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1987 at the Depot Theatre

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A Midsummer Night's Dream, 1987

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, 1987

 

March Madness: A Midsummer Night’s Dream

Spring has officially sprung! And yet the snow will not seem to let up and melt away. During these last, long few months of winter, I’ve started to think ahead to sunny, summer days. What better place to be than transported back to the Depot Theatre in 1987 and William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The play takes place in an enchanted wood outside of Athens – a welcome change from chilly upstate New York! Look through some photos and peruse the playbill from the Depot’s take on this Shakespearean staple.

Click on any image in the gallery below to enlarge and begin a slideshow.

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Follow the Depot Theatre on Social Media!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DepotTheatre/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/depottheatre?lang=en

About the Depot Theatre Archival Project:

Lindsey Poremba is a senior at Skidmore College. She is from Brookline, New Hampshire, but in the past few years has grown to love living in upstate New York. At Skidmore, she is studying art history and arts administration, which led her to learn about the Depot Theatre, and the Westport community. This semester, she is continuing the work of archiving visual materials for the Depot Theatre.

Note: The Depot does its best to identify photos and other materials in our archives. Given the 40-year span, there may be missing or incomplete information. We welcome any additional information, corrections and edits that will help complete the archive for years to come!

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The Depot Theatre’s 10th Season, Thirty Years Later

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1988: The Depot’s Tenth Anniversary

Biloxi Blues Program

As the Depot Theatre approaches its fortieth anniversary season, I wanted to take a look at what other landmark anniversaries the Depot has celebrated. In 1988, the Depot Theatre kicked off its tenth season with a great repertory – Biloxi Blues, The Gin Game, Little Shop of Horrors, and Galileo. Biloxi Blues, the season opener, is the second installment in a series of semi-autobiographical plays by Neil Simon. The Depot Theatre put on the first play of Simon’s series, Brighton Beach Memoirs, the previous summer in 1987.

Look through the playbill of Biloxi Blues below to see if any familiar names stand out to you! The cast includes Sig Libowitz as Arnold Epstein, Roger Raines as Eugene Morris Jerome, and Ed Rice as Sergeant Merwin J. Toomey.

You can also check out what the Lifestyles section of the Press-Republican had to say about the play right before its opening night.  In 1988, the price of tickets for the Depot Theatre was $8 for adults and $7 for seniors and students. My favorite line of the article comes right at the end, “A word of warning: the Depot Theatre advises that some of the language in “Biloxi Blues” may be inappropriate for younger children.”

Follow the Depot Theatre on Social Media!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DepotTheatre/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/depottheatre?lang=en

About the Depot Theatre Archival Project:

Lindsey Poremba is a senior at Skidmore College. She is from Brookline, New Hampshire, but in the past few years has grown to love living in upstate New York. At Skidmore, she is studying art history and arts administration, which led her to learn about the Depot Theatre and the Westport community. This semester, she is continuing the work of archiving visual materials for the Depot Theatre.

NOTE: The Depot does its best to identify photos and other materials in our archives. Given the 40-year span, there may be missing or incomplete information. We welcome any additional information, corrections and edits that will help complete the archive for years to come!

Click any image to enlarge!

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Back to the 1980s

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(The following is the first in a season-long series showcasing articles, materials, and photos from the first 40 years at the Depot Theatre as part of the 40th Anniversary Archival Project!)

 

Throwback: 1980 at The Depot Theatre

In the Depot Theatre’s 1980 season, they put on TEN shows, including Blythe Spirit. This comedic play by Noel Coward includes seances, socialites, and the ghost of a first wife.

The energy and antics of these photographs caught my eye as I looked through the earliest records of Depot productions.  The actors tangled up in a web, and their facial expressions during the seance made me smile. These photographs capture the humor of the story in just a few shots. Plus, the white blazer on the character of Charles Condomine, socialite and novelist, appears to foreshadow the larger shoulder pads to come in the decade.

Enjoy this photo gallery from that production!

Check out the rest of the Depot Theatre’s history at THIS LINK!

Follow the Depot Theatre on Social Media:

-Lindsey Poremba is a senior at Skidmore College. She is from Brookline, New Hampshire, but in the past few years has grown to love living in upstate New York. At Skidmore, she is studying art history and arts administration, which led her to learn about the Depot Theatre, and the Westport community. This semester, she is continuing the work of archiving visual materials for the Depot Theatre.

NOTE about the Depot Theatre 40th Anniversary Archival Project:

The Depot does its best to identify photos and other materials in our archives. Given the 40-year span, there may be missing or incomplete information. We welcome any additional information, corrections and edits that will help complete the archive for years to come!

 

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Depot Theatre awarded grant from NYSCA; support increased

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Westport, N.Y. – The New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) has increased its commitment to the Depot Theatre with a grant of $15,000 per year for each of the next two years. The multi-year general-operating support grant is the largest NYSCA award to the Depot in eight years.

NYSCA grants are awarded in 15 programs and the Regional Economic Development Council initiative in all 62 counties to support the creation of visual, performing, literary and media arts. The Depot Theatre is one of seven non-profit arts organizations (including two theatre companies) in Essex County to receive funding this year.

“This more than doubles our annual allocation over our previous grant,” said Amy McNamara, president of the Depot Theatre Board of Trustees. “On behalf of the Depot, we are grateful to Governor Cuomo, the New York State Legislature and, especially, the dedicated staff at NYSCA for their continued confidence in the mission and direction of the theatre.”

“NYSCA recognizes and supports the importance of the arts to our communities,” said New York State Senator Betty Little, who is a member of the Cultural Affairs, Tourism, Parks and Recreation Committee. “The State’s continued commitment to the Depot Theatre, especially during its 40th anniversary season, is a testament to the organization’s significance in the overall cultural landscape in the Adirondacks.”

In 2017, the Depot Theatre replaced the seating and carpeting in its 134-seat theatre. The project was funded in-part by a facilities program grant from NYSCA.

The Depot Theatre’s 2018 Season, its 40th, is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature.

The Depot Theatre is a non-profit, professional theatre located in a historic, functioning 1876 train station in the Adirondacks, and operates under an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association. Celebrating its 40th anniversary season in 2018, the theatre currently offers 3-4 productions in the summer along with educational outreach programs. For more information about the Depot Theatre, visit depottheatre.org or call 518.962.4449.

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ABOUT THE DEPOT THEATRE

The Depot Theatre is a non-profit, professional theatre located in a historic, functioning 1876 train station in Westport, N.Y., and operates under an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. In addition to its volunteer board of trustees, the theatre depends on the support and generosity of its loyal donors, volunteers and community members. Committed to promoting and providing exposure to the performing arts in the Adirondacks, the Depot Theatre invites all to “Take a journey without leaving the station.” The Depot Theatre’s 2018 Season, its 40th, is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Additional support is provided by the Essex County Arts Council.

 

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The Fortieth Anniversary Archival Project

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The Archive Project:

Just a sampling of Depot Theatre materials archived by Skidmore students.

As the Depot Theatre nears its fortieth anniversary season, I have had the privilege of looking through its past – in the form of photographs, playbills, press releases, and much more.

The Depot Theatre and Skidmore College began the project of archiving past materials in the spring of 2017, with the MDOCS (John B. Moore Documentary Studies Collaborative) class “Archival Storytelling,” taught by Jordana Dym. The class recovered extensive archives from the Depot Theatre, and began the process of cataloguing and interpreting the story of the organization. Senior Geoffrey Greene continued the project over the summer of 2017. He has played a fundamental role in scanning and digitizing the collection, which beings in 1978, forty years ago.

I am excited to continue this project in 2018, and share the archives online. As the Depot Theatre celebrates forty years of history, be on the lookout for releases of archival material, both through the website as well as social media!

 

Meet the Intern:

Lindsey Poremba is a senior at Skidmore College. She is from Brookline, New Hampshire, but in the past few years has grown to love living in upstate New York. At Skidmore, she is studying art history and arts administration, which led her to learn about the Depot Theatre, and the Westport community. This semester, she is continuing the work of archiving visual materials for the Depot Theatre.

Follow the Depot Theatre on Facebook, and Twitter:

https://www.facebook.com/DepotTheatre/

https://twitter.com/depottheatre?lang=en

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Depot Theatre Announces Fan Favorites for 40th Season

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Three hits from the past 39 years are set to headline the Depot Theatre’s 40th Anniversary Season!

The main stage season, which includes a tribute to a legendary country singer, a fast-paced whodunit, and a sassy musical celebration of a jazz great, was selected by the Depot’s Producing Director, Kevin Cochran, whose choices were inspired by an informal survey of audiences last year.

“We’re excited to present what will be both a high-quality and crowd-pleasing lineup,” said Cochran. “These shows are a perfect backdrop to a season-long celebration of the Depot’s longevity and significance as part of the robust Adirondack arts community.”

The season opens with Always…Patsy Cline, from June 30 – July 15, with a $20 Preview on June 29. The popular musical comes complete with down home country humor, heartfelt emotion, and even some audience participation. More than a tribute to the legendary country singer who died tragically young in 1963, the show is based on a true story about Cline’s friendship with a fan named Louise Seger, who befriended the star in a Texas honky-tonk, and continued a correspondence with Cline until her death. Musical performances include many of Patsy’s unforgettable hits such as “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams,” and “Walking After Midnight.”

The season ramps up with The 39 Steps, from July 21 – August 5, with a $20 Preview on July 20. The hilarious play is a combination of a Hitchcock masterpiece and a juicy spy novel, with a dash of Monty Python added in. This two-time Tony® and Drama Desk Award-winning show is packed with nonstop laughs, over 150 zany characters (played by a cast of four), an onstage plane crash, handcuffs, missing fingers, and some good old-fashioned romance!

The final production of the main stage season is a revival of Ain’t Misbehavin’, which will be on stage from August 11-26, with a $20 Preview on August 10. Winner of the 1978 Tony® Award for Best Musical and a well-crafted musical review, audiences will love this celebration of legendary jazz great, Fats Waller, complete with a live band.

“We’re looking forward to a summer full of fan-favorite shows and special events to celebrate this Anniversary Season,” said Kim Rielly, Depot Theatre’s executive director. “Look for upcoming announcements about additional special presentations and be sure to save the date for our 40th Anniversary benefit celebration on June 30!”

Auditions will be held regionally and in New York City in the spring.

Group and single tickets will go on sale in late spring, and season subscriptions will be available for sale online in February at depottheatre.org.

 

Depot Theatre 2018 Main Stage Productions*

ALWAYS… PATSY CLINE

June 30 – July 15, with a $20 Preview on June 29

Created and originally directed by Ted Swindley – based on a true story.
Author: Ted Swindley
Author’s Representative: Joan Kovats
Business Management: Melanie Clark
Original Music Director: Vicki Masters
Band and Vocal Orchestrations: August Eriksmoen, Tony Migliore
Legal Counsel: Clair G. Burrill, Richard Garmise, Sawnie R. Alderedge
LICENSED BY THE FAMILY AND ESTATE OF PATSY CLINE. All rights reserved.
ORIGINAL CAST ALBUM AVAILABLE ON MCA.

THE 39 STEPS

July 21 – August 5, with a $20 Preview on July 20

Adapted by Patrick Barlow
From the novel by John Buchan
From the movie by Alfred Hitchcock
Licensed by ITV Global Entertainment Limited
And an original concept by Simon Corble and Nobby Dimon

AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’

August 11-26, with a $20 Preview on August 10

The FATS WALLER Musical Show
Conceived by RICHARD MALTBY, JR. and MURRAY HORWITZ
Created and Originally Directed by RICHARD MALTBY, JR.
Original Choreography and Musical Staging by ARTHUR FARIA
Musical Adaptations, Orchestrations & Arrangements by LUTHER HENDERSON
Vocal & Musical Concepts by  JEFFREY GUTCHEON
Musical Arrangements by JEFFREY GUTCHEON & WILLIAM ELLIOTT
Originally produced by The Manhattan Theatre Club
Originally produced on Broadway by Emanuel Azenberg, Dasha Epstein, The Shubert Organization, Jane Gaynor & Ron Dante

*ALL TITLES AND DATES SUBJECT TO CHANGE

 

ABOUT THE DEPOT THEATRE

The Depot Theatre is a non-profit, professional theatre located in a historic, functioning 1876 train station in Westport, N.Y., and operates under an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States. In addition to its volunteer board of trustees, the theatre depends on the support and generosity of its loyal donors, volunteers and community members. Committed to promoting and providing exposure to the performing arts in the Adirondacks, the Depot Theatre invites all to “Take a journey without leaving the station.” The Depot Theatre’s 2018 Season, its 40th, is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature. Additional support is provided by the Essex County Arts Council.

 

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Depot Theatre takes Boquet River Theatre Festival under its wing

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BRTF 2017 production of “Madagascar”

Westport, N.Y. – The Depot Theatre Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that it will be featuring the Boquet River Theatre Festival (BRTF) children’s theatre as their signature education and outreach program beginning in 2018.

Created in 1993, the BRTF is an organization that was designed to provide young people with theatrical training and experience. Each summer, BRTF features both junior (ages 8-12) and senior (ages 12 and up) programs that culminate in musical theatrical performances held at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall during August.

Ginene Mason, who has been with BRTF for 20 of its 25 years, took over as director/producer in 2006, and now intends to transition out of her directorial role. Mason approached the Depot in the spring of 2017 to discuss options for collaboration to ensure the sustainable future of the program.

“I’m thrilled about this outcome, as the Depot Theatre is a natural fit,” said Mason. “Of course, I am devoted to the ongoing success of the BRTF, and in order to affect a smooth transition, I have offered to remain in a consultant role for at least the duration of 2018 summer program.”

The Depot plans to mirror the existing BRTF model as closely as possible, including cost for participation, continuing to include both a junior and senior musical, and continuing to utilize the Whallonsburg Grange Hall as the program’s rehearsal and performance space.

“The Grange is excited to work with the Depot and will continue our longstanding support for this wonderful program now and into the future,” said Andy Buchanan, president of the Whallonsburg Grange Hall Board of Directors.

“The Depot is committed to ensuring the ongoing success of the BRTF as an integral part of the Theatre’s program of work,” said Amy McNamara, president of the Depot Theatre board of Trustees. “The timing is ideal, as we have recently hired a full-time Executive Director, assuring focused oversight and continuity, plus it will be a wonderful addition as we celebrate the Depot’s 40th anniversary season!”

Questions regarding the BRTF transition will be welcomed by Kim Rielly, executive director at the Depot Theatre, at krielly@depottheatre.org. Program updates and details regarding the 2018 BRTF program will be sent to existing participants and posted on the Depot Theatre’s website: www.depottheatre.org as they become available.

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PHOTO: 2017 BRTF production of “Madagascar” at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall.

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Our Mission & Vision

Mission: The Depot Theatre is to entertain, enrich, and educate through professional theatrical arts and related programs based in a historic train station.

Vision: The Depot Theatre will have a robust, regional, and year-round presence by creating the highest of quality programs, building strong partnerships, and enhancing community engagement while promoting diversity in all that we do.

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The Depot Theatre receives funding from the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

With special thanks to the following for their support of the Depot’s ongoing strategic objectives: Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Cloudsplitter Foundation, J.M. McDonald Foundation, Inc., Glenn and Carol Pearsall Adirondack Foundation, Charles R. Wood Foundation, Adirondack Foundation, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, Rogers Carroll Family Foundation, Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation.

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