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10 Can’t Miss Walking Trails in Rensselaer County

March 23, 2021 By upstatecreative

Just across the Hudson River from bustling Albany, Rensselaer County is a dream for hikers, cyclists, artists, nature-lovers, and locavores. Ten wonderful walking trails in Rensselaer County await you, just minutes away from the cities!

Driving east from Albany or Troy, you’ll soon start to notice the hills, and eventually your ears might pop. That’s due to the Rensselaer Plateau, a higher-elevation forested region with features that you might expect only in the Adirondacks. Spruce-fir forests, bogs and lakes, rare plants and animals, and sparkling streams soothe the senses.

Fall in Love with Rensselaer County

Looking for walking trails in Rensselaer county? Fortunately, community-led groups like the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance and Rensselaer Land Trust have conserved many special places in the county and built trails for all to enjoy.

And it’s not only the forests that will make you fall in love with Rensselaer County. Small towns, family farms, art centers, and good food will pull you in, too. Whether you’re a bird nerd, a weekend hiker, or a creative person looking for space to think and feel, come on out and explore.

I asked the volunteers, young parents, and activists—those who know our local trails best—for their favorite walking trails in Rensselaer County.

Seasonal tips: Winter: dress in layers and avoid cotton; wear boots with good tread and consider microspikes, yaktrax, or ski poles. Spring, summer, fall: protect yourself from ticks. Fall/hunting season: wear orange and stay on the trail.

*Follow the hyperlinks for each preserve for trail maps.

If you’re looking to take a road trip through Rensselaer County, click here!

Falls Trail

Barberville Falls Preserve, Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA)

Rensselaer County’s iconic waterfall, Best meditation spot

Few spots in Rensselaer County are as breathtaking as the 92-foot waterfall at Barberville Falls Preserve. As the centerpiece of a 140-acre pristine forest preserve, the Poesten Kill creek drops 92 feet into a gorge and tumbles down a striking rock face. At the base of the waterfall is a large pool that feeds back into the creek. In winter, you can marvel at the ice and how it sparkles in the sun. In the summer, find your perfect spot for meditation, painting, photography, or just basking on one of the large boulders along the creek.

To reach the waterfall, take the short but steep Falls Trail from the parking area on Blue Factory Rd. If you visit in winter, be sure to have sturdy footwear with good traction (microspikes or ski poles are a plus!) as you climb down a staircase made of wood from the surrounding forest and follow the winding trail down to the falls.

Tips: For a memorable Rensselaer Plateau experience, combine Barberville Falls with RPA’s Poestenkill Community Forest, just about four miles up the road.

Hungry after your hike? Visit downtown Averill Park and stop at Young’s Pharmacy and General Store for homemade soup or sandwiches from Paula’s Country Kitchen and go home with a 4-pack of Nine Pin Cider. For a hearty dinner, Towne Tavern has a lively vibe and a full menu of burgers, pizza, pasta, and delicious vegetarian options, plus 20 beers on draft.

Valley View and Vulture’s View Trail loop

Grafton Forest, Rensselaer Plateau Alliance (RPA)

Ecological gem, Sunset views, Photographer’s choice

Sophie, a young climate activist, recommends hiking up to the rocky overlooks on Valley View Trail and Vulture’s View Trail at Grafton Forest just before sunset. The views to the west are stunning, with the Tomhannock Reservoir—a.k.a. Troy’s drinking water source— in the foreground and the Adirondack and Green Mountains beyond. From Vulture’s View, you can loop back on Whoop-de do Trail, or hike to a third overlook on Rynard’s Roost Trail. “I love the diversity of wildlife and plants at Grafton Forest,” Sophie says. Lichens, rare mosses and plants, and animals like bobcat and moose, make this place extra special and sensitive. Stay on trail as you soak in the beauty of this ecological gem. Photographers, bring your camera.

Getting there is the challenge but just requires an awareness of conditions. The town road leading to the parking area is not graded and is not plowed in winter. When there’s snow, 4-wheel drive with good clearance is required. In warmer months, drive slowly to avoid potholes.

Tips: Before or after your hike, pick up some local food while supporting a family farm at the Laughing Earth Farm self-serve farm store. Annie and Zack Metzger keep it stocked with meats, eggs, milk, some veggies, honey, maple syrup, and a few crafty items like local handmade soap. Open seven days a week, daylight hours.

Dickinson Hill Fire Tower Trail

Grafton Lakes State Park, park at end of Long Pond Road

360° view, Most impressive views

“Fire Tower Trail is one of my favorites and great for families,” says Dick Gibbs, mountain biker and forest conservationist. “We’ve taken our grandkids on this trail since they were toddlers and they still love it.” Dick was a force behind restoring the fire tower over a decade ago. Thanks to him, you can now climb the tower to get a 360° view of the Rensselaer Plateau and Taconic Mountains, and the Adirondacks to the north and west.

Getting there: Don’t enter the main Park entrance. Instead, take North Long Pond Road from route 2. Drive to the end of Long Pond Road to the parking area. After parking, backtrack on foot down Long Pond Road to the historic Fire Tower Road on your left. Hike up Fire Tower Road for a little over a mile (steep and rough, but worth it!) to the service road gate on your right. If you choose to climb the 60-ft fire tower, you’ll be rewarded with one of the best views in Rensselaer County.

Tips: Combine your trip with a visit to the Grafton Peace Pagoda—one of seven in the world! It’s a Japanese Buddhist temple built on Mohican sacred land. The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset, every day, year-round. (note: Due to Covid, the temple and bathrooms are closed.)

Extra info to use if interesting: Along the way up Fire Tower Road, look for info kiosks that honor Grafton native Helen Ellett, who, in the 1940’s, was one of the 1^st female fire tower observers in New York.

Bloomingdale Brook Waterfall Loop Trail

Rensselaer Tech Park, Closest to Albany and Troy

Waterfalls, easy loop, public transportation

If water is your happy place and time is of the essence, try this short and lovely loop hike that’s close to Troy and Albany. You’ll see a beautiful waterfall and cross two bridges over the brook. “It’s a great short hike for kids or people just starting to discover the wonders and peace of the outdoors,” says Tanja, an RPA volunteer who hikes with her daughters, husband, and three dogs. “In the summer, it’s quiet and the waterfall trickle is calming. In winter, with the leaves down, the traffic of 90 and 787 and the train are present, but I still enjoy a quick dog walk on the loop.” Budding botanists, be sure to visit in early spring when you can see ephemeral wildflowers such as blood root, trout lily, and mayapple, in bloom.

To get there, drive into the Tech Park as far as the WMHT building, then left to the trailhead parking. Or, take CDTA bus #224—it stops right outside the Tech Park.

Tips: After your hike, stop at Alexis Diner not far north on Rt 4 for Souvlaki and Greek Salad, or order a delectable Mediterranean takeout dinner fromGarlic Lover’s Corner.

Dorothy’s Equal Access Trail

Poestenkill Community Forest

Most accessible, Mixed use, ADA-compliant accessible trail

“We love hiking at the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance’s Poestenkill Community Forest, and especially appreciate this new mixed-use trail,” August, a new dad, says. “With our young family – we had twins in March 2020 – getting outside is more important to us ever. We strap the kids on our backs when we can all hike together. When it’s just one of us we can put them in the stroller and walk Dorothy’s Trail. We can take in the sights, sounds, and smells of the forest and still be close to the car—and the nice big restroom for changing a diaper!” As a millennial who is working from home during the pandemic, August is more grateful than ever for the peace and tranquility that’s just a short ride away.

If you’re up for a longer excursion, Poestenkill Community Forest is a treasure trove of hiking trails and ecological wonders. Big Beaver Bog Trail is a must if you like bogs … and carnivorous plants. Pitcher plants, anyone? And mountain bikers, you can test out the MTB trails and skills course!

Tips:After Poestenkill Community Forest, grab a sandwich at Duncan’s Farm to Market Country Store. Or, have a beer at Beer Diviner Brewery & Taproom in Cherry Plain.

Homestead Trail

Albert Family Community Forest

Most Family Friendly, Old stone walls and foundations, Nature Play Area, a hempcrete eco-cabin

Peter, a volunteer trail worker and outdoorsman, highly recommends the Homestead Trail at the Albert Family Community Forest. “This route will take you through beautiful hemlock forests and 200-year-old stone walls, by an abandoned homestead with a crumbled foundation and hand-dug well, along a cascading brook, and skirting a large wetland.” A bonus is the new footbridge over the brook, recently built by an Eagle Scout. If you finish Homestead Trail and are looking for more, take Susan’s Ramble or the Cascades Trail loop (with a series of small waterfalls).

While you’re at the Community Forest, check out the cabin (soon-to-be Nature Classroom) just beyond the parking area. It was restored by two Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute students (Cam Kasper and Sam Berrigan) in 2020, using hempcrete, a regenerative natural building material. Behind the cabin, you’ll find a Nature Play Area where kids can swing, practice their balance, and explore primitive shelters.

Tips: Once you’re done playing, drive south to Blueberry Hill Market Café in New Lebanon for a tasty breakfast or lunch, and tea or coffee from their barista menu. Their turmeric chai latte will warm your belly after a winter hike!

Ridge Top Trail

Kinderhook Creek Preserve, Rensselaer Land Trust

Most playful “workout hike,” swinging benches, pull ropes, and water

For Molly, a social worker and nature meditation guide living in rural Rensselaer County, Ridge Top Trail at Kinderhook Creek Preserve is the perfect place to let off steam. “It’s steep enough to get the heart pumping and is also really beautiful with interesting rock formations,” she says. The higher you climb, the better the view, especially when the leaves are off the trees in winter. Then hang on tight to the guide rope and take the Up & Down Trail (also steep) down to the creek. Walk back along the creek on SAY Trail, or, in summer stay a while and dip your toes in the cool water. There are swinging benches and picnic tables at various spots all along the way. There are also vernal pools, and “in spring, you can hear the spring peeper tree frogs singing their hearts out,” Molly says.

After your workout hike, sample some beer made with sustainable and local ingredients atS & S Farm Brewery. As you sip and relax, relish the beauty of this 6^th generation family farm.

The Long Trail

Dyken Pond Environmental Education Center

Best example of Rensselaer Plateau ecology, Lush moss & boardwalks

Amanda, an environmental educator with a green thumb, loves the trails at Dyken Pond for the lush moss and rich plant life. Try the Long Trail, which winds its way for about four miles through the forests and wetlands of the DPEEC. Head up the hill across the field at the main parking area for the northern section, which will take you through hardwood forest, a fern meadow, a small fen, and past an incredible glacial erratic (a boulder deposited by glaciers long ago) nicknamed “Grandfather.”

The southern section of the Long Trail passes through a series of spectacular wetlands as you cross a 300-foot boardwalk. The Long Trail is also open for snowshoeing and cross-country skiing in a back-country setting. Check the website at www.dykenpond.org for current trail and road conditions. Hungry after your hike? Stop by Grafton’s Town Store (2436 NY-2, Cropseyville, 12052) for a tasty grilled cheese and tomato sandwich. Or, combine your Dyken Pond adventure with a walk or mountain bike ride at Grafton Lakes State Park.

Petersburg Pass to the Snow Hole

Part of the Taconic Crest Trail

More strenuous, great views

For a longer hike, sample a stretch of the 37-mile Taconic Crest Trail, which passes through New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont, following the Taconic Range. Marked by white diamonds on a blue square and maintained by the Taconic Hiking Club, the trails that lead off both north and south are easy to follow.

From the parking lot at Petersburg Pass, head across Rt. 2 and up a steep but short ascent, entering Hopkins Forest. Stop at a hang glider overlook just ¼ mile up on the west side for a spectacular view and then continue 2.5+ miles to a sign for a short detour off the trail to the east. There you’ll find a deep crevasse, called “The Snow Hole,” where year-round cold holds onto snow even into the summer. This section of the Taconic Range is marked by mature forest, frequent views, rocky outcrops and ledges, and several side trails.

Post-hike, enjoy the best and only Mexican food in Stephentown atNorte Azul Cantina. “Great food, good for vegetarians, tasty fish tacos, and don’t forget the spicy Margarita,” says Fran, a local leader in conservation and trails.

2^nd “tips” option if you include Waterfall Trail (see below):If you have energy leftover, head east on Rt. 2 and into Williamstown for The Clark art museum and a fine selection of town restaurants and shops.

Waterfall Trail

Cherry Plain State Park

Most idyllic

Fran Egbert, a local leader in conservation and trail building, has a soft spot for the Waterfall Trail in Cherry Plain because it’s beautiful and interesting in all seasons. In winter, the ice formations glisten, and in summer you can hop across the Black River to cool off. “After a hike I love sitting at the end of the lake, with minimal company other than in July or August. Without cell service, I’m forced to be present and observe all the sounds and smells around me. She also likes the Mill Pond Trail, which brings you to an old dam and Mill Pond and house site. Cherry Plain has several challenging loops for hiking, snowshoeing, biking, so check out the park map for more ideas. The park is surrounded by the Capital District Wildlife Management Area, with more than 4,000 acres of forest and wildlife habitat.

IF YOU USE THIS TRAIL, use 2^nd option for Taconic Crest meal tips.

Fran suggests you follow up with a stop at Norte Azul Cantina, the best and only Mexican Restaurant in Stephentown. “Great food, good for vegetarians, tasty fish tacos, and don’t forget the spicy Margarita,” she says.

Photo credits: Nate Simms, Kate Lovering Photography, Fred McCagg Photography

Written by: Annie Jacobs

Annie Jacobs is a naturalist and adventurer, poet, and artist living in Troy. As Communications Director for the Rensselaer Plateau Alliance, she loves telling stories about the inspiring people who are safeguarding our wild places for future generations.

ACE Creative Economy Survey: Income/Employment Loss 2020/21

March 10, 2021 By upstatecreative

Create your own user feedback survey

Creative Economy Jobs Losses As High As 64% Last Summer in Capital Region

March 10, 2021 By upstatecreative

Performing Arts, Food & Drink, Film & Recording Among Hardest Hit Sectors

ALBANY – Creative Industries sectors suffered some of the highest percentage of job loss in New York’s Capital Region by the end of summer, according to new statistics from the New York Department of Labor. In the third quarter, the Performing Arts and Spectator Sports sector saw a 64% decline in jobs over the year – the highest percentage lost out of any other sector in the eight-county region.

“This industry has been devastated,” said Philip Morris, President and CEO of Proctors Collaborative. Proctors laid off 160 full-time and 53 part-time workers, plus has hired no stage hands for a year, the equivalent of 3 million dollars of annual payroll. There are now 32 full-time staff, representing an 80% loss in full-time staff positions at Proctors.

The Food and Drink sector suffered $43 million in lost wages – more wage loss than any other employment sector. Heidi Knoblauch, owner of Plumb Oyster Bar in Troy, had to lay off 100% of her workforce. “We employ people from all walks of life. Restaurants give people an opportunity to enter and re-enter the workforce. The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for us – it has cut off our ability to contribute to our community,” she said. “The effect of losing restaurants will reverberate through our downtowns.”

Other hard-hit Creative sectors include Motion Picture & Sound Recording with 59% of jobs lost – the second highest percentage of jobs lost in the region. Apparel Manufacturing saw 41% of jobs lost, and Museums / Parks / Historic Sites saw 29% of jobs lost.

“The losses in the Creative Industries has been overwhelming,” said Maureen Sager, Executive Director of the Upstate Alliance for the Creative Economy (ACE), a not-for-profit organization organizing and advocating for Creative workers, businesses and venues. “In 2018, the Creative Industries were the fourth largest employment sector in the Capital Region, with over 36,000 workers. Thousands of those jobs have been lost. It’s unthinkable.”

Morris added that the recovery will be extremely difficult. “The supply chain for so much of it, like theater, is months long. That means a recovery will be years. Federal support will help enormously, but more importantly we need artists back working and audiences back in seats.” When asked about the April 2^nd limited reopenings, Morris said, “Vaccines and social distance reopenings are just the beginning. We can’t really return until we can welcome full houses again.”

Additionally, over half of those working in the Creative Industries are freelance workers, who, statistically, have experienced more COVID-19-related financial hardship than traditionally-employed workers. “Musicians, actors, dancers, filmmakers, waiters, cooks…so many people have been cut off from their livelihoods,” said Sager. “Their employment options slammed shut in March 2020, and it has yet to be seen if they will eke back in 2021, if at all.”

Film director / producer Michelle Polacinski “had a full-time salary job at Branch VFX, a visual effects production company in Albany, before it shut down permanently in June. “Branch VFX laid off its entire staff of 15,” says its former Executive Producer, Sam Margolius. “The company had hired just over half of its workforce from local talent while attracting the other 50% to move here. These workers – and Branch VFX – were great for the local economy. So much related business activity is lost.” Branch VFX provided services for major motion pictures and series, including The Joker, Sonic the Hedgehog, and Jessica Jones.

“The film industry completely shut down for longer than many other industries, so it’s been especially hard for us,” Polacinski said. “I have since returned to freelance work out of necessity, but I only get about one gig a month if I’m lucky, which is never enough to pay the bills. It’s also harder having to commute to New York City or drive for hours in other directions just to work.” Freelance director Micah Khan estimated that he lost 60% of his paid work in 2020. “I had work lined up for the entire year of 2020,” he said.

Policinski and Khan have started a 518 Film Network group on Facebook, to connect and promote the Capital Region’s independent film community, which has seen the disproportionate job loss associated with both freelance workers and the Film / Sound sectors.

ACE has a survey to help understand services needed and other concerns for the Creative community. The survey can be found at: https://www.upstatecreative.org/ace-creative-economy-survey-income-employment-loss-2020-21/

+++++++

Contact:

Maureen Sager, Maureen.sager@gmail.com, 518-248-9348

Heidi Knoblauch, Plumb Oyster Bar, heidi.knoblauch@gmail.com

Sam Margolius, sam.margolius@gmail.com

Philip Morris, Proctors Collaborative, pmorris@proctors.org

Michelle Polacinski, michellepolacinski@gmail.com

This report was prepared with data assistance from the Center for Economic Growth (CEG).

Author Noelle Gentile: Advocate, Educate, and Love

March 10, 2021 By upstatecreative

Director, writer, acting coach, and educator Noelle Gentile (age 42) has two remarkable daughters–Isla (age eight) and Lucia a.k.a. “Lulu” (age six). Born and raised in Albany, NY, Noelle spent 13 years in Brooklyn before returning home to Albany with her family after Isla’s birth.

A Family’s Journey

Author Noelle Gentile draws on all her strengths as an advocate and educator supporting her daughters Lucia and Isla, who is autistic and has epilepsy.

Isla’s Diagnosis

Noelle’s daughter Isla was diagnosed with epilepsy in February 2016 and on the autism spectrum in June 2018. (An estimated 30% of people diagnosed with autism have epilepsy, too.) Isla also has global delays. She struggles with side effects from the epilepsy medications. Yet, Isla “deeply connects with other people,” Noelle said. “She has incredible instincts about who other people are.”

It was a long journey. There were several diagnoses, starting with when Isla was 16 months old. An MRI showed non-specific brain damage. Noelle was devastated. “I didn’t understand it,” she said. “I didn’t know what it meant. Both the epilepsy and the autism diagnoses we had to fight for. We were relieved because we had a better picture of what was happening and how to support her.”

Noelle reiterated that a lot of the heartache of having a child with diverse abilities stems from the world falling short of embracing the child with adequate compassion and understanding.

Noelle’s husband has a lot of trauma surrounding Isla’s seizures, and related anxiety. Noelle remarked that it is different for her. She has done a great deal of processing Isla’s journey through her writing and art. Noelle said of herself and her husband, “We understand where each other are, but we’re not fully in the same place.”

Finding Schools and Resources

Noelle described how her family has navigated school, medical, and other systems for Isla’s wellbeing. Noelle said, “I have had to sharpen my tools.” Naturally a people pleaser, she is now less so. “Isla has challenged me to let that part of me go,” Noelle said.

She wishes there had been more resources available at the beginning of her journey through different abilities with Isla. That said, she remembers Isla’s time at The Spotted Zebra Learning Center–an inclusive preschool center in Albany–with gratitude. Noelle is committed to building Isla’s opportunities to flourish, through positive change in the world. “There’s a collective of us that wants to see this change,” Noelle said. Indeed, her dear friend Alyssa said, “Isla doesn’t need to change for the world; the world needs to change for Isla.” Through Make-a-Wish Northeast New York (with help from Make-a-Wish Southern Florida), Isla had her wish to swim with dolphins in Florida beautifully granted. (Make-a-Wish grants the wishes of children with critical illnesses.)

The Story of Two Sisters

In her role as author, Noelle Gentile wrote the children’s book Isla and Lulu from the perspective of Lulu–Isla’s then-four year old sister. Love between sisters personalizes this book’s themes of inclusivity and open dialogue amongst people seeking to embrace those with diverse abilities. Noelle decided to write the book after finding out that Isla was at risk for SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy). Noelle observed that some people were distancing themselves from her family. The book means “to bring people towards us instead of further away.”

Asked about challenges she has overcome as a parent, Noelle remembered a family vacation on Cape Cod. Her two daughters were playing on the beach when two little girls approached Isla. Noelle felt anxious. Often children who approached often left when they realized Isla was different. But the two little girls stayed on and played with Isla. It turned out that they had a classmate with diverse abilities. Perhaps the world is, little by little, changing for the better.

Living Out Loud

As an advocate, Noelle tries not to center on herself as “Isla’s Mom” in the experience. The book Isla and Lulu and the people it can touch play a large part in her advocacy. She is also “gearing up to do speaking” about Isla’s medical experiences.

I asked Noelle what inspires her advocacy work. She spoke of a miscarriage eight years ago, and how she was not encouraged to speak about the experience. “Where’s our story?” she found herself asking. Noelle emphasized how important it is to see yourself reflected in literature, film, TV. It’s important for the world to respect Isla’s journey. “I want my family to be able to live out loud,” Noelle said.

Written by: Effy Redman

Effy Redman is a memoirist, educator, and disability advocate living in Ballston Spa, NY. She has published work in the New York Times, Vice, Ravishly, and Chronogram, among other places. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing from CUNY Hunter College.

LIVING ONLINE Series: Raya Malcolm : Actor | Musician | Devising Artist

March 9, 2021 By Corey Aldrich

In the spirit of collaboration and best practice sharing, I thought it would be interesting to share perspectives from our fellow creatives to see how folks are getting along as we all craft new ways to practice our craft. For more on my LIVING ONLINE series, click here.

How did you become interested in being an actor? How long have you been acting in front of a live audience?

I’ve always loved playing pretend, performing, and watching theatre. But on an 8th grade field trip to Washington DC, we saw a production of Macbeth at the Folger Shakespeare Theatre. I remember my theatre director at the time and I basically clung to each other during the whole performance, absolutely riveted. The show ended and I was like, “I want to learn to do THAT.” I’ve been acting in front of a live audience since probably the 2nd grade. Long enough for me to really miss and appreciate it, given the current pandemic circumstances.

Your public facing self is always so vibrant and effervescent, how do you manage to stay so damn perky?

Haha well, thank ya!! Oh gosh, I don’t know. I like people! I like learning about who they are, what they’re working on, what they’re into. It’s exciting to bear witness to people’s experiences. I’m almost always better for it. So, I guess the possibilities and opportunities to connect with others keeps me peppy. And coffee. I really like coffee.

How has the pandemic affected your artistic practice?

It’s allowed me to really slow down and do some much needed self reflection. Grow up a little bit. Take more ownership of who I am and who I want to be, as a person and as an artist. It’s allowed me to till the soil, if you’ll bear with a metaphor. Tear up old roots and weeds and get the ground ready for new artistic projects to develop.

How is this affecting you financially?

It’s been honestly fine for me. I’m very fortunate to be able to live with my folks (I am extremely thankful for them), which has allowed me to save up some money. Having a bit of a cushion opens up possibilities for whatever my next move will be.

What’s your plan for 2021? Working on anything we should know about?

My plan for 2021 is to kick some serious creative butt!! I’m gonna be working a whole bunch with Troy Foundry Theatre (TFT). We’re bringing back the Trojan Alley Series we created last summer and have two new productions in the works (check us out). I’ve also been regularly singing with Emily Curro & Shannon Rafferty (both local creatives & TFT company members); we’re working towards putting together a set list to hopefully debut live at a TFT Alley Series event. If we ever come up with a band name…. And personally at the moment I am getting things together for a solo road trip across the country. Gonna be a nomad for about 5 weeks and get my senses and mind blown by all this country has to offer. Ready to be in awe of absolutely everything.

What advice would you give to other actors struggling with the same challenge right now?

Giving advice…hmm. First, breathe deeply. And find someone to hug. Hugs are great. More hugs. And then check out how other theatres and actors are coping and adapting with the given circumstances. Notice what resonates with you and follow your intuition. Might lead you to new opportunities you didn’t expect, might lead you to want to drive across the country in search of spiritual growth – who knows. Either way, it’s all good. Keep on the path.

A longtime ACE Contributor, Corey works out of Troy, New York. He runs a freelance consultancy for all aspects of brand development and business process management / development. Current projects include cash flow analysis, strategic market planning, 3rd party project oversight, public relations, event planning and front end visual brand design / design-build projects. He has a focus in not-for-profit arts and mission oriented organizations. In his free time he works on honing his craft as a photographer and guitarist. (corey@2440designstudio.com)