F
rom Norman Rockwell and Robert Frost to Grace Potter, Phish and Twiddle, Vermont has long been a home
to artists - and a place of inspiration for the creation of iconic works of art, literature, theater, and music.
The incredible success of the musical Hadestown on Broadway this season begs the question: What other
exciting new works are being developed in Vermont? VERMONT Magazine reached out to some of the creative
leaders and innovative arts organizations in Vermont that are dedicated to creating new works and asked, “Why is
Vermont such a great place to create new works — and what new works are in development?”
Almost everyone noted Vermont’s natural beauty and enthusiastic audiences as two fundamental components to the
state’s success in developing new artists and creating new works. Jess Chayes, Associate Artistic Director of Northern
Stage in White River Junction, explained, “The combination of pastoral beauty and engaged audiences creates a fertile
environment for new work to grow.” Bruce Bouchard, Executive Director of Paramount Theatre in Rutland,
believes the
escape from big cities like New York, removes, “the distractions (technology, noise,
& clutter).”
The “pure, clean air; moving water, and beautiful nature . . . can contribute
invaluable focus.” Dorset Theatre Festival’s team noted, “Vermont
has more libraries per capita than any other state in the country
People here love to read.” This means that the
audience is extremely interested in “new
work —and the ideas and
issues of our times.”
Photo courtesy of Hadestown
69 VTMAG.com