adventureswithapostcardBarter Theatre
Nestled in the heart of Abingdon sits the historic Barter Theatre. Officially recognized as the state theater of Virginia, Barter is the longest running professional theater to grace the US with its shows.
History
The Barter Theatre was founded during the Great Depression as a way to provide entertainment and fun to the community. Robert Porterfield, the founder, opened the doors in 1933 with the concept to barter for a ticket, hence the name. Simply put, if you couldn’t afford the ticket price, just bring enough home goods to equal the amount. In order to honor this, Barter still has “Barter Days” in June where you can bring in specific donation items in exchange for admission (check out their website for exact dates and details).
Fun Facts
One thing that sets Barter apart from many other theaters is that it is a repertory theater. If a theater has productions in repertory (or rep), it basically means that they have several different productions in rotation. For patrons, this means that you’re able to see up to 5 different shows in just a couple days! For the theater, this means that the incredible designers and shops have been building several different shows months in advance, while the actors and crew have learned the multiple performances and are ready to present them to an audience daily.
In order to accommodate this, Barter Theatre consists of 2 stage locations: Gilliam Stage and Smith Theatre. The Gilliam Stage, or main stage, is the larger of the venues and typically is the location of the big musicals. On the other hand, Smith Theatre, formerly Stage II, is a smaller, more intimate theater perfect for plays and smaller musicals. The Smith Theatre is also the primary location of the Barter Players, a group of young professional artists that perform shows specifically directed towards children. Though these plays have kids in mind, that doesn’t mean they’re not enjoyable for adults. I’ve cried my way through countless shows and seeing how captivated the kids are continuously reminds me how important theater is. If you’d like to see what I’m talking about, Barter is currently offering an On Demand option where you can stream the Barter Players production of Peter Pan right from your home! Check it out on their website HERE!
Because the theater does operate in rep, Barter has an incredibly talented group of resident company members that are the heart and soul of this establishment. Essentially, having a resident company means that the actors, production team, and backstage crew remain the same throughout the year, while adding extra talent- both on stage and off- for some of the bigger productions. Because of this, the Barter company quickly turns to the Barter family, as you see each other at work daily and, for some of the company, they even live together in company housing.
The above postcard shows the “residence of the Barter Theatre Players”, something that is not entirely accurate today. While one of the buildings still is “home” to many company members, the middle building was once the Production Building that housed several of the shops, such as the costume and prop shops, as well as rehearsal halls and storage. The other building has since become an apartment complex not associated with Barter.
Last fun fact, I used to work here! I worked backstage in wardrobe and wigs for almost 2 years and met some incredible people here while working on some fun shows. I actually was one of those company members that lived in the residence housing and some of my fondest memories were made bonding in the shared kitchens as we made an excessive amount of baked goods. It was honestly one of the most fun jobs I’ve had, as the cast and crew created such an exciting work environment that there never was a dull moment backstage.
Dear…
Inscribed on the back of the “Residence of the Barter Theatre Players” postcard is the following:
Postmarked September 11, 1948:
“Have had such a good time in Abingdon and Vermont this summer. And am getting fat!
I hope you have had fun too.
Will be home Tuesday and ready to teach on Sept. 15. Will call you.
Remember me to your family-
Affectionately,
Mary”
The people at Barter are truly one of a kind. They all love what they do and it’s evident in their productions and just who they are.
Barter is more than a theater, it’s a community.
If you’re ever in the Abingdon area, go see a show and you’ll see what I’m talking about. The performances are high quality, the talent is never ending, and, if you leave without feeling some kind of something, you’re doing it wrong.
Now I’ll leave you with the immortal words of Robert Porterfield (that are said prior to every show at Barter Theatre):
“If you like us, talk about us! And, if you don’t, just keep your mouth shut!”
If you’re interested in seeing a show, reading more about the theater, or donating, check out their website www.bartertheatre.com or any of their Barter Theatre social media pages!
