Take a journey without leaving the station.
Year in review 2026
Dear Friends,
From the young artists of HADESTOWN to the final chords of RING OF FIRE, the Depot Theatre’s 48th season spanned generations, genres, and stages. The Depot Theatre Academy opened the season with HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION, giving young artists the opportunity to perform on our Main Stage alongside professional directors, designers, and technicians. Later, Academy students brought RIDE THE CYCLONE: HIGH SCHOOL EDITION to the Depot and then filled the Whallonsburg Grange for a sold-out run of SEUSSICAL JR. Our professional Main Stage season carried audiences from the urgency and ambition of TICK, TICK… BOOM! to the warmth and hilarity of INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP and the music of Johnny Cash in the 94% sold-out run of RING OF FIRE. Between productions, the Dark Nights Series brought cabaret, mime, improvisation, and several timely staged readings to our historic station. Together, these programs demonstrated the remarkable breadth of what the Depot can offer: professional theatre, arts education, opportunities for emerging artists, and shared experiences that bring people together. They also reinforced something essential: Theatre is built by people. Every performance depends on actors, directors, musicians, designers, and technicians—as well as the set builders, sound professionals, production staff, teaching artists, administrators, and volunteers whose work may be less visible but is every bit as important. This season helped us better understand the level of staffing and technical support required to produce ambitious work safely, reliably, and at the standard our audiences have come to expect. At the same time, we are making significant investments in the Depot’s future. An $83,000 capital grant from the New York State Council on the Arts will help us improve the windows, insulation, and weatherization of our historic 1876 train station. New charitable foundation support is strengthening our Academy, technical theatre training, and opportunities for local young people. Planning is also underway for the long-term care of our artist housing. These investments are transformational—but most are restricted to particular projects. They cannot pay an actor, hire a technician, build a set, keep the lights on, or support the day-to-day work required to bring a season to life. That is where you make the difference. As we look toward another year of professional theatre, education, and community programming, I hope you will consider making a year-end gift to the Depot Theatre. Your support gives us the ability to respond to what each production and program genuinely requires—and helps ensure that exceptional theatre can continue to be created right here in the Adirondacks. Every gift, at every level, is part of this work. Thank you for believing in the artists, young people, and stories that find a home at the Depot Theatre. With gratitude,
Sarah Ann Wilson Executive Director
EUREKA DAY For Your Consideration DARK NIGHT
THE DEPOT THEATRE TEAM Executive Director: Sarah Wilson Artistic Director: Aaron Jodin Academy Director: Ginene Mason Office Operations Manager: Katie Shepard Resident Designer: Bonnie B. Brewer Company Manager: Peter Corley House Manager: Susan Granfors Bookkeeper: Teresa Cummings Auditor: Alexander Edwards & Co MAIN STAGE PRODUCTION TEAM Artistic Director: Aaron Jodin Artistic General Manager: Amy Fitts Light/Projection Design/Properties/Scenic Artist: Bonnie B. Brewer Scenic Design: Kyle Dixon Designs Technical Director: Iakov Doumanoff Sound Designer: Jim Carroll Stage Managers: Jordan Tannenberger Peter Corley, Bonnie B. Brewer Costume Designer/Production Assistant: Olivia Hovis Sound Technician: Marley Ihne Box Office Assistant/Technical Assistant: Alex Garrow DEPOT THEATRE BOARD OF TRUSTEES (FY 2026) Scott Gibree (President) Maureen Carlo (Vice President) Alexandra Henderson (Treasurer) Lindy Flanagan (Secretary) Betsy Bacot Kelsey Carroll
Catherine Conover Covert Alisa Endsley Greg Harper Lawrence Masle Bill McColgan Debbie Pastore Cheri Phillips Liz Spitler Marlene Super
DEPOT THEATRE ADVISORY COUNCIL Dee Carroll Jim Carroll George Davis Melissa Davis Amy Guglielmo Jonathan Hadley Daniel Keegan Amy McNamara Jennifer Moore
Mary Ellen O’Loughlin Jane Preston Kathy Recchia Kim Rielly Annie Scavo Joan Simon Sally Struthers Michael Thomas
DEPOT IN THE SPOTLIGHT The Depot Theatre’s work continued to earn attention throughout the region and beyond. Coverage from the Adirondack Explorer, Press-Republican, Lake Placid News, BroadwayWorld, Mountain Lake PBS, and ADK Taste highlighted our professional productions, Academy programs, artists, and growing community impact. This visibility introduces new audiences to the Depot and reinforces the importance of accessible professional theatre and arts education in the Adirondacks.
ON OUR MAIN STAGE
The Depot Theatre’s 48th Main Stage season brought three distinctive professional productions to our historic station: • TICK, TICK… BOOM! captured the hope, uncertainty, and creative urgency of pursuing a life in the arts. • INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP invited audiences into one unforgettable evening with a close-knit family in 1973—and played to sold-out houses during its final weekend. • RING OF FIRE filled the theatre with the music of Johnny Cash and concluded its nearly sold-out run at approximately 94 percent capacity. The Dark Nights Series expanded the season even further, welcoming audiences for cabaret, mime, improvisation, and two staged readings. A special “One More Round” performance with members of the RING OF FIRE company gave audiences another opportunity to gather with the artists who made the production so memorable. RING OF FIRE
INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP
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 oldest 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.”
TICK, TICK ...BOOM
INVESTING IN THE DEPOT’S FUTURE
The Depot Theatre received an $83,000 capital grant from the New York State Council on the Arts to support windows, attic insulation, and weatherization at our historic theatre. These improvements will help protect the 1876 station entrusted to our care, improve energy efficiency, and create a more comfortable and sustainable environment for artists, audiences, and young people. We are also laying the groundwork for the future of our artist housing. With professional assessments and planning underway, we are exploring how this important property might eventually support year-round housing, workshops, retreats, and other creative activity. Capital funding makes these major projects possible. Donor contributions sustain the people and programming that give these buildings their purpose.
HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION
A BANNER YEAR FOR THE ACADEMY
GRANTS AND COMMUNITY SUPPORT The Depot’s growing impact has been recognized through significant foundation and community investment. Support received this year is helping us: • Expand technical theatre training and paid learning opportunities. • Strengthen Academy staffing and production support. • Provide Academy scholarships so that cost is not a barrier to participation. • Develop mentoring and career-exploration opportunities with CCE Essex County 4-H. • Improve and protect our historic theatre. We are deeply grateful to the New York State Council on the Arts, Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation, Rogers-Carroll Family Foundation, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, Alfred Z. Solomon Charitable Trust, Charles R. Wood Foundation, Cloudsplitter Foundation, JM McDonald Foundation, Essex County Arts Council, Cornell Cooperative Extension Essex County 4-H, Town of Westport, Amtrak, Champlain National Bank, and the many other funders, sponsors, and individuals investing in this work. Most grant funding is restricted to particular programs or capital projects. Unrestricted contributions remain essential to the artists, staff, operations, and production expenses at the heart of every Depot season.
The Depot Theatre Academy continued to grow in both scale and opportunity. HADESTOWN: TEEN EDITION opened the summer with eight Main Stage performances—an expanded run that included multiple sold-out houses. Academy students worked in a professional theatre environment, supported by many of the same directors, designers, and technicians who bring our Equity productions to life. Young artists returned to the Depot for RIDE THE CYCLONE, while our Junior program brought SEUSSICAL JR. to the Whallonsburg Grange for a joyful, sold-out run. Beyond the stage, the Depot created paid opportunities for emerging theatre professionals in sound, lighting, costumes, communications, and production. These experiences introduce young people to the many creative and technical careers that make live theatre possible. SEUSSICAL JR.
BUILDING PATHWAYS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE A growing partnership with Cornell Cooperative Extension Essex County 4-H is helping the Depot extend its educational work beyond traditional productions. The partnership supports theatre-based learning, career exploration, and a new one-to-one mentoring pilot connecting young people with Depot-affiliated artists, technicians, and professionals. Participants can explore interests ranging from performance, sound and lighting design, communications, office skills, and project management.
RIDE THE CYCLONE
This work reflects an important part of the Depot’s educational mission: helping young people discover not only what they can do onstage, but the many ways their interests and abilities can lead to meaningful creative work.
Why Your Support Matters Ticket sales cover only a portion of what it costs to create professional theatre and meaningful educational programming. The balance comes from grants, sponsorships, and—most importantly—individual donors who believe that this work belongs in our region. YOUR GIFT SUSTAINS: • Professional Equity productions that bring exceptional artists to the Adirondacks. • The Depot Theatre Academy, where young people develop confidence, creativity, and a sense of belonging. • Fair compensation for the artists, technicians, and teaching professionals who make the work possible. • Accessible ticket prices, previews, scholarships, and community programming. • The stewardship of our historic 1876 train station and artist housing. WAYS TO SUPPORT THE WORK: • Make a year-end gift to help meet the full cost of creating the Depot’s next season. • Become a monthly donor and provide dependable support throughout the year. • Join the Depot Theatre Legacy Society by including the theatre in your estate plans. • Become a 2027 sponsor and connect your name or business with professional theatre, arts education, and community impact. • Start a conversation. If you are considering a legacy gift, sponsorship, or another way of supporting the Depot, please contact Sarah Wilson at ed@depottheatre.org.
THANK YOU!
THANK YOU
The Depot Theatre board and staff are deeply grateful to our 2026 sponsors. 48TH SEASON SPONSOR Rogers-Carroll Family Foundation ACADEMY UNDERWRITER The Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation MAIN STAGE SPONSORS The Mill Emerging Blue Mountain Lake PBS The Brooks and Joan Fortune Family Foundation DARK NIGHTS SPONSOR Chazy Westport Communications CONCESSIONS SPONSOR Champlain National Bank Lake Placid Pub & Brewery Many thanks to Betsy Bacot for the beautiful photographs that documented this extraordinary season! Become a 2027 Sponsor: A range of Main Stage, Academy, Dark Nights, and season-wide opportunities are available. Contact Executive Director Sarah Wilson at ed@depottheatre.org to learn more.
STAY CONNECTED
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Support us at DepotTheatre.org or point your phone’s camera here Take a journey without leaving the station. 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 our 2026 fiscal year (Oct 1, 2025 - Sept 30, 2026). VOLUNTEER LUNCH
Many thanks to our volunteers!
In addition to the long list of donors and sponsors, the Depot Theatre’s 2026 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.