Seagle Festival 2026: Opera, New Works & A Bold Vision for the Adirondacks
Opera, ambition, and a summer tradition reimagined.
Seagle Festival Campus, Schroon Lake.
For more than a century, something remarkable has been unfolding on a quiet road just outside Schroon Lake.
Each summer, young artists arrive at the Seagle Festival with big voices, bigger dreams—and the kind of talent that can stop you mid-sentence. By the time they leave, many are on their way to the world’s biggest stages.
But in 2026, Seagle isn’t just preparing for another season of performances. It’s thinking bigger.
Much bigger.
In this episode of ADK Talks, host Jane Ackerman sits down with returning guest Darren Woods, Seagle’s Artistic Director, and Josh Cook, Director of Education and Community Outreach, for a conversation that moves from the rehearsal room to a bold vision for the future of the Adirondacks' arts scene.
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High-caliber performances at the Seagle Festival.
A summer lineup worth planning around.
The 2026 season delivers exactly what Seagle does best: a blend of beloved classics, musical theater favorites, and boundary-pushing new work.
Expect:
A return of Gilbert & Sullivan charm with H.M.S. Pinafore
Mozart’s Così fan tutte (with English supertitles—no stress required)
A major production of The Sound of Music (yes, it will sell out)
And a powerful contemporary opera, Dead Man Walking, that sparks conversation long after the curtain falls
Seagle doesn’t just stage performances—it creates moments. The kind you talk about on the drive home, and again the next morning over coffee.
And if you think opera “isn’t for you”? This might be the episode—and the season—that changes your mind.
Listen to the full ADK Talks episode.
Get the full story—from audition rooms to Adirondack stages to Seagle’s ambitious future. Hear directly from Darren Woods and Josh Cook in this ADK Talks episode.
This episode is for:
Opera lovers
Musical theater fans
Curious first-timers
And anyone who wants to experience the Adirondacks in a new way
🎧 Press play—and you may just find your next favorite summer tradition.
From 400 auditions to 32 rising stars.
Each year, Seagle selects just 32 performers from hundreds of applicants across the country.
In this episode, Darren pulls back the curtain on that process—what he listens for, where he travels, and the difference between “good” and truly unforgettable.
Hint: it’s not just about the voice.
It’s about something harder to define—and impossible to ignore when you hear it.
The Adirondacks as a stage—and a classroom.
One of the most compelling parts of this conversation comes from Josh Cook, whose journey from Seagle performer to full-time leader mirrors the festival’s evolution.
His focus? Expanding Seagle beyond performances into something deeper:
Youth programming that puts local kids on stage
Touring productions that reach schools across the region
Library talks that bring opera “from page to stage”
And community-first initiatives that meet audiences where they are
Including—yes—opera pop-ups in bars and restaurants across the Adirondacks.
Because sometimes the best way to discover opera… is over a drink.
A capital campaign with year-round impact.
Here’s where the conversation shifts from impressive… to transformative.
Seagle is in the early stages of a capital campaign that could fundamentally reshape arts access in the Adirondacks:
A fully winterized campus
New artist housing
A multi-use dining and event space
And a new 250-seat theater designed to bring the outdoors in
The goal? Move from a summer institution… to a year-round cultural hub.
Not just for visitors—but for the community.
As Darren puts it, this isn’t just about Seagle. It’s about creating a space that belongs to the Adirondacks.
Why it matters—especially here.
In a region defined by seasonality, Seagle represents something rare: continuity.
A place where:
Artists train
Audiences gather
Communities connect
And culture doesn’t disappear when the snow melts—or arrives
It’s also a reminder that world-class experiences don’t require a trip to New York City.
Sometimes, they’re waiting at the end of a two-mile road in the woods.
Planning your visit.
If you’re looking for:
Things to do in the Adirondacks this summer
Unique live performances near Schroon Lake
Cultural experiences worth building a trip around
Seagle Festival belongs on your list.
Tickets for the 2026 season are now available. Visit the Seagle website.
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