For nearly 40 years, Pendragon Theatre has been the backbone of theatre in the Adirondacks. From the beginning, we’ve been dedicated to theatre, to education, and to the community. Our new, $7 million theatre will help us play an even more important role in all three, as a lead player in the ongoing revitalization of downtown Saranac Lake. And while our expansion will bring dozens of jobs and thousands of visitors to the village, we’re also bringing something even more elusive: Opportunity. By giving local youth the chance to explore the performing arts year-round, and through expanded partnerships with area colleges that will provide up-and-coming talent with hard-to-find experience, your new Pendragon will plant seeds that will bear fruit for years to come.

Our plays are great—but the economy’s the thing. With apologies to Shakespeare: A thriving arts scene draws tourists, attracts new businesses and supports existing ones, and creates jobs.

SARANAC LAKE — Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul on Thursday announced which proposals would be funded as part of Saranac Lake’s $9.7 million Downtown Revitalization Initiative award.

​Pendragon Theatre has completed the purchase of the 56 Woodruff Street location, formerly Newman and Holmes and before that, A&P. This currently under-utilized site is at the corner of Woodruff and Church Streets, across from Nori’s.

People want to live in places with thriving cultural scenes. 40 percent of respondents to a recent survey said they choose to live in Saranac Lake because of arts & culture, and another 40 percent said they visit here specifically for that reason. Families, entrepreneurs, innovators—a vibrant art scene is essential to attracting each of these groups.

​Good questions!

​Pendragon contracted with Ambient Environmental, Inc. to do both Phase 1 and Phase 2 environmental studies. Phase 1 is primarily research of maps, databases, and usage, and based on the history of the area, which includes historic property usage on and nearby the property including an automobile garage, telephone company, printing shop, filling station with gas tanks and greasing station, church, library, and other uses, further analysis was warranted. The Phase 1 report was 461 pages!

​Pendragon Theatre has received a $100,000 grant from the Charles R Wood Foundation toward the new Pendragon Theatre in downtown. “The Charles R. Wood Foundation is thrilled to announce its support of the Once and Future Campaign by granting a total of $100K over two years. We feel that partnering with other local foundations, as well as state and local funding, is imperative to the continued support and growth of the arts in the North Country,” says Charlene Wood, Chairperson of the Charles R. Wood Foundation.

Press release:

​Pendragon Theatre is proud to announce the award of a $100,000 grant from the Department of Environmental Conservation.

​Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul has announced awards made through the Regional Economic Development Councils (REDC). North Country REDC grantees received $67.9M in awards.