We caught up with Miriam Weisfeld this week, who you’ll likely recognize as the Producing Artistic Director of the Adirondack Theatre Festival! She shares the joys of renovating an old city home (with quite the history!), the kindness of Glens Falls neighbors, the importance of community in helping build back the arts post-pandemic, and more…
On Life In Glens Falls
I’m Miriam Weisfeld, the Producing Artistic Director of the Adirondack Theatre Festival. I'm originally from Detroit. When I was in high school I got to see some amazing Red Wings games broadcast by the great Dave Strader. Since then, I've been fortunate enough to live in many of the world's great theatre capitals: London, Toronto, Chicago, Boston, Moscow, NYC, Washington DC, Minneapolis, NYC again, and then the gig at ATF brought us to Glens Falls.
On Great Neighbors
Shortly after we moved here, we discovered what incredibly special neighbors we have here in Glens Falls. It was the spring of 2022. The professional performing arts were struggling to rebuild from the devastating effects of the pandemic. I was preparing to lead my first season at ATF and my husband Joe Isenberg, who is a fight director in the opera world, was injured in a hit-and-run and nearly lost his leg. Suddenly, I was coordinating his multiple surgeries in NYC while caring for our daughter Nina, who was adjusting to elementary school at Kensington, and I was producing a theatre festival that was still recovering from countless post-pandemic challenges.
We’d only just met our Glens Falls neighbors, but they immediately had our backs: mowing our lawn, taking out our dog, and cheering Joe on as he re-learned how to walk, and then to run, and then to swordfight again. Joe has now made a miraculous recovery and he’s back to choreographing at the Metropolitan Opera. We honestly couldn’t have done it without the kindness and encouragement of the other families on our block.
On The Joys of Renovation
After a wild 2022, we’re excited to finally tackle the house projects we’ve been planning since we moved in. Our 1870’s house has a fascinating mythology. Apparently, it was originally built in what is now Crandall Park. When the park was created, the house was lifted off its foundation, put on a horse drawn wagon, and moved across Glen Street to a new lot. We had a great time learning about it from our wonderful realtor, Julie Snyder. Now we’re renovating it room by room. Each time we finish a room, we send Julie photos. We love to hear her “ooh” and “ah!” at the refinished floors, the new sheetrock, the fresh paint.
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
After all that work, we like treating ourselves to dinner at one of the great spots downtown — Davidson Brothers, Downtown City Tavern, or Craft on 9 — and then sip cocktails on the gorgeous porch at Morgan & Co or around the firepit at Park 26. We love looking out on the treasures of our little town: City Park, Crandall Library, the Arts District. Glens Falls is a great illustration of how artists, foodies, and entrepreneurs can work hand-in-hand to create a unique and thriving civic life.
On the Past
I love the stories from the 1990’s about how the Adirondack Theatre Festival helped to drive the rebirth of downtown Glens Falls: how ATF’s founders, David Turner and Martha Banta, produced a season of shows in the old Woolworth’s Five-and-Dime and then worked with Partners for Progress to help transform it into the Charles R. Wood Theater. The Wood is now such an iconic presence in Glens Falls. ATF is fortunate to be the anchor tenant and to continue that symbiotic relationship with the Wood Theater.
On the Future
If last year taught me anything, it’s that recovery takes a village. That goes for the US arts sector, too. Since the pandemic, Broadway alone has lost two million audience members. But we’re coming back. This season, Adirondack Theatre Festival’s subscribers have increased by 20%. That’s almost unheard of. Our community is with us. And every community member counts. Everyone who buys a ticket, or pledges a sponsorship, or urges a friend to see a show is helping us build back to our full capacity to challenge, entertain, and nourish audiences in this very special corner of the world.
[Editor’s Note: Here is a link to view the season lineup and purchase ATF tickets, if you’re interested!]
