Building repairs are still needed in Weston three years after devastating flooding across Vermont
Staff from the Weston Theater Company say their main building is still closed from flood damage in 2023
Staff from the Weston Theater Company say their main building is still closed from flood damage in 2023
Staff from the Weston Theater Company say their main building is still closed from flood damage in 2023
Weston has the oldest operating theater company in Vermont.
"We're very close with the community here," said Weston Theater Company general manager Rebecca Marzalek-Kelly.
Kelly said back in 2023, they heard flood warnings but weren't prepared for the amount of damage that came.
"I remember being woken up by our company manager. This was probably at 4:30 in the morning to tell me we did indeed take on water," Kelly said.
During the storm, water flooded the Weston Village Green and filled their primary theater, the Weston Playhouse. The Playhouse is still not open.
"Unlike other floods that have happened in Weston, water crossed the street, so water went into our office building as well," said Kelly.
The company also owns several homes in town, to house company members. One faced significant damage, displacing five people. According to Kelly, their community rallied around them right away.
"Truly, everyone came out to help us dig out, to make sure our company members had a place to stay, to give us food and it was an amazing outpouring of generosity from our community, which I think is what makes Weston Theater Company so special," she said.
There are plans to eventually reopen the playhouse building but keep the basement clear in case of future floods.
Immediately after the flooding, the theater was forced to postpone and cancel a few of their shows, but quickly the group adapted their operations and resumed performances. It moved all of shows to its smaller, second venue at Walker Farm.
"We're having a great time at Walker Farm. We're so happy that the theater company had built that space when it did, so, we have a home," Kelly said.
Company staff said while they are still enjoying their season this summer, they look forward to their shows eventually returning to the Weston Playhouse.