Some of the finest theatre in the country is in Southern Vermont and the neighboring Berkshires. Nestled in the middle, Bennington VT is the ideal spot from which to gorge on theatrical entertainment. Staying in Bennington gives travelers immediate access to fine dining, outdoor recreation from golf to skiing to camping, art and history museums, and Broadway quality professional theatre.
Here we will share a few of the best of the best theatre companies in the Southern Vermont region.
- Oldcastle Theatre Company
- Living Room Theatre
- Weston Playhouse Theatre Company
- Dorset Theatre Festival
- Shakespeare & Company
- Williamstown Theatre Festival
Bennington’s own Oldcastle Theatre Company at the Bennington Performing Arts Center (BPAC) has been presenting quality professional theatre productions since 1972. Oldcastle features a variety of musicals, dramas, and comedies in an intimate setting smack dab in the heart of the Putnam Block Renovation which is transforming the Bennington downtown. Oldcastle often features plays set in Vermont and New England.
Location: Downtown Bennington
Each summer, the Living Room Theatre presents a site-specific production on the grounds of the 1865 Park McCullough House, the home of two former Vermont governors. The troupe has presented plays ranging from Chekov to original pieces using the grounds, the Carriage Barn and the family mansion as their stage.
Location: North Bennington, Vermont
The Weston Playhouse Theatre Company, has the longest continuously producing summer theatre in southern Vermont. It focuses on musicals on their main stage and a variety of comedies and dramas as well as premieres in their new Walker Farm Theater. Weston is known for paying tribute to the classics while embracing the new.
Location: Weston, Vermont, 42 miles from Bennington.
Dorset Theatre Festival has been producing new and classics plays for more than 30 years. Local resident Theresa Rebeck has premiered several of her plays at DTF which have later moved on to Broadway.
Location: Dorset Vermont, 31 miles from Bennington.
Shakespeare & Company in Lenox, Massachusetts presents acclaimed productions of the Bard, plus current plays in their three theatres.
Location: Lenox Massachusetts, 40 miles from Bennington.
The iconic Williamstown Theatre Festival, on the campus of Williams College, is one of the most famous summer theaters in the country attracting big name talent as well as up and coming shining stars and playrights.
Location: Williamstown Massachusetts, 14 miles from Bennington.
Theatre lovers staying in Bennington can travel and see, within a 45 miles radius, an amazing array of exciting theatre. The area is perfect for summers filled with comedy, drama, and musicals featuring many of the country’s finest actors including stars of stage and screen and television.
Location: Williamstown Massachusetts, 14 miles from Bennington.
Critics from the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine and other national publications routinely review these theatres; often raving about the performances they have witnessed. There is a lot to do outdoors all day long, and theatres in the region add to the lively evening attractions for visitors.
It is wise to call theaters ahead for reservations. Book now to make a weekend or a week long Vermont vacation of it.