The mission of Off Center for the Dramatic Arts is to provide an affordable theater space which supports experimentation, education, and engagement for artists, audiences, and the community.
July 5, 2018

Hello, Friends of Off Center!

Eight more days to go in our Summer Fundraiser!
 
Sometimes, the biggest challenge is to take that moment out of your day to write and mail a check or to click through PayPal. We promise, if you find that moment right now, even if all you can give is $5, we need it, and we will put it good use!
 
If you have already donated, THANK YOU! We are so grateful.
 
We asked some of veteran and first-time renters why Off Center is vital to them.
​This is what Burlington-based comedy sketch group Stealing From Work had to say:
​
 
"In 2011, Stealing from Work wrote their first sketch. It was about a novice mugger who has a flatulence problem when he gets nervous. Spoiler alert: he was very nervous during his first attempt at snatching a purse, and the sketch was not funny. Renting the Off Center theater is very affordable which has allowed us to take risks with writing sketches (some funny and some not, some flatulence themed). The cost has also enabled us to set reasonable ticket prices and pay members of our creative team. Since the Off Center has opened, we’ve mounted 6 six original shows, produced 98 sketches and sold 1982 tickets. While we cannot quantify the laughs, here is some feedback from audience members: “Great invention, characters, and writing. My face actually hurts from all you funny people!” “Witty, hilarious physical comedy that took wonderful satirical swipes at our smug sense of liberal culture”, and “Wasn't the woman who played the school kid a bit too old?" Please support the Off Center so artists can continue writing fart jokes and playing roles that we have outgrown."
 
Any gift is enormously helpful. We always mean that. Anything. Just click on the DONATE button on our home page at http://www.offcentervt.com/, or mail your check to:


Off Center for the Dramatic Arts
294 N. Winooski Ave, Suite 116C
Burlington, VT 05401

We are a registered 501(c)3 organization, and your donation is tax-deductible. 
Thank you for helping us make the literal room local artists need to take risks. 
 
​Gratefully yours,

 Laura Roald,
President
Off Center for the Dramatic Arts
June 2018

Hello Friends of Off Center -

A very happy summer from Off Center for the Dramatic Arts!

Thank you for a fantastic sophomore year of the Spring Open – a festival of new work chosen by lottery and benefiting Off Center as well as the artists. This year, the Spring Open hosted four terrific groups: The Inner Monologue Show by Jeremy Rayburn with a gang of fabulous fools, the solo musical lounge act An Evening With Thelma Forbanks written and performed by the phenomenal Meredith Gordon, Box of Squirrels by treasured monologist Dennis McSorley, and 24 Years in 24 Hours: Growing up in Vermont by multi-talented hip-hop artist LoKI.

To encourage and support new theatrical work, Off Center needs your help. The Spring Open returned $924.00 to the artists and raised $504.00 for Off Center, but we need your help to raise $4,500 more by July 13th to subsidize the costs of our volunteer-run, professionally designed, 65-seat black box theater.

In order to make Off Center accessible and affordable for artists, our rental rates only cover about a third of our operational costs. We rely on your charitable donations
(We are a registered 501(c)3 organization)
and our merry band of volunteers to keep
the heart of Off Center beating. 

Anything you can give would be enormously helpful.
We really mean that.
Anything.
Just click on the DONATE button below, or mail your check to:

Off Center for the Dramatic Arts
294 N. Winooski Ave, Suite 116C
Burlington, VT 05401

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for being a part of this vibrant community of theater artists!
We hope to see you soon at Off Center for the Dramatic Arts - the place where theater is born!

All the best,

Laura Roald 
President,
Off Center for the Dramatic Arts