From Concept to Curtain Call
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Article and Photos by Mallory Leonard
With a history spanning more than 40 years, Pendragon Theatre has solidified itself as the only year-round professional theatre company in the Adirondacks. From humble beginnings to a newly constructed multi-million-dollar facility, Pendragon’s commitment to the arts in the North Country is in the spotlight.
I recently had the honor of visiting Pendragon’s new home on Woodruff Street in Saranac Lake. As I walked through the main doors, the lobby felt both intimate and grand, much like the village itself. Managing Director Mike Aguirre and Board Chair Melinda Little served as my tour guides.
Pendragon Theatre began in 1980 when two summer theatre veterans from New York City retreated to the Adirondacks in search of creative freedom. Bob Pettee and Susan Neal began with a budget of $250 and a dream. Their bare-bones production of A Streetcar Named Desire was rehearsed and performed at Petrova Elementary and Middle School.
“From the beginning, the theatrical troupe, under the guidance of Bob and Susan, took off on a wing and a prayer, with a passion to present good solid plays, involve the community and enrich the audience,” Aguirre offered. “With Streetcar, Pendragon began a tradition that continues. Residents of St. Joe’s Rehabilitation Center were invited to watch the preview performance gratis (and still are) so actors could get a feel for the play with an audience.”
Aguirre’s background in theatre covers just about everything — from acting, development, marketing, producing, and managing in all types of theatre spaces from Chicago to Philadelphia, and finally to New York City.
“It’s rare to have the opportunity to build a theatre from scratch,” he observed. “And to find work in a place like Saranac Lake is rare. Everything unique about Pendragon comes from the community – Saranac Lake and the Adirondacks at large. Patrons, artists and staff have a fulfilling experience, because they see the theatre as something more than a place to work, but as a part of the creative heartbeat of the area.”
The planning for a new space for Pendragon began in the early 2010s and was solidified when the Village won its Downtown Revitalization Award in 2018 which included an allocation of $2.5 million.
With the help of the Cloudsplitter Foundation and other early donors, Pendragon was able to purchase the former A&P location in 2019. JMZ Architects and Planners of Glens Falls was hired to design the new theatre. “Initial expenses, plus maintenance of the existing building totaled $1.6 million in pre-construction costs,” Little recalled.
When the COVID pandemic hit in early 2020, the project came to a brief intermission. Pendragon closed its doors and the remainder of the season was cancelled. At the start of the 2021 season, the construction project had to find its footing again.
During the pause, the cost of constructing the theatre skyrocketed from $6.7 to $10.5 million, but that was not the final curtain for the project. “In Spring 2024, we hired MLB Construction Services of Malta who, in partnership with JMZ, have done a terrific job turning our vision into a reality,” stated Little enthusiastically.
During my guided tour of the new space, it was clear the designers really did think of everything. It is in a walkable area of the Village, is ADA accessible, and the proscenium theatre is a site to behold. It boasts approximately 15,000 square feet of creative space. The original theatre was about half the size, creating cramped storage conundrums. The new theatre has room for all needs, and then some.
The theatre, although equipped with state-of-the-art technology and a surprisingly spacious performance area, still manages to feel intimate. No matter the seat, audience members will have a great view, and even the back of the house feels as though you are right on stage. “Everyone gets the same show,” Aguirre emphasized. “That was important to us.” “There isn’t a bad seat in the house!” Little added.
Backstage, large double doors open into a hallway that is home to the scene and costume shops, offices, a rehearsal space, and more. The size of the doors allow large scenery pieces to be fully assembled and then brought to the stage.
Large dressing rooms with ample lighting and privacy are available. The Green Room serves as a comfortable, private space for performers as they wait for their cue to go on stage.
The new facility also offers a beautiful multi-use rehearsal space equipped with an integrated sound system which can be utilized for not only Pendragon productions, but will also serve the com-munity as well. With a direct door to the lobby and restrooms, artists who utilize the space will not have to travel through the building for access.
Little’s experience in community and business development, along with her educational background, made her a strong leader in the creation of Pendragon’s new chapter. “The sup-port from the community has been tremendous ,” she said. Having a well-rounded team to lead the vision for this project has proven successful. “To date, the project has been awarded $5.5 million (51% of the construction cost) in grants through various New York State programs: DRI, DEC Smart Growth, Restore NY, NY State Council on the Arts & Market NY,” Little stated.
As for the final touches, Little said, “We are almost there. Thanks to the State and our incredibly generous community, we are almost at the finish line with our fundraising, but not quite there yet. We have a goal to raise another $300,000 before our ribbon cutting on the after-noon of April 22.”
Pendragon successfully sold all available seats in the theatre in their Take-A-Seat campaign as of February of this year. One hundred twelve fixed seats will have plaques commemorating the donor’s legacy, a commitment to the arts in the community.
A far cry from the former garage/auto shop at the Brandy Brook location, the space is unique to Pendragon. Every detail, from the performance and backstage workspaces, the gallery hanging system awaiting local artists’ work in the lobby, to the artist-created dragon that is waiting to be hung from the sky-high ceilings in the lobby (truly a sight to see!) is a nod to Pendragon’s history and trajectory.
One detail in the design of the new theatre that was non-negotiable was having the overhang on the front of the building, a nod to the gathering space that was the front porch of the original location. Patrons as well as performers and staff would gather there before and after the show. “It was an important detail to keep. “We’re not all different and new,” Aguirre emphasized. “We’re still Pendragon, and those little details matter to us and to our community. It is our hope that this front area will function the same — as a gathering place where the community comes together.
Pendragon’s 2026 season will kick off on June 24th with the production Noises Off, a farce about the making of theatre. From concept to curtain call, the Pendragon Theatre is doing it all. It will be exciting to see what its next act will be.
Pendragon Theatre
56 Woodruff Street
Saranac Lake, NY 12983
(518) 891-1854