6 North Williams St., Whitehall NY 12887 * 518-499-2435

Updates for the 2010 Season

Bridge Theater-America's Most Unique Theater" We wish we could say that our theater on the Bridge is open once again this year, Unfortunately the shut down of the bridge last June by the state of New York for safety reasons is still in effect. Actions are being pursued to rectify this situation in the future. In the mean time we thank all of our loyal supporters for their support over the last year. This includes the Whitehall Village/Town Board of Education. We are really in a "Home Town USA".

The 2009 season left us with a tough act to follow. However, follow we do with 2010 summer filled with both active theater and workshops activities as well as special events designed to entertain and perhaps introduce you to new interests.

Some say our beautiful north country season is too short, It is just the extreme opposite. To those of us that live here, the season lasts 365 days a year. We sincerely hope that the efforts of ARCW will entice you to see what you have perhaps missed thus far in your life to the point where you might consider joining our membership..Now having said that, it is our pleasure to present the 2010 program

Since its opening in 2000, The Bridge Theater has brought the Arts and Entertainment to the Whitehall, New York region.

The Bridge Theater has been built on a canal bridge, directly over Lock 12 of the Champlain Canal, earning the reputation of "America's Most Unique Theater". The theater was designed and built by the ARCW volunteers in cooperation with the.New York State DOT . The Bridge Theater has been the home for the professional Riverview Entertainment Production Company and the local Potter's Players since its inception.

Bridge Theater closes performing arts gap in Whitehall

About a decade ago, the village’s downtown business association was looking for ways to promote the community. One of the ideas was a performing arts center. The next question was where it would be. A unique decision was made to build it over the abandoned Clinton Street Bridge over the Champlain Canal Lock 12. The bridge had been abandoned for many years and this would put it to good use. Thus, the concept of the Bridge Theater was born. Today, it is one of the most popular entertainment centers north of Albany.

David Mohn, as managing director of the Whitehall Arts and Recreation Commission, spearheaded the project which was an unprecedented cooperative effort of many local organizations and individuals. After two years of brainstorming sessions and working with the state, the theater became a reality in 2000.

The theater enclosure was built over one span of the bridge 100 feet long and 16 feet wide. Before construction started, the state Department of Transportation agreed to paint the structure, which alone cost $1.5 million. This was done five years before it was scheduled to be painted, Mohn said.

The commission received several grants that allowed work on the theater itself to proceed. These included $22,000 from the Troy Savings Bank Community Foundation and $17,500 from the state for spotlights and other equipment. Whitehall Plywood donated $6,000 worth of plywood to enclose the theater, and a local furniture store formerly located in Whitehall donated carpeting. BOCES students at Hudson Falls shaped the plywood into walls and painted it.

The original intent was to simulate a covered bridge, but the state Department of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation objected.

They went along with a revised design, Mohn said. The business association was dissolved and the Arts and Recreation Commission replaced it, as a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

The theater seats 60 people and is operated by a group dedicated volunteers.

Artistic Director Martin Kelly has created and directed numerous productions, some with a local flavor. His first production was “Victory and Defeat” which told the story about Benedict Arnold and the Battle of Valcour in Plattsburg on Oct. 17, 1776. The gunboats for this battle were built at Whitehall, and ever since then, Whitehall has been known as the birthplace of the U.S. Navy.

On Friday nights during the summer, the seats are replaced by tables and chairs for a cabaret which includes entertainment.

By Richard Palmer, NY Canal Times

A Division of ARCW