Artistic Mission

Park Playhouse augments the quality of life for a diverse audience in the Capital District by producing FREE musicals and plays in an outdoor setting, and providing arts education programs to young people in the community. By providing free admission at our productions, we make theatre an all-inclusive art form, accessible to people from all walks of life and socio-economic backgrounds. Our education programs teach valuable life lessons about collaboration and teamwork, while helping to train the area’s next generation of theatre artists. Park Playhouse takes a leadership role in enhancing the cultural landscape of New York’s Capital Region.

History

Founded in 1989, Park Playhouse has been producing free, outdoor summer theatre in Albany’s Washington Park for over 21 years. Original Executive Producer Dr. Mimi Scott and Original Artistic Director Venustiano Borromeo worked to expand the program rapidly in it’s infancy. After just a few short years, Park Playhouse was attracting audiences of thousands, and the City of Albany transformed the hillside opposite the Lakehouse stage into a stepped amphitheatre allowing comfortable seating for over 2,000.  In 1995, with the direction of Mayor Gerald D. Jennings and then-Producing Artistic Director Venustiano Borromeo, the Park Playhouse II Youth Theatre Training Program was created to help train the area’s next generation of theatre artists. That program has grown by leaps and bounds through the dedication of Director of Education Shirley Arensberg. In 2006, in an effort to bring theatrical training to young students in the Albany area, the Park Playhouse Kids after-school program was created.

In 2010, Park Playhouse hired Owen M. Smith, himself a graduate of Park Playhouse II, to come on board as the new Producing Artistic Director of the company.  In coming seasons, the company will be expanding its summer seasons to include multiple productions from a wide variety of genres, and will be offering a new, year-round program titled Park Playhouse in Concert. The company remains proud of its rich history and looks to an even brighter future in years to come.

Board of Directors

Kathleen Lasch McNamee – President
Christine Bell – Vice President
Allen S. Goodman – Treasurer
Nicholas Alesandro – Secretary
Molly Adams Breslin
Elizabeth Centi
Alan Lobel
Ilene Stein
Gene Tarler
Benita Zahn

Honorary Board Members:
Richard Arensberg
Marri Aviza
Mark Burgasser
Robert S. Busch MD
Joseph Culver
Robert Esposito
Anthony J. Marinello MD, PhD
Rabbi Scott Shpeen

Administrative Staff

Producing Artistic Director

Owen M. Smith – owen@parkplayhouse.com
Owen worked with Park Playhouse for many years as a director and administrator, and is a graduate of the Park Playhouse II program.  He is happy to return to the area to serve as Producing Artistic Director for the organization. Owen is the Producing Director of The Clockwork Theatre in NYC, and has directed several productions for the company.  He appeared as an actor on tour, regionally and in NYC, and worked as the Assistant General Manager at Theatre for a New Audience. He originally hails from Delmar, and is a graduate of the theatre arts program at New Paltz.

Director of Education

Shirley Arensberg – shirley@parkplayhouse.com
A retired Albany teacher, Shirley heads up Park Playhouse II and the Park Playhouse Kids after-school program. She began her association with Park Playhouse in 1993 as an actor in the mainstage productions of KISS ME KATE (Hattie), BRIGADOON (Matron McPherson), DAMN YANKEES (Sister), and GYPSY (Mazeppa).  She also performed in the Lyrics & Lyricists Series and in various other musical theater productions and charitable events in the area. Her proudest achievement has been her 40-year marriage to Richard and being the proud mother of Jeffrey & Darcy, and “grammie” to Brady and Coco.

General Manager

Jonathan O’Leary – jonathan@parkplayhouse.com
Jonathan is a resident of Albany, and is a graduate of the Park Playhouse II program. He has appeared as an actor in Park Playhouse’s productions of West Side Story, Little Shop of Horrors, South Pacific and Fiddler on the Roof. Jonathan has also served in a variety of other capacities with Park Playhouse, including as a Technical Director, Stage Manager, Carpenter and Prop Designer. He attended SUNY Geneseo and HVCC, and is a proud husband of Carrie and father to Chloe.

Our Venue

Park Playhouse is located at the Lakehouse in Albany’s Washington Park. To get to the theatre, enter the park at the intersection of New Scotland Avenue and Madison Avenue. Parking is available along the roads in the Park. Handicapped parking is available alongside the theatre.

Contact Us

Phone: (518) 434-2035
Box Office Phone: (518) 434-0776
Fax: (518) 434-1048
Email: info@parkplayhouse.com

Send mail to:

Park Playhouse Inc.
P.O. Box 525
Albany, NY 12201