About Us

Achievements

We are a theatre of triumphs. Here are some of them:

Incorporated in 1932 and opened on June 10, 1933, makes Barter Theatre one of the oldest professional theatres in the nation.

1997: Barter goes Off-Broadway for the first time since the 1960's with Doctors and Diseases. Barter receives Commonwealth of Virginia decree from Legislator in honor of Barter's 65th Birthday Season.

1996: Barter is one of three theatres in the U.S. to receive a challenge grant in the amount of $150,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts.

1996: Barter premiers in Rybinsk, Russia, with The Angel's Share marking the begin- ning of a continuing exchange between the Rybinsk Municipal Drama Theatre and Barter. In the summer of the same year, Rybinsk Theatre presents three plays in repertory at the Barter.

1995: Patricia Neal, a Barter Alum, visits for Barter's Day of the Woman, during which the Patricia Neal Scholarship for Barter acting interns is founded.

1993: The First Light Theatre is founded, providing live theatre for young audiences.

1979: Barter is given their first ever Virginia Governor's Award for Excellence in Art.

1978: Renovation of the Barter Playhouse (now Barter Stage II) is completed and to be used for new, experimental and innovative works.

Barter is a founding member of LORT, the League of Resident Theatres, a charter member of TCG, Theatre Communications Group, and a prominent force behind ANTA, the American National Theatre Association.

1963: President Kennedy praises Robert Porterfield for Barter Theatre.

1956: Barter establishes the annual "Ernest Borgnine Award" to honor the best new actor of each season. Borgnine, a Barter Alum, won an Oscar preceding this event.

1948: Barter wins the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Award for Regional Theatre.

1946: Barter is designated The State Theatre of Virginia, making it the first professional theatre to attain this status.

1939: The first Barter Theatre Award is presented; it is an annual award honoring the best performance in American Theatre.