ADK Talks
ADK Talks brings you the stories behind the people, places, and things to do in the Adirondack Park of New York State. With 6 million acres, the Adirondacks are the ultimate playground.
We take you beyond the guidebooks and into the heart of one of America's most breathtaking regions. Just like we do on our website, adktaste.com, our podcast uncovers the hidden gems of the Adirondacks, offering hand-picked recommendations for the best places to stay, eat, shop and do in the Adirondack Park.
But this isn't just about places. It's about the people who make the Adirondacks so special and unique. In each episode, we talk to people from all walks of life—restauranteurs, farmers, innkeepers, historians, artists, local leaders, writers, hikers, and more. Hear real stories about what they do, their passions, and how they found their way here.
And they'll share their insider tips on the best things to see and do in the Adirondacks – insights you won't find anywhere else.
So subscribe now to ADK Talks to get real stories from real people, sharing the real Adirondacks.
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ADK Talks
Seagle Festival 2026: Opera, New Works & A Bold Vision for the Adirondacks
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From Hill to Stage: Seagle Festival’s Next Act in the Adirondacks
For more than a century, the Seagle Festival has been a summer tradition on the shores of Schroon Lake—where emerging artists arrive with big voices and leave ready for the world stage.
In this episode of ADK Talks, we welcome back Artistic Director Darren Woods along with Director of Education and Community Outreach Josh Cook. Together, they share how Seagle is building on its 111-year legacy while setting the stage for an ambitious, year-round future in the Adirondacks.
From a rigorous national audition process to a bold capital campaign, this conversation offers a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to grow a thriving arts ecosystem in a rural region—and why it matters now more than ever.
What you’ll hear in this episode
- Seagle Festival’s origin story—how a NYC voice teacher’s summer escape became the oldest vocal training program in the U.S.
- Inside the audition process: 400 applicants, 32 spots, and the search for something truly “extraordinary.”
- Highlights from the 2026 season, including The Sound of Music, HMS Pinafore, Mozart’s Così fan tutte, and the powerful contemporary opera Dead Man Walking.
- How Seagle alumni are making waves on Broadway, at the Met Opera, and across Europe.
- The expansion of youth programming—giving North Country kids hands-on experience both on stage and behind the scenes.
- “Opera shots” pop-up performances across the Adirondacks—bringing live music to bars, breweries, and unexpected venues.
- A vision for the future: a winterized campus, new theater, and year-round performances that could transform the regional arts scene.
Resources:
- Seagle Festival — Explore the 2026 season, meet the artists, and purchase tickets (season passes available now; individual tickets on sale April 1).
- NewVida Preserve (Lake Placid area) — Scenic venue for upcoming Opera Shots pop-ups
- The Deerhead Inn — Historic jazz venue and returning Opera Shots location
- North Star Underground Railroad Museum (Keeseville)
Produced by NOVA