INAUGURAL CAPITAL REGION FESTIVAL OF THEATRE BEGINS WITH SENIOR DAY AND THEATRE EDUCATION DAY FRIDAY, JUNE 13th IN SAND LAKE AND TROY, NY

Numerous CRFT events are happening at Sand Lake Center for the Arts, and Sage College on Friday June 13th  2025. Senior Day and Theatre Education Day promise pleasing programming for all ages

 SAND LAKE AND TROY, NY – The Capital Region Festival of Theatre, CRFT, starts of their festival weekend on Friday, June 13th. The day includes events in Sand Lake and Troy, NY. The Sand Lake Center for the Arts, (SLCA) is running a Senior Day from 9am to 4pm, and The Theatre Institute at Sage (TIS), organizing a Youth Theatre Education Day from 3pm to 830pm. 

SLCA has workshops for Seniors by Seniors (55 and up) in the morning, and an afternoon

of performances for all ages to enjoy. The workshops are scheduled in 3 sessions, with an ongoing complementary brunch. Session 1 runs from 930am - 1020am and includes physical acting with David Bunce, and volunteer opportunities in the Capital District theatre community. Session 2 begins at 10:30am with OG Shakespeare with Sandy Boynton and Stand Up Comedy with Judi Clements. Finally, session 3 starts at 1130am with an Intro to Improv with Controlled Chaos Improv Comedy and Intro to Playwrighting with Sandi Dollinger. 

Beginning at 1pm the focus switches from workshop to performance. There will be music, storytelling, and comedy for all to enjoy. Artists sharing their talents include David Bunce, Linda McKenney, Debra Burger, Judi Clements, Tony Scanu & Lisa Franklin, Ellen V. Secci, Geri de Seve, and the members of Controlled Chaos Improv Comedy. Then at 215pm, SLCA will be presenting several short plays. Directors include Maureen Aumand, Sandi Dollinger, Carol Charniga, Brian Sheldon and Cheryl Charbonneau. All events are at either SLCA 2880 NY Highway 43, Sand Lake, NY 12153 or the Sand Lake town library, (SLTL) 8428 Miller Hill Rd, Averill Park, NY 12018. 

TIS will host youth-focused workshops from 3-5:30pm and then an evening of performances by youth theatre groups from all around the Capital Region, all curated by Eleah Jayne Peal. The afternoon kicks off from 3-3:30 with a workshop for kids of all ages on Linklater techniques for warming up the body and voice. From 330pm – 415pm, there will be an introduction to stage combat for kids 13-18 years old. 4:15 PM – 5:10 PM we learn to LISTEN, REPEAT, REFLECT, a simple formula for improvising communication, for ages 17 and up. Everyone is then invited for a snack time in the courtyard! Next up 8 –12-year-olds can learn to write on their feet – in other words, how to tell a story, from 530pm – 615pm. Kids of all ages will then have the opportunity get a taste of the Capital District Arts Initiative, CDAI, and their Triple Threat Training Program from their instructor’s from 615pm – 7pm. The evening of learning and fun concludes with a workshop on dialect work for ages 12-18. 

Beginning at 5:30pm there will also be a performance from CDAI for all ages directed by Corey John Snide. From 6-7, taking the stage will be Drama Kids of the Capital Region with a play directed by Consulting Artistic Director, Jillian Becker, again open to all ages. Steamer No.10 Theatre will present Scenes, Songs and Stories Oh My! for ages 12 and up from 7-730pm, and the Theatre Institute at Sage College follows up with SAGE SINGS: A CR★FT CABARET from 730pm-8pm. The evening ends with a group closing reflection from 8pm-830pm, once again presented by TIS. All events will take place at the Theatre Institute at Russell Sage College, 10 Division Street Troy, NY 12180. 

For more detailed information on all these amazing events, please visit the CRFT website at www.crftinc.org, and follow CRFT on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok. 

Members of the media are encouraged to contact Jillian Becker, CRFT Vice President, with further inquiries at jillianbecker1025@gmail.com or 518-210-8090.