Young Audiences

The Barter Players on Tour

 

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.

For information on a show or workshop call 276-619-3347 or email The Barter Players at playertours@bartertheatre.com.

 

The Barter Players on Tour - 2013

• View The Barter Players 2013 Touring Brochure (pdf)

MIss Nelson is Missing

Recommended for Kindergarten and up

A musical based on the book by Harry Allard & James Marshall
Book, Music & Lyrics by Joan Cushing

BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND

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!

Click here for free Miss Nelson Is Missing study guide.

 

 

A Thousand Cranes

Recommended for Grades 4 and up

Written by Kathryn Shultz Miller
Rights granted by Dramatic Publishing Company

This is the true story of Sadako Sasaki who inspired the world with her bravery in the aftermath of the bombing of Hiroshima, Japan. Her quest to fold a thousand origami cranes in pursuit of a wish has caused millions of children from all over the world to fold cranes for peace. This beautiful play pulls from traditional forms of Japanese drama to celebrate Sadako’s hope and the hope of all the children who have worked to honor her.

Click here for free Thousand Cranes study guide.

 

 

A Midsummer Night's Dream

Recommended for Grades 6 and up

By William Shakespeare

Laughter and love are on the loose in William Shakespeare’s most beloved comedy. Puck leads two pairs of lovers in a merry chase outside the boundaries of the city. A wondrous wood brimming with possibilities sets the scene for Shakespeare’s spectacular tale, exploring the inexplicable magic of falling in love—and the wonder of waking up from the sweetest of dreams. This one-hour version uses only Shakespeare’s language and brings all of the beauty and fun of Midsummer to vivid life on your stage.

Click here for free Midsummer Night's Dream study guide.

The Barter Players on Tour - 2014

• View The Barter Players 2014 Touring Brochure (pdf)

The Emperor's New Clothes

Recommended for grades K-6

Adapted from Hans Christian Anderson
By Karen Sabo

Two tailors arrive in the kingdom and convince the vain Emperor of their ability to create a magical garment that will set him above all.  But these sneaky tailors have something up their sleeves, and soon only a young boy unafraid of the truth can save the Emperor from a serious case of over-exposure. A fun look at a timeless tale!

Little House on the Prairie

Recommended for grades 3 and up

Adapted from the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
By Pamela Sterling

Performed with permission by the Little House Heritage Trust

Join the Ingalls family as they leave the Big Woods of Wisconsin and head west to seek adventure and a new way of life in Indian Territory. This is a beautiful and faithful retelling of the beloved book as well as a celebration of America's frontier as seen through the eyes of a young girl.  It's an American classic you won't want your students to miss!

Macbeth

Recommended for grades 9 and up
By William Shakespeare

This year we bring you the most powerful of Shakespeare's tragedies. Jealousy, schemes and intrigue reign as Macbeth and his wife reach for the king's crown. What are they willing to sacrifice to get what they want? What price will they pay for getting it? This one-hour version uses only Shakespeare's language and is an incredible look inside the heart of ambition.

 

 

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. Please see under respective show to download free study guide.

 

Classroom Workshops

Classroom workshops may be scheduled independently or following a performance. Workshops involve young people creating theatre from their own life experiences and are adapted to the age level of the students. We show them how they can do it just like us! Also ask about our actor talkback sessions immediately following performances.

Fees

Fees are negotiable, but we think you will find that we charge considerably less than other theatres of such professional quality. We strive to be affordable to anyone who desires a Barter Players performance. Further discounts are given for block bookings in your area.

For information on a show or workshop call 276-619-3347 or e-mail The Barter Players at playertours@bartertheatre.com.

Artistic Director

Katy Brown is proud to have served audiences at Barter Theatre since 1998 as a director, choreographer, acting coach, dramaturge, actor and administrator. Katy has directed over seventy professional productions, including The 39 Steps, Violet, Romeo and Juliet, Hamlet, Dead Man’s Cell Phone, A Thousand Cranes, The Foreigner and world premieres such as The Quiltmaker; Doubting Thomas and Don’t Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell. She also directed the production of Of Mice and Men that was seen in the fall of 2009 all over the United States on Barter Theatre's national tour. In addition to serving as the artistic director of The Barter Players, she is head of casting for Barter Theatre.

 

Learn more about The Barter Players on Tour