Our Work
Arm-of-the-Sea Theater is a high-quality, creative, community-based mask and puppet theater group that tours throughout the Hudson Valley, New York State, and beyond. We are integrating our award-winning artistic and environmental advocacy achievements to bring the Tidewater Center to our Hudson River Valley community. This new venue will serve a dual-purpose as a cultural gathering space and the future home for our organization.
Our mission is to deliver wonder, joy, and insight to inspire the next generation of environmental stewards. We believe that having fun, caring about social issues, and making good art is vitally important to the community. Our touring company, with five performers and a one-man-band, typically presents 50 to 75 performances each year, reaching over 15,000 guests. We also conduct theater residency programs at schools and camps.
We’ve been touring since 1982 and are ready to settle down! We found a fantastic spot on Esopus Creek in Saugerties, about 100 miles north of New York City, but there’s a catch. It’s on the site of the 19th century Sheffield paper mill, so we have A LOT to clean up. There are ruins and sluiceways, a deteriorated bulkhead, and some coal ash contamination. We aren’t just building a new center to celebrate art, science and history- we are also cleaning up a brownfield and revitalizing the shoreline!
Eventually, the Tidewater Center will have a theater/events building lined by 350 feet of new public waterfront. There will be an environmental science center, art studio, waterworks playground, and a space to offer programming for children and seniors. We’ll also be booking other magnificent performers!
Every long journey starts with a few steps. This spring, we will clean up the site, build a parking lot, and construct an outdoor performance space. This will let us open for summer to offer live entertainment from Arm-of-the-Sea Theater and other performers. Imagine sitting on a hillside on a summer night and watching a live show with the creek sparkling in the background!
Arm-of-the-Sea Theater brings people together. We have an amazing opportunity to move into our new space, the Tidewater Center, and transform it into a hub of creativity to share with residents and visitors alike. We can’t do it without your support.
Help us make Arm-of-the-Sea’s vision a reality. When you contribute to our efforts, you will receive exclusive donation rewards!
What We Need & What You Get
- We are fundraising for $50,000. The entire cost to clean up and open this summer is $100,000. We have already raised half of this - you can help us with the rest!
- The money will be used for basics like adding fill to clean up the site, building a retaining wall, and adding a parking lot, as well as for essential theater amenities like utilities, signage, and restrooms.
- Get perks when you donate, including free tickets to our grand opening, ice cream and tee shirts, a behind-the-scenes look at our studios and even a tour of Esopus Creek in our founder’s fishing skiff!
- Every time we hit a new fundraising milestone, we will have a pop-up event, like a bring-your-own virtual ice cream party, or a puppet-hosted virtual ribbon-cutting to ceremonialize site work progress.
The Impact
Here's how the new Arm-of-the-Sea Tidewater Center will make an impact:
- .For 38 years we have toured our shows, fostering a sense of curiosity and connection throughout the Hudson Valley and beyond. With a space of our own, we look forward to investing in the people and telling the stories of our local community.
- With 350 feet of new public waterfront, the Tidewater Center will provide access to fishing, strolling and general enjoyment on the shore of Esopus Creek. Not to mention the Covid-safe outdoor performance space overlooking the creek!
- Our programs will offer opportunities for people of all ages to participate! From Arts & Science camps to the theater internship program and resident company to giant puppet pageants, there will be many possibilities to get out, have fun and be creative.
- We will collaborate with other local arts organizations, such as Shout Out Saugerties, to bring even more live theater and other events to the Tidewater Center.
- The arts are important! If you don't believe us go talk to teachers, social workers, parents, and more. They know that having a creative passion can make or break the lives of kids and adults alike. Saugerties and the Hudson Valley will benefit tremendously from having this outlet.
Risks & Challenges
Someone once said, "It's always impossible until it's done." We have come a long way - and now have an approved Master Plan, construction drawings, 75 feet of reconstructed bulkhead- but it’s important that we finish the sitework so we can open the Tidewater Center this summer.
- Risk 1: Not raising enough money. The good news is that we are halfway there. We are addressing this risk by turning over every stone to search for funds. We are presenting our plans to many different people, businesses and foundations, so that when we get close to reaching our funding goal, we can ask again for a little bit more of their support.
- Risk 2: Covid-19 delays. The good news is that this will be an outdoor performance space. The audience will be safely distanced, and our puppeteers will perform safely. (It is MASKED theater, after all!)
Other Ways You Can Help
Some people just can't contribute financially,, but that doesn't mean they can't help:
- Please share this campaign with your friends and co-workers!
- Please use the Indiegogo share tools!