Movements, sounds, dialogues, music, stories, and voices have given life to the educational and community outreach programs that are celebrating 10 years at the Paramount Hudson Valley Theatre in Peekskill. The celebration is the theater’s annual benefit that will take place on Friday, Oct. 3, with a unique performance of An Evening of Radio Plays that will transport the audience into a surreal world. The evening will begin with a reception at 7 p.m. An hour later, the performance will premiere, running for ninety minutes. The gala will conclude with an exclusive VIP party until 11 p.m.

The proposal by Strange Company will take the audience back to the golden age of radio drama, with stories about mad scientists, mysterious visitors, and astonishing conspiracies. Sound effects, performed live by Leslie Bloome, will captivate the audience. Bloome, an Emmy Award-winning Foley artist (the art of creating live sound effects with everyday objects to bring realism to audiovisual productions), has more than 600 credits in film, television, and video games. His work includes productions such as The Bear, Prey, and Grand Theft Auto V.

For Friday’s performance, the cast will include actors from the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival and from Broadway: Katie Hartke (Succession, The Blacklist), Carl Howell (Peter and the Starcatcher, national tour), Kurt Rhoads (Arena Stage, Old Globe), and Nance Williamson (Cyrano, Henry IV, Romeo and Juliet). The ensemble will perform under the direction and writing of Traci Mariano and Mona Z. Smith, co-founders of Strange Company. Mariano has directed and co-written several works at the Paramount, with premieres in New York, Los Angeles, and Honolulu. Likewise, Smith has written six plays as playwright-in-residence and is the author of the biography of activist actor Canada Lee.

Strange Company was created with the intention of reviving radio theatre, blending classic elements with contemporary narratives and live effects. Mariano and Smith emphasize that each performance is designed for the audience to actively participate in rhythm and sound construction, creating a unique experience that differs from traditional theatre.

The special gala not only celebrates talent and the first decade of Paramount’s education and outreach programs but also carries a philanthropic purpose: every ticket and donation will help sustain these initiatives. These programs promote free or discounted access for students, teachers, seniors, veterans, emergency personnel, neighbors with disabilities, and other community members. For Paramount Executive Director Abigail Adams, this is the true motivation of the celebration: “Ten years of education and community outreach. This benefit is the perfect way to honor that work while giving our community an evening of joy, imagination, and connection.”

In the last decade, the Paramount has developed more than 80 annual performances, drawing at least 50,000 people from the region. According to Adams, the programs aim not only to entertain but also to educate and strengthen ties with the local community through workshops, school visits, and free performances.

Ticket levels range from VIP ($125), which includes preferred seating, pre-show reception, and after-party; Patron ($75), with preferred seating and reception; and Radio Plays Only ($40), for the main performance. All tickets are available on the theatre’s website.