"[Shakespeare in the Woods is an Independent Project spearheaded by producing artistic director, Katharine Maness.]"

Update June 2026: We hit our $30k goal and then some! Thank you to all of our supporters who contributed to our grassroots fundraiser!

If you haven't donated to SitW 2026 yet, we would love your support now as we continue to raise funds towards our $187,000 overall season budget.

Coming to the grassy stage in 2026: SitW's 6th repertory season will feature explosive new adaptations of LEAR and MERRY WIVES!

SitW's 2025 season was full of artistic highs and many exciting steps forward in our growth. In what has been a challenging and unpredictable year for everyone, we celebrated some big wins:

Grew our overall audience attendance by 52% from 2024 (with a 56% Manchester Local, 44% Tourist/Visitor demographic make up)
Set a new tickets sold record with Love’s Labour’s Lost (almost 100 more tix sold from the previous record set by 2024’s Twelfth Night)
Exceeded our Box Office goal for the 2nd season in a row with our Sliding Scale Ticket Model, and saw our average ticket price increase to $38.50 (previously $30.86 in 2024)
Received 17 BroadwayWorld Regional Award Nominations across Directing, Acting, and Design categories, as well as Best Play (x2), Best Ensemble (x2), and Favorite Local Theatre - WINNER of Best Costume Design of a Play or Musical: Kat Ibasco for Love's Labour's Lost

As a theatre co. producing explicitly queer, socially conscious, and innovative work in a small, rural state, we are so very proud to be making art that resonates and engages! If you think that Shakespeare in the Woods’ work (and how we make it!) is important and unique, then we hope you’ll make a tax-deductible gift. The 2026 Season budget is a projected $187,000 - our largest yet. Donations of every size have a direct impact on SitW, and we truly mean it when we say whatever amount you’re able to contribute goes a long way!

Hear what audiences are saying about SitW's bold and singular approach to reimagining Shakespeare for the here and now:

"The best Shakespeare you'll ever see."
"My heart soared for all the ways I could perceive the diversity of the cast and how beautifully that added to the nuance of an already nuanced story!"
"One of the most searing, electrifying moments of theater I’ve seen in a long time."
"We love Shakespeare and we thought the performances were outstanding. We loved the modern take and the emotion that was conveyed throughout."
"I finally enjoyed Shakespeare!!!”
"I really love that there is a theater company so near to me that treasures and uplifts the queer community!"

Thank you for support!

Donor Giving Levels:

All donations are tax-deductible, with the exclusion of Perks estimated market value. Perks are optional and at the Donor's discretion to accept or forgo.

SitW currently receives the majority of its funding from sustained individual donors (like you!), followed by year round fundraising, grants, ticket sales, and playbill advertisers. Click here to learn about our our Sliding Scale Ticket Model, and Production Economics with a breakdown of the 2026 budget (projected at $187,000).

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

Check 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.

*Please note: Checks should be made out to the Center for Arts and Learning (with 'Shakespeare in the Woods' in the memo line)*

To learn all about SitW, please visit www.shakespeareinthewoods.org , sign up for our newsletter, and follow us on Instagram: @shakespeareinthewoods

Shakespeare in the Woods 2026

Give to our winter/spring grassroots campaign!