<div dir="ltr"><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:11pt">Ancram Center for the Arts Announces 2025 Season and<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:11pt">Celebrates 10^th<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>Anniversary as the Upstate Home for Visionary Theater Makers<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" align="center" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:18.4px;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);text-align:center"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:16.866667px"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 12pt;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(64,64,64)">(<i>Ancram, NY – April 28, 2025</i>)</span></b><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(64,64,64)"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>– Ancram Center for the Arts, under the leadership of Co-Directors Jeffrey Mousseau and Paul Ricciardi, announced its 2025 season which includes, in addition to its renown storytelling programs, a regional premiere, three site-specific original performances, and two staged readings developed in the Center’s Play Lab Residency Program. </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="color:rgb(64,64,64);font-size:11pt">“Our 10^th<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>anniversary season is bracketed by two great theater pieces that explore searching and longing, family and legacy,” said Mousseau. “In July we’ll stage the regional premiere of<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Where the Mountain Meets the Sea,</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:11pt">written by Jeff Augustin<i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>with music by The Bengsons (</span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:11pt;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box">Drama Desk, Drama League, and Lucille Lortel Awards nominees</span><span style="color:rgb(64,64,64);font-size:11pt">).<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="color:rgb(0,0,0);font-size:11pt">A Haitian man travels from Miami to California on a once-in-a-lifetime road trip and, years later, his gay son travels the same route in reverse. These parallel journeys allow them to forge a connection that had eluded them for years.”<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><font color="#000000"><i><span style="font-size:11pt">Where the Mountain Meets the Sea</span></i><span style="font-size:11pt"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>was previously produced by Manhattan Theatre Club.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></font></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif"><span style="font-size:11pt"><font color="#000000"> </font></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(64,64,64)">“In September, we’ll present<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Penelope,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>a musical retelling of<i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>Homer’s<i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>The Odyssey<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>with music and lyrics by Alex Bechtel and a book by Bechtel, Grace McLean & Eva Steinmetz,” said Ricciardi. “</span><i><span style="font-size:11pt">Penelope,<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i><span style="font-size:11pt">the wife of Odysseus who left her alone for 20 years while he went off to fight in the Trojan War, was developed during COVID as sort of a pandemic parable. The story of her isolation and loneliness is a poignant, powerful</span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>ode to all those who wait: For someone they love, and for something they believe in.” McLean, a breakout star of<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Suffs<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>who co-wrote the play<i>,</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>will portray Penelope, backed by a five-piece band, in this first-ever theatrical run to feature her in the starring role.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Penelope<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>was previously staged as a concert version at the Public Theater’s Joe’s Pub, following a premiere at the Hudson Valley Shakespeare Festival, and a production at Signature Theatre in Arlington, VA.</span><span style="font-size:11pt;background-image:none;background-position:0% 0%;background-size:auto;background-repeat:repeat;background-origin:padding-box;background-clip:border-box"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(64,64,64)"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Ancram Center’s biennial theatrical triptych “Plein Air Plays” returns with three original short performances created for secret, site-specific Ancram locations where the setting becomes a character. Past Plein Air playwrights include writer, actor, storyteller, LGBTQ activist and Oscar-winner Celeste Lecesne<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>(The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey),<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></i>downtown cabaret superstar Salty Brine<i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>(The Living Record Collection</i>), actor/writer Frank Boyd (<i>The Holler Sessions</i>), and other extraordinary talents.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 1.2pt;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">The Center’s “Play Lab Residencies” support visionary theater-makers introducing original work they’ve created while in residence in Ancram.<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 1.2pt;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">This year’s new works are<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Blue Cowboy</i>, an evocative solo work about a NYC screenwriter on assignment in Idaho and his encounters with an enigmatic rancher, written and performed by three-time Obie Award winner and acclaimed monologist David Cale (<i>Harry Clarke</i>); and songs and excerpts from<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>Framed,</i><span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>by Ancram’s own Mary Murfitt, based on true events uncovering a love triangle than ends in a murder. <span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>Past residency artists include Pulitzer Prize finalist Dael Orlandersmith (<i>You Don’t Know the Lonely One</i>) and Obie Award winner Heather Christian (<i>None: A Practical Breviary</i>), among others.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt;color:rgb(64,64,64)"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">In its signature nights of storytelling where friends and neighbors share authentic personal stories, Ancram Center will start the season at Roe-Jan Park on June 28^th<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>with REAL PEOPLE REAL STORIES, and end at Ancram Center on November 22 with a second RPRS edition.</span><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">To celebrate its 10^th<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>Anniversary Season of groundbreaking original theater, authentic storytelling, and community engagement, Ancram Center will host a benefit party on Saturday, Aug. 2 featuring surprise guest performances. Tickets are available at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.ancramcenter.org/" style="color:rgb(150,96,125)"><span style="font-size:11pt">www.ancramcenter.org</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt">.</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><span style="font-size:11pt">SEASON AT A GLANCE</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><span style="font-size:11pt">REAL PEOPLE REAL STORIES</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Saturday, June 28^th<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>@ 7:30pm, Hilltop Barn, Roeliff Jansen Park</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Saturday, November 22 @ 3pm, Ancram Center</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><span style="font-size:11pt">WHERE THE MOUNTAIN MEETS THE SEA</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">By Jeff Augustin</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Music by The Bengsons</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Directed by Christopher Windom</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">July 11-20, Ancram Center</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:30pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Sundays at 3pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><span style="font-size:11pt">ANCRAM CENTER’S 10^TH<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span>ANNIVERSARY BASH</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Saturday, Aug. 2 @ 6:30-10:30pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">The Farm at Pond Lily, Elizaville</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><span style="font-size:11pt">PLEIN AIR PLAYS 3.0</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">August 7-10</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Thursday, Friday @ 5pm & 6pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Saturday, Sunday @4pm, 5pm, 6pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">At various Ancram locations</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><span style="font-size:11pt">PLAY LAB RESIDENCY: BLUE COWBOY</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Written and performed by David Cale</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Saturday, Aug. 16 @7:30pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Sunday, Aug. 17 @ 4pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Ancram Center</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><span style="font-size:11pt">PENELOPE</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Music & lyrics: Alex Bechtel</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Book: Alex Bechtel, Grace McLean & Evan Steinmetz</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Directed by Eva Steinmetz</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Starring Grace McLean</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Sept. 19-28</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Thursdays, Fridays & Saturdays @7pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Sundays @3pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Ancram Center</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><b><span style="font-size:11pt">PLAY LAB RESIDENCY: FRAMED</span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Book & Lyrics: Mary Murfitt</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Music: Mary Murfitt and Pam Drews Phillips</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Sunday, Oct. 19 @4pm</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Ancram Center</span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt">Tickets and information available at<span class="gmail-Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><a href="http://www.ancramcenter.org/" style="color:rgb(150,96,125)"><span style="font-size:11pt">www.ancramcenter.org</span></a><span style="font-size:11pt"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><br></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><img src="cid:ii_ma1nm3g70" alt="Grace McLean.jpg" width="561" height="562"><br><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:18.4px;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:16.866667px">Grace McLean, <i>Penelope </i></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:18.4px;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:16.866667px"><i><br></i></span></p><img src="cid:ii_ma1nn2s91" alt="Jeff Augustin.jpg" width="366" height="436"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:18.4px;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:16.866667px"></span><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:16.866667px">Jeff Augustin, Author, <i>Where the Mountain Meets the Sea</i><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:18.4px;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:16.866667px"><i><br></i></span></p><img src="cid:ii_ma1noa092" alt="Shaun and Abigail Bengson.jpg" width="548" height="498"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:18.4px;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:16.866667px"></span><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:16.866667px">Shaun and Abigail Bengson, Music, <i>Where the Mountain Meets the Sea</i><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align:left;margin:0in 0in 8pt;line-height:18.4px;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt;line-height:16.866667px"><br></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin:0in;line-height:normal;font-size:medium;font-family:Aptos,sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0)"><span style="font-size:11pt"> </span></p></div>