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Back on Track: 2021 Season Brochure

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Depot Theatre Back on Track in 2021

Westport, N.Y. — The Depot Theatre in Westport, NY is pleased to announce a return to live performances in 2021, with three main stage productions originally planned for 2020, featuring iconic figures and everyday heroes.

The only professional Equity theatre in the Adirondacks, the Depot will adhere to both government and Actors’ Equity health and safety guidelines, which will require a number of protocol changes that include limited audience capacity, required face coverings, and ticket sales conducted entirely by phone.

“We are committed to our mission to ‘entertain, enrich, and educate through professional theatrical arts,’ and the Depot staff is prepared to optimize the experience while meeting this year’s strict protocols,” said Kim Rielly, Depot Theatre Executive Director. “Though the audience capacity will look dramatically different this summer, the professional performances on stage will be the high quality experience that our patrons have come to expect!”

The season will open with THE MOUNTAINTOP, a reflective, often funny, touching, and gripping reimagining of the night before the assassination of the civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., in which he examines his achievements, his failures, and his unfinished dreams. In 2011, this poignant play’s Broadway run starred Samuel L. Jackson and Angela Bassett. THE MOUNTAINTOP will run from July 1 through July 18.

Next up on the main stage is WORKING: A MUSICAL beginning July 22 through August 8, 2021. Nominated for six Tony Awards, WORKING: A MUSICAL features vibrant portrayals of 26 real-life American workers – including a schoolteacher, trucker, housewife, fireman, and millworker – played by 6 actors. The show conveys how people’s relationships to their work reveal key aspects of their humanity. The musical includes songs by Tony Award-winning Lin-Manuel Miranda, and favorite numbers by Stephen Schwartz, Craig Carnelia, and James Taylor.

The season closes on a big note with LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL from August 12-29. This “play with music” recounts the heartbreaking, beautiful, and haunting story of Billie Holiday’s life through the songs that made her one of the most famous icons of the era, including “What A Little Moonlight Can Do,” “God Bless The Child,” and “Strange Fruit.”

“We’re excited to be able to produce live theatre again on our intimate stage, especially this particular lineup, which exemplifies our vision statement that promises to promote diversity in all that we do,” said Kenney Green, the Depot’s Producing Artistic Director. “These productions represent a range of experiences that will resonate with our audiences, from thought-provoking storytelling that illustrates how some decades-old struggles are still relevant today to pure entertainment.”

Among the changes in protocol this year, ticket sales will be conducted entirely by phone. Tickets will go on sale on June 2, and can be purchased by calling the box office at 518.962.4449. As policies evolve, updates will be posted online and at the Depot. More details, additional events and news updates can be found online at DepotTheatre.org.

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DEPOT THEATRE 2021 MAIN STAGE SEASON

The Depot Theatre 2021 Main Stage Season is generously sponsored by Casella.

THE MOUNTAINTOP
July 2-18, 2021
$25 preview on July 1
By: Katori Hall
RATED: PG-13 (Includes some adult language.)
PRODUCTION SPONSOR: The Galley Restaurant and Bar at Westport Marina

WORKING: A MUSICAL
July 23- August 8, 2021
$25 preview on July 22
From the book by Studs Terkel
Adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso with additional contributions by Gordon Greenberg
Songs by Craig Carnelia, Micki Grant, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mary Rodgers and Susan Birkenhead, Stephen Schwartz, and James Taylor
Orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire
RATED: PG
PRODUCTION SPONSOR: Chazy Westport Communications/Westelcom

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL
August 13-29, 2021
$25 preview on August 12
BY: Lanie Robertson
RATED: PG-13 (Content includes adult themes and language, including issues of race, substance abuse, and abusive relationships.)
PRODUCTION SPONSOR: Mountain Lake PBS

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 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 2021 Season 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.

MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of The Depot Theatre is to entertain, enrich, and educate through professional theatrical arts and related programs based in a historic train station.

VISION STATEMENT
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.

Depot Theatre awarded support for Academy outreach and education program

Above: Depot Theatre Academy participants rehearse dance steps during the 2020 Physically-Distant, Artistically Connected 2020 program. 
 
The Depot Theatre in Westport, New York has been awarded a $20,000 grant from the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation to support the Depot Theatre Academy theatre outreach and education program.
 
The 2021 summer Depot Theatre Academy program, held at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall August 9-22, encompasses a junior program for young artists ages 8-12, and an enhanced senior program for participants ages 13 and older who are enrolled in school, home school, or college.
 
The Bailey Foundation grant funding will allow the Depot to promote and run its enhanced program, with all necessary PPE measures in place. Funding will be used for overall program support to help underwrite artist fees, necessary equipment upgrades due to the pandemic, and student tuition assistance.
 
“Our intention is to provide a robust educational experience for all of our area youth and a pathway for those interested in pursuing a profession in theatre,” said Kim Rielly, Depot Theatre Executive Director. “We’re grateful to the Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation for providing significant resources toward fulfilling one of our most important strategic goals: to offer the best educational youth theatre program possible to this rural, underserved area of northern New York.”
 
The 2021 Academy summer program will include workshops led by Equity professionals in acting, voice, and dance, culminating in three performances of this year’s production: INTO THE WOODS, JR. Senior Academy participants will also have the option to perform in a Cabaret. 2021 Depot Theatre Academy plans also include an accompaniment workshop and adult rep class.
 
“Despite the challenges of 2020, we’re proud to have successfully conducted a physically-distant and artistically-connected Academy program last summer,” said Kenney Green, Depot Theatre Producing Artistic Director. “We’re pleased that in 2021, we’ll introduce new workshops, and in addition to professional Equity instruction, our summer program will also include live performances as a culmination of the artists’ learning experience.” 
 
Registration for the summer academy program is available beginning April 1. Information about the program and other regional youth theatre opportunities can be found at www.DepotTheatre.org. 
 
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 Depot Theatre Academy is made possible in part with a generous sponsorship from the Rogers-Carroll Family Foundation and by Depot Theatre Academy underwriter, the Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation, with special thanks to the Whallonsburg Grange Hall.  
 
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ABOUT THE CORNELIA T BAiLEY FOUNDATION
 
The Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation is a Florida-based private foundation focused on making grants to promote the arts, education and initiatives that seek to better our world utilizing nature and the sciences.The Foundation’s mission is to utilize its assets to assist any organization which seeks to promote the arts or create programs that not only inspire and engage but also teach. https://ctbfoundation.org/
 
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 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 2021 programming 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 Essex County Arts Council. www.DepotTheatre.org

Regional Summer Youth Theatre Opportunities Announced


Westport, NY – Theatres throughout the Adirondack North Country are collaborating to promote youth theatre educational opportunities and live theatre programming for the 2021 summer season.

In an effort to provide interested youth with a full menu of this summer’s theatre education options, area theatre producers have curated a current list of programs for youth, and they will continue to update events as new details evolve.

Current programs include:

  • Adirondack Regional Theatre: FROZEN JR. – July 8-11
  • Book & Blanket Players Youth Musical-In-A-Week: Jane Austen’s PRIDE & PREJUDICE an original musical – July 11-18
  • Artistry Community Theatre: PROOF (with student roles) July 14-18 and INTO THE WOODS (with student roles) July 23-31
  • Depot Theatre Academy Summer 2021: In-person theatre education program culminating in a production of INTO THE WOODS, JR – August 9-22

This information has been compiled by a new collaborative initiative spearheaded by the Depot Theatre Academy and their Board of Trustees’ Education and Outreach Committee.

“We’re pleased to participate in promoting our regional partners’ youth programs collectively, to assist parents and students as they organize their summer calendars,” said Kim Rielly, Depot Theatre executive director. “And although we’re still in the planning stages for our main stage season, it benefits us, and our patrons, to work together as we navigate a new, challenging theatre production landscape.”

Although in some cases, plans for summer 2021 live productions are not yet finalized, the group is committed to sharing resources and information as the region emerges from the pandemic lockdown.

Collaborating organizations include the Adirondack Regional Theatre in Plattsburgh, Artistry Community Theatre in Willsboro, Adirondack Stage Rats based in Saranac Lake, Book & Blanket Players in Keene, Depot Theatre in Westport, Essex Theatre Company, and Pendragon Theatre in Saranac Lake.

Regional youth program details can be found online at www.DepotTheatre.org.

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Depot Theatre Awarded Continued Support from Cloudsplitter Foundation

Cloudsplitter Foundation Director Chenelle Palyswiat (R) presents Depot Theatre Executive Director Kim Rielly with a check for $5,000.

Cloudsplitter Foundation Director Chenelle Palyswiat (R) presents Depot Theatre Executive Director Kim Rielly with a check for $5,000. 

The Depot Theatre has been awarded a $5,000 grant from the Cloudsplitter Foundation for ongoing operational needs and improvements to its artist housing.

The grant represents continued support from Cloudsplitter Foundation for this mission-driven project which will ultimately allow the theatre flexibility to expand programming into the winter months.

In 2019, the Depot was awarded a $4,000 grant from the Cloudsplitter Foundation for capital improvements to its artist housing, following a $2,000 grant in 2018 toward Phase 1 of the project, which included upgraded HAVAC and new smoke-CO2 alarm systems.

The 9-bedroom house currently serves as seasonal housing for part-time artistic and educational staff, crew and visiting Actors’ Equity artists. As a professional theatre operating under an agreement with Actors’ Equity Association, the Depot is required to provide housing for its visiting artists who work at the theatre during its summer main stage season. The goal is to ultimately also use the building as a center for artistic collaboration, including community access and year-round programming.

“Our actor housing is not only essential to our operations, but it is a key element of our strategic goals that include year-round programs using that space,” said Kim Rielly, Depot Theatre Executive Director. “We are grateful to the Cloudsplitter Foundation for their ongoing commitment to the improvement of our vital infrastructure and support of our mission.”

“It is encouraging to see that even in these challenging times, the Depot continues to pursue its strategic goals,” said Chenelle Palyswiat, Director of the Cloudsplitter Foundation. “We are committed to supporting projects and organizations that improve the quality of life in our communities, and we’re pleased to be part of this Depot Theatre initiative.”

For more information about the Depot Theatre, visit DepotTheatre.org. More information about the Cloudsplitter Foundation can be found at cloudsplitter.org.

ABOUT THE CLOUDSPLITTER FOUNDATION

The Cloudsplitter Foundation is dedicated to improving the future for the flora, fauna, communities, and people of the Adirondacks. Over 70% of the grants made by the Cloudsplitter Foundation go to improve the environment, economies, and lives of the people in the Adirondacks. The primary purpose of the Cloudsplitter Foundation is to improve the environment, both physical and cultural, in the Adirondacks and to make life easier, healthier, and more rewarding for the people who live there. While over 70% of the Foundation’s grants go to institutions in the Adirondacks, their secondary mission, to the extent that funds are available, is to aid other organizations dedicated to humanitarian causes, wilderness preservation, protecting civil liberties, and cultural development. http://cloudsplitter.org/

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 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 2021 programming 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 Adirondack Foundation – Generous Acts Fund and the Essex County Arts Council. http://depotheatre.org

DEPOT THEATRE PRODUCING ARTISTIC DIRECTOR IS SPECIAL GUEST FOR FILM SERIES DISCUSSION

CHAMPLAIN VALLEY FILM SERIES PRESENTS HOME TOGETHER FILM SERIES’ SECOND REEL TALK ABOUT MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM ON SATURDAY, JANUARY 30 at 7:30pm.

WHALLONSBURG, N.Y. – Depot Theatre Producing Artistic Director Kenney Green will be the special guest for the discussion about the film MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM on January 30, 2021, at 7:30 pm.

In order to keep the community safe, The Champlain Valley Film Series, typically shown at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall during winter months, has announced its Home Together Winter Film Series, which consists of five movies selected for individuals to watch anytime at home, followed by a REEL TALK via Zoom. The REEL TALK will be a provocative discussion about the film with a special guest, and participants are invited to submit questions.

Participants are to watch the film, MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM [streaming on Netflix] on their own, and join for a live Zoom “Reel Talk” with a discussion on the movie with  Kenney Green, producing artistic director at The Depot Theatre in Westport.  Green has extensive experience as a choreographer, musical director, and director.  He is also a faculty member in Musical Theatre Performance at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy, in New York City.

ABOUT THE FILM

MA RAINEY’S BLACK BOTTOM streams on Netflix. This is the powerful, riveting story of the real-life, legendary Ma Rainey. Academy Award-winner Viola Davis is unforgettable as the larger than life “Mother of the Blues.” In his final role, Chad Boseman is electrifying as Levee, the hot-headed trumpeter who dares to lock horns with Ma in a shabby Chicago recording studio where they’re forced to make music the way the white bosses want it. The year is 1927 but the bristling racial tensions feel as timely as ever. “Mesmerizing” – Washington Post.

REGISTER

The Zoom Event is Free and Open to the public, but registration is required. Questions may be submitted to the moderator and will be responded to in the second portion of the program.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE: https://www.thegrangehall.info/events-page/reeltalk-marainey

This is the second movie in the Winter Home Together Series:  February 13th – Collective;  February 27th – The Personal History of David Copperfield;  March 13th – Mangrove.  Visit www.thegrangehall.info for reviews, trailers and additional links and information.

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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