Dorset Theatre Festival

DTF'S MISSION IS TO CREATE BOLD, INNOVATIVE, AND AUTHENTIC THEATRE THAT ENGAGES A DIVERSE, MULTI-GENERATIONAL COMMUNITY, AND ECONOMICALLY DIVERSE REGION: ENLIGHTENING, ENTERTRAINING, AND INSPIRING OUR AUDIENCE THROUGH THE CELEBRATION OF GREAT PLAYS.

FROM JUNE TO SEPTEMBER, THE FESTIVAL MOUNTS FOUR MAIN STAGE PRODUCTIONS DRAWING FROM SOME OF THE COUNTRY'S MOST TALENTED PLAYWRIGHTS, ACTORS AND DIRECTORS.***UNDER THE RECENT LEADERSHIP OF EXECUTIVE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR WILL RUCKER, THE FESTIVAL IS CHANGING THE LANDSCAPE OF REGIONAL THEATRE. BOLD AND INNOVATIVE, DORSET THEATRE FESTIVAL IS GARNERING ACCOLADES FOR ITS COMMITMENT TO NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT AND IS PROUD TO ENCOURAGE A NEW GENERATION OF PLAYWRIGHTS TO TEST THEIR VOICES HERE. WE DISCOVER NEW TALENT. WE LAUNCH PLAYS THAT GO ON TO NATIONAL ACCLAIM AND THE LIGHTS OF BROADWAY, AS WELL AS MOUNT REGIONAL PREMIERES OF TONY AWARD-WINNING PLAYS TO BRING THE BEST OF OFF-BROADWAY TO VERMONT.***SINCE 2010, OUR GIVING BACK PROGRAM HAS HELPED EXPAND THE REACH OF OUR PRODUCTIONS AND EDUCATIONAL INITIATIVES BY PROVIDING FREE AND REDUCED-COST TICKETS TO THOSE WHO SERVE OUR COMMUNITY EVERYDAY AND THEIR FAMILIES. THESE EFFORTS REACH A NEW GENERATION OF THEATRE AUDIENCES BY PROVIDING PATHWAYS FOR ALL MEMBERS OF OUR COMMUNITY TO SEE WORLD-CLASS THEATRE. EMS WORKERS, FIREFIGHTERS, POLICE, VETERANS AND ACTIVE-DUTY MILITARY, FARMERS, SPECIAL NEEDS COMMUNITY MEMBERS, STUDENT GRADUATES OF THE REFUSE TO USE PROGRAM, HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FAMILIES AND VOLUNTEERS AND NEIGHBOR TO NEIGHBOR VOLUNTEERS.***IN ADDITION, SINCE 2021 THE FESTIVAL HAS OFFERED BUY-ONE-GET ONE TICKETS TO EDUCATORS, AN AFFORDABLE TICKET LOTTERY FOR ALL PERFORMANCES, AND COMPLIMENTARY SPONSORSHIPS TO MINORITY-LED BUSINESSES AND GROUPS THROUGH THE COMMUNITY INCLUSION PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM.***DORSET THEATRE FESTIVAL'S NEW PLAY DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMS WORKS WITH PLAYWRIGHTS FROM CONCEPTION TO PRODUCTION, PROVIDING AN INCUBATOR TO HELP NURTURE NEW VOICES TO SPEAK FROM THEIR OWN EXPERIENCE, ENGAGING IDEAS THAT COME FROM AND RETURN TO OUR COMMUNITY.***THE PIPELINE SERIES FEATURES NEW WORKS AND PROJECTS IN PROCESS THROUGH A VARIETY OF PRESENTATION AND WORKSHOP STYLES. ONE-NIGHT-ONLY PRESENTATIONS, WRITER RESIDENCIES, AND EXTENDED WORKSHOPS BENEFIT. TODAY'S TOP THEATRICAL TALENTS, AS THEY TRAVEL TO DORSET TO WORK ON BRAND NEW PLAYS OR TO TRY OUT BRAND NEW COLLABORATIONS. MANY OF THE PLAYS IN THE SERIES WILL BE FEATURED IN FUTURE DORSET THEATRE MAIN STAGE SEASONS. CONNECTING ARTISTS TO THE FESTIVAL THROUGH THIS DEVELOPMENT OPPORTUNITY MEANS OUR AUDIENCE CAN SAY THEY WERE HERE WHEN HITS WERE BORN.***THE WOMEN ARTISTS WRITING GROUP IS A DIVERSE GROUP OF MID-CAREER FEMALE ACTRESSES AND THEATRE ARTISTS WHO ARE EXPANDING THEIR ARTISTRY THROUGH WRITING. THE GROUP'S PURPOSE IS TO MEET THE ARTISTS WHERE THEY ARE AS A WRITERS, PROVIDING RESOURCES AND SUPPORT AS THEY WORK TO EITHER DISCOVER THEIR OWN VOICES OR WORK TOWARDS COMPLETING WRITING PROJECTS. WRITING GIVES AGENCY TO THEATRE ARTISTS, WHO ATTEST TO THE POWERFUL LIBERATING EFFECT ON ALL ASPECTS OF THEIR INDIVIDUAL ARTISTIC SELVES.***