Archive for month: December, 2021

Yvette as Ursula at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre.

Yvette as Ursula at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre

As 2021 draws to a close, and the world of theatre is beginning to open up again in so many wonderful and exciting ways, we thought this would be a great time to check in with some of our Depot alumni and see who has begun to step foot “onto the boards” again, and what kind of theater they have been able to be a part of!

From this past season, our first fully in-person season in nearly two years, the stars of THE MOUNTAINTOP both went on to exciting projects. Yvette Clark played the evil Ursula in THE LITTLE MERMAID at Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, and Curtis Wiley has returned to his job in the Broadway company of the hit show AIN’T TOO PROUD, making us all proud of their triple-threat talents!

Jonathan Hadley in the National Tour of CS LEWIS’S, THE GREAT DIVORCE.

Jonathan Hadley in the National Tour of C.S. LEWIS’S, THE GREAT DIVORCE

Jonathan Hadley (39 STEPS, PETE N KEELEY) was also able to return to his pre-lockdown acting job, playing multiple roles in the National Tour of CS LEWIS’S, THE GREAT DIVORCE. The same for Julianne Godfrey (NEW YORK WATER) who was able to return to the national tour of MY FAIR LADY.

Wynn Harmon who Depot audiences will remember from THE MOUSETRAP, BALMORAL, and HARVEY is ending the year on Nantucket playing Scrooge in A NANTUCKET CHRISTMAS CAROL, and will soon head to Florida where he will appear in CAROUSEL. Take us with you to Florida, Wynn!

Amy Griffin as Mrs. White in CLUE at the Meadow Brook Theater

Amy Griffin as Mrs. White in CLUE at the Meadow Brook Theater

Depot alumni have a tendency to stick together, even after they leave the comfort and quiet of Westport. After playing Mrs. White in CLUE at the Meadowbrook Theatre, Amy Griffin (OUTSIDE MULLINGAR) directed a reading of a new musical at Music Theatre of Connecticut, and she cast Annie Eggerton (THE BIKINIS) and Annette Michelle Sanders (SOUVENIR) in the leads! Kathryn Markey and Bethany Gwen Perkins didn’t think one production of ALWAYS PATSY CLINE in 2018 was enough for them, so they did it again at the New London Barn Theatre, this time with Kathryn directing the production.

Speaking of directors, Evan Pappas (MY WAY, 2014) is now the Artistic Director of the Argyle Theatre in Babylon, LI, and he was able to successfully re-open the theatre with a full season this year – no easy feat, as our own Executive and Producing Artistic Directors can attest to. Lake Placid’s own Maggie Stiggers, who was in that production of MY WAY, as well as SAVIN’ UP FOR SATURDAY NIGHT, is the co-founder of Nikofrank Productions where she directs, writes, and produces the many hysterical videos and podcasts they create, and she is co-author of “Dear Future Producer,” now available on Amazon.

Maggie with her book

Maggie Stiggers with her book

Another actor turned producer is Depot-favorite, Beth Glover, who co-founded a new theatre company, The Adirondack Stage Rats, which performed its first shows al fresco around Saranac Lake, and last summer cast our esteemed board member Kathy Recchia in LIFESPAN OF A FACT. Always great to have more theatre in the North Country!

These are just a few Depot-ians who have begun to ply their craft once again and are certainly grateful and happy for the chance to do so. We cherish our alumni as we cherish you, our audience, and can’t wait to see you all back here next summer!

Happy New Year!

–Jonathan Hadley, Board Trustee and Actor

 

ALUMS: Send updates about your great work to Jonathan HERE to be included in the spring roundup!

WESTPORT, N.Y. —The Depot Theatre in Westport, NY was awarded two grants from the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA) for fiscal year 2022 as part of the state’s support of the recovery of the nonprofit arts and culture sector.

The Adirondacks’ only professional Equity theatre was awarded $10,000 from the NYSCA Recovery Fund and a NYSCA Support for Organizations grant of $49,500.

In addition to general operations, the funding will support the addition of two sustainable local arts positions that are necessary to meet the goals of the organization’s strategic plan.

“The arts have long been a critical sector in our economy, and as we continue to rebuild a stronger New York, it’s essential we do all we can help this industry thrive once again,” Governor Hochul said. “These awardees represent the best of what New York’s vibrant communities have to offer and with this funding in hand, they will be able to not only continue their creative and inspiring work, but help spur revitalization in their own backyard as well.”

‘We’re grateful for NYSCA’s continued support of the Depot Theatre and our mission,” said Kim Rielly, the Depot’s Executive Director. “This vital funding will increase our administrative capacity via two regional year-round positions, including an expanded operations manager role and the addition of an administrator to manage and oversee our growing Depot Theatre Academy outreach and education program.”

The Depot Theatre is a non-profit, professional theatre located in a historic, functioning 1876 train station in Westport, N.Y., and it is the only theatre in the Adirondacks that operates under an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States. The theatre’s upcoming main stage summer season and Academy opportunities will be announced in early 2022.

For more information about the Depot Theatre and its programs, visit DepotTheatre.org.

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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 it is the only theatre in the Adirondacks that 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 2022 programming is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Governor and the New York State Legislature. Additional support is provided by the Adirondack Foundation – Generous Acts Fund and the Essex County Arts Council.

The Depot Theatre Academy is a robust educational experience for area youth and a pathway for those interested in pursuing a profession in theatre—whether that’s backstage or on stage.