No matter the time of year, there’s always something happening in Washington County! Our gorgeous landscape attracts artists and creators like few other places, its rugged and rural beauty a constant source of inspiration. This has led to a thriving cultural scene, as evidenced by the consistently-filled Washington County Event Calendar.
The wonderful connection between creator and community keeps us warm and the arts alive – but it’s the performing arts centers that give us space to let the magic happen! Whether you’re in the mood for comedy, music, drama, or dance, one of our many local theater options is sure to please.
Fort Salem Theater
This charming theater in Salem, NY is one of the premier performing arts theatres of the Northeast, known for the professional quality of its full-scale musicals, comedies, and occasional dramas.
It is home to a beautifully renovated mainstage boasting seating from Broadway’s historic Helen Hayes Theater, where many famous productions debuted! The adjacent Cabaret Room is the perfect setting for intimate performances from talented singers and musicians of all genres, and the lobby of the theater serves as a seasonal art gallery featuring local and national artists!
After reopening under new ownership in 2021, “FST” will celebrate its 51st season in 2023 with a boost from a New York State Council on the Arts grant, aimed to support the recovery of the nonprofit arts and culture sector.
The season runs from March through December, and season tickets are available!
Little Theater On the Farm
Since 2005, the Little Theater on the Farm in Fort Edward, NY has provided a space for theatrical performances, live music, parties, craft fairs, and even historical reenactments within its gorgeously restored barn.
This lovely theater is nestled in the farmland, meadows, and mountains around Fort Edward, creating a theatrical environment unlike any you’ve experienced before.
The Little Theater also hosts an annual Haunted Barn in late October, touted to be the scariest in the area!
Performances run from late April to October. Learn more at http://www.littletheater27.org/
Hubbard Hall – Center for the Arts and Education
Hubbard Hall is many things: an arts incubator, a training ground for artists of all ages and backgrounds, a magnet for artistic activity, a safe haven for risk-taking, an economic driver for the region, and the beating heart of the Cambridge community.
Since 1878, Hubbard Hall in Cambridge, NY has developed, produced, and presented theater, music, opera, dance, and the visual arts, and in recent years has become a world-class development center for new work.
The Hall offers classes in dance, theater, music, movement, visual arts, puppetry, creative writing, martial arts, yoga, and even gardening, giving students of all ages an opportunity to train, collaborate, and thrive.
Hubbard Hall receives major support from the New York State Council on the Arts each year and offers artist residencies year-round.
See what classes and events are happening now at https://hubbardhall.org/
The Strand Theatre
The Strand Theatre in Hudson Falls, NY turned 100 this month, and celebrated in style with a Silent Film Fest, where they showed classics like Harold Lloyd’s “Safety First” and Max Schreck’s “Nosferatu.”
The nonprofit Hudson River Music Hall Productions, Inc. has brought over 150 events per year to the local public, including live music, art gallery openings, dance seminars, theatrical productions, private gatherings, and more opportunities for the community to connect through the arts.
Events run year-round, so be sure to visit https://www.mystrandtheater.org/ to see what performances they have coming up.
Beyond Washington County’s Borders:
Charles R. Wood Theater
The Charles R. Wood Theater in downtown Glens Falls, NY was converted from a vacant Woolworth’s store in 2004, which was the catalyst for the revitalization of downtown Glens Falls. Each year, nearly 350 events happen at the theater, including theatrical performances, musicals, concerts, dance performances, film festivals, meetings, parties, weddings, rehearsals, auditions, and educational classes. These are produced by local arts groups like Glens Falls Community Theatre, Adirondack Theatre Festival, SUNY Adirondack’s Theater Program, Adirondack Film Festival, Adagio School of Dance & Music, Broadway Upstate, and more.
Emily Murphy, executive director of The Wood, said “Our area is so lucky to have such a significant arts scene. We take pride in being one of many local theaters who all have such vastly different programming but similar work in providing our communities with top notch entertainment. The arts community in our area has always been extremely collaborative and supportive of one another in achieving our independent missions. We are happy to be part of a vibrant community full of music, theater and artists and provide a venue for expression and entertainment.”
The Wood Theater is a year-round performing arts center, so visit https://woodtheater.org/ to see what’s happening now.
Adirondack Theater Festival (ATF)
Each summer since 1995, ATF has produced a nine-week season at the Wood Theater jam-packed with bold, contemporary works with talent from actors, designers, and directors who regularly work on and off-Broadway, on television, and in movies.
Preview the upcoming season at https://www.atfestival.org/
The Park Theater
Built in 1911, The Park Theater is the premier entertainment venue located in the heart of downtown Glens Falls, NY. This century-old theater holds a vast and rich history within the community and has been revitalized as a destination for performing arts, weddings, events and more!
This beautiful building has featured national and international touring performers as well as local community artists and productions. The theater also offers an upscale restaurant named “Doc’s Restaurant,” and hosts an annual outdoor Summer Concert Series.
See what’s happening now at The Park Theater – visit https://www.parktheatergf.com/
From Cambridge to Fort Edward and beyond, Washington County creatives are producing incredible works of art to share with and enrich the lives of our community.
