Dear friends,

For over 20 years, Very Merry Theatre has been committed to building strong, inspired youth and communities through theatre arts with a steadfast belief that every child takes center stage. Finding purpose, building positive relationships, being open to change, and staying optimistic are key practices at the heart of what we do at Very Merry. 

On our stage, every young person has a part to play and an opportunity to use their voice. They form deep, lasting friendships. They learn to adapt immediately when things don’t go as planned. And they take the stage and do their very best, even when a few more rehearsals would have been nice. This is optimism in practice!

We’ve also come to see how Very Merry cultivates meaningful connection and a sense of optimism in our wider community. When parents band together to generate the funding, secure the space and partner with us in their school, when local businesses sponsor a show, and when families sit side-by-side in the audience bearing witness to joyful performances, we demonstrate a shared commitment to art and to each other, strengthening our connections and our collective spirit.

We truly believe these foundational practices—made possible through theatre—help us all emerge stronger as a community. Our hope is that this is the essential role Very Merry has played and will continue to play for children and our community in the years ahead.

Many exciting developments are underway at Very Merry—including space and program expansion shared below—that will enable us to build more opportunities to engage children in the love of storytelling and performing. This expansion requires investment, and to continue doing this work, we need your help.

Please consider a generous annual gift today. Your contribution is not merely funding a play; it is fostering connection and optimism, in the heart of our community.

Best, 

Don Wright and the Very Merry Theatre Board

How Merry? Very.

2024-25 Program Year by the Numbers

1,400 students participated in summer camps, afterschool, weekend and our Waterways programs, providing critical childcare and enriching out of school activities.

9,400 patrons attended productions at 20 Allen Street, providing free live theatre in Burlington’s Old North End.

11 schools served, bringing theatre arts to elementary and middle-schoolers, with 25-100 participants each.

WHAT’S NEW

NEW SPACE! Our home at 20 Allen Street just got a little roomier. We’ve expanded into more spaces on the west side of the building, allowing us to grow our programming. We now have a room for set-building and a new choreography space for dance rehearsals complete with a wall of mirrors! We’re also now the sole occupants of the theatre, allowing us to continue to transform it into the performance space we’ve dreamed about.

EXPANDED WATERWAYS PROGRAM. Did you know that one of the many programs Very Merry offers teaches students science through art? Students work with expert educators to research and perform original plays about water quality issues. This year, we’ve partnered with 25 educators in Vermont and upstate New York, impacting 1,000+ students.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: This summer, with Congressional Directed Spending funds secured by Senator Sanders, Very Merry provided free theatre camps in North Hero and Greensboro, VT, bringing arts education to rural communities.

FUND A NEED

$250 funds a scholarship, ensuring all students have the opportunity to take center stage.

$500 pays for a new mic, keeping equipment functional and voices heard.

$1,500 covers licensing fees for one show, attracting students & audiences alike.

Or send your cheque or money order (made payable to Very Merry Theatre) to:
Very Merry Theatre, 20 Pomeroy St., Burlington, VT 05401

Very Merry Theatre is a 501(c)(3) organization. All gifts are tax deductible to the full extent provided by law.

Thank you!