www.timeout.com/newyork: After nearly four decades under a tent, Hudson Valley Shakespeare is getting a home worthy of its magnitude. Opening in summer 2026, the Samuel H. Scripps Theater Center in Garrison, New York, will give the beloved open-air company its first permanent stage—one designed to blend right into the rolling hills above the Hudson River.
3 comments:
I love outdoor theaters! Though they can sometimes be difficult to work in due to weather conditions or design reasons, I think that they are such a great way to put on a show. It is just a very different approach to theatre, and it can really enhance the story depending on the show. I think a very common way to do outdoor theatre is doing Shakespeare shows. They were used to be performed outdoors or at least on a stage without a ceiling; they are a really popular choice within an outdoor theatre, hence why this is a Shakespeare-based organization. The indoor-outdoor concept of this theatre is really interesting, and also for design adaptability, along with audience immersion with the Hudson Valley background that enhances the show. I also think that it is really interesting that it was designed around being environmentally friendly. This is a really big step within the industry to become aware of sustainability and to become a greener industry. This seems like a really cool theatre, and I would love to visit or even work there someday.
Wow this is an absolutely gorgeous theatre. Having grown up doing mainly outdoor theatre in the middle of the woods in northern michigan I feel like I have a pretty high standard for outdoors theatres. I absolutely love the light wood, it makes it look modern and works well with the natural light. I enjoy that the theatre is still very much outdoors but it has a roof so that guests can enjoy the show no matter if there is some rain. The only thing that gave me pause in the rendering was how much shadow was bing cast across the stage from the large pillars. Hopefully in real life the stage lights will mitigate those shadows, as well as I bet that was just the renderings way of showing that natural light could penetrate the theatre. I highly doubt they would build a west facing theatre as, if patrons were watching a show while the sun was setting, they would be blinded and would not be able to see the action.
I really love the idea of this new Hudson Valley Shakespeare theater blending directly into the natural landscape. When I think of theater, I often think of dark indoor spaces, so imagining a stage that’s open to the breeze and surrounded by hills and meadows feels really refreshing. I like how the design doesn’t try to separate the audience from nature, but instead makes the environment part of the storytelling. I also think it’s exciting that the building is being created with sustainability in mind. The fact that it will be LEED Platinum-certified and powered in part by renewable energy makes it feel like theater is moving forward in a thoughtful way. The idea of restoring native grasses and planting trees as part of the project also adds to this feeling of care. Overall, it seems like a place where theater, landscape, and community can exist together in a meaningful way.
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