"Creative reuse: Dairy barns find new life as theater complex"

from the Hill Country Observer, an independent newspaper for eastern New York , southwestern Vermont and the Berkshires, November 2006 by Stacey Morris, contributing Writer.
Edited by Linda Hermans for accuracy.

FORT EDWARD , NY

If Linda Hermans hadn't loved barns so much, Fort Edward might not have its own theater space.

            And most assuredly, Hermans never would have been able to feed 23,000 people who came to town four years ago for a historical re-enactment of the Second Battle of Saratoga.

            When Hermans retired from teaching school in Brooklyn, she bought a 10-acre farm with a series of connecting barns in Fort Edward .  It was the property's barns that helped cinch the deal.

            The barns were in disrepair.  But Hermans knew that with a sense of purpose and a lot of effort, they could be transformed.

            In May, after nearly four years of labor, donated materials and the help of countless volunteers, the barns began their new life as Little Theater on the Farm.

            The space, Hermans said, is not just for theater groups, but for musicians, open mic. performances, youth groups and even hungry re-enactors and their audiences.

            In October 2002, the Re-enactment of the second Battle of Saratoga took place on Hermans' farm and the surrounding property of her cousin, Merrilyn Pulver, the Fort Edward town supervisor.

            When Hermans realized more than 20,000 spectators and 3,500 re-enactors would be attending, she set up an impromptu snack bar in the diary barn, serving hot dogs, chili, coffee and pastries.

            "Sometimes it was six-deep around the counter, she recalled.  "It made me realize that people would come here for things."

            But knowing that serious repairs were needed, Hermans shelved the idea of renovation for a couple of years-until what she says was her epiphany.

"When I lived in Brooklyn , I told people about the property I was buying, and they kidded me that I should make it into a conference hall for retreats, she recalled.  "All I could think was, "Boring."  Then on August 6, 2004 I woke up and the whole plan for a theater space laid out right in front of me like a blueprint, it was just so crystal clear.

Agriculture to art

The first order of business was removing the nearly 4 feet of manure and hay in the barn so cement floors could be poured.  Then came new floor-to-ceiling beams.

            A new structure now links the two barns and serves as a lobby area, with bathrooms and a ramp that leads to the theater in the post-and-beam barn, where a plywood stage was recently built.

            The diary barn will serve as the refreshment stand as well as displaying works of art by local artists and, at times produce from area farmers.

            Once Hermans began putting her plan into action, she said unseen forces seemed to magically help along the process.

            A neighbor came knocking with 150 donated theater seats.  A woman visiting from Rochester read a story in the local daily newspaper, The Post-Star, about the theater space.  She happened to be disbanding a children's theater company and invited Hermans to haul away a treasure trove of costumes and stage props from her basement.

            Workers from the Washington County Alternative Sentencing Program (and Drug Court *) did electrical and carpentry work.  Another neighbor donated 790 pounds of aluminum porch siding, which Hermans cashed in for $350.

            In May 2005, the Little Theater on the Farm was incorporated as a nonprofit.  Hermans estimates she has so far spent $20,000 of her own money on repair and renovation.

            "Everything has been done by the book, almost to the point of extreme," she said.  "My boyfriend is the town code enforcement officer and building inspector, so I can't get away with squat."  Her boyfriend, Thomas H. DuFore, also serves as the theater's treasurer.

Opening night

            The Little Theater on the Farm's initial "opening night" took place on October 7, with live music, tours and refreshments.

"We had about 200 people turn out, and I jokingly told them it was standing room only, because we only had 3 rows of seats.*  Actually the theater will hold 75 seats.

            The 19th century post-and-beam barn that houses the theater will also eventually have 14-foot high doors that will open onto a lawn for additional seating.

            A grand opening is planned for May 2007, after the installation of additional lighting and the completion of repairs to the backstage area.

            Hermans said she's working out the terms of fees for those who will rent the theater space.

            "I'm dedicated to enhancing creative development in adults and children," she said.  "We're encouraging people to use the space: theater groups, playwrights, and youth groups.  We're not looking to make a lot of money, we're looking to provide a service to people.

            She also wants the space used for educational purposes to develop an appreciation for the area's agricultural history.

            Hermans said she continues to welcome donations from the community as well as volunteers-"if you can hold a hammer or a paint brush, or even a broom."

            For more information about Little Theater on the Farm, call (518)747-3421 or visit www.littletheater27.com.