Editor’s Note: The Peekskill Herald’s “10 questions …”, column is for readers to know more about those who work in city government, own businesses, and support our city’s development. Today’s column features Katie Schmidt Feder, founder of Theatre in the Wood.
Tell us about the first production you ever directed: your fifth grade performing A Christmas Carol. How did you come to direct the show? What was it like to direct your classmates?
I do not recall how I came to direct A Christmas Carol in 5th grade. It might have been my idea as my older siblings were in theater at the High School, and I wanted to be like them. We also had a school trip to see the movie musical Scrooge and perhaps I wanted to recreate it in my own way. I don’t remember much about directing my classmates other than we performed at one end of the classroom and the show didn’t seem very long, so I am guessing it was a rather truncated version! My most vivid memory from the show was the evergreen wreath crown I made for myself to wear as “The Ghost of Christmas Present” and the disappointment when my teacher, Mrs. Rose, wisely refused to let me light the tiny birthday candles I had wired into the crown.
You moved to Peekskill in 2003. What was the artist scene like then? How did creatives find each other? How has the scene evolved over the past two decades?
The Peekskill artist scene was quite established when we arrived in 2003. We were fortunate to have neighbors – such as Lise Prown and Curt Belshe, visual artists who had arrived in an earlier wave that were very welcoming and introduced us to other visual artists. We also had neighbors who were musicians and writers, so it did not take long to connect to the greater artist community in town. Once our children were enrolled in preschool, we met more and more artists. Soon I began teaching at several different performing arts studios throughout the region, as well as the Peekskill Summer Arts Camp and directed Drama at Peekskill High School for a couple years. The arts scene in Peekskill has an ebb and flow. There is a constant refresh of new arrivals, each with new energy and an inspired vision for what the community can become. Visual artists were far more prevalent in Peekskill than theater artists. When my family arrived, the Paramount Theater had recently been restored, but it was disappointing to learn that, despite being labeled a “Center for the Arts”, the facility offers no rehearsal/instructional studio space and primarily served as a presenting venue – bringing in performers from out of town. Built as a movie-house, the Paramount lacks the needed wing, fly, and dressing room space needed for many theatrical and dance productions.
From 2010-2016, you were Executive Director of EMBARK|Peekskill. What was EMBARK? What was its goal?
EMBARK|Peekskill was cofounded by actor/director/producer/
Sol and I worked so very hard from 2010-1018 to build EMBARK and we were aided by many amazing artists and community volunteers and sponsored or supported by several local businesses. I am so proud of the work we did and the many artists we supported and the incredible classes and performances we offered to the community. In the end, however, we were unable to garner the financial and grant support we needed to thrive and grow and pay ourselves a salary. Our “Big Vison” space – which would have offered a 300-500 seat fully equipped theater and 75-100 seat black box space, along with multiple teaching/rehearsal studios, scenic and costume shops, practice/writing rooms, and administrative offices remained a distant destination. During our journey, I earned my Masters of the Arts in Arts Administration via Goucher College’s limited residency program. This led to me being named the Executive Director of Garrison Arts Center where I served from 2016-2021.
You’ve worked with students across the Hudson Valley. How do you get kids interested in the performing arts? What benefits does performing provide them?
I think the best way to get children involved in the performing arts is to let them sing, dance, create, and play, which comes pretty naturally to most kids. You need to provide an environment that meets kids where they are, brings out their individual talents, and lets them feel accepted, supported, and safe to be exactly who they are. Children also love to be challenged and will constantly amaze with their ability to absorb and execute. I have found most are happy to learn a difficult dance move, try a silly character, or create a fun work of art if you give them permission to do so! The performing arts – as well as visual arts – benefit children in countless ways. The arts teach children to collaborate, to use critical thinking, to create with their hands and bodies, to use their imagination, to be considerate of others, and to embody and empathize. Children who participate in the arts have greater patience and discipline. They know that rehearsal is necessary, and it is okay to make mistakes and try again. Movement and exercise, as well as the observation of nature and beauty, reduce stress.
You recently launched Theatre in the Wood. How did you come to create the organization? What is Theatre in the Wood — its goal, its vision?
My five years as the Executive Director of Garrison Art Center were an amazing opportunity to hone my arts administration skills, to explore the world of visual art, and to meet so many amazing artists, artisans, and teaching artists. It is a period for which I will always be grateful. In 2019, I was so proud to have conceptualized and led 13 principal visual artists (and over 30 contributing artists) – many from Peekskill – in the first Immersive Art Exhibition in our region installed in the two galleries at Garrison Art Center called “Hello Neighbor”. I also am proud that along with the GAC Board of Directors, I kept GAC financially afloat and successfully pivoting with many creative endeavors during the COVID-19 Pandemic. By the end of 2021, however, I felt ready to move on and most importantly move back into the world of theater. I found myself recollecting fondly an early time of my career spent at dinner theaters in Colorado and small professional regional theaters in Texas – both as performer and patron. I also feel there is the need for veteran professionals to offer their talent and experience their craft in the lower Hudson valley without having to commute to NYC. Likewise, emerging professionals fresh out of college deserve a place to hone their craft – something that is not easily done in NYC – especially for pay. Also, residents in our region deserve a place to experience professional theater without the cost and commute of heading to NYC. A Broadway night out with transportation, parking, dinner, and theater ticket now easily totals $600 for a couple – if not more! I think there is a market for a more intimate, closer to home experience!
Theatre in the Wood wants to offer a very special night out for local patrons, and for city dwellers longing to get out of New York for an all-inclusive night in the beautiful lower Hudson Valley. Most of us can look back into our memory and recall a special night out with someone or a group of special people in a place that seemed so magical that it was almost like we were transported to another time and place. The atmosphere was unique, the food was spectacular, maybe even the fragrances of flowers or candles or a crackling fire still fill our minds. If we were lucky, there was also entertainment that lifted the spirit and fed our emotional soul as well. Theatre in the Wood is a new type of entertainment and culinary experience. The vision encompasses a little of the nostalgia and fun of dinner theaters of the past with a higher-level culinary and immersive environmental experiences created by professional theatrical and culinary artists. The traditional spirit and repertoire of musical theater is honored. In addition, new works and innovative approaches and styles will also be explored and embraced. Our dream venue would have the feel of a historic home and barn nestled in the woods here in the lower Hudson Valley. As we work toward that goal, we have been renting various venues which has been a bit of a challenge as we need cabaret/restaurant-styled seating with a commercial kitchen.
Our first production, A Movable Musical Feast, was a “tasting menu” of noteworthy – but sometimes little known – Broadway songs performed by both veteran and emerging musical theater professionals. The show was fully immersed in a multi-course meal. Thus, unlike traditional musical theater where the meal is enjoyed before the show, during A Movable Musical Feast, the performers served the food, and wine, and dessert during the show while fully immersed in character and song. This show was performed at two different venues: the Fourth Unitarian Congregation in Mohegan Lake (Feb. 2024) and at The Great Hall in the Presbyterian Church of Mount Kisco (June 2024). The carefully crafted meal was primarily provided by Amore Italian Kitchen in Katonah with the addition of desserts from Baked by Susan in Croton as well as the Cake Box in Ridgefield, C.T. The feedback we received was very positive from both patrons and performers.
Tell us about the most recent production from Theatre in the Wood — a Halloween Cabaret performance at the Dramatic Hall in downtown Peekskill. How did you select the songs, the food, the cocktails?
Our recent production of Halloween at the Hall was a wacky, creepy-fun cabaret of spooky songs from Broadway and beyond which we produced at the Historic Dramatic Hall. Our six talented performers and three musicians aided by extensive costume and wig changes transformed into favorite Halloween characters such as Beetlejuice, the Addams Family, Jack Skellington, Young Frankenstein and his Monster, a few rockin’ warlocks and a trio of harmonizing witches. The songs were chosen based on my musical theater knowledge, and some pretty easy Spotify research! Some highlights of the evening were the talented Melody Munitz (who has just been cast in the national tour of The Addams Family) singing “Dead Mom” from Beetlejuice, a big kick line production number from The Addams Family titled “Death is Just Around the Corner” in which I proudly sang as Mortica, Oogie Boogie’s song from Nightmare Before Christmas performed incognito by our musical director Gerald Micera and everyone’s favorite: Frankenstein’s Monster portrayed by Peter Moriarty singing Radiohead’s “Creep”. The show ended with the audience joining us to dance the “Time Warp” from the Rocky Horror Picture Show! Dramatic Hall caterers, Kathleen and Gabriel Arango, crafted the most beautiful artisanal charcuterie boards to be enjoyed by the patrons on the main floor. Gabriel also created a special concession area where favorite Halloween treats and snacks were offered along with delicious mini-empanadas. Kathleen conjured special cocktail recipes such as “Vampire’s Kiss”, “Poison Apple”, and the “Zombie”. Because we had advertised the charcuterie as “Finger Food” Kathleen commissioned special green “Witches Finger” shortbread cookies from Baked By Susan. (Her delicious desserts are becoming the Theatre in the Wood go to!)
How did you come to choose Dramatic Hall for the performance? What was it like to perform there? Could it become a permanent home for Theatre in the Wood?
The moment I started to brainstorm a Halloween Show, I thought of the Dramatic Hall with its art nouveau/industrial/steam punk aesthetic, the charming curved stage, and the two grand staircases on which the actors could ascend and be featured. I am very grateful to Dramatic Hall Event Manager Melissa Arango for working with me to welcome in the show and doing her best to make the numbers work. Melissa helped me design the lighting on the Dramatic Hall’s sophisticated lighting system. Patrons seated on the main floor enjoyed cabaret table seating, the special charcuterie, and a more immersive experience with the actors often coming into the audience during the performance. Audience members who chose mezzanine seating had less interaction with the actors but were able to enjoy the show at a more affordable price (sans food) and easy access to the beautiful second floor bar.
Theatre in the Wood (TITW) would love to do additional shows at the Dramatic Hall, but we would have to pursue a different financial strategy for a successful financial outcome. It has been a challenge to find a price point that works for audience members which covers the cost of the venue, the food, and the production. TITW proudly pays all cast, creatives, and crew – so this makes our production costs high, even when we are not presenting a full book musical (where royalties and additional set/costume/case requirements raise the price even more). The Dramatic Hall hosts many high-end events such as weddings and corporate parties. It is difficult for theater to compete! Perhaps next time we will try a full meal – possibly immersive – again, as this was popular with our guests, and could lead to better revenue for the Dramatic Hall. A full dinner offering also matches the experience Theatre in the Wood strives to provide.
What’s the next performance slated for Theatre in the Wood?
We are still in the “review, regroup, and brainstorm” stage and have not yet determined our next project. We encourage readers to follow us on Social Media @theatreinthewood and join our email list via our website theatreinthewood.com.
In the meantime, we offer a “Musical Theatre Workout” class on Tuesdays and Thursdays at The Dance Conservatory for those who love Broadway Music but don’t love to work out. This class involves stretching, strengthening, “cliche cardio” and simple choreography that will challenge the brain and body. The level is geared for ages 40+, but anyone is welcome! See our website for information and pricing.
It is also my goal to launch an Adult Musical Theatre Audition/Performance Class and a Theatre in the Wood Professional Musical Theatre Lab in January!
Where is your favorite place to go in Peekskill, and why?
This is a hard one to answer because I love many places in Peekskill. I will say the Flatiron Building because it houses The Peekskill Coffee House (the existence of which “sealed the deal” when we were house-hunting for a move to Peekskill!). Also housed in the building is The Flat Iron Gallery – my favorite place to buy a gift – and the studios of several artists whose work I love such as Maureen Winzig and Lavinia Wiggins. Another favorite place is Quirk Shoppe for the creative clothing and accessories. Depew Park will always hold a special place in my heart because of EMBARK’s Firefly and Fairy Festivals and all the days spent on the playground and in the pool when my kids were little.
What would you like to say to the Peekskill community?
I am always grateful to the energy, diversity, creativity, and kindness found in Peekskill. There has been wave after wave of new residents and creatives, but there are also amazing families living here that go back many generations. I think we are at our best when we support each other and appreciate all that the diverse community offers. It is easy to get frustrated that progress is not always as fast or in the direction we desire, but at its root – this community is very special and attracts special people. Please continue to support the local businesses, artists, schools, teams, and, of course, THEATER! Take a little time to strike up a conversation with someone at the Coffee House or Beanrunner. You will meet the most fascinating folks – new residents and long-time Peekskillians!
Katie Schmidt Feder is the founder of Theatre in the Wood, which provides an immersive dinner theater experience that “combines the magic of theatre with the art of rustic culinary excellence.”
