A Letter From our Director
- director6035
- Mar 31
- 4 min read
I want to express my deep gratitude to all of you who have warmly welcomed me and continue to support the growth of Pentangle Arts Council. Stepping into an organization with such a rich legacy has been both an honor and a challenge. As our community evolves, it is essential that we respect our past while embracing the future. With Woodstock’s stunning natural environment and wealth of local talent, it’s the perfect place to nurture an even more dynamic arts valley in Vermont.
My goal is to remain open, listen to your desires, and create more opportunities for learning in the performing arts, ensuring Pentangle Arts remains a vibrant and enduring presence for another 50 years.
I hope you’ve had a chance to experience some of the recent updates we’ve made to Town Hall. After 40 years, the lobby and theatre have been freshly painted and updated, and we now offer wine, beer, and local fare at our events and before movies. A special thank you to Plymouth Cheese, Blake Hill Preserves, Farmhouse Pottery, and Simon Pearce for their contributions!
I look forward to continuing to help make Town Hall a true gathering space to celebrate and enjoy the arts. Our lobby now opens an hour before events, providing an opportunity to socialize with neighbors and enjoy a drink before the show.
In line with that vision, we’ve launched a new series called Vermont After-Hours, which debuted on February 14th with a special performance by Myra Flynn. We all love our town and value a good night’s sleep, but we also crave more exciting evening activities after dark! Our Vermont After-Hours Series features a diverse lineup of exceptional performers and events, complemented by our new offerings—ensuring you’re home before midnight.
Our next two shows are:
Frigg – Nordic Folk Fusion, Thursday, March 6th
Cold Chocolate – Americana Bluegrass, Friday, April 4th
In light of recent cuts to arts programming, it’s more important than ever that we remain a resource for our youth. For example, next week, we will host a professional performance of Hero: The Boy From Troy, which tells the story of John Lewis. This past fall, we brought internationally acclaimed artists Tuck & Patti to Reading Middle School and Woodstock Union Middle & High School to teach a Masterclass to the students. The arts create powerful opportunities for meaningful conversations, and I am committed to ensuring that our programming is diverse, accessible, and inclusive.
We are also making improvements to the theatre to host afternoon performing arts programs for students, and we’re excited to bring international artists here to both entertain and teach. Stay tuned for the launch of our new website—any day now! It will better inform and engage the community as we continue to grow. |
Over the past six months, we’ve hosted an incredible range of events—from unforgettable performances to cherished community traditions—while laying the foundation for new programs and opportunities in the arts. Our programming has expanded significantly, offering many crowd-pleasing events. |
It’s hard to pick favorites from such a fantastic lineup, but some highlights include:
The premier performance of Tango Tonight
Six Music By the River concerts (perfect for picnics and family outings)
Our first-ever costume parade & raffle during Wicked
Stellar performances by local favorites like The Drop Offs and the Freeze Brothers
A record turnout for the Vermont Symphony Orchestra at Saksadena Six
Vermont Chamber Music concerts at the Unitarian Universalist Church
A new Wassail Weekend tradition: a candlelight community walk at dusk with delicious cider on The Green
And many more to list...
And if you haven’t yet experienced The Messiah at Our Lady of the Snows Catholic Church, it’s a truly peaceful way to close out the holiday season.
Additionally, we hosted performances by Troy Ramey, Houston Bernard, and fundraisers like the American All-Star Vinyl Band for the Lucy Mackenzie Foundation. We renewed our partnership with Bookstock, featuring authors Lisa Genova and Melonie Winawer, and welcomed back Olivia Zerphy, a local performer, with her international troupe Voloz, in The Man Who Thought He Knew Too Much. Our Performing Arts Camp with Sharon Groblicki continued its success, and we celebrated our 50th Anniversary by welcoming nearly 50 performers who have graced our stage over the years.
I am incredibly proud of all we’ve accomplished in such a short time, and I look forward to what’s next as we continue to grow, innovate, and celebrate the arts in our community.
My door is always open—please reach out! I want to hear from the community.
Thank you again for your support and for being part of this exciting journey.
Warmly,
Deborah Greene
Executive Director, Pentangle Arts Council
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