Weston Drama Workshop was founded in 1962 and incorporated in 1963. The purpose of the new drama venture was and continues to be “…to foster and develop interest in and appreciation of the performing arts…” Early 1960’s programs were planned for serious drama, designed for high school and college age members. The first season had about twenty-eight participants. This small, enthusiastic group produced three shows: The Tempest, The Miser, and Hansel and Gretel. Performances were held at the Brook School in Building A auditorium.
In 1963 productions moved to the Country School Courtyard, and theater under the stars began. In 1966 members produced the first musical, The King and I, and a program for middle school age members began with The Red Shows. Enrollment soared to 253 in 1975. Musicals had come to Weston! In 1977 productions moved to Weston High School. Along with musicals, drama pieces continued to thrive with Shakespeare plays and popular theater pieces such as Arsenic and Old Lace.
Through fifty-plus years, members have participated both on-stage and off-stage. Technical theater programs with professionally led workshops offered hands-on practice in carpentry and artistry for scenery, lighting and sound design, costumes, make-up, and hair styling. Performance workshops in dance, choral singing, and drama along with other specialty areas have consistently been included.
In 1994 Workshop moved to Regis College and presented A Midsummer Night’s Dream in the Tower Gardens. Indoors, Working and The Wizard of Oz were presented on the main stage while smaller dramatic pieces were performed in Black Box Theater.
Throughout our history Weston Drama Workshop has had steady growth and expansion while remaining true to its original purpose. The future holds promise to continue the tradition “…to foster and develop interest in and appreciation of the performing arts.”
2023
Grease
Mean Girls, High School Edition
Bat Boy
The Cherry Orchard
Garry Grinkles
2022
Something Rotten!
Young Frankenstein
Tuck Everlasting
Indecent
Six Characters in Search of an Author
Gooney Bird Greene
2021
Disney’s Descendants
Disney’s The Lion King Jr.
Beware the Jabberwock
Merrily We Roll Along
The SpongeBob Musical
Big Fish
The Jungle Book
Metamorphoses
2020
The “I Love WDW” Virutal Cabaret
Mystery Broadway Master Series
2019
Spring Awakening
The Wolves
Legally Blonde
Disney’s Finding Nemo Jr. A Pilot Production
Matilda
2018
Newsies
Cabaret
Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night Time
The Children of Eden
The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley
The Stinky Cheeseman and Other Fairy Stupid Tails
2017
Billy Elliot
Freckle Face Strawberry
School of Rock
The Children’s Hour
West Side Story
2016
Cinderella
Evita
Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse
Pippin
The Tempest
2015
Into The Woods
Pinocchio
The Secret In The Wings
The Wizard of Oz
Urinetown: The Musical
2014
Chicago
Godspell
Two Gentlemen of Verona: The Musical
Arsenic and Old Lace
Stuart Little
2013
How to Succeed in Business…
Almost, Maine
Blood Brothers
Shrek The Musical
James and the Giant Peach
2012
Les Miserables
42nd Street
You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
The Illusion
Fabulous Fable Factory
50th Anniversay Revue
2011
Oklahoma!
The Who’s TOMMY
Bye Bye Birdie
Wiley and the Hairy Man
2010
Children of Eden
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
HONK!
Alice in Wonder Tierra
2009
Hello, Dolly!
A Chorus Line
Once On This Island
Charlotte’s Web
2008
Thoroughly Modern Millie
Bat Boy: The Musical
Seussical the Musical
2007
Steel Pier
Dancing at Lughnasa
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
New Beginnings: 45th Anniversary Review
2006
Ragtime
Twelfth Night
Once Upon A Matress
2005
West Side Story
Songs for a New World
The Music Man
2004
Can-Can
Blithe Spirit
Children of Eden
2003
Dear World
Black Box Cabaret
The Wizard of Oz
2002
Camelot
Stepping Out
HONK!
40th Anniversay Review
2001
Carousel
Annie
2000
A Little Night Music
The Philadelphia Story
Bye Bye, Birdie
1999
Grease
The House of Blues Leaves
Once Upon A Mattress
1998
Chess
Arcadia
Schoolhouse Rock Live!
1997
West Side Story
Marvin’s Room
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
1996
Merrily We Roll Along
Comedy of Errors
Babes in Toyland
1995
Into the Woods
Much Ado About Nothing
The Hobbit
1994
Working
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
The Wizard of Oz
1993
Oklahoma!
As You Like It
Tom Sawyer
1992
Fiddler on the Roof
Annie
Together Again: 30th Anniversary Review
1991
Merrily We Roll Along
Cinderella
1990
Sweet Charity
The Pied Piper of Hamlin
1989
Anything Goes
Alice in Wonderland
1988
South Pacific
Oliver
1987
The Pirates of Penzance
Don’t Drink the Water
Hans Christian Andersen
1986
Bye Bye, Birdie
Pippin
Peter Pan
1985
Annie Get Your Gun
A Mime Presentation
Snow White and The Seven Dwarfs
1984
The Music Man
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Pinocchio
1983
The Sound of Music
Once Upon A Mattress
Hansel and Gretel
1982
Carousel
Gala 20th Year Review
The Wizard of Oz
1981
The Merry Widow
Tartuffe
Pirates of Penzance
1980
Brigadoon
You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown
H.M.S. Pinafore
1979
Mame
Come Blow Your Horn
Rip Van Winkle
1978
The Student Prince
Arsenic and Old Lace
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
1977
Kismet
Dames at Sea
Babes in Toyland
1976
Oklahoma!
Dark of Moon
Tom Sawyer
1975
Damn Yankees
The Night of January 16th
Peter Pan
1974
Plain and Fancy
The Devil’s Disciple
Rumpelstiltskin
1973
Bye Bye, Birdie
An Italian Straw Hat
The Wizard of Oz
1972
Carousel
Our Town
Hansel and Gretel
1971
Guys and Dolls
Bring it all Back Home
The Hobbit
Chamber Music
Last Gasps
Lollipops
1970
Fiorello!
Madame Butterfly
Treasure Island
The Death and Life of Sneaky Fitch
1969
Kiss Me Kate
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Jack and the Beanstalk
1968
Can-Can
Galileo
Tom Sawyer
1967
The Sound of Music
Caine Mutiny
Toad Hall
Court-Martial
1966
The King and I
Much Ado About Nothing
The Red Shoes
1965
Enerico IV
The Winter’s Tale
Caesar and Cleopatra
1964
Zoo Story
The Lesson
Escurial
Arms and the Man
The Merchant of Venice
1963
Tartuffe
Home of the Brave
Othello
Incorporated 1963
The Weston Drama Workshop, Inc.
Pre-Incorporation 1962
The Weston Summer Workshop
A Trial Season
The Tempest
The Miser
Hansel and Gretel