The
Inside Track
FALL 2022
2022 in Review
Letter from the Executive Director: Dear Friends, In 2018 the Depot Theatre board set an ambitious and exciting strategic priority: to take on more artistic risk AND broaden our audience in pursuit of artistic excellence. We are delighted that the 2022 main stage season once again achieved this challenging balance. Elisa Van Duyne in PUTTING IT TOGETHER
In addition to honoring a theatre legend with Sondheim’s PUTTING IT TOGETHER, our team staged the thought-provoking and colorful drama RED, which many patrons called “the best show the Depot has ever produced.” That was followed by THE ADDAMS FAMILY, which included regional artists and Academy participants in the cast, and was arguably one of the most popular shows to hit our stage in decades. There is no question that we broadened our audience — I’ve never seen so many young families in the seats — many experiencing the Depot for the very first time! That younger audience demographic ties into another key strategic initiative: to develop youth and family programs that will provide year-round engagement. You’ll see in this newsletter some of the programs implemented in 2022 and planned for the immediate future — with more exciting news to come soon.
Michael Glavan and Jeff Williams in RED
We’ll continue to update our strategic plan and to engage diverse artistic and educational resources in order to fulfill our mission for the benefit of the greater community.
After all, our impact goes beyond the audience experience; we are proud to drive economic impact for our local businesses and organizations and to enhance the business mix that attracts new investment and new residents to our region. In order to continue to have that impact, it’s my responsibility to make sure that we prioritize another critical strategic goal: financial stability. Our plan calls for us to develop planned giving, multi-year pledge, and recurring gift programs. We’ve created the programs, and you, our patrons, have risen to the challenge. A recurring gift is an easy but effective way to help us plan budgets, provides predictable cash flow, and represents a deeper relationship between you and the Theatre. If you haven’t already, I challenge YOU to join the increasing number of patrons who give on a recurring, monthly basis, or who make a one-time year-end gift. You make our season and programs possible, and we cannot thank you enough for your generosity. Thank you for being part of our ongoing journey!
Kim Rielly
L-R, front row: Felix Haskins, Vincent DiGironimo, Michael Indeglio, Megan Koumis, Lauren Gunn, Gina Lindsey and Michael Glavan in THE ADDAMS FAMILY: A NEW MUSICAL
CAST OF CHARACTERS YEAR ROUND STAFF Kim Rielly - Executive Director Ginene Mason - Outreach and Education Director Katie Shepard - Box Office & Human Resources Manager Bonnie B. Brewer - Operations Manager Kim Andresen - Grant & Development Administrator Teresa Cummings - Bookkeeper Joseph P. LaFiura, CPA P.C. - Auditor
VOLUNTEERS DEPOT THEATRE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (FY 2023) Cheri Phillips (President) Scott Gibree (Vice President) Lindy Flanagan (Secretary) Alexandra Henderson (Treasurer) Betsy Bacot Maureen Carlo Jim Carroll Catherine Conover Covert Alisa Endsley Jonathan Hadley Jen Kelly 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 Jennifer Moore Mary Ellen O’Loughlin Jane Preston Annie Scavo Joan Simon Sally Struthers Michael Thomas
BACKSTAGE Investments in the past and the future DID YOU KNOW? The Depot Theatre owns one building on the National Register of
Historic Places (our artists’ housing) and is a steward of another (the town of Westport’s circa 1876 Train Station). In 2022, the Depot made significant investments in the latter, including creating a blank slate for creativity via “black box” flats on stage left and right; safe, building code-compliant stairs onto the stage; and has begun the transition to an efficient LED lighting system with the Phase 1 purchase of LED lighting instruments (with a grant from New York State Council on the Arts). Notably, this year also saw the completion of the Historic Property Exterior Painting Project (paid for by the Depot Theatre, with support from the Charles R. Wood Foundation and the J.M. McDonald Foundation).
BEFORE
AFTER
New “Black Box” Flats
Cloudsplitter Foundation Director Chenelle Palyswiat presents a check to Depot Theatre Executive Director Kim Rielly for Artist Housing support.
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.”
2022 GRANTS The Depot was the recipient of several grants in fiscal year 2022.
• • • • • •
New York State Council on the Arts - $10,000 - Recovery Fund New York State Council on the Arts - $49,500 - Support for Organizations New York State Council on the Arts - $10,000 - Capital Projects Essex County Arts Council - CAP grant - $900 to support Depot Theatre Academy Stewart’s Shops - $500 - to support arts-in-education Cloudsplitter Foundation - $2,500 - support for Artist Housing
DEPOT THEATRE ACADEMY
Peter Pan Jr. Cast and Crew
We believe that youth and families exposed to theatre and the arts are enriched in important ways that add value to their lives in the early stages of learning development as well as later in life. The Depot’s Outreach and Education program continues to develop cultural resources and events and to grow partnerships with schools, arts organizations, and professional teaching artists for the benefit of regional youth. In 2022: • The Academy collaborated with Willsboro Central School Drama Club and Courageous Stage to host a day-long FESTIVAL OF THEATRE ARTS in May, in which 24 students from 8 regional schools from sixth grade through high school participated. Workshops were presented by professional actors, singers, and musicians from the Northway to Broadway in voice, classical stage combat, song coaching, monologues, and college and career advice. • The Academy Junior Summer program was held in collaboration with Boquet Valley Central School District on the Elizabethtown campus. Young artists ages 8-12 participated in 2 weeks of rehearsals culminating in 3 performances of PETER PAN, JR! • The Senior Academy program was held at the Whallonsburg Grange Hall, with a week of workshops culminating in a Cabaret performance for a full house.
Peter Pan Jr. Cabaret
Staff are feverishly planning several initiatives for the 2023 fiscal year, including: • Collaborations with several schools and arts programs to take a group of students to the 2023 NYS Theatre Education Association Student Conference in January. • Coordinating and offering opportunities for Academy students to attend regional live theatre performances. • An exciting, ground-breaking, 3-week summer Academy program (to be announced this winter!)
AND coming soon, a return to a holiday tradition: the Depot Theatre Academy and the Whallonsburg Grange Hall are pleased to present A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A radio play reading featuring regional artists, professional actors, and directed by Broadway actor and Depot alum Jonathan Hadley. Save the Date! December 18, 2022 - music begins at 2 pm, performance at 3 pm. Donations at the event will benefit the Backpack Program. Academy artists/pirates march in Westport’s Independence Parade
Peter Pan Jr.
Cabaret
Peter Pan Crew
Festival of the Arts Stage Combat Workshop
Gigi Mason reps the Depot at the Crown Point College and Career Fair
SUPPORT
We are thrilled that we’ve been able to produce more live theatre and remain committed to growing our outreach and education program. However, less than 40% of our revenue comes from ticket sales! The Depot Theatre’s continued success is a testament to the support we receive from our subscribers, donors, sponsors, friends, local businesses, and partners. 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.”
There are a number of ways to support the Depot Theatre! DONATIONS OF CASH
Give online 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
Although we recommend shopping local whenever possible, we’re all shopping online more these days. Note that Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your qualifying 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!
PLANNED GIVING RECURRING GIFTS
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!
DEPOT THEATRE LEGACY SOCIETY
A growing number of supporters have joined the Depot Theatre Legacy Society. Support the ongoing work of the Depot Theatre with a planned gift in your will or trust. Unrestricted gifts by will or trust give us the greatest flexibility to use funds where they are most needed. You may leave the Depot: • A stated dollar amount • A percentage of your residual estate (what remains after gifts to loved ones and expenses have been paid), or • A specific asset, such as securities or other marketable property Notifying the Depot Theatre of your gift: Please remember to let us know when you have named the Depot Theatre in your will or trust so that we can thank you and include you in our Legacy Society.
Congratulations to Patience Whitman, the winner of tickets to the 2023 main stage season, chosen from a random drawing of post-season email survey respondents. Are you on the Depot’s email list? Visit depottheatre.org to sign up and be the very first to know about news and updates!
THANK YOU The Depot Theatre board and staff are grateful for the generous 2022 sponsors! 2022 Title Sponsors Chazy Westport Communications/Westelcom The Galley Restaurant and Bar at Westport Marina Mountain Lake PBS MAIN STAGE SPONSORS Arts Spark Casella Resource Solutions Champlain National Bank Ledge Hill Brewing Company Sylvamo ACADEMY SPONSORS Rogers-Carroll Family Foundation - Junior program sponsor TrailNorth Federal Credit Union - Senior program sponsor BECOME A 2023 SPONSOR! Contact Kim for a list of opportunities krielly@depottheatre.org 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 2022 fiscal year (Oct 1, 2021-Sept 30, 2022). In addition to the long list of donors and sponsors, the Depot Theatre’s 2022 season was made possible by the NYS 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 Cultural Assistance Program Grant with funding provided by Essex County.
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