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

Shakespeare in the Woods celebrated a landmark 5th season in 2025, and we have no intention of slowing down...

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

We're so excited to present these powerhouse productions, but we need your incredible support to do so! From now until May 2026, we're fundraising $5,000 that will go towards realizing our high caliber, innovative productions of LEAR and MERRY WIVES. Help SitW get a strong start on our plans for the summer season by making an impactful gift today.

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. Donations of every size have a direct impact on SitW, so we truly mean it when we say whatever amount you’re able to contribute is deeply appreciated and 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! We can't wait to share a whole new explosive season with you this summer!

Donor Giving Levels:

$1 - $149: Village Tier
- "I love the work, and this is what I can give!"
$150 - $249: Groundling Tier
- Covers rehearsal & performance safety kits to keep our cast & crew safe and sound on the ground.
$250 - $499: Battenkill Tier
- Covers set material costs.
$500 - $999: Globe Tier
- Covers roundtrip travel costs for our professional artists.
$1,000 - $2,499: Northshire Tier
- Covers cost of new weatherized sound equipment upgrade for better audience experience.
$2,500 - $4,999: First Folio Tier
- Covers both Costume and Sound Designer contract fees.
$5,000 - $9,999: Equinox Tier
- Covers all technical equipment rental and design costs. Equal to the average grant award amount.
$10,000+: The Bard’s Tier
- Covers half of all housing costs for our 7wk rental period in the Manchester area to accommodate the amazing professional artists we hire for the season.

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 (estimated at $187,000).

To learn all about SitW, please visit www.shakespeareinthewoods.org and follow us on Instagram: @shakespeareinthewoods

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

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.

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

Shakespeare in the Woods 2026

Give to our winter/spring grassroots campaign for $5K!