Ancram Center for the Arts marks 10 years with 2025 season

Left, Grace McLean in “Penelope” and right, Jeff Augustin, author, “Where

the Mountain Meets the Sea.”

Provided

Ancram Center for the Arts marks 10 years with 2025 season

Ancram Center for the Arts is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2025 with a season as bold and intimate as the visionary theater-makers it champions. Under the guidance of co-directors Jeffrey Mousseau and Paul Ricciardi, the Center’s milestone season delivers a compelling mix of premieres, residencies, and site-specific performances designed to surprise, move, and connect.

The season opens June 28 with “ Real People Real Stories,” the Center’s signature storytelling series where neighbors share unscripted, heartfelt tales. The series will be kicking off the season at Roe-Jan Park and closing it on November 22 back at the Center.

In July, the Center presents the regional premiere of “Where the Mountain Meets the Sea,” written by Jeff Augustin with music by The Bengsons. A lyrical and emotional journey across time and terrain, the play follows a Haitian father and his son on parallel road trips across America. Originally produced by Manhattan Theatre Club, the Ancram production runs July 11 through July 20 and is directed by Christopher Windom.

On August 2, the Center pulls out all the stops with a 10th Anniversary bash at The Farm at Pond Lily in Elizaville, promising festive surprises and performances in a picturesque setting.

Then, August 7 to 10, Plein Air Plays 3.0 returns with three original, site-specific short performances staged in secret locations across Ancram, where natural landscapes become integral to the storytelling. This inventive tradition showcases the adventurous spirit at the heart of the Center’s programming.

Two original works developed through Ancram’s Play Lab Residency anchor the late summer and fall. “Blue Cowboy” (August 16 and 17), a solo piece written and performed by Obie-winner David Cale, follows a New York screenwriter’s surreal encounter with a mysterious rancher in Idaho.

“Framed” (Oct. 19), a new musical by Ancram local Mary Murfitt with music by Murfitt and Pam Drews Phillips, dives into a true crime tale of love and betrayal.

The season closes with “Penelope” (Sept. 19 through 28), a haunting and humorous musical reimagining of Homer’s “Odyssey” told through the eyes of the woman left waiting. With music and lyrics by Alex Bechtel, and a book by Bechtel, Grace McLean, and Eva Steinmetz, Penelope stars McLean fresh off her star turn in Broadway’s “Suffs,”in her first full theatrical performance in the title role.

Celebrating a decade as a haven for artists and audiences alike, Ancram Center for the Arts continues to push boundaries while staying rooted in community. Tickets and details are available at www.ancramcenter.org.

Latest News

Foreign exchange students reflect on a year in the U.S.

Charlie Castellanos, left, and Allegra Ferri, right, sitting in the HVRHS library to talk about their experiences in the U.S.

Anna Gillette
“I would say if you are thinking about doing the program, do it because you get out of your comfort zone and learn so many things...” —Charlie Castellanos

Every year, Housatonic Valley Regional High School welcomes foreign exchange students to attend classes through the AFS Intercultural Programs. This school year, two students traveled to Northwest Connecticut to immerse themselves in American life and culture. Allegra Ferri, a 17-year-old from Italy, and 16-year-old Charlie Castellanos from Colombia sat down to reflect on their experience at HVRHS. As the academic year is coming to an end, they shared a few highlights of their time in the U.S. and offered advice to prospective exchange students.

What has been your favorite part of your exchange experience?

Allegra: “My favorite part of this exchange year was coming here and experiencing an American high school.”

Keep ReadingShow less
HVRHS students bring back student newspaper
From left, Ibby Sadeh, Anna Gillette, Nathan Miller, Maddy Johnson and Caitlin Hanlon proof the pages of HVRHS Today at the Lakeville Journal office while Shanaya Duprey teleconferences in on Thursday, May 29.
James H. Clark

Students from Housatonic Valley Regional High School wrote and produced the inaugural edition of HVRHS Today, a new publication by and for students in the Northwest Corner.

This inaugural issue of HVRHS Today marks the first student-led journalism effort at the high school in several years. The program is a collaboration between the Lakeville Journal, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation and the 21st Century Fund.

Keep ReadingShow less
Mountaineers take second place in WCLC

WATERTOWN — Housatonic Valley Regional High School girls lacrosse played Watertown High School for the Western Connecticut Lacrosse Conference championship Wednesday, May 28.

The cold, rainy game went back and forth with three ties and three lead changes. Watertown was ahead when it counted and earned a 6-4 victory to claim the league title.

Keep ReadingShow less