Lisa Green reports from Poughkeepsie. Actually, there was no curtain, but there was a buzz (aided, no doubt, by the Dutch’s Spirits being sampled) as the Powerhouse Theater kicked off its 32nd season at Canvas on Tuesday, March 29. A collaboration of Vassar College and New York Stage & Film since 1985, the Powerhouse Theater Season has served as an incubator for artists and their work (for example, a little production called Hamilton was developed on its stages). This summer, close to 300 artists — professionals and apprentices — will bring to life more than 25 new theater pieces. “Powerhouse supports productions in all stages of development," said Johanna Pfaelzer, artistic director of New York Stage & Film. After she announced some of the Mainstage productions, musical workshops, readings and other events this season, Powerhouse artists treated guests to a sneak preview of some of those events. Above, Ed Cheetham, producing director of Powerhouse at Vassar, with Johanna Pfaelzer.
Playwrights Darrah Cloud and David Simpatico are on the faculty of the School of the Arts at Half Moon Theatre; Ari Graynor with musicians Alex Grubbs and Eloise Eonnet of the band The Lobbyists, who performed songs from the 2014 Powerhouse Musical Workshop, SeaWife.
Kim Collier, who works in human resources at Vassar, and Dana Kleinhaus, the college's dean of strategic planning and academic resources; Thomas Pearson, executive director of New York Stage & Film, with Jeff Kosmacher, Vassar's director of media relations and public affairs.
Catharine Hill, president of Vassar, with Johanna Pfaelzer; Luis Roddi Adrian and Kevin Douchkoff.
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Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
