By Ahmad Yassir, Vermont Country Magazine.
In an era when live entertainment venues across the country have struggled to regain their footing, Southern Vermont offers a quiet but powerful counterpoint. Here in the Shires and beyond, from Dorset to Bennington to Brattleboro, live performance endures as both a cultural heartbeat and a regional draw. Whether in black box theaters, outdoor glades, Greco Deco landmarks, or youth-driven workshops, Southern Vermont stages continue to captivate audiences with a blend of tradition, innovation, and heartfelt community spirit.
In Bennington, professional and community-based institutions such as the Bennington Theater and the newly revitalized Monument Arts & Cultural Center lead the charge, offering everything from musical tributes and immersive speakeasies to international art exhibitions. Nearby in North Bennington, Living Room Theater mounts its latest original work, Get It Right, beneath the stars in a uniquely intimate, poolside venue, continuing its tradition of fresh, contemporary storytelling.
Manchester’s Shakespeare in the Woods returns to The Equinox this summer with Richard II and Love’s Labour’s Lost, bold, socially conscious adaptations grounded in empathy and human connection. And in Dorset, the region’s most iconic repertory company continues its legacy of excellence: read our cover story to learn more about Dorset Theatre Festival and its highly anticipated 2025 season.
Community theater thrives here, too. The enduring Dorset Players and Bennington Community Theater create meaningful productions that connect local performers with devoted audiences year after year.
In Brattleboro, the historic Latchis Theatre, a 1938 Greco Deco masterpiece adorned with celestial murals, offers everything from indie cinema and vaudeville throwbacks to live music and theatrical events. Across town, New England Youth Theatre (NEYT) celebrates 26 years of youth-centered arts education, nurturing the next generation of performers through mentorship, inclusion, and high-caliber theatrical training.
Family-centered arts experiences are also deeply rooted in the region. Programs like Circus Smirkus and Theater in the Woods Camp focus on youth performance and creative discovery, blending skill-building with the joy of play and connection.
In Southern Vermont, the arts are not only still alive, they are essential. And the curtain keeps rising.
