Berkshire Theatre Festival Artistic Director Arthur Storch has announced that he will leave his job at the end of the current season.

Storch has held this position for three years and as a token of the festival's appreciation, has been invited to direct a play for the 1998 season. In a press release Storch said, "It is with great sadness that I leave the BTF and its wonderfully supportive people. At this stage of my life, I no longer desire the many artistic and administrative responsibilities of leadership. I wish to have more time for myself and other pursuits."

BTF President Jane Fitzpatrick said Storch "has brought us innovative theatre; he's revived favorites; he's introduced new talent in all areas of the theatre. It was under his watch, and that of [Managing Director] Kate Maguire, that we built a new Unicorn Theatre last year. We thank Arthur for his many contributions and wish him well in the future."

Storch has devoted 50 years to theatre as a director, producer, actor and teacher. In 1974 he founded the Syracuse Stage, whose theatre has now been renamed the Arthur Storch Theatre.

A BTF board representative told Playbill On-Line that the Management Committee is ready to meet and will select a new artistic director shortly. --By Laura MacDonald