The Depot Theatre / Depot Theatre Academy and Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County (CCE) have formalized a new county-wide partnership to bring theatre-based communication skills, career exploration, and mentorship opportunities to 4-H and regional youth across Essex County.
The partnership will launch this spring with a series of Pop-Up Theatre Workshops designed to help students build presentation skills, confidence, and leadership capacity through structured, experiential learning.
Beginning March 30, professional teaching artists from The Depot Theatre will facilitate 60–90-minute after-school sessions for the middle & high school students of Boquet Valley Central School, with the objective of expanding to other county schools this year.
School-based sessions will be supported by regional half-day Saturday morning workshops in Westport, open to middle & high school aged youth from multiple districts. Registration information for the first Saturday workshop on April 18 can be found here.
Beyond in-school programming, the partnership includes a series of career-oriented workshops introducing youth to the many professional pathways within theatre production, including set building and carpentry, lighting and projections, sound and acoustics, casting direction, and production management.
A special Depot Dialogue post-show Q&A event in conjunction with Hadestown: Teen Edition in early June will invite area youth into conversation with artists and production professionals.
In addition, the agreement establishes a framework for optional one-to-one mentorship collaboration, aligning with successful mentoring models already active in Essex County.
“This partnership reflects our shared belief that communication is a life skill,” said Elizabeth Lee, Executive Director of Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County. “The 4-H Thrive Model emphasizes experiential learning and youth leadership development. By integrating theatre-based methods into that framework, we are expanding how young people practice clarity, confidence, and collaborative problem-solving in ways that are both rigorous and engaging.”
“Theatre offers young people something increasingly rare — focused presence,” said Gigi Mason, Director of The Depot Theatre Academy. “When students practice speaking with intention in a supportive environment, they aren’t just performing; they are learning how to advocate for themselves, lead projects, and communicate clearly in school and beyond. These are transferable skills that last.”
“This initiative sits squarely within several of our core strategic pillars,” said Scott Gibree, Chair of The Depot Theatre Board of Trustees. “The Academy has long been a training ground for young artists on our stage in Westport. This partnership expands that reach, bringing our educational programming directly into schools and into communities across the county. It reflects our commitment to making the arts accessible as a tool for growth and opportunity.”
The collaboration will run through December 2026, with potential for annual renewal, and is supported through funding administered by CCE.
Additional information & registration for upcoming workshops can be found here.
About The Depot Theatre / Depot Theatre Academy
The Depot Theatre, located in Westport, New York, is a professional producing theatre dedicated to artistic excellence, youth education, and community engagement. The Depot Theatre Academy provides structured training programs, performance opportunities, and mentorship for young artists throughout the region.
About Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Essex County provides research-based education and programming in youth development, agriculture, and community development. Through 4-H programming, CCE supports youth leadership, experiential learning, and lifelong skill-building.
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