A Different Show Every Month: Discover the Magic of Repertory Theatre at Barter
Most theatres ask you to pick one show and call it a night. At Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, the possibilities are a little more exciting. Come for a musical one weekend, return for a gripping drama the next, and discover something entirely different a month later. With a constantly changing lineup of productions, there's always another story waiting to be told.
That's the beauty of repertory theatre, and it's a tradition Barter has embraced for generations. As the nation's longest-running professional theatre and the State Theatre of Virginia, Barter produces almost 20 titles each year, bringing an extraordinary range of stories to life in the heart of Southwest Virginia. From Broadway favorites and beloved classics to contemporary plays and exciting new works, its stages offer something for nearly every taste.
A Season, Not a Single Show
Unlike theatres that present one production at a time, Barter's repertory model allows multiple shows to rotate throughout the season, sometimes even on the same day. For audiences, that means a visit to Barter doesn't have to be a once-a-year occasion. The experience changes with the calendar, offering plenty of reasons to return.
This fall is a perfect example. Audiences can experience the remarkable true story of kindness and compassion in the hit musical Come From Away, or sink their teeth into Kate Hamill's wickedly funny adaptation of Dracula, both playing on Barter's Gilliam Stage through the month of October. Meanwhile across the street at Barter's Smith Theatre, Kings Mountain, part of Virginia's 250th anniversary commemoration, brings a pivotal chapter of American history to the stage.
It's a lineup that moves effortlessly between comedy, drama, music, and history, often featuring familiar faces from Barter's talented Resident Acting Company in vastly different roles. An actor who has audiences laughing one evening might have them on the edge of their seats the next.
For visitors traveling to Southwest Virginia, that variety presents a unique opportunity. A weekend in Abingdon can easily include more than one theatrical experience, with time in between to explore the town's restaurants, shops, and Appalachian charm. For those who live nearby, there's the pleasure of having world-class professional theatre close to home, with a new reason to visit around nearly every corner of the calendar.
Something for Every Generation
Barter's ever-changing lineup also makes it an especially appealing destination for families, school groups, and organizations looking to share a memorable experience.
Through The Barter Players, the theatre's company dedicated to producing work for young audiences, classic stories take on new life for the next generation. This fall, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer invites families and students into Mark Twain's beloved world of mischief, friendship, and adventure. For many young people, productions like these offer their first introduction to live theatre, opening the door to a lifelong appreciation for the performing arts.
School groups, church organizations, clubs, and tour groups can also take advantage of Barter's diverse programming. With productions spanning multiple genres and age groups, it's possible to plan a visit around a particular interest, educational theme, or simply the joy of experiencing a great story together.
And the variety doesn't end with familiar titles. Barter is also committed to developing new theatrical works through programs such as the Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights and Black Stories Black Voices. These initiatives give emerging and established writers opportunities to develop original stories alongside professional artists, helping shape the next generation of American theatre.
The Art of Repertory Theatre
Of course, keeping so many productions in motion is no small undertaking. Behind the scenes, Barter's actors, designers, technicians, and craftspeople work together to bring an ambitious schedule to life.
Sets are transformed, costumes are changed, and entire worlds are created and dismantled as productions move in and out of rotation. Members of the Resident Acting Company may rehearse one play during the day and perform another that evening, sometimes balancing several characters and stories over the course of a single week.
That collaborative spirit is part of what makes Barter distinctive. Rather than assembling an entirely new company for every production, Barter's resident artists build lasting creative relationships, working together across genres, seasons, and years. The result is a theatre with its own recognizable personality, where audiences can enjoy the familiarity of favorite performers while discovering just how versatile those artists can be.
It's a demanding way to produce theatre, but one that has been central to Barter's identity since its earliest days. Founded in 1933 by Robert Porterfield, Barter helped establish a model for professional regional theatre rooted in the community it serves. More than nine decades later, that tradition remains very much alive.
Repertory theatre isn't simply an industry term or a clever way of arranging a performance calendar. It's what allows Barter to offer the unexpected, giving audiences the freedom to experience everything from a spectacular Broadway musical to an intimate drama, sometimes within the same visit.
And perhaps that's the greatest appeal of all. No matter how many times you've taken your seat at Barter, there's always something new to discover.
Plan Your Next Visit
Whether you're planning a weekend getaway, organizing a group trip, or looking for your next night out, Barter Theatre offers a season full of possibilities. Explore upcoming productions, performance schedules, and ticket options at bartertheatre.com or call 276-628-3991.
Follow Barter Theatre on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube for a closer look at the stories, artists, and experiences coming to its stages.
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