Archive for category: Backstage Dispatches

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40 for 40 Challenge – Help us make our match!

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.4″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″]           UPDATE: WE ACHIEVED OUR GOAL! THANK YOU to all of our friends for your generosity. We had a terrific 40th anniversary season, and are looking forward to sharing continued success and growth with you […]

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Always…a dedication

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Craig Johnson

The Depot’s 2018 production of Always…Patsy Cline is dedicated to Craig Johnson.

As you might have heard, The Depot Theatre’s 40th Anniversary Season will open with a super fan favorite from the past 39 years, Always…Patsy Cline.

What you might not have heard is that this year, the drumbeat behind Patsy Cline’s famous songs will resonate a little bit deeper than in past years’ productions.

Longtime Depot friend and drummer, Craig Johnson, passed away earlier this year. Craig was the drummer for several Depot productions over the years, including Always…Patsy Cline in 2009, in which the playbill lists the band in that show as “The Bodacious Bobcats Band.”

According to his wife, Tammy, Craig absolutely loved playing on stage at the Depot – it was his favorite gig. She has donated some of Craig’s drums and percussion accessories to the Depot, where they will be lovingly played on stage this year and for seasons to come.

The Depot Theatre’s 2018 production of Always...Patsy Cline is dedicated to our friend Craig Johnson. His on-stage presence will be missed, but the spirit of his talent, dedication and gentle kindness will remain forever present.

 

CLICK HERE to see the Depot’s entire 2009 Always…Patsy Cline Playbill!

#Depot40Years

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Posters Galore

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”] Posters Galore From the archives The staff had the opportunity to look through some of the many, many boxes of materials from archive project this week, and ran across one box that was a treasure trove of large, 11″ x […]

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The Curtain Closes for this Senior

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”6029,6030,6033,6031,6000,6001″ fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.4.6″ hover_enabled=”0″][/et_pb_gallery][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”] Throughout these past months, I have learned so much about the process of writing and about the Depot Theatre. I am constantly, pleasantly surprised by the hard work, dedication and creativity that went into all the […]

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The Depot Theatre 1994: Oklahoma!

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Oklahoma! (1994)

Whether it’s the theatre, museums, concerts or dance, what was your earliest encounter with the arts?

As a shy second grader, I pursued my dreams by joining the chorus. That fateful year, the annual concert focused thematically on musical theatre. Sadly, I did not make the cut for any solos and my singing career lasted just one year. But I did get a nice, foundational repertoire of songs, from Phantom of the Opera, to Jesus Christ Superstar, and many more. This year, while looking through the Depot’s production history, a lot of songs drift through my head, and consequently get stuck there.

One of these songs just happens to be the title number “Oklahoma,” from Oklahoma!, a bright musical by Rodgers and Hammerstein. This musical is an old classic from 1943 that the Depot Theatre performed in 1994. Looking back through the Depot Theatre’s playbill and photographs, I realized one of the settings is the Skidmore Ranch. As I happen to go to Skidmore, and our mascot is a horse, I felt that my second-grade experience with chorus truly came full circle. While “Oklahoma” is a catchy song, there are a lot of great ones, including “Oh What a Beautiful Morning!”

Click on any image below to enlarge and begin a slideshow of cast photos and images of the playbill for the Depot Theatre’s 1994 production of Oklahoma!

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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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Behind the Curtain: Insider Tips on Subscriptions

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.22″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.25″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.4.6″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″] Insider Tips on Subscriptions Did you know? Season Subscriptions are on Sale Now! If you’re on our mailing list, or follow us on Facebook or Twitter, or recently ran into me at the coffee shop, you might have heard […]

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The Depot Theatre’s Lucky 13th Season

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Nunsense, 1991

Happy Friday the 13th!

This Friday we have an unlucky holiday coming up – Friday the 13th.  While we only have a day of the unlucky number this week, the Depot Theatre took on its auspicious 13th season in 1991. Luckily, it was an exciting season with lighthearted comedies and musicals. Nobody seems to have broken a leg.

One of the musicals that stuck out to me is Nunsense, a musical comedy written by Dan Goggin. It follows the antics of five nuns from The Little Sisters of Hoboken. The musical seems perfectly suited for the Depot Theatre, as it happens to take place in a depot train station as well! Take a look through the amusing photographs of the nuns, and reviews of the musical. And this Friday, be careful not to walk under any ladders, break mirrors, and try to avoid black cats.

Click any image to enlarge and start 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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Early Renovations at the Depot Theatre

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Building a Better Future:

The Depot Theatre is unlike any other – the formation and evolution of the theatre was and has always been a community generated effort. To an outside perspective like my own, I was surprised when I first heard about the Depot Theatre and intrigued by the story.

To take the long view, it all began in 1876, with the construction of the Westport train station. A little over a hundred years later, in 1978, Westport came together to save the historic site from demolition. That year, the Depot Theatre began presenting theatre within the space, while retaining its rich heritage as a station.

Since its inception, volunteers, staff, and members of the community have made this unique space Westport’s own. Within the archives, there is evidence of the help and hard work that ensures the Depot Theatre’s continued success. There are a few pictures of the train station’s renovation, which is tentatively estimated to be from 1998. If you recognize any faces, please contact us so that we can give credit where credit is due!

Check out More History Below:

https://depottheatre.org/backstage/production-history/

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 Odd Couple, 1986

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The Odd Couple, 1986

A Couple of Thoughts:

In the past four years as a college student I’ve had quite a few living arrangements. I’ve been in singles, doubles, apartments with three other people, and apartments with five other people. Moving in with someone new can be an overwhelming experience – it can be challenging to adjust to living with people with different habits and outlooks than you. I won’t get into roommate horror stories, but I’ve been fortunate to meet some great people and make amazing friends.

I think any soon-to-be college student should watch The Odd Couple, a hilarious take on what happens when two totally different personalities collide. The neat, uptight Felix Unger moves in with his sloppy friend Oscar Madison during marital troubles, only to discover that living with one another is not easy either. Although this play premiered on Broadway in 1965, it remains timeless. For those who haven’t seen it, look through these beautiful black and white photographs of the Depot Theatre’s production of The Odd Couple in 1986.

Click any image to enlarge!

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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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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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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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