Wow! Our community came together to raise nearly $60,000 for the Next Stage for Downtown New Theatre Campaign in one day, far exceeding our hopes.  Your generosity is incredibly appreciated.

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Please look forward to a proper thank you tomorrow, when we can report the final totals. 

If you missed us today, never fear, you can still participate.  Everyone loves a good encore! 

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"Saranac Lake is so very lucky to have Pendragon Theatre!

It is wonderful to see support for the new theatre growing at every level.

Founders Day is yet another example of our community coming together, and we cannot wait to have a state of the art facility in the heart of our downtown for all of our visiting and local actors to perform!"

Mayor Jimmy Williams

“I was on a cross country bike trip after the 1980 Olympics. When I returned, my family and friends, many of whom were literally plucked from the streets with limited theater experience, were all rehearsing Streetcar in a little space on Main Street. While I intended to be a viewer and not a participant, Bob and Susan, who were incredibly nurturing and committed to finding local talent at every level, roped me in after that show.  They were so inclusive that when it came time to find a name, they asked us to send ideas.  I had been reading a book on Arthurian legend, and later while walking in the greenery of the Adirondack spring and thinking “this reminds me of Wales” and the character Uther, who was the “Chief Dragon” or “Pendragon” popped into my head….sort of dropped out of the sky like Dorothy’s house in the Wizard of Oz….I suppose the rest is history”  Tom Delahant

And for more, check out this excerpt from an Historic Saranac Lake oral history project featuring Tom! 

https://youtu.be/-D9EF1mtVV4?si=8czaEtYZh4RroX89

Check out his video to us here:  

https://youtu.be/mWErLZw2_Cw

"Bob and Susan had in mind to put on a production of A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams with a budget of $250. Bob would produce, direct and publicize; Susan would play Blanche. They needed at least eight more people. The storied night they held auditions in the bookshop, the only one to show up was Fran Yardley. The three of them finally gave up hope anyone else would appear and began scouring the bookshelf in the Drama Section of the compact bookstore, looking for plays with three characters. Then in the door walked 6'4” brawny Jay Ellsworth, perfect to play Stanley Kowalski (the Streetcar role played by Marlon Brando). His neighbors, Diane Fortado and Phil Newton, had followed Jay in and were immediately cast as well.

            Somehow they found people to fill out the cast, including Elliott Verner who was willing to play the small part of the Doctor because, as he said, “I am a theater buff, but not a real actor.” Manny Bernstein, Rich Merritt and Georgette Duval also took on roles." Excerpt from Pendragon Theatre: More Than Entertainment - A Vital Part of Life by Fran Yardley

Learn more in the "More History" Tab above. 

Anita Montgomery,  a founding member of Pendragon Theatre, dramaturg and director, jazz/blues/folk singer, teaching artist, and arts administrator shared:

“Pendragon taught us how to really work, dig deep and be generous. My friend, Joe Guzman and I were reflecting that it was at Pendragon where we feel we really learned our crafts. We pushed and supported each other, and we took big risks in our work. It’s exciting to know that a small company like Pendragon, in the middle of the Adk Park, continues to  thrive and make a difference in the lives of the people it serves, as well as a huge contribution to theatrical excellence in NY State.”Anita Montgomery

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/UWNANNPuOyw

Thank you Doug for sharing this touching story about your family! 

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"It was largely due to Pendragon and Bob Pettee and Susan Neal's shared dream of creating a year round company of actors committed to producing quality theatre, that I moved here full time roughly thirty years ago now. I am grateful to them for their vision and to all of the people in our community, both behind and in front of the curtain who have supported the Theatre in so many ways over the years. We hope you'll enjoy the memories as we celebrate our very own "Once and Future Theatre," today."

Some years ago Susan and I likened Pendragon and its growth to the construction of medieval cathedrals ... nameless masons stopping for a while to add to the building. In Pendragon's case some of those "masons" brought paper and pen, some actual stones, some fabric, some - a gift for telling of stories, some music, some light ... and so much more...

It looks as if soon the masons will construct the bell tower and perhaps the spire.

As two of the early masons, we wish you well and send all best wishes for success in your fundraising and the construction!" Susan Neal and Bob Pettee

Great news, we already blew past our first challenge goal!

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Steve Adams and Bonnie Keet Adams have generously challenged us to get to $7,000 by 12pm and they will add $10,000 to our total.  

They share:  “Pendragon was my boys' introduction to live theater when they were just little nuggets. Giving children such an accessible and engaging on-ramp results in a life long love and devotion to the arts. Pendragon has a unique ability to move between family shows to deeply proactive adult topics.  Summer would not be complete without a large family outing to one of the plays.” Steve Adams and Bonnie Keet Adams

 "I honor and share the vision of Bob Pettee and Susan Neal, founders of Pendragon Theatre: First and foremost, to have the highest standards in scripts chosen and in all facets of putting on a production; to involve the community; and to challenge, educate and enrich the audience. If Pendragon can carry this vision forward, it will be a huge asset to our community and to the arts." Fran Yardley 

Fran's eloquent piece helps us place Pendragon Theatre in the fabric of Saranac Lake:

"Pendragon began in 1980. To be clear, the name Pendragon did not yet exist. The idea began in the dreams of Bob Pettee and Susan Neal who one day called Elliott Verner and said “We can't find the artistic freedom we need in New York City. We want to move to Saranac Lake. Do you know a place we could rent?".......

Learn more in the "More History" tab above, and stay tuned for more on Pendragon Theatre past and present throughout the day!