Shanan Magee and the Park Theater – Ushering in a New Era

By Kiki Jiyuu

I had the honor of sitting with Shanan McGhee from Park Theater in Hudson, NY.

Park Theater is a newly renovated historic theater that hosts events ranging from music and poetry, to live immersive performances. The line up is stellar and the facilities are beautifully appointed. The building was reopened May 2021 — the centennial anniversary of the Park Theater’s first opening in May of 1921.  Shanan welcomed his Hudson community by opening the doors and offering free live music. This was a celebration of both the theater’s anniversary and the need to ‘re introduce people to people again!’  

Shanan grew up in the Hudson Valley, went to school in Long Island, and quickly migrated to New York City. During his tenure in the city he booked bands and developed a strong network of diverse artists, musicians, and poets. He ‘never refused a live show’. This strategy helped him to network with the creatives that comprise his ongoing and current bookings.  Shanan’s approach to developing common ground for gathering people of various perspectives together, is at once fearless and successful. 

‘I find it inspirational when you present something that everyone can find common ground and have a common interest.  At the end of the day it is about people. I find it warming when people can come together whether they agree or not.’ 

I asked him what is invigorating about bringing together people of diverse and potentially incongruous perspectives? 

Shanan’s response was moving to me in this era of ‘cancel culture’. He said, ‘Perspective is a wonderful thing when it is shared, but people also have to listen. You own your perspective.  It is yours.   If you deliver it in a way that can open someone’s mind, or you share it in a way and someone listens – great things can happen.’  He continued, ‘We used to get together and talk about these things and relate on certain levels and agree or disagree without it being a fight. Nuyorican Poets Cafe (a famous spoken word venue on 3rd street and Ave C in NYC) was great for that. Some poetry slams were on really difficult topics and the audience stayed and conversed passionately after the performance.’ 

Like Shanan, I too avidly attended crowded events there.  Back in the day, I performed at the Nuyorican Poets Café every Thursday night with the JesGrew Arkestra under the baton of the composer, conductor, and saxophonist Jemeel Moondoc. Our jazz Arkestra (orchestra) was the center of the spoken word scene in the East Village where every point of view was received with open ears. 

Shanan firmly believes that censorship is not what this country is founded on and that a platform to facilitate true diversity of perspective is of the essence. He goes on to express that, ‘The real life experience is vital. When I was in the city I would go see anybody perform at the drop of a hat.’ 

This vivacious theater schedule offers something for everyone from children’s events to dance parties. It was originally 3600 square feet and was originally built as a silent movie theatre which evolved to be a vaudeville theater. It closed in 1945. The theater was built in 1921 and was in a severe state of neglect when the building was purchased in 2014.   Shanan breathed new life into the decaying structure by maintaining the original architectural plans and has renovated it to historic standards. 

The ceiling is steel as it was built to be the first fireproof building in the country. All of the steel components were fully restored. He has even retained the original layer of paint.

A detail of Park Theater’s restored ceiling

From winetasting to audio video immersions, the Park Theater is a thriving local venue. Spoken as a true visionary Shanan states that ‘The inspiration for this theater is to influence my community though music and art, and give artists and musicians a platform for expression. It is important to influence, embrace, and include the community in all the things that are happening in our society and not just a narrative that is controlled or superimposed.’ 

‘My desires are to have a fusion of music, art, ideas, and people. It is important to me to really just be kind, respectful, and appreciative of what we have. Quite frankly, time is your only equity so how you spend it, who you spend it with, and what you spend it doing is all up to you. I just hope what we present here is something the community embraces.’ 

Shanan Magee points to a portion of the original wall 

A close up of the original wall

Hudson, NY is enriched by people who have this kind of intelligence and respect for both the foundations of our American culture, the creative Arts, and both visitors and local community.  His level of integrity in the renovation of the theater itself and the quality of his theater offerings is exceptional. Swing by to support your local theatre.  Live performances abound!

Park Theater is located at 723 Warren St., Hudson, NY