TRAVEL & HOUSING
I
N PERSON SUMMER PROGRAM 2022
Our summer program is located in New Paltz, NY, the birthplace of Playback Theatre and a quaint, lively college town nestled next to the Shawangunk mountain range approximately 90 miles north of New York City. You can reach New Paltz by car, bus or train (see info below). In addition to our learning and practicing Playback, there will be opportunities for hiking, biking, swimming in mountain lakes and waterfalls, and visiting local shops and restaurants.
Our venue this year is Unison Arts Center located about a mile outside of town at 68 Mountain Rest Road, New Paltz, NY 12561. Formal Playback training began at this site many decades ago. It is sacred land with a lovely workshop space, an outdoor stage, a sculpture garden, nature paths to walk on, and a fire pit for evening storytelling and music. In addition to classes, we will also have evening performances and a special talk-back with the original Playback Theatre company members.
TRAVEL TO NEW PALTZ:
Bus from NYC
The Trailways Bus (click here for schedule) departs from Port Authority in NYC several times a day. The trip is about an hour and a half without traffic.
NOTE: You get off the bus in town at the New Paltz Bus Station (not the Park-n-ride stop).
Train from NYC
There is a Metro-North train (MNR line) from Grand Central station in NYC to Poughkeepsie station several times a day. Poughkeepsie is about 20 minutes from New Paltz, across the river. You would need to take a taxi to the venue from the train station (or Uber or Lyft). Public transportation from Poughkeepsie to New Paltz is erratic, but you can try here.) The trip from Grand Central Station to Poughkeepsie is about two hours.
Airplane
STEWART/NEWBURGH AIRPORT is 40 minutes south of New Paltz. Car service is available to New Paltz from the airport. You can try Visconti Limousine from Stewart airport (845.562.5671) or Uber.
ALBANY INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT is 1 hour 30 minutes North of the New Paltz. Car rental, car service and bus service (Trailways bus) is available from the airport.
You can also fly into the NYC airports (JFK, LaGuardia and Newark) and take a bus from Port Authority in Manhattan up to New Paltz (follow Bus instructions).
FOOD
Students are responsible for their own food and lodging. There are many restaurants and delis located in New Paltz and surrounding towns. Lodging options are listed below. There is a small kitchen at Unison where students can make tea and coffee, as well as a fridge and microwave for storing and heating up lunch.
LODGING
Here are some options:
New Paltz Hostel www.newpaltzhostel.com
Airbnb www.airbnb.com
**These two airbnb listings are connected to Unison property. They are not open to book yet, but are reserved for NYSPT students. Let us know if you are interested in booking.
Vacation Rental by Owner www.vrbo.com
Americas Best Value Inn https://www.redlion.com/americas-best-value-inn/ny/new-paltz/americas-best-value-inn-new-paltz
Hampton Inn by Hilton https://www.hilton.com/en/hotels/pounphx-hampton-new-paltz/?SEO_id=GMB-HX-POUNPHX&y_source=1_NDA5MDc1OS03MTUtbG9jYXRpb24uZ29vZ2xlX3dlYnNpdGVfb3ZlcnJpZGU%3D
Minnewaska Lodge https://www.minnewaskalodge.com
The Inn at Kettleboro https://www.kettleboro.com
HIKING & BIKING:
Check out the many wonderful hiking (and biking) trails in the area here.