Sand Lake Center for the Arts

UPCOMING AT SAND LAKE CENTER FOR THE ARTS

2026 Season Pass

Our 2026 Season Pass enables you to see ALL SLCA-CTP SHOWS for just $100!
• A Raisin in the Sun by Lorraine Hansberry
• 1776 by Sherman Edwards and Peter Stone
• The Wolves by Sarah DeLappe
• Black Coffee by Agatha Christie
• Broadway Bound by Neil Simon

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A Raisin in the Sun

Set on Chicago’s South Side, this celebrated play concerns the divergent dreams and conflicts in three generations of the Younger family. When her deceased husband’s insurance money comes through, Mama Lena dreams of moving to a new home and a better neighborhood. Her son Walter Lee, a chauffeur, has other plans: buying a liquor store and being his own man. Her daughter Beneatha dreams of medical school. Hansberry’s portrait of one family’s struggle to retain dignity in a harsh and changing world is a searing and timeless document of hope and inspiration.
Jan. 30 and 31, Feb. 6 and 7 at 7:30 p.m.
Feb. 1 and 8 at 2:30 p.m.

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The Day the Music Died

Come celebrate the music of Buddy Holly, Ritchie Valens and The Big Bopper as performed by The Tichy Boys—the finest father-and-son rockabilly duo in all of Rensselaer County!
By day, John Tichy is a longtime engineering professor at RPI. By night, he reconnects with the music that shaped his youth, channeling the raw spirit of early rock and roll, country, and rockabilly. As a founding member of Commander Cody and His Lost Planet Airmen, he helped shape the country–rock and roots revival of the early 1970s, blending Texas swing, Memphis rockabilly, blues and twang into a sound that influenced generations of American music.
Graham Tichy brings decades of professional experience as a sought-after guitarist, songwriter, bandleader and instructor. Known internationally for his command of mid-20th-century styles, Graham has performed across the U.S. and Europe with a wide range of regional and national acts. He currently leads multiple projects spanning garage rock, surf, Hawaiian and beat music. Graham is also an in-demand mixing and mastering engineer and a respected guitar instructor in New York’s Capital Region.
Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m.

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Noah Bonesteel Artist Reception

Come see the work of Noah Bonesteel and meet the artist!
This fine art exhibit showcases three large mixed-media paintings exploring the natural history, ecology and human impact on three distinct places and ecosystems.
Noah is a painter and printmaker from Averill Park and a recent BFA painting and drawing recipient from Plattsburgh State. He is known for his abstract and layered approach to landscape compositions using vibrant color, expressive mark making, and superimposed plant and animal forms. His practice is fueled by his love of the woods and his fascination with natural history and ecology. Bonesteel is very concerned about the intensifying climate and biodiversity crises, and his work explores the complex relationship humans have with the planet. Bonesteel’s work has been included in exhibitions across the Adirondack and Capital Regions of New York and has received various awards.
This exhibition was made possible by the Arts Thrive and Grow grant program through the Arts Center of the Capital Region.
March 7 at 1 p.m.

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Triskele

The ladies are back! Join SLCA as we celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with one of our favorite Irish bands.
Come enjoy all that is Triskele: the music, the tradition and of course Noeleen’s jokes! Why spend the holiday in some crowded bar surrounded by clinking glasses and overhead televisions? Let SLCA provide you with an intimate setting where you can enjoy traditional Irish tunes. This event is also great for the younger members of your family.
March 17 at 7:30 p.m.

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Sand Lake Library Spelling Bee

Join us for an evening buzzing with spelling excitement!
Bring your two-person team and compete with the best spellers in Sand Lake. There will be two rounds: one written and one spoken.
Register at the link below or at the Sand Lake Town Library (8428 Miller Hill Rd., Averill Park). At least one person must be 18 years or older.
This free event is sponsored by the Friends of the Sand Lake Town Library. We hope you’ll join the f-u-n!
March 20 at 7 p.m. at SLCA

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1776

The nation is ready to declare independence... if only our Founding Fathers can agree to do it! 1776 follows John Adams of Massachusetts, Benjamin Franklin of Pennsylvania and Thomas Jefferson of Virginia as they attempt to convince the members of the Second Continental Congress to vote for independence.
1776 puts a human face on the pages of history as we see the people behind the national icons: proud, frightened, uncertain, irritable, charming, often petty and ultimately noble figures—determined to do the right thing for a fledgling nation.
April 10, 11, 17 and 18 at 7:30 p.m.
April 12 and 19 at 2:30 p.m.

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Spring Merchant Market

Join Sand Lake Merchant and Sand Lake Center for the Arts for our Spring Merchant Market!
Vendors at this outdoor market will be set up across two locations—either Sand Lake Merchant or Sand Lake Center for the Arts. This event will happen rain or shine!
We will accept up to 70 vendors on a first-come, first-served basis. We welcome any and all vendors to participate as long as their items are handmade. We do not allow distributors of national products or products that are not handmade.
May 31 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. (vendor setup 8 a.m.)

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IN MEMORIAM: MARIETTA MITCHELL

It is with deep sadness that we learn of the passing of Marietta Mitchell, a longtime musical director, piano accompanist and friend to SLCA. We are grateful for her many contributions to the community and for the following remembrances:

SUE BAKER: My relationship with Marietta started back when I was a shy sixth-grader at Algonquin Middle School and she was my music teacher. One class, she announced tryouts for an upcoming holiday concert. I decided, with assistance from a couple unwitting classmates, I would surely be chosen with my totally stunning rendition of “The Christmas Song.”

A few weeks later, we stood in front of the class and—lyrics clenched in our sweaty hands and totally unrehearsed—butchered the song.

Mrs. Mitchell finished playing, smiled and thanked us for singing for her. Later that day, she called us to the music room and informed us that our song would not be used. She then encouraged us to try out next year—only if we had time to rehearse, memorize at least a line or two, and give a performance that would not make Nat King Cole cry.

Remembering that direction, I went on to be selected for other school performances, sang for her as our church choir director, and performed for her directed traveling groups. I credit her for pushing me to audition for community theatre productions, including those she did music direction for—many of them with CTP.

No matter who was cast or their level of experience, she expected only the best you could possibly give—to be prepared and respect the work you were going to present. Great life lessons from a woman who never stopped teaching.

BILL DOUGLAS: I first met Marietta when she was the musical director for Meet Me in St. Louis at SLCA. Her many years as a music teacher showed as she patiently but persistently worked with the cast to get us ready for the show. I had the privilege of working on other shows with her, and was honored when she invited me to perform with a group she founded, the Mellodrama Singers. She so enjoyed bringing the gift of music to the community. She will be greatly missed.

IN MEMORIAM: VAL GRAY

We mourn with the entire Sand Lake community at the passing of our friend, neighbor and beloved performer Val Gray.

Val has been a part of SLCA since our earliest days as the Circle Theatre Players and has played a major role in virtually every part of who we are. A director, actor, singer, musician, house manager and volunteer, Val brought a steady presence and an unfailingly upbeat spirit whenever he appeared in whatever capacity he fulfilled. He did everything without self-promotion or seeking credit or accolades, humbly filling in wherever he could contribute. His joy and love filled every room. His care for our beloved colleague, Kathy Verenini, during her illness was a living testimonial to the human being he was. He was a true treasure, and we will miss him.

Our deepest condolences to his sister Carol and his family and dear friends. A service will be held later this spring.

SUBMIT YOUR ONE-ACT PLAYS

Submit your work to Let’s Play: SLCA’s One-Act Play Festival, which goes up in May 2026! We’re looking for unpublished one-acts of all genres (not musicals) appropriate for teens to adults with up to six characters and a 15-minute run time that have not yet been performed at SLCA.

We encourage all playwrights from the Capital District and Berkshire County to submit. Up to two plays per playwright. No AI-generated submissions.

Plays should be submitted in a common playwriting format. Several playwriting formats may be found online. Plays must have minimal tech requirements, including for set, lights and sound.

Please submit an email with two PDFs to slca.general@slca-ctp.org by Feb. 15, 2026.

The first PDF should include: