The Barter Players: classic theatre for kids of all ages
Where there's children, there's creativity.
The Barter Players are a group of professional theatre artists who perform for young audiences at the theatre April through December and in schools during their January through March
East Coast Tour. The troupe presents
high energy and original productions that capture the imagination, intelligence and sophistication of today's youth while providing the best in the classic literature and beloved story adaptation. The Barter Players have been acclaimed nationwide as one of the finest theatres for young people anywhere. In the grand tradition of Barter Theatre, The Barter Players perform with a unique combination of education and entertainment, plus the commitment to bring world-class theatre to young people of all ages and backgrounds.
Find out about...
The Barter Players at the theatre
The Barter Players Season Sponsors
Season Sponsor: Alpha Natural Resources
Season Media Sponsor: Blue Ridge PBS
The Barter Players in Abingdon 2012
April 10 —28
Adapted by Will Bigham from the book by Rudyard Kipling
"Why? How? When?" The mind of a child is ever curious and the author of The Jungle Book knew this when he wrote Just So Stories. Discover the wild imagination and fun of Rudyard Kipling's "How the Leopard Got Its Spots," "How the First Letter Was Written" and other tales. The singing, dancing and laughs in this production will thrill children of all ages will be thrilled by - it’s a tall tale look at how things came to be the way they are.
May 1—26
Written by Catherine Bush and Ben Mackel
Don’t miss a chance to share Aesop’s wonderful stories like The Boy Who Cried Wolf, The Tortoise and the Hare and more with a child you love.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
May 29—June 23
by Catherine Gray
One of the most beloved princess tales of all time is coming to Barter Stage II this summer. The beautiful Snow-White is forced to flee her home when the wicked queen’s jealously threatens her life. Snow-White soon makes friends with seven dwarfs who take her into their home. When the queen learns that Snow-White is still alive, it takes the love of a handsome prince and the courage of her newfound friends to save the day.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
June 26—July 21Adapted from Roald Dahl by Richard R. George
Rights Granted by Dramatic PublishingRoald Dahl’s timeless story of the world-famous candy man, Willy Wonka, and his wonderful world of chocolate comes to life this summer. When Charlie discovers a coveted Golden Ticket in his Wonka Chocolate Bar, he and four other lucky winners take a fantastic tour of Wonka's mysterious chocolate factory where they discover a world of pure imagination. Get your Golden Tickets today!
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
July 24—August 11Adapted from C.S. Lewis by Joseph Robinette
Rights granted by Dramatic PublishingJoin The Barter Players in a magical world where anything can happen. When the four Pevensie children slip through the old wardrobe and into the wondrous land of Narnia, they face a dangerous White Witch and her evil spells. It will take all of the children’s bravery and the love of a lion named Aslan to help them save themselves and the land of Narnia.
Miss Nelson is Missing
October 3—November 12A musical based on the book by Harry Allard & James Marshall, adapted by Joan Cushing
At Horace Smedley Elementary School the kids of Room 207 are famous… for being bad. Despite the best efforts of their kind teacher, Miss Nelson, these fifth graders wreak havoc each day in the classroom. Spitballs fly, paper airplanes soar, and no one has done their homework in weeks. After one particularly bad day, Miss Nelson simply does not return to school. In her place, comes a substitute teacher who would make a crocodile look cuddly: the nefarious Viola Swamp. She is dressed like a witch and gives them so much homework that they are certain they will die. Finally the kids of 207 decide to take matters into their own hands by hiring a detective to find their dear Miss Nelson, and FAST!
Santa Claus is Coming to TownNovember 27—December 22
By Catherine Bush
“Oh, you better watch out, you better not cry, you better not pout, I’m telling you why…” This Christmas season has been a tough one for first grader Pepper McGee. It’s hard to be good when you’re given the worst role in the Christmas play, when your real live Christmas tree is replaced with an ugly pink plastic one, and when your new Christmas haircut includes bangs. Then Pepper’s parents give her an early Christmas present: a baby sister who cries all the time! Pepper, who had been secretly hoping for a bicycle, writes Santa Claus in desperation, begging him to save her Christmas. The next morning at school, what to her wondering eyes should appear, but the jolly old elf himself! Santa and Pepper embark on a hilarious adventure that changes how she sees Christmas forever.
More Information
Study Guides - All of our productions are built to go hand-in-hand with your school’s SOL or TCAP curriculum. Please call for information on study packets with SOL and TCAP listings for each show, as well as information on our award-winning online educational game.
Click to see more on our other educational tools
Performances
Hands-on Experiences
Talkbacks
Tours
For more information on The Barter Players, contact Katy Brown, Artistic Director of The Barter Players, at 276-619-3327. For tickets contact Barter's Box Office at (276) 628-3991. For Group Information, contact Group Sales at (276) 619-5406 or groups@bartertheatre.com.
Meet the Barter Players
The Barter Players are a group of young actors from all over the country who are dedicated to growing as artists by bringing the best and bravest theatre to the young people of this region.
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| Rebekah Anwyll | Audrey Layne Crocker | Samuel Floyd |
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| Justin Tyler Lewis | Sam McCalla | Cami René Philgreen |
Artistic Director of The Barter Players
Katy Brown (Artistic Director of The Barter Players; Associate Director of Barter Theatre)
has been working at Barter Theatre since 1998 as a director, teacher, actor, choreographer, dramaturge and administrator. She began her time here as a Barter Player and after a few years took over the artistic direction of this wing of the theatre. Under her guidance, The Barter Players began a year round season of shows at Barter Theatre and became one of the most sought after 
training grounds for young actors in the country. In addition to the thousands of children the Players serve at Barter each year, they perform for 35,000 to 45,000 students on their 3 month tour each spring. Katy has directed over 60 professional productions, both for the Players and for Barter at large, including: Hamlet; Dead Man’s Cell Phone;The 39 Steps; The Road to Appomattox;A Walk in the Woods;The Quiltmaker; Anne of Green Gables; A Thousand Cranes;;You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown; The Taming of the Shrew; Doubting Thomas; Violet; The Fantasticks; James and the Giant Peach; The Foreigner and Barter’s national tour of Of Mice and Men. Katy is also an associate director of Barter Theatre, head of casting and the director of the Young Playwright’s Festival.
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Did You Know...
Did you know that Barter offers package deals with hotels, bed & breakfasts and restaurants to make your vacation complete? Call our Box Office at 276-628-3991 today.
