I n the heart of Southern Vermont, the Dorset Theatre Festival( DTF) is continuing to thrive as a dynamic incubator of groundbreaking theatrical works. Known as a magnet for acclaimed actors, directors, and playwrights, Dorset has also earned a reputation as a crucial launching pad for innovative productions destined for Broadway and Off-Broadway success.
Play By Play
An inside look at Dorset Theatre Festival’ s past productions and promising upcoming season
Over recent years, DTF has served as the origin point for productions that later captivated audiences at esteemed New York venues, such as Primary Stages, Roundabout Theatre Company, and Colt Coeur, among others. This is exemplified by several of longtime Dorset collaborator and lauded playwright Theresa Rebeck’ s plays, including Downstairs( 2017), which starred renowned actors Tim and Tyne Daly. It premiered at Dorset before transferring to an acclaimed Off-Broadway run at Primary Stages’ Cherry Lane Theatre. Rebeck’ s Dig( 2019) another Dorset original, earned notable critical accolades in its Off-Broadway debut at Primary Stages, becoming a New York Times Critics’ Pick. Similarly, Rebeck’ s I NEED THAT( 2022), starring Danny and Lucy DeVito, transitioned from an initial workshop and one-night reading at Dorset to a successful Broadway run at Roundabout Theatre Company. DTF’ s nurturing environment also brought Lia Romeo’ s poignant drama Still( 2023) to life. Directed by Adrienne Campbell-Holt, the moving play featured powerful performances from Tim Daly and Jayne Atkinson. It premiered at Dorset before achieving Off-Broadway success in a production with Colt Coeur. Following that production, a second commercial NYC production of Still starred Mark Moses and Melissa Gilbert.
As the 2025 season approaches, DTF’ s Executive Artistic Director, Will Rucker, is looking forward to building on this artistic momentum. He captures the excitement and ambition at the heart of the Festival, remarking:“ This season celebrates the Festival’ s strength at bringing new stories to our audiences in Southern Vermont and beyond.”
In the weeks leading up to DTF’ s 2025 theatrical season, we spoke with Rucker and DTF’ s Managing Creative Director, Ryan Koss, and multiple celebrated theatre artists featured at Dorset Theatre Festival in years past and the upcoming 2025 season. DTF contributors such as Theresa Rebeck, Tim Daly, Lucy De- Vito, Adrienne Campbell-Holt, Lia Romeo, and Lena Kaminsky commented on the profound influence Dorset Theatre Festival has had on their artistic journeys. In doing so, they offer compelling“ play by play” analysis of the theatrical magic at Dorset Theatre Festival, which has strengthened the theatrical community in Vermont and far beyond through their exceptional dedication to artistic innovation.
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