girls soccer players celebrate their win against Lakeview in the final game of the Rivalry Night series at home on Oct. 23.
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Housatonic senior and team captain Carmela Egan was excited by the team’s performance despite losing two players to an FFA trip, with one being a starting team captain.
For the third year in a row, Housatonic continues to keep its annual “Rivalry Night” tradition going with Lakeview High School, where the boys and girls play double header games under the lights. Currently, two Rivalry Nights take place each sports season, with each one held at Lakeview and Housatonic on separate nights.
“Rivalry night was so awesome,” Egan said, referring to the game at Lakeview. “We kept playing hard and after the first two goals we were just on fire and so hyped up. We play really well with big crowds and under pressure, I think it’s when we perform best.”
The first Rivalry Night game took place at Lakeview’s soccer field on Oct. 3. Housy won with a final score of 3-0.
Sophomore varsity starter Lainey Diorio said the rivalry night games were some of her favorites every season. “I think they’re so fun,” Diorio said. “All the people are there, from Housy and from Lakeview and everyone is cheering you on, and it’s just a good environment.”
After the big win at Lakeview, Housatonic hosted the longtime rival on Oct. 23. Despite the cold temperatures — with lows around 30 degrees — the girls kept their record and ended the game with a final score of 3-1.
While the girls were up 3-0, Lakeview had scored a goal toward the end of the game.“You could tell that we were tired when they scored on us,” Egan said.
Housy girls soccer players huddle before a game.Provided
The victories come at a time when the team is rebuilding following the departure of some key players last year.
The team’s current roster has made a special effort to maintain consistency after star players Madeline Mechare and Ava Segalla graduated last spring, Diorio said.
“I think we’ve come to adapt to it,” Diorio said. “I think, in the beginning of the year, we started off a little rough which is obviously what we expected because we were losing two really good players from last year. But I think we adapted toward the end of the season and found who works well together.”
Looking into the last few weeks of the season ending in the middle of November, the Housatonic girls soccer team will leave the 2026 season with both wins from Rivalry Night, as well as a strong placement in the Berkshire League.
Diorio is optimistic about the end of the season.
“Hopefully, we will win BL, win our game on Friday, which would put us in finals for the BL tournament,” she said. “I expect us to be able to beat Thomaston again.”
Egan praised her teammates’ abilities, despite the loss of strong players.
“Losing the two seniors last year definitely hurt us,” Egan said. “But we’ve had so many floaters and JV members stepping up and I think we are just as strong, if not stronger than last year.”
The Housatonic boys soccer team poses for a team photo after a home game.
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While on probation, the team captains must conference with referees before every game. The goal is to rein in unsportsmanlike conduct and “trash talk” during the game, Portillo said. Players who behave poorly could face consequences ranging from sitting out for the rest of a game to suspension from the team, athletic director Anne MacNeil said.
Racking up more than one red or more than five yellow cards in the season would have consequences for the whole team. Portillo said the team would lose its ability to qualify for state championships at the end of the season.
Looking back on the 2025 season, one game in particular stood out to Portillo.
Housy boys soccer players gather for a pep talk during the 2025 season.Provided
“The BL final against Nonnewaug, where we got two of those from one player,” Portillo said. “And then they got a red, which made three cards.” Counting a total of two yellow cards and one red, the player was benched for the rest of the game as well as suspended for the following game.
“Out of the 176 boys soccer teams in the CIAC class conference, only five teams in the state of connecticut were placed on probation. We were the first Berkshire League to be ever placed on probation,” MacNeil said.
The Berkshire League consists of eight teams primarily located in Litchfield County, Connecticut.
So far during the 2026 season, Housatonic has maintained a clean record with zero red cards. Looking ahead, team leadership hopes to maintain these sportsmanship habits even after the probation period officially ends.
“I am proud of how our captains have stepped up this year and take this seriously,” MacNeil said.
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