ABOUT PETE KRAMER
Veteran reporter Pete Kramer's journalism has been recognized nationally and statewide for breaking news coverage, features, audio storytelling, and its impact on the community. His long-form narratives and investigative work have taken readers into a deadly Yonkers fire, deep into an Orange County cold case murder, and onto the stage of Radio City Music Hall. Pete is also a freelance writer, copy editor and headline writer who has crafted video scripts and recorded voice-overs. He hosted Tarrytown Music Hall events featuring satirist Andy Borowitz and the stars of "Napoleon Dynamite," and curated "Bridging Art," a live-arts mosaic inspired by the Tappan Zee Bridge. He edited three books: 2007's "The Road Taken: A Memoir -- One VW Bus, One Widow, Nine Kids"; 2017's "Blythe"; and 2025's "Fairways and Greens: A Novel."
PETE'S LATEST SUBSTACK
HONORS
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2024 National Headliner Award. For “The night that changed everything.”
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2023 Distinguished Feature Writing Award. NY News Publishers. For "The night that changed everything."
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2024 Distinguished Community Service Award. NY News Publishers. For “Tall Trucks, High Impact.”
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2023 Distinguished Beat Reporting Award. NY News Publishers. For “At Jared Lloyd’s Spring Valley firehouse, a plea deal in his death hits hard.”
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2022 Best Feature Writing Portfolio. Society for Feature Journalism. For “A Buffalo Pastor’s Dilemma: Healing a Neighborhood Split by relief and grief,” about the aftermath of the Tops supermarket shooting rampage, and “The Rockettes wanted a kickline that looks more like America. Could they do it?”
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2022 First-Person Narrative Award. NY News Publishers. For “Even after '13 seconds,’ Buffalo Bills fans believe. Here’s how they do it.”
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2022 Best of Gannett Award for Audio Storytelling. For “New Light: The Life, Death and Reopened Case of Karen Mason.”
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2021 Distinguished Breaking News Coverage. NY News Publishers. For Evergreen Court fire coverage.
A PASSION FOR MUSICALS
Pete Kramer has also been celebrating high school theater across New York's Lower Hudson Valley for the better part of 20 years. His Instagram feed is a must-follow, with reels capturing the excitement of the season. In fact, his coverage makes it a season, giving theatergoers and fans a calendar to follow, with articles, access and insights only he can deliver. His wall-to-wall coverage runs from Pedro's Musical Reveal Party to a marathon of musical visits to the year-ending Pedro's Open Mic and blue-carpet show at the Metro Awards.
It's essential for musical fans.
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
Through your articles, Pedro’s Open Mic and Metros coverage, these student actors feel seen in the same way that their sports-participating peers are. We thank you for leveling the playing field for these kids and championing their artistic endeavors.
C.R.
For whatever success I might be lucky enough to achieve within the acting industry, I wonder if any publicity or article will ever feel as special to me as what you have written. Thank you for shining a light on my journey. On behalf of myself and my peers, your dedication to sharing the stories of young artists never goes unnoticed.
K.S.
Your coverage has encouraged these kids to get out of their own towns and find each other across communities. They connect across high schools, towns and grade levels, and stay connected long after the curtains fall on their high school careers.
E.G.
OUT & ABOUT
At the Metro Awards
With a practically perfect Tessa Marsico (Harrison HS) as Mary Poppins.
With future Broadway and film star Rachel Zegler (Immaculate Conception HS) and her friend Alex Birchwale (St. Joseph).
With Silly Girls from Sleepy Hollow HS's production of "Beauty & the Beast."
At Pedro's Open Mic
Hosting the annual celebration of musicals at Harrison HS
With my perennial partner in crime, Michael Mastroianni, the Maestro and essential man at the keyboard for every Open Mic.
With Ari Arocho, Brewster's belter, who sang from "Once On This Island."
At Pedro's Musical Reveal Party
Hosting a kick-off event for the 2026 musical season, a night of music, games and theater-kid camaraderie at Sleepy Hollow High School.
