This week we’re chatting with Tabitha Burton, who will be a familiar face if you’ve been to the Adirondack Theatre Festival or Film Festival. Read on to find out what brought her to good ol’ GF, what drew her to get involved in theatre, and her local go-to spots for everything from coffee to trivia night.
Tell us about yourself!
Hey Glens Falls! I’m Tabitha Burton, but most of you know me by Tab. I’m the Company Manager for the Adirondack Film Festival which runs October 17-20th in downtown Glens Falls.
We’d love to hear more about your background - how did you become involved in theatre?
I got a Bachelor of Science in Tourism Management (Undergrad) and a Masters of Art in Art Administration (Grad School). I first got involved in theatre when I was in grad school. I had an amazing teacher who would take us to shows and emphasized the importance of live theatre - the story it tells and how everyone can relate to either the story or the characters. I stuck with it after graduation.
I started working at the Shawnee Theatre the day after I graduated high school and worked there for 8 years each summer learning how to do the many different jobs it takes to put on a show. It was Mrs. Jerrells who introduced me to music and theatre and why I fell in love with it. She was an amazing teacher, friend and role model. She retired and now her and her husband work at Disney in Florida.
On Life in Glens Falls
I grew up in a small town similar to Glens Falls in Bloomfield, Indiana. I started working for the Bloomington Playwrights Project Theatre shortly after undergrad where Chad Rabinovitz is the artistic director. I first came to Glens Falls four years ago for the Adirondack Film Festival and fell in love with the community. From there, Chad (who is also the artistic director of the Adirondack Theatre Festival) brought me on as the Company Manager and I kept coming back every October for the Film Festival and every May for the Theatre Festival for the past three years. I fell in love with the downtown area and looked forward to seeing the same familiar faces each year.
Once I graduated from grad school at Indiana University (Go Hoosier!) in December 2017, I decided I wanted to move out of Indiana and move to Glens Falls - I mean, I already knew people and had a community here. Now, I live right downtown at Bemis Place Apartments on Sherman Ave with my sweet cat Calvin that I adopted at the local Glens Falls Animal Shelter and couldn’t be happier.
My favorite thing about Glens Falls is the different art events the community has - from the LARAC Festival, Adirondack Theatre and Film Festivals to the Black Fly event at the Hyde, there is so much going on. I also love the small town feel, it’s a nice feeling to go into a restaurant or bar and people know your name (shout out to Fenimores at the Q!).
A Perfect Glens Falls Day
Some of my favorite spots to frequent downtown are definitely Spot Coffee for that Java Shake, the patio at The Q for their firepits, Rauls for the best margs in town, or trivia night at Mean Max. There is something for everyone downtown.
On the Future
If you asked me where I would be living 4 yrs ago, Glens Falls wouldn’t have even been on the radar. I wouldn’t even have known about Glens Falls if it wasn’t for Chad. Indiana will always hold a special place in my heart, but for now Glens Falls has won me over and my heart.
By the way…
The fourth annual Adirondack Film Festival is Oct 17-20th. If you find yourself downtown, buy a pass and come check out our amazing line up. We have over 200 filmmakers coming to town, so it’s going to be a busy but exciting weekend.
Thanks Tab - see you at the Film Festival!
P.S. Check out more of our My Glens Falls series here.