Broadway in the Adirondacks: Inside the Depot Theatre

In this episode of ADK Talks, Jane and Steve head to Westport, New York, for a behind-the-scenes look at the Depot Theatre, a professional theatre housed inside a restored 19th-century train station on the shores of Lake Champlain.Guests Erin Jodwin, Artistic Director at the Depot Theatre, and Gigi Mason, Director of the Depot Theatre Academy, share what makes this small, intimate venue such a memorable place to see live performance. From trains rumbling past during shows to actors performing just feet from the audience, the Depot offers a theatre experience that could only happen in the Adirondacks.What you’ll hear in this episodeHow a historic Westport train station became a professional theatre.Why the Depot’s small space creates such a powerful connection between actors and audiences.What it means to be an Equity theatre and why that matters for professional performers.How the Depot Theatre Academy gives Adirondack kids access to acting, stage management, lighting, sound, sets, costumes, and mentorship.What’s on stage for the 2026 season, including Hadestown: Teen Edition, Tick, Tick… Boom!, Incident at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and Ring of Fire.Why artists are drawn to spending a summer creating theatre in the Adirondacks.How community support, volunteers, and local partnerships help keep the Depot thriving.Favorite Adirondack spots from Erin and Gigi, including the Lake Placid Olympic Oval, a favorite swimming hole near Essex, Goodnow Mountain, and the Champlain Area Trails Quarry Trail.Resources:Depot Theatre Depot Theatre in Westport Champlain Area TrailsJames C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid Essex Quarry Nature PreserveSeagle Festival The Hyde Collection Actors’ Equity Association Produced by NOVA