[Shakespeare in the Woods is an Independent Project spearheaded by Katharine Maness.]

Shakespeare in the Woods (SitW) is an outdoor theatre company experimenting with the Bard's canon through a modern, radical, and gender expansive queer lens. The company was founded in 2019 by Katharine Maness (they/them), and is based in Manchester, Vermont.

Each production seeks to deliver a professional caliber celebration of classical text through unconventional, innovative, and socially aware approach, all while embracing Vermont’s natural offerings. The intention behind every production is to meet the natural landscape with respect, and to mindfully work in collaboration with nature versus imposing upon it.

Shakespeare in the Woods is returning for its 4th Season of radical theatre! Summer 2024 will see "Macbeth" & "Twelfth Night, or What You Will" in repertory, for an unforgettable season on our grassy stage, at new Venue Partner, The Equinox Resort & Spa (3567 Main St, Manchester, VT 05254). For all 2024 Season information, and to purchase tickets, click here.

Now in our 4th live-season, we have a consistent understanding of what our recurring, annual needs are in order to produce high quality, professional theatre, while also continually increase artist pay to reach industry standards. The numbers below demonstrate what our average budgeted costs are each season. Your support goes directly towards achieving boundary-pushing work:

$24,778 in Local Housing & Transportation costs
$37,380 in Artist Pay for 2024 company (includes 16 professional artist contracts)
$9,942.45 in Production Costs (includes administrative, insurance, photography, graphic design, printing materials, set and prop materials, costumes, lighting equipment, and storage rental costs)

Donation Giving Levels:

$1-$10 Foundational Tier (I love the work, and this is what I can give)

$50: Groundling Tier (general season support)

$100: Village Tier (contributes to season production costs)

$250: Birnam Wood Tier (contributes to set design materials)

$500: Northshire Tier (covers all roundtrip artist transportation to and from Vermont. Recognition in 2024 playbill)

$1,000: Illyrian Tier (contributes to the season’s artist housing & pay. Recognition in 2024 playbill)

$2,500: Equinox Tier (covers all of the season’s lighting & tech equipment. Recognition in 2024 playbill and website)

$5,000: Bard’s Tier (covers a week of pay for 13 seasonal artists, equal to the average grant award amount. Recognition in 2024 playbill and webpage)

Shakespeare in the Woods is at its core a manifestation of queer artistic expression. Your support directly enables us to cultivate a creative space in Southern Vermont for BIPOC & LGBTQIA+ artists to bring their full uncompromising selves to their work, and in turn provide a cyclical opportunity with audiences, especially those holding intersecting identities, to experience authentic representation in theatre.

SitW’s work argues in favor of valuing art as a tool for learning empathy and humanity within community. We believe that art enriches daily life and that its ability to engage audiences in conversation is vital for social wellness. With your support, we will be able to grow our roots as a company and bring vibrant and accessible theatre to Vermont & communities.

To learn more visit www.shakespeareinthewoods.org and follow us on Instagram: @shakespeareinthewoods

(Much Ado About Nothing, 2019 | Coriolanus, 2022 | The Tempest, 2023 | Titus Andronicus, 2022)

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The Center for Arts and Learning is SitW's fiscal agent. For questions about donating to SitW via stock, DAF, or other assets, please contact Phayvanh Luekhamhan at: director@cal-vt.org

Donations may be made to the Shakespeare in the Woods by mail to this address:

c/o the Center for Arts and Learning, 46 Barre Street, Montpelier, VT 05602.

Checks should be made out to the Center for Arts and Learning.

Shakespeare in the Woods

By Center for Arts & Learning Inc

Shakespeare in the Woods

An unconventional outdoor classical theatre company in the heart of Southern Vermont