Weston Playhouse Theatre Company

Weston Playhouse Theatre (Weston) is Vermont’s oldest continually producing professional theatre. For over 80 years, Weston has created adventurous, life-affirming dramatic and musical productions performed by established and emerging theatre artists. The company is regarded by audiences and critics alike for producing at a consistently high level and is staking its claim as an important institutional force in the development of new theatrical work.

In 1988, with the for-profit summer stock model of theatre languishing, former Weston employees Malcolm Ewen, Tim Fort, and Steve Stettler took over operation of the company and reorganized it as a not-for-profit Equity theatre. Over 30 years, they expanded the company’s programming, increased its annual budget to its current level of $2.5 million, and established a culture of welcome and hospitality that define the company’s values. After their three-decade run, the trio of Artistic Directors retired from Weston and Susanna Gellert was announced as the new Executive Artistic Director.

The company’s primary artistic output has focused around performances at the 300-seat historic Greek revival theatre and gathering space on the Weston Village Green. For 17 years, the addition of a second stage performance series in found spaces was used to expand the palette of artistic exploration. Spurred on by a desire to have more control over a dedicated performance space for developing new work and producing plays and musicals that expand the Weston vision, the company embarked on a highly successful $12.5 million Capital Campaign and constructed the 2,600 square foot arts and community center, Weston Playhouse at Walker Farm. This state-of-the-art building opened its doors in the fall of 2017 and boasts a flexible performance space with seating for up to 140 patrons, dedicated areas for reception and gathering, and audio/visual resources that make it attractive for greater professional and community use. 

Weston’s primary public activities take place during the height of the summer and fall tourist season, when the area’s 500-person population soars as second-home owners take up seasonal residence in Vermont. Weston’s subscription season of plays, musicals, and cabarets runs from June-October. With the addition of Weston Playhouse at Walker Farm, the company now has a year-round presence that includes a combination of community activities, artistic projects, and developmental programs. These include a winter music series which kicked off with great success in 2019 and a new works program that brings artists such as Andy Bragen, Jenny Giering, Adam Gwon, Karen Hartmann, Melissa Li, and Kit Yan to Weston in the off-season.