Friday and Saturday, Nov. 8-9 at 5:30 p.m.—POULTNEY—Theater in the Woods Vermont will kick off its 10-Minute Plays Fundraiser at Stone Valley Arts, 145 E. Main St., Poultney with an evening of four short plays by local and visiting writers, accompanied by a fall dinner of soups, salads, and sides. This event aims to support the scholarship fund and operations for the Theater in the Woods summer camps, which serve young people in Rutland and Bennington counties. Directed by Meg Bouchard and Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman, each evening includes a talk-back session with actors and writers after the performances, allowing audiences to offer feedback on the work.
The Nov. 8 and 9 performances will feature plays by authors Karina Jutzi “The Love Language of Lions,”Jon Mathewson “Pizza Love,” Chip Stevens “Huh,” and Martin VanBuren III “Seven Minutes.” The following weekend, Nov. 15 and 16, will include new works by Herb Childress “Nine Lives,” Allison Fradkin “Heard Mentality,” Scott Holliman “Real Practice,” and Ruth Liberman “Dinner”. Each evening will begin with a meal served from 5:30-6:45 p.m., followed by performances at 7 p.m. Tickets are $25 for a single night, with a discounted rate of $40 available for those attending both nights on the same weekend.
Theater in the Woods, founded in 2016, has built a reputation for fostering community through the arts. The organization’s summer camps provide youth ages 7-16 with a creative outlet, emphasizing theater skills, teamwork, and personal growth. Its five directors—Megan Bouchard, Melissa Chesnut-Tangerman, Live Lane, Rainbow Squier, and Wheaton Squier—bring diverse experiences to the program, aiming to empower local children and teens through theater. Proceeds from the fundraiser help cover costs for campers through a scholarship fund, keeping the program accessible to families in the region. Local sponsors supporting this event include Noble Ace Hardware, O’Brien Shortle Reynolds Sabotka PC, Foley Services, McDonald’s of Rutland, and media sponsor, The Mountain Times.
For more information, visit theaterinthewoodsvt.org/ten-minute-plays.