Robert Porterfield

Jenna Elser, artistic director of Glow Lyric Theatre in Greenville SC, is the winner of The American Prize in DIRECTING—The Charles Nelson Reilly Prize (theater/musical theater division), 2021, for 'West Side Story'. Jenna was selected from applications reviewed recently from across the United States.

Barter Youth Academy offers innovative theatre education classes that teach students teamwork and creativity in a fun, fast-paced environment! Classes are offered for students ages 5-18 with locations throughout the tri-cities: Abingdon, Bristol, Kingsport, and Johnson City!

Barter's 20th Annual Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights (AFPP) is set for January 23-26, 2020 at Barter's Smith Theatre.

Barter Theatre opens four Christmas productions this season! On Gilliam Stage see the classic holiday musical, a?oeWhite Christmas,a?? and bring your favorite young hearts to see a?oe'Twas the Night Before Christmas.a?? For something a little more edgy and wild, check out a?oeJacob Marley's Christmas Carola?? at Smith Theatre or a?oeThe Santaland Diaries.a?? There's something for everyone this holiday season at Barter Theatre.

Saturday, November 16 beginning at 6:30 The Martha Washington Inn & Spa will host a celebratory night for Barter Theatre providing opportunity to raise support for the future of the theatre. There will be live entertainment by Ivy Road, cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. The night will involve exciting and unique auction opportunities.

Barter Theatre has announced a new fundraising event, What We Do For Love, celebrating and featuring Barter's resident acting company. The informal event is set for Oct. 6 at Food City Corporate Support Center in Abingdon, with a reception at 5:30 p.m. and a buffet dinner and performance beginning at 6 p.m. Event proceeds benefit Barter Theatre's Annual Fund for Artistic Excellence.

Barter Theater, one of the nation's longest running professional theatres and an anchor of the region's arts scene since 1933, announced today that it has launched a fundraising drive to address a severe revenue shortfall.

Barter Theatre's Project REAL, in partnership with the Virginia Theatre Association, will host Barter's first annual Theatre Day on July 20, 2019. Barter's Theatre Day will be focused around the current production of "Shrek: The Musical," and will include a masterclass, production tour and post-show talkback with actors and crew members.

Each year, Barter Theatre celebrates tradition with Barter Days. These special performances are an opportunity for patrons to barter for a ticket by donating non-perishable food items or making a monetary contribution to Feeding America Southwest Virginia. 

Church Basement Ladies is a brilliant musical comedy about the women who are the backbone of the church, women you might recognize from your own congregation. Playing at Barter Stage II, May 12 - August 25. Starring Barter favorites like Tricia Matthews, Rick McVey, Paris Bradstreet and more!

Now playing at Barter Stage II, Shakespeare's greatest comedy, TWELFTH NIGHT. Starring Barter favorites: Tricia Matthews, Nicholas Piper, Mary Lucy Bivins, Sean Maximo Campos, and MORE!

One of the most beloved musicals at Barter Theatre is coming to Gilliam Stage April 5 - May 11, 2019. "Madame Buttermilk" may be the funniest and wittiest show ever done by Barter Theatre.

Barter Theatre brings you love, laughter, and passion in "Camelot" Feb. 21 through Mar. 30.

"Morning After Grace" is running NOW through Mar. 31. You don't want to miss this charming and big-hearted comedy, starring Barter favorites Tricia Matthews and Michael Poisson, and the Barter debut of Ron Stroman.

Startling surprises come in unpredictable packages! Barter Theatre presents "Morning After Grace" Feb. 7 through Mar. 31. You won't want to miss this hilarious and heart-warming comedy.

Startling surprises come in unpredictable packages! Barter Theatre presents "Morning After Grace" Feb. 7 through Mar. 31. You won't want to miss this hilarious and heart-warming comedy.

Barter Youth Academy is a performance-based educational program that allows students of all ages the chance to learn and develop their performance and storytelling skills. Using the acting and rehearsing techniques of the Barter Resident Acting Company, students work through the theatre experience from the audition to the final performance onstage in front of a live audience. BYA provides a safe, positive environment to enhance the abilities for the beginning performer, as well as shaping the talents of the advanced youth actors.

Barter Theatre announces the lineup for its 19th annual Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights (AFPP). This year's festival includes readings of seven brand new Appalachian plays, including two musicals. The dates of the festival are Thursday, Jan. 24 - Sunday, Jan. 27, 2019.

Barter Theatre is pleased to announce the selected plays for its inaugural College Playwrights Festival that will take place January 19-20th, 2019 at Barter Theatre's Stage II.

Barter Youth Academy (BYA) is a theatre-based education program which improves social and learning skills, creative problem-solving skills, and grows confidence, all through the fun of theatre! Students learn professional-level techniques while working on some of the greatest plays and musicals ever written! Whether their eyes are set on Broadway, or they just want to see what it's like to be on stage, Barter Youth Academy gives students the skills needed to take them to the next level. Signups go through mid-December! Contact education@bartertheatre.com for more information.