Hudson Valley Shakespeare’s new $33 million Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center in Garrison formally opened to the public on May 17 with a Community Day open house. The theater company’s performance season is scheduled to begin June 10 with ”As You Like It,” which runs through Sept. 18. “King Lear” is scheduled to be performed June 12 through Sept. 17.
The new theater is on a 98-acre parcel that was donated by philanthropist Christopher Davis. The 6,800-square-feet, 451-seat theater also has an adjacent 10,000-square-feet area with dressing rooms, a green room, wardrobe facilities, and offices, as well as separate spaces for concessions and public washrooms.
The project was awarded a combined total of $19.5 million in public funding from federal and state sources, including $10 million from the New York State Council on the Arts; $3.5 million from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for riparian watershed restoration; $3.25 million from Empire State Development, as recommended by the Mid-Hudson Regional Economic Development Council, including designation as a Priority Project for the region; $1.5 million from the New York State Department of Education; $500,000 from the New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation Environmental Protection Fund; $534,000 from the U.S. Department of Education; and $250,000 in capital grants from former State Assemblymember Sandra Galef, State Assemblymember Dana Levenberg, and State Sen. Pete Harckham.
Marsha Gordon and Kristine Young, co-chairs of the Mid-Hudson Economic Development Council (MHREDC), in a joint statement said, “The Hudson Valley Shakespeare campus is a landmark investment for the Mid-Hudson region — one that strengthens our cultural identity, drives economic growth, and sets a national standard for sustainable design. By bringing together world-class architecture, ecological stewardship, and the performing arts, this project proves that economic development and environmental responsibility can go hand in hand. The MHREDC is proud to have supported Hudson Valley Shakespeare and look forward to welcoming visitors from across New York and beyond to this remarkable new destination.”
Kendra Ekelund, managing director of Hudson Valley Shakespeare said, “The opening of the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center recognizes the important role that arts and culture organizations play in strengthening communities, welcoming visitors, supporting local economies, and stewarding shared public spaces.”
Ground was broken for the construction project on Sept. 25, 2024, with Consigli Construction Co., Inc. serving as construction manager. Gov. Kathy Hochul attended the groundbreaking and said, “Arts and cultural organizations like Hudson Valley Shakespeare are central to communities across New York state, boosting local economies and driving our vibrant tourism industry.”
