This theatrical adventure guide is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont, a premier destination.
Step into the Dorset Playhouse on any summer evening and you might find yourself watching a Tony winner perform in a world premiere that could be on a Broadway stage next season. Home to the Dorset Theatre Festival and built from two pre-revolutionary barns in the heart of one of Vermont's most picturesque villages, this 298-seat theater has quietly become one of American theater's most influential launching pads.
"We serve two audiences," explains Will Rucker, the festival's Executive Artistic Director now in his 10th year. "Our local and regional audience supporting Manchester and the surrounding economy, and our artistic audience developing the next generation of American theater." What makes this balance work is something you can't manufacture: the kind of authentic creative environment that draws talent back year after year.
Here's what sets Dorset apart from typical summer stock: plays that debut here don't just entertain - they reshape the national conversation. In 2015, a young playwright named Martyna Majok held a reading of her new work "The Cost of Living" as part of Dorset's development series. Two years later, that same play opened at New York City Center. By 2018, it had won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
This isn't an isolated success story. Theresa Rebeck, Dorset's resident playwright since the early 2000s, has seen multiple works transfer from this idyllic Vermont location to Off-Broadway stages. Her 2017 world premiere "Downstairs," starring Tim and Tyne Daly, opened at Primary Stages in New York the following fall. The festival was also among the first to present "Cry It Out" by Molly Smith Metzler, which became one of America's most-produced plays.
"There's an inherent risk in balancing new, sometimes serious plays with the expectations of a summer theater audience," notes Ryan Koss, Managing Creative Director in his 9th year. "But we've found that creating a supportive environment for developing new work makes artists want to return."
That ecosystem approach pays dividends in unexpected ways. Take Dan Butler, best known as Bulldog from "Frasier," who came to perform in a show directed by Jackson Gay. Now Butler regularly sends Rucker plays he's interested in developing. It's this kind of long-term relationship building that keeps the artistic community connected to this remote Vermont location.
The magic isn't just in the work - it's in the experience. "One of my favorite sights in summer is seeing the little parade of theater goers walking from the Dorset Inn when it's getting close to curtain," Rucker says. "It's just a beautiful sight through the village of Dorset."
Many patrons have turned this into a 20-year ritual: dinner in Manchester or Dorset, then the short walk or drive to the theater. The result is an audience that spans from Albany newcomers who stumbled upon the theater to devoted patrons who plan their summers around Dorset's four-show season.
Elizabeth Thornton, in her third year with the festival, sees both sides regularly. "You get people who are like, 'I had no idea what this place was, it just looks cool.' But you also get people who've had their tradition for 20 years of coming from Weston, getting dinner at a place in Manchester they love, then coming here."
Behind the artistic success lies a financial reality that many don't see. The festival operates on what Rucker honestly describes as "a huge operating deficit every year," requiring about 60% of revenue to come from donations. Operating costs have increased by approximately $400,000 annually, with artist housing alone now costing around $250,000 per season.
"The housing landscape changed so drastically from 2020 to 2023," Rucker notes. Where the festival once relied on large second homes that weren't being used, they now depend on expensive vacation rentals. "We're at the mercy of Airbnb and regular vacation rentals, which is obviously not sustainable long-term."
The ironic upside? Artists are generally pleased with their upgraded accommodations, which contributes to the positive culture that keeps talent returning. Still, the festival's continuation remains "very year-to-year," making each season feel both precious and urgent.
The festival's most important fundraising event perfectly captures the spirit that keeps everything going: the Dance Party Ball. "It's a very fun time, and even for someone who doesn't have any connection to the theater, it is what it promises to be - it's a dance party ball," Rucker says with genuine enthusiasm.
This year's August 2nd event features Grammy and Emmy-winning Broadway star Adrianna Hicks, who recently starred as "Sugar" in the Tony-nominated "Some Like It Hot" and originated "Catherine of Aragon" in "SIX." But the real magic happens when theater lovers, Manchester visitors, and Dorset locals come together under a disco ball to support something they believe in.
Previous years have drawn an impressive mix of Broadway talent and theater enthusiasts - everyone from composer Adam Guettel to actors Judd Hirsch and Tea Leoni. With an open bar, live auction, and dance floor that stays packed thanks to DJ Say Hey KP, it's the kind of night that reminds you why community-supported arts matter.
The current season exemplifies Dorset's willingness and skill as taking creative risks. "Salvage," the season opener by Lena Kaminsky, literally features dumpsters on stage - it's set at a transfer station and explores friendship found among other people's discarded treasures. The production team spent weeks collecting bottles and recyclables to create an authentic garbage dump setting.
"We often talk about the first show wanting to be like a Friday night, drive-in sort of thing," Rucker explains. Previous openers like Stephen King's "Misery" and "Wait Until Dark" have fulfilled that promise. But Dorset's programming philosophy goes deeper than just crowd-pleasers - it's about creating a "collection" where each piece serves the whole.
Coming up this season: "The Book Club Play" by Karen Zacarías (July 11-26), directed by Jackson Gay who's become a festival favorite; "Satellites," an intimate new love story by Erin Breznitsky (August 6-16); and closing with Jon Robin Baitz's "Other Desert Cities," a family drama that promises to deliver the kind of big finish Dorset has become known for.
Getting There: The Dorset Playhouse sits at 104 Cheney Road, about 15 minutes north of Manchester via Routes 7A and 30. Free parking is available.
Timing: The lobby opens around 6:30 PM, with most guests arriving by 6:45 PM. The house opens at 7:00 PM for a 7:30 PM curtain. Shows run about 90 minutes with one intermission.
The Experience: Arrive early to enjoy the outdoor space under the awning, where tables are set up for pre-show drinks and snacks. The theater's café offers refreshments, and this year marks their first venture into merchandise sales.
Making It a Night: Follow the local tradition - book dinner at a Manchester restaurant, then make the scenic drive to Dorset. The intimate barn setting means there truly isn't a bad seat in the house.
This Season: "Salvage" runs through July 5, followed by "The Book Club Play" (July 11-26), "Satellites" (August 6-16), and "Other Desert Cities" (dates TBA). The theater is dark Mondays and Tuesdays, with shows Wednesday through Sunday. PURCHASE TICKETS HERE>>
Whether you're drawn by the chance to see tomorrow's Pulitzer winner or simply want to experience world-class theater in an impossibly charming setting, Dorset proves that some of America's most important cultural conversations are happening in the most unexpected places. Just don't be surprised if you find yourself planning your own 20-year tradition.
This theatrical adventure guide is brought to you in partnership with the Manchester Business Association, connecting you with the businesses and experiences that make Manchester, Vermont, a premier destination.
