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
Broadway in the Adirondacks: Inside the Depot Theatre
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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 episode
- How 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 Trails
- James C. Sheffield Speed Skating Oval in Lake Placid
- Essex Quarry Nature Preserve
- Seagle Festival
- The Hyde Collection
- Actors’ Equity Association
Produced by NOVA