Young Audiences

Where there's children, there's creativity.

The Barter Players

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 on tour.

 

The Barter Players Sponsors

Season Sponsor:

Alpha Natural Resources

Season Media Sponsor:

Blue Ridge PBS

The Armstrong Family

Berry Home Centers, Inc.

Bristol Pediatric Dentistry

Dr. Timothy E. Collins,

     Pediatric Dentistry

Grundy National Bank

V. Blake McKinney,

    Attorney at Law

 

 

The Barter Players in Abingdon

Billy-Goat-Gruff: The Musical April 6 — May 1

Book & Lyrics by Gwen Edwards; Music by Ben Mackel

This is the musical tale of three goat brothers: Billy, Goat, and Gruff, who go on an adventure to search for food before the harsh winter snow descends upon their mountain. As they journey, they encounter many dangers, escape a nasty troll, and discover that if they follow their hearts, anything is possible. Don't miss the best new children's musical in years!

Charlotte's Web May 4 — May 22

Adapted from E. B. White's beloved book by Joseph Robinette

Often called "the best children's book of all time," Charlotte's Web has a warm place in the hearts of children and adults everywhere. A tiny pig named Wilbur is saved from an untimely death by a little girl and taken to live in her uncle's barn. In the barn, Wilbur meets many wonderful friends, the best of whom is Charlotte, a kindly spider who takes it upon herself to save Wilbur's life yet again. Experience the joy and the wonder of this beautiful story of friendship at Barter Theatre.

Pinocchio June 2 — June 26

Adapted by Catherine Gray

Geppetto, a woodcarver in a small Italian village, carves Pinocchio, a puppet who longs to be a real boy. Join Pinocchio as he encounters a mysterious, blue-haired fairy child, visits a raucous Toy Land overrun by donkeys, and journeys to the belly of a whale, all the while learning what it will take to fulfill his dream.

My Imaginary Pirate June 30 — July 17

Written by Catherine Bush

Jesse McCall has moved to a new town and is having trouble making friends at school. But Jesse isn’t lonely; he's too busy going on adventures with his imaginary pirate, the Terrible One-Eyed Jack. Jack and his ferocious crew can transform any living room into the most excellent pirate ship imaginable. Join these buccaneers for a swashbuckling good time you’ll never forget!

James and the Giant Peach July 21 — August 7

Adapted from Roald Dahl's novel by Richard R. George

From the author who brought you Charlie and the Chocolate Factory comes a fantastic story of imagination. James, an orphan, is sent to live with his horrible aunts, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. His remarkable adventure begins when he finds an ENORMOUS peach in their yard filled with scores of talking insects! Little does he know that this peach and its passengers will take him on a journey across the globe and bring him fame and fortune beyond his wildest dreams.

The Legend of Sleepy Hollow September 23 — November 13

Adapted from the Washington Irving story by Catherine Bush

Sleepy Hollow, a village haunted by the legendary Headless Horseman, has a new schoolmaster—the somewhat hapless and extremely superstitious Ichabod Crane. When Ichabod tries to win the hand of the beautiful Katrina Van Tassel, he makes an enemy of her former suitor, the brawny Brom Bones. Brom vows revenge and, one dark and spooky night, Ichabod finds himself in for the ride of his life!

All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth November 30 — December 18

Written by Catherine Bush

Lively Lucy Lespree is overjoyed when she is assigned the "whistle solo" in her school's upcoming Christmas pageant. Then tragedy strikes! Three days before the show, Lucy loses her two front teeth! Although she is unable to whistle a note, Lucy is determined not to lose her solo to archrival Anna Lori Pringle. Come join this exuberant seven-year-old and her friends as they embark on a Christmas adventure that will fill the whole family with holiday cheer!

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, Director of 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 groupsalesrep@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.

 

J. Casey Barrett	Bryan Pridgen	Julie Schroll
Carrie Smith	Emelie Thompson	Nathan Whitmer

Artistic Director

Katy Brown (Artistic Director of The Barter Players; Associate Director of Barter Theatre) is pleased to be in her tenth year here at Barter. Her favorite directing credits include Don’t Cry for Me, Margaret Mitchell; Hamlet; The Last Five Years; A Thousand Cranes; Scott Momaday’s Children of the Sun; Green Gables: The Musical; A Walk in the Woods; The Quiltmaker; Holiday Memories; and Tuck Everlasting which is currently touring the Southeast. During her time here, she has worked as a teacher, choreographer, dramaturge, and administrator, and is the head of casting for Barter Theatre. Katy is grateful for all the different jobs she has the opportunity to learn and do each year, particularly in her duties as the Artistic Director of the Barter Players – a wonderful group of actors whose growth and dedication never cease to make her proud.