Artist Spotlight - Ron Sinclair
We are excited to highlight Ron Sinclair in this month's Artist Spotlight! Ron has been a vital part of the Clayton Opera Week for over 20 years, helping expand the program from its early days. When the original founder of Clayton Opera Week wanted to broaden its reach to include more local involvement, Ron and three others stepped up as directors to help lead the charge. One of the most remarkable aspects of their work was the decision to focus on children as the stars of the performances, rather than adults. Under their direction, the program grew significantly, and last year, over 140 children, aged 5 to 18, participated.
Ron had the vision to involve older students, aged 13 and above, in performing the entire play themselves, and also helped introduce a technical theater group, allowing students to learn about the behind-the-scenes work that makes productions possible. His leadership helped create an engaging experience for the youth of the region and has been integral to the ongoing success of the Clayton Opera Week.
Ron’s love of theater began during his school years. Growing up in the Theresa/Antwerp area, he attended the K-12 school until he was able to move into the newly built Indian River Central School his senior year, where he graduated as captain of the football and wrestling teams and president of the first senior class. His first taste of the stage came junior year, when the senior class decided to perform a play and invited him to be part of it. Though he was unable to participate in his senior year due to sports, this early exposure to theater sparked an interest that would flourish later in life.
After graduating, Ron became a science teacher at Alexandria Central School, where his path took an unexpected turn. A music teacher was struggling to find a student to play Harold Hill in The Music Man and asked Ron to step in. Despite trying to find a student for the role, Ron ended up playing it himself—and his love for performing was reignited. He later appeared in The Sound of Music and other productions with Little Theatre of Watertown and Watertown Lyric Theater, even serving on both boards.
One of the pivotal moments in Ron's life was being encouraged by the music teacher at Alexandria Bay to take part in theater, an experience he says changed his life. In his 50s, Ron even took on the role of an Elvis impersonator, drawing on the knowledge he had gained as a child, learning all of Elvis's songs. Although he regrets not seeing Elvis live, Ron brought his own flair to the King’s hits in a half-hour show that entertained audiences.
Ron’s passion for theater didn't stop there. He and a close friend co-founded the North Jefferson Community Theater, purchasing a hotel in Theresa to create a performance space. Tragically, a fire destroyed the theater, taking with it their hard work and hopes for that project. However, Ron continued to leave a lasting mark on local theater, with notable performances at venues like the Edgewood and Bonnie Castle.
When asked for advice for someone unsure about getting involved in theater, Ron says, "If you have hesitation and don’t feel comfortable doing it, don’t feel badly about saying no. But if someone is persistent and convinces you that this is not only something you can do but should do, don’t feel badly about changing your mind and doing it." His message is clear: taking a chance on the unfamiliar may just lead to something life-changing.
Ron Sinclair’s contributions to the arts in our community are undeniable. His story is one of resilience, passion, and dedication—qualities that continue to inspire us all. We are honored to celebrate him in this month’s Artist Spotlight!
