Barter Theatre facts for kids
Barter Theare
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| Formation | 1933 |
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| Type | Theatre group |
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Artistic director(s)
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Katy Brown |
Barter Theatre, located in Abingdon, Virginia, is a special place in American history. It opened on June 10, 1933, and is the longest-running professional theater in the United States where actors are part of a union called the Actors' Equity Association.
Contents
How It All Began
A Smart Idea During Hard Times
The theatre opened during the Great Depression, a very difficult time in the 1930s. Many people didn't have money for things like theater tickets, and lots of talented actors were out of work. At the same time, farmers in Virginia had plenty of food but struggled to sell it.
The theatre's founder, Robert Porterfield, had a brilliant idea. He invited about twenty of his actor friends to Virginia. Instead of charging money for tickets, he let local people trade, or "barter," farm goods for a seat at a play.
He famously said, "With vegetables that you cannot sell you can buy a good laugh." This idea was a huge success!
The first ticket price was 30 cents, or the same value in food. People brought chickens, milk, and vegetables to see a show. The actors were busy, too. When not on stage, they helped build scenery, find props, and even worked in the cafeteria where they all lived.
The First Show
The very first play at the Barter Theatre was called After Tomorrow. The audience was packed, and people brought cakes, fruit, vegetables, and even a live pig to pay for their tickets!
The Theatre's Journey
Taking the Show on the Road
The Barter Theatre didn't just stay in Abingdon. The actors traveled to perform in many different places. In 1939, they even took their shows to New York City. In 1949, one of their acting groups, called a company, traveled all the way to Elsinore, Denmark, to perform Hamlet. They also had a touring company that performed in small towns across Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
Theatre for Young People
In 1993, the theatre created a special group called the First Light Players. Today, they are known as the Barter Players. Their job is to bring exciting live plays to kids and families, especially in areas that don't have many theaters.
Buildings and Stages
At first, the actors performed in the Abingdon Opera House. In 1935, they moved to an old, empty women's college. The actors lived in the dorms and put on plays in the school's auditorium.
In 1996, the main theatre building was updated with a bigger stage, new lights, and a better sound system. This made the shows even more amazing for the audience.
The Barter Theatre Today
The Barter Theatre is one of the last theaters in the U.S. that has a full-time group of resident actors who perform in different plays all year long. This is known as a repertory theatre.
The main building is very historic. It was built in 1833 as a church, making it the second-oldest theatre building in the country. In 1953, it was decorated with beautiful items from the famous Empire Theatre in New York City.
Keeping the Tradition Alive
Every year, the theatre holds "Barter Days" to honor its history. On these days, you can still trade canned food for a ticket. All the food collected is given to a local charity to help people in need.
Performing in a Pandemic
Starting in 2020, the theatre found a creative way to keep performing safely. They staged plays at the local Moonlite Theatre, a drive-in movie theater. The audience could watch from their cars while the play was also shown on the big screen. By 2021, performances returned to the indoor stages with safety rules in place.
Famous Actors and Directors
Many famous actors started their careers at the Barter Theatre. Some of them include:
- Gregory Peck
- Ernest Borgnine
- Patricia Neal
- Ned Beatty
- Kevin Spacey
- Wayne Knight (who played Newman in Seinfeld)
The theatre has had only four artistic directors. The founder, Robert Porterfield, led it until 1971. Today, it is led by Katy Brown, who became the theatre's first female artistic director in 2019.
Awards and Honors
The Barter Theatre has received many awards for its amazing work.
