Dorset Theatre Festival's Women Artists Writing Group to Host 2nd Annual Retreat

Dorset Theatre Festival is committed to cultivating female voices onstage through its Women Artists Writing (WAW) Group, helmed by actors Heidi Armbruster and Mary Bacon. The WAW Group's second annual retreat is August 26 - 28, and a free public presentation will be held on Monday, August 28 at 7:30 pm.

The presentation will feature 10 WAW retreat writers who will present 10-minute selections of their developing works, all in various stages of development. This event will be held in the Dorset Playhouse, located at 104 Cheney Rd, Dorset, VT. This event is free and open to the public. Seating is general admission, and no ticket is required.

The WAW Group public presentation will feature the works of Heidi Armbruster, Mary Bacon, Alexandra Beech, Michelle Beck, Carolyn Bauemler Bost, Maggie Bofill Diaz, Mathilde Dratwa, Donna Eis, Laura Gomez, and Elizabeth M. Kelly.

The WAW Group was founded in 2016 by Heidi Armbruster and Mary Bacon, two actors who formed the group out of a mutual desire to create support and space for their writing. As part of Dorset Theatre Festival's mission to support diversity and inclusion onstage, Artistic Director Dina Janis then lent the pair institutional support to host an annual retreat in Dorset.

Now, the WAW Group is a diverse group of mid-career female actresses and theatre artists who are expanding their artistry through writing. The group's purpose is to meet the whole female theatre artist where she is at as a writer: the group provides resources and support as she works to either discover her own voice, or works towards completing a writing project.

In addition to an annual Dorset Theatre Festival retreat, the group meets twice monthly at Primary Stages in New York City.

Heidi Armbruster is an NYC-based actress and playwright dedicated to creating new work and discovering new approaches to classical theater. Recent: At the Old Place (La Jolla Playhouse), Man from Nebraska (Second Stage), Poor Behavior (Primary Stages).

Mary Bacon is an actress working and living in New York City. Recent: The Tribute Artist, Herrison, TX (Primary Stages); GIANT (The Public Theatre); Happy Birthday (TACT), The Scene (Dorset Theatre Festival.

For more information on the Women Artists Writing Group, visit dorsettheatrefestival.org.

Dorset Theatre Festival, sponsored for its 40th season by Manchester Designer Outlets, creates bold and innovative theatre that engages a diverse, multi-generational community: enlightening, entertaining, and inspiring its audience through the celebration of great plays produced with the highest degree of artistry.

Dorset Theatre Festival's 2017 mainstage summer season includes Downstairs by Theresa Rebeck, running June 22-July 8; Ken Ludwig's Baskerville: A Sherlock Holmes Mystery, running July 13-29; The Legend of Georgia McBride by Matthew Lopez, running August 3-19; and American Buffalo by David Mamet, running August 24-September 2. All performances take place at the Dorset Playhouse, 104 Cheney Road, Dorset, VT.

Single tickets and subscriptions for the 2017 Summer Season are on sale. The box office may be reached by calling (802) 867-2223 ex. 2 Tuesday through Saturday 12-6pm (8pm on performance days). For more information, or to purchase tickets and subscriptions online, visit Dorset Theatre Festival's website at dorsettheatrefestival.org.

Pictured: WAW Group members: Heidi Armbruster, Michelle Beck, Mary Bacon, Carolyn Bost, Polly Lee, Elizabeth Kelly, and Marilee Talkington.

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