The
Inside Track
FALL 2021
DEPOT THEATRE BACK ON TRACK AND BACK ON STAGE (ahead of Broadway!) Westport, N.Y. — Following a year’s pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Depot Theatre returned to the stage with live performances in July 2021 months ahead of Broadway’s return! The summer, which included 3 of the 4 shows originally planned for the 2020 season, opened with powerful performances in the season opener: THE MOUNTAINTOP.
THE MOUNTAINTOP
WORKING: A MUSICAL
“The performance was so emotionally engaging that it wasn’t until the standing ovation that I realized that I’d been crying for some time.” “I saw my whole family in this show: my husband, who’s a tradesman, my daughter, a nurse, and myself as a stay-at-home mother on that stage! That was wonderful .” The second production, WORKING: A MUSICAL featured six vocal dynamos, including the Depot’s own multi-talented Producing Artistic Director, Kenney Green. The cast also performed a special concert version of the show at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts.
LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL
Those who attended the second Depot Dialogue for LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR AND GRILL were treated to a very special appearance from Lanie Robertson, the show’s award-winning playwright! This year’s Depot Dialogues, in which audience members participated in a Q&A with directors and cast, were especially well-attended and thought provoking. The Depot Theatre Academy at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall culminated in three performances of INTO THE WOODS JR and a one-night-only Senior Cabaret, with participants 13 and older performing alongside professional Depot artists.
Stay tuned for news about 2022 programming. Visit DepotTheatre.org for news and updates! Academy Senior Cabaret
Into the Woods Jr.
CAST OF CHARACTERS YEAR ROUND STAFF Kim Rielly – Executive Director Kenney M. Green – Producing Artistic Director Katie Shepard – Box Office Manager Teresa Cummings – Bookkeeper Bonnie B. Brewer – Operations Manager Kim Andresen - Grant & Development Administrator Joseph P. LaFiura, CPA P.C. – Auditor CREATIVE AND DESIGN TEAM Bonnie B. Brewer (Graphic Design, Set Design, Props Mistress) Margaret Swick (Technical Director, Lighting Design, Master Electrician)
VOLUNTEERS DEPOT THEATRE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (FY 2022) Cheri Phillips (President) Catherine Conover Covert (Vice President) Maureen Carlo (Secretary) Alex Henderson (Treasurer) Betsy Bacot Jim Carroll Alisa Endsley Lindy Flanagan Scott Gibree Jonathan Hadley Lawrence Masle Bill McColgan Amy McNamara Kathy Recchia Liz Spitler DEPOT THEATRE ADVISORY COUNCIL David Howson (Honorary Chair) Dee Carroll George Davis Melissa Davis Margaret “Beth” Glover Amy Guglielmo Daniel Keegan Karen L. Lewis Ginene Mason Jennifer Moore Mary Ellen O’Loughlin Jane Preston Annie Scavo Joan Simon Sally Struthers Michael Thomas
Depot Theatre Inc. is a 501(c)3, non-profit corporation. P.O. Box 414 • 6705 Main Street Westport, New York 12993 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. 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.”
VOLUNTEER OF THE CENTURY:
The Depot Theatre Board of Trustees and staff awarded longtime friend Stephanie Ames with the “Volunteer of the Century” award! (L-R: Amy McNamara, Trustee; Kim Rielly, Executive Director; Stephanie Ames, volunteer extraordinaire; Katie Shepard, Box Office Manager; Lawrence Masle, Trustee; Cheri Phillips, Trustee). Photo by Betsy Bacot, Trustee.
As the effects of the pandemic ease, the Depot will welcome more volunteers in 2022. Sign up for volunteer opportunities at www.DepotTheatre.org/volunteer .
GRANTS
The Depot was awarded several grants in fiscal year 2021. • Cloudsplitter Foundation - $5,000 for mission support for artist housing. • Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation - $20,000 to support Depot Theatre Academy. • New York State Council on the Arts - $20,000 - Restart NY: Rapid Live Performance Grants • Charles R. Wood Foundation - $16,000 toward the Depot Theatre Historic Property Exterior Painting Project. • J. M. McDonald Foundation - $5,000 toward the Depot Theatre Historic Property Exterior Painting Project. • Adirondack Foundation Generous Acts - Special and Urgent Needs Fund - $2,000 toward the Virtual Technology Initiative. • Essex County Arts CAP Grant - $900 to support Depot Theatre Academy. • Stewart’s Holiday Match - $500 to support Depot Theatre Academy. • Walmart - $500 to support Depot Theatre Academy.
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Letter from the Executive Director: Dear Friends, Gratitude. That’s the only word I can conjure to summarize the 2021 season. Although we understand that not all of our patrons were ready to risk gathering indoors last summer, it was apparent that the year-plus pause due to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in significant pent-up demand for in-person, shared live theatre experiences. Albeit an ALTERED experience this year; with restricted access to the lobby, limited seating, ever-changing health and safety protocols, our purposely-small staff, and the introduction of our al fresco box office and concessions cart, there was a general air of levity, respect and yes, gratitude. Because of you, we are BACK ON TRACK, and we were able to produce three powerful main stage productions, as well as conducting the Depot Theatre Academy junior and senior theatre education programs, with limited-audience performances of their own. I enjoyed speaking with many of you at our outdoor box office and seeing and hearing your emotional reactions following this season’s performances. In fact, there were many times when it was apparent that at the end of the show, the audience didn’t want to leave at all! We’re working hard to raise the bar yet again in 2022 and to have an even greater impact on the region through continued collaboration with our partner organizations and local businesses, enhanced outreach and education programs, and of course, extraordinary live professional theatre. You make our season and programs possible, and we cannot thank you enough for your generosity. Please support our ongoing efforts by sending in a year-end donation today. Thank you very much for being part of the journey. With much gratitude,
THANK YOU 2021 SPONSORS The Depot board and staff is grateful for the generous 2021 season sponsors!
Kim
2021 SEASON SPONSOR
The Board of Trustees of the Depot Theatre extends its sincere appreciation to the friends of the theatre who have generously supported the organization with a gift during the 2021 fiscal year (Oct. 1, 2020-Sept 30, 2021). In addition to the long list of generous donors and sponsors, the Depot Theatre’s 2021 season was 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 Essex County Arts Council’s Cultural Assistance Program Grant with funding provided by Essex County.
Casella Resource Solutions
TITLE SPONSORS
The Galley at Westport Marina Chazy Westport Communications/WESTELCOM Mountain Lake PBS
MAIN STAGE SPONSORS ArtsSpark Ledge Hill Brewing Company Champlain National Bank International Paper
DEPOT THEATRE ACADEMY SPONSORS
Academy artists autograph posters for the sponsors
Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation - Outreach and Education Program Underwriter Rogers-Carroll Family Foundation - Junior Program Sponsor TrailNorth Federal Credit Union - Senior Cabaret Sponsor
BECOME A 2022 SPONSOR!
Contact Kim for a list of opportunities - krielly@DepotTheatre.org
SUPPORT
We RELY on your generous contributions, just as you rely on us to deliver on our mission to “entertain, enrich, and educate through professional theatrical arts and related programs based in a historic train station.”
WAYS TO GIVE
There are a number of ways to support the Depot Theatre:
DONATIONS OF CASH Give on-line at www.DepotTheatre.org or send a check to Depot Theatre, PO Box 414, Westport, NY 12993.
DONATE GIFTS OF STOCK
If you have questions about donations of stock, please contact Kim Rielly, Executive Director, at krielly@DepotTheatre.org.
SHOP FOR THE DEPOT
Note that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your purchases to the Depot Theatre if you begin shopping at this link: www.smile. amazon.com – and designate the Depot Theatre as your charity of choice!
RECURRING GIFTS - Be Part of the Team! Consistent, ongoing support is the most effective way to make a difference. We work year-round in order to produce the only professional Equity theatrical experience in the Adirondacks and to grow our Academy outreach and education program. Monthly donations of any amount provide a predictable revenue stream for the Depot and represent a deeper relationship between you and the Theatre; you’re part of the team!
DID YOU KNOW? We want to make sure that as you make your end-of-year giving plans, you know that there are a number of ways to maximize tax benefits in 2021. • For tax year 2021, the CARES Act is extended, making universal deductions available up to $300 for individuals and $600 for joint filers. Cash gifts for those who itemize are deductible up to 100% of adjusted gross income. • IRAs - If you’ve reached 70½, you can make a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) of up to $100,000 tax free from your IRA. Originally passed in 2006 as part of the Pension Protection Act, the IRA Charitable Rollover allows individuals age 70½ and older to make direct transfers totaling up to $100,000 per year to 501(c)(3) charities, without having to count the transfers as income for federal income tax purposes. • Gifts of stock - Donate shares and potentially get a tax deduction for the full market value of the stock and avoid paying capital gains on the appreciation. Every taxpayer’s situation is unique and should be carefully reviewed with your professional advisor to consider the interplay with your existing carry-forwards and other deductions.
The Depot Theatre’s continued success is a testament to the support we receive from our subscribers, donors, sponsors, friends, local businesses, and partners. You, our investors, continue to help keep us strong, and we cannot thank you enough for your generosity.
THANK YOU FOR KEEPING US STRONG