Thank you for participating in 2024’s Forest of Mystery!
Written and Directed by James Gelter
In 2024, BEEC’s forests will be visited by monsters from classic films. Traverse a torch-lit trail through the woods…but beware what else may be out there…
Thursday, Friday and Saturday, October 24-26
The show is SOLD OUT !
If you don’t have tickets and are eager to see the show, please email to get on a waitlist in case of any changes.
Journeys begin every 20 minutes on Thursday, from 6:15 to 7:35 pm, and every 15 minutes on Fridays & Saturdays, from 6:15 to 8:30 pm.
The adventure lasts one hour and follows a trail through meadow and forest that is about 1/2 mile long.
About the Forest of Mystery:
Every October, the forests and fields of BEEC are transformed into a spectacle of the imagination by the magic of theater. The event is staged in a dozen scenes along torch-lit trails that meander through open fields and into the heart of the dark woods. Each night, audience members, “travelers,” depart from the BEEC courtyard to enter this otherworld to participate in a quest to save nature. As travelers interact with the actors at each scene the intricacies of the quest are revealed. The top of Heifer Hill hosts the culmination of the quest as travelers are greeted by performers and a bonfire representing the light of their revelation and discovery. Travelers journey in groups of twenty, and ten groups of travelers embark on this quest each night. Each year a new script is written, often based on mythological characters and events, a story that lends itself to a nature theme.
The director and writer, James Gelter, is well-known to fans of theater in our region. This will be his tenth Forest of Mystery. James has worked extensively with local theater groups including The Vermont Theatre Company (former board members), Main Street Arts, the New England Youth Theatre, Sandglass Theatre, Vermont Performance Lab, and Actor’s Theatre Playhouse.
Information for your journey:
- Arrival: Please arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of your journey.
- Refreshments: Warm beverages and baked goods will be available by donation in the courtyard.
- The Trail: You will travel together on a trail that is about 1/2 mile in length for roughly one hour. Be sure to wear comfortable hiking shoes and dress warmly for an October night. Flashlights may be used on the trail if needed for safety, but are to be turned off during scenes. If a walking stick or hiking poles will help you navigate a forest trail in the dark please bring them. Children must be accompanied by an adult and stay within their immediate proximity. The show is recommended for ages 6 and up.
Tickets:
- BEEC members: Adult $16, Child $9
- Non-members: Adult $20, Child $12
Join or renew your membership here. If you’re not sure about the status of your membership, please email to inquire.
View a slideshow of Forest of Mystery: Past & Gone here.
Be part of the fun! Learn how you can sign up to volunteer here.
Become a sponsor! Click the graphic below.
The Forest of Mystery is Bonnyvale Environmental Education Center’s biggest community event, as well as our biggest fundraiser every year. Last year we welcomed over 500 people to Heifer Hill! The income from this event supports BEEC’s work, including school programming, community education events, youth programs, and wildlife rehabilitation.
