Musical Accompaniment to several short animations presented by Swooping Shapes.

Swooping Shapes is…

Becca Pasley is a multi-genre bassist and improviser coming from a background in free jazz, classical, rock, and noise, which has led them to a wide variety of musical projects across the Northeast. Their love for improvisation and the experimental goes hand in hand with a dream of revelatory collective liberation. 

Brian Dewan is a musician and visual artist who engages in filmstrip making and instrument building. He writes songs and collects songs from earlier generations. 

Elizabeth Karp is a musician who combines analog and digital instrumentation, tape collage, field recordings, and percussion to perform sound collage music. Elizabeth is also a visual artist and co-curator of Moonbow, a performance series held at The Shaker Heritage Site.

 The music of Puerto Rican guitarist and composer Federico Balducci can be described as a mixture of classical and ambient music with unusually intricate harmonies. Federico Balducci has a Bachelor’s Degree in Film Scoring from the prestigious Berklee College of Music. Currently, Federico mostly works on film scores for short films and documentaries.

About Tom Dressler

Thomas Dressler is known for exciting, passionate performances on the organ and harpsichord which combine warm musicality with historic techniques. He has been performing for more than thirty years, often on historic instruments, including some of America's oldest and most historic organs.

He has appeared on local television in NY, the Poconos, and Philadelphia. His playing at the opening concert of the 150th anniversary celebration of the Round Lake organ was described by audience members as "riveting" and "stunningly elegant." In August of 2001 he recorded the 1847 Ferris organ at Round Lake, NY, and the CD was released in 2003; it received a feature review in The American Organist magazine. In 2012, he released a CD recorded on the Paul Fritts organ at Princeton Theological Seminary, which was featured on Pipedreams on National Public Radio. Officers of the Central New Jersey chapter of the American Guild of Organists have said, "Mr. Dressler is an organist with solid technique, well known for his exquisite rendering of Renaissance and Baroque music."

But he does not only specialize in "early" music. He also spends much time exploring performance practices of the 19th century, trying to uncover possible modern misconceptions about this music and present it in a manner the composers would have recognized. As a teenager, Mr. Dressler studied organ with James Boeringer and practiced on an 1894 Felgemaker organ. During this time he developed a strong interest in historic "tracker action" organs. He also began to have an interest in historic performing practices (using the information available in old treatises to attempt to play music in a way similar to how the composers may have originally heard it.) When historic fingerings and articulations are matched with the music being played, it is possible to infuse it with a degree of emotion and excitement not possible using purely modern techniques. He pursued these techniques throughout his college years, earning a Bachelor of Music in Organ Performance, cum laude, from Susquehanna University, and a Master of Music in Performance, with honors, from Westminster Choir College. At Westminster, he studied organ with Mark Brombaugh and Joan Lippincott.

Mr. Dressler has held large church positions in Philadelphia and New Jersey. He has also been a featured lecturer in various venues in addition to lecturing at Warren County Community College (NJ), speaking on topics such as Performance Practices of the Baroque Era, various topics in music history and appreciation, and Music and Holistic Health. His special abilities to communicate, both as a speaker and performer, are combined in his performances, where he discusses much of the music he performs. Audiences respond enthusiastically. A reporter from a local newspaper in Pennsylvania has said, "Dressler interacts with the audience on a very personal level, appealing to young and old alike. One comes away from each program knowing they have learned something."

Watch Tom Dressler’s 2020 Organ Recital

Thursdays in June & August

Meet at the Auditorium for a tour, a sip of tea, and an organ demonstration on the Davis-Ferris Tracker Organ, a National Historic Landmark. There even may be a peek at the pipes!

Perform at our Open Mic nights!

Show off your talent! Prepare and perform a 5min act. If you are a musician, bring your instrument to plug in or mic up to our sound system. Poets, we want to hear what you have written! If you are a dance crew, we can cue up a song for your act.

Plan to arrive early to sign-up. Your order in the show will be determined by the time you arrive.

All ages are welcome to perform!

Hosted by Scott Rigney

Thursdays in June & August

Meet at the Auditorium for a tour, a sip of tea, and an organ demonstration on the Davis-Ferris Tracker Organ, a National Historic Landmark. There even may be a peek at the pipes!

Duo Envol features Melanie Chirignan on flute, and Laura Melnicoff on cello. As neighbors in New York’s Capital Region, we’ve combined our shared passion for undiscovered gems of music and undiscovered gems of performance venues. The gorgeous local natural landscape is also a shared inspiration, and we can often be found playing music with themes of nature. “Envol” is French for “flight” and “soaring,” and we invite you to join us on our travels.

Learn More: MelanieChirignan.org

Thursdays in June & August

Meet at the Auditorium for a tour, a sip of tea, and an organ demonstration on the Davis-Ferris Tracker Organ, a National Historic Landmark. There even may be a peek at the pipes!

The Round Lake Libraries annual sale featuring more than 15,000 used and some rare books!

Preview day

Friday from 5pm - 7pm
Hardcovers $2, Paperbacks $1

Weekend Hours

Saturday from 9am - 5pm
Sunday from 10am - 4pm
Hardcovers $1, Paperbacks 50¢

The Round Lake Libraries annual sale featuring more than 15,000 used and some rare books!

Preview day

Friday from 5pm - 7pm
Hardcovers $2, Paperbacks $1

Weekend Hours

Saturday from 9am - 5pm
Sunday from 10am - 4pm
Hardcovers $1, Paperbacks 50¢

FREE EVENT | Carpe Diem's favorite night of the year!

Our campers will dazzle you as they perform solos, group numbers, and showcase their many dynamic talents! Free to attend, we encourage you to bring friends and family alike to this one-of-a-kind performance!

Learn More

As our biggest fundraiser of the season, we hope you’ll join us for an evening of spectacular singing from our own Carpe family and our visiting professionals! Hosted by former news personality and local favorite Benita Zahn, this year’s benefit concert will feature sets from Dudney Joseph (Cats: The Jellicle Ball, PAC NYC; The Harder They Come, The Public Theater), the 2025 Showcase cast, students from our ROOTS program, and CDT Staff. We will have exciting raffle items, silent auction, a large bake sale, and other giving opportunities.

We are offering tickets on a sliding scale - please make the contribution you are willing and able to make. We are glad to have you claim a free ticket so you and your family can join us!

Tickets & More Information

Carpe Diem Theater | ROOTS

ROOTS: Realizations On & Off The Stage presents students with critical information about making theater as well as the roles and responsibilities of theater makers themselves. Teaching artists from Broadway, Off-Broadway, international touring companies, and beyond, bring their experiences to the Round Lake Auditorium for Carpe Diem Theater's free workshop series.

These workshops are open to all ages, but are geared towards teens and beyond. All community members are welcome! 

Learn More

Carpe Diem Theater | ROOTS

ROOTS: Realizations On & Off The Stage presents students with critical information about making theater as well as the roles and responsibilities of theater makers themselves. Teaching artists from Broadway, Off-Broadway, international touring companies, and beyond, bring their experiences to the Round Lake Auditorium for Carpe Diem Theater's free workshop series.

These workshops are open to all ages, but are geared towards teens and beyond. All community members are welcome! 

Learn More

Carpe Diem Theater | ROOTS

ROOTS: Realizations On & Off The Stage presents students with critical information about making theater as well as the roles and responsibilities of theater makers themselves. Teaching artists from Broadway, Off-Broadway, international touring companies, and beyond, bring their experiences to the Round Lake Auditorium for Carpe Diem Theater's free workshop series.

These workshops are open to all ages, but are geared towards teens and beyond. All community members are welcome! 

Learn More

Perform at our Open Mic nights!

Show off your talent! Prepare and perform a 5min act. If you are a musician, bring your instrument to plug in or mic up to our sound system. Poets, we want to hear what you have written! If you are a dance crew, we can cue up a song for your act.

Plan to arrive early to sign-up. Your order in the show will be determined by the time you arrive.

All ages are welcome to perform!

Hosted by Scott Rigney

June 30-July 5, 2025 | SHOWCASE is a one-week theater intensive and performance opportunity open to students ages 16-22 years old.  Our mission is to provide an immersive and collaborative production experience to promote artistic autonomy, in-depth scene study, and build confidence in advanced theater makers.

Selling out its 2024 performances at the Round Lake Auditorium and Fort Salem Theater, Showcase returns for 2025, bringing some of the Capital Region's brightest young talent into the spotlight. Led by stage director Nick Ong (Edinburgh Fringe, Two River Theater), vocal coach Brady Walsh (former Met Opera artistic staff), and choreographer Emma Alteri (National Tour The Cher Show), these young performers share their gifts in a uniquely curated program of beloved repertoire. 

After an intensive week of coaching their material, they will premiere this one-of-a-kind performance at their home theater before making their NYC debuts two weeks later at The Green Room 42! Performers include CDT alumni, students from top theater programs in the region, and more. 

Learn More

Thursdays in June & August

Meet at the Auditorium for a tour, a sip of tea, and an organ demonstration on the Davis-Ferris Tracker Organ, a National Historic Landmark. There even may be a peek at the pipes!

Thursdays in June & August

Meet at the Auditorium for a tour, a sip of tea, and an organ demonstration on the Davis-Ferris Tracker Organ, a National Historic Landmark. There even may be a peek at the pipes!

Lecture Series | Photography & Filmmaking

In our engaging lecture series, we delve into topics of culture, history, health, and art.

Join us as we discover the history of filmmaking and host a panel discussion with photographers, filmmakers, publishers, and analog makers who love the unique aesthetic of analog imaging.

Steve Carter is the Head of Marketing and Outreach at CineStill Film, where he works to help analog photographers create their best work. With a deep understanding of both traditional film and modern media, Steve bridges the gap between legacy formats and contemporary photography formats.

Before joining CineStill, Steve worked as the Global Head of Social Media at Kodak, where he played a role in revitalizing the brand’s presence online. He stepped into co-host duties while continuing to serve as a producer for The Kodakery, KODAK's official brand podcast featuring guests ranging from well-known to up-and-coming photographers, filmmakers, publishers, and analog makers.

Steve became a faux-tographer(1) during Instagram's early days using his iPhone camera. Over time, that interest evolved into a dedication to film photography—a format he now champions both personally and professionally.

Today, Steve is not only works in marketing Cinestill film to film enthusiasts but is also an active film photographer, committed to preserving and promoting the unique aesthetic of analog imaging.

Chromoscope Pictures is a boutique production company based in Troy, NY that writes, directs, and produces original content in various fields of art and industry. Much like the instrument that is our namesake, we align our passion for storytelling with the vision of our clientele; to produce an image of that combined purpose.

Filmmakers and storytellers at heart, Nick, Zach, and Jamie have been making videos and films in one form or another since 2009. Throughout high school and college, they focused their efforts on narrative projects, and after incorporating in 2012, built their respective careers in the video production and film production fields.

Together as Chromoscope, we produce short and long form branded content, such as television commercials, social media content, and corporate video productions, in addition to music videos. Outside of client commissioned work, we develop and produce original narrative films with an amazing network of talented collaborators in NY’s Capital Region.

We continue to hone our vision on each new project, from local brands, to national artists. Together, our work in film, music video, and branded content has garnered millions of views across the web, television, festivals, and theaters.

Perform at our Open Mic nights!

Show off your talent! Prepare and perform a 5min act. If you are a musician, bring your instrument to plug in or mic up to our sound system. Poets, we want to hear what you have written! If you are a dance crew, we can cue up a song for your act.

Plan to arrive early to sign-up. Your order in the show will be determined by the time you arrive.

All ages are welcome to perform!

Hosted by Scott Rigney

Thursdays in June & August

Meet at the Auditorium for a tour, a sip of tea, and an organ demonstration on the Davis-Ferris Tracker Organ, a National Historic Landmark. There even may be a peek at the pipes!

Improv Spaces Music Festival

The 2025 Improv Spaces Music Festival presents an impressive roster of 35 musicians and collaborators hailing from the Capital Region and beyond for this day-long musical improvisation program.

Learn More: 2025 Improv Spaces Music Festival

Grow your garden and your bookshelf!

Friday April 25th | 5:00-8:00pm

Saturday April 26th | 9:00am-4:00pm

From timeless classics to hidden gems, there is something for every reader. Whether you're looking to refresh your bookshelf or discover your next favorite read, this is the perfect chance to stock up for spring and summer reading.

A portion of the proceeds will support the Round Lake Auditorium.

Grow your garden and your bookshelf!

Friday April 25th | 5:00-8:00pm

Saturday April 26th | 9:00am-4:00pm

From timeless classics to hidden gems, there is something for every reader. Whether you're looking to refresh your bookshelf or discover your next favorite read, this is the perfect chance to stock up for spring and summer reading.

A portion of the proceeds will support the Round Lake Auditorium.