Saratoga Performing Arts Center has undergone many physical changes since is last saw a performance in 2019, pre-coronavirus pandemic.
Elizabeth Sobol, SPAC president and CEO, reflected on the challenges and opportunities presented by 2020 and looked ahead to its reopening in 2021, at the SPAC board of directors annual meeting in June.
Following a year of a shuttered amphitheater stage due to the COVID-19 pandemic, SPAC will welcome back all three resident companies—New York City Ballet, The Philadelphia Orchestra and Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. On the last weekend in June, it hosted the Freihofer’s Saratoga Jazz Festival and concerts presented by Live Nation have returned.
“On Monday, May 18 of 2020, SPAC did the unthinkable. In the middle of glorious high spring weather, after 53 continuous years of presenting on our beloved and legendary stage, we cancelled an entire season and left the doors to the amphitheater locked—a profound and solemn acknowledgement during some of the darkest, early days of the pandemic,” said Sobol.
“And yet, here we are. After what now seems an eternity, the amphitheater is open, the lawn is thick and green.”
In 2020, with generous funding from Live Nation, Empire State Development, and the state Parks Recreation & Historic Preservation, SPAC completed its major new capital project, The Pines@SPAC.
The project restored park-like aesthetics to the grounds and opened up original site lines from the Route 50 gate to the Victoria Pool. It provided for new and expanded restrooms and concessions areas and new measures for safety and security.
In addition, it provided new spaces for gathering outside of the amphitheater: The Julie Bonacio Family Pavilion; The Pines Terrace; and the Nancy Di Cresce Education Room at The Pines, SPAC’s first year-round space for education and community outreach.
“Nowhere is SPAC’s transformation more dramatically evident than in the presence of our new Pines@SPAC facility,” said Sobol. “The project began with the intent to replace aging concessions and bathroom facilities, but quickly expanded its scope to align with our new mission.
“To accommodate our growing education program, the Nancy Di Cresce Education Room serves as our first year-round indoor gathering space,” she said. “And as part of our role as a communal gathering place, the beautiful Julie Bonacio Family Pavilion has now become the beating heart of our Pines campus.”
SPAC’s season kicked off on June 5, 2021 with its signature education event, The Adirondack Trust Company Festival of Young Artists, celebrating the artistic achievements of more than 200 local student dancers, singers, musicians, poets and visual artists. At the meeting, the festival’s 2021 Outstanding Artist Winner in Literary Arts, Pallavi Datti, recited her poem “Unvanquished.”
Another highlight of SPAC’s educational programming for 2021 will be NYCB workshops.
Additionally, SPAC will once again partner with National Dance Institute (NDI) and Double H Ranch to bring a series of virtual dance workshops to the campers. Approximately 250 campers will participate in the workshops, which are designed to incorporate NDI’s award-winning dance pedagogy into inclusive classrooms where children of all abilities can dance and perform.
SPAC welcomed five new board members.
Carl DeBrule has over 22 years of experience in business, operations and technical leadership experience driving high performance teams and operational innovations. His current role is with Johnson and Johnson Corp. as vice president global applications development engineering processes and testing.
Sean Leonard is currently chief investment officer and partner with Graypoint LLC with 13 years in finance. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from University of Buffalo and his MBA from University of Albany.
Chris Mackey has 34 years of diversified wholesale and retail automotive experience and success in the management and development of all aspects of franchised retail automobile dealership operations. He received his Bachelor of Science degree from Boston College.
Dr. L. Oliver Robinson is the superintendent of schools for the Shenendehowa Central School District. He has worked in education for 26 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University and both his Master of Science and Ph.D. from the SUNY Albany.