Appalachian Festival of
Plays and Playwrights
This annual festival celebrates the richness of the Appalachian tradition by showcasing the stories of the region, both past and present, and the inspiration it provides the writers who live here.
For Patrons
AFPP readings are free and open to the public. Audiences participate in the development process by attending readings, participating in panel discussions, and sharing feedback.
For Our Community and Beyond
Since 1933, Barter Theatre has been developing new works and nurturing area talent. The AFPP has gained national attention by developing a process that has resulted in new plays being produced not only on Barter’s stages, but in regional theatres across the country.
AFPP 2026 is made possible by the generous support of the Estate of Dr. Bert C. Bach, Henry & Flora Joy, Jerry Pollitt, John & LeAnn Turbyfill, Linda Coffey, and Ty & Julann Warren.
Partially funded by Alice Link and Larry & Leanne Mitchell.
AFPP 2026
February 19th – 25th at Barter’s Smith Theatre
Arbor by Catherine Epstein
Thursday, February 19th, 7:30pm
Set in an arboretum over the course of one summer and fall, Arbor follows a group of workers wrestling with a range of dilemmas: Marge is estranged from her daughter and desperate to connect, Bill can’t get visitors to follow the simple, clearly posted rules, and Carol Ann just wants to take a swim in the pond. As the seasons shift and the workers’ conflicts grow no closer to resolving, the play examines how we all navigate uncertainty, growth, and transformation.
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This is What the Days Are by Madison Fiedler
Friday, February 20th, 11am
On a rural homestead in North Carolina, a group of grievers has formed a smaller, self-sustained world to live and work in. They slaughter pigs, celebrate birthdays, wait for the asparagus to mature. Seasons pass, gardens grow. The asparagus still isn’t ready yet. THIS IS WHAT THE DAYS ARE is a new play about the strange task of living as the left-behind.
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Blowin’ Fire by Gloria Bond Clunie
Friday, February 20th, 3pm
When rebellious teenager Compton Edwards gets into trouble on the streets of Chicago, his father brings him South to be ‘straightened out’ by his great-aunt Mama Sojourn, a conjure woman and matriarch of the family. Love, lies, and betrayal lead to Compton being held prisoner in her home—a former Underground Railroad Station. There, Compton is forced to face Shadrack and Meshack, two ghosts trapped in the house since slavery. In an intense physical and emotional battle, Compton struggles for his life, as the ghosts force the Edwards’ family to redefine their lives in the modern world. (2026 AFPP Black Stories Black Voices Selection)
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Decoration Day by Linda Parsons
Saturday, February 21st, 11am
On Decoration Day in upper East Tennessee, Kate Hughes and her aunt, June Rankin, visit the Rankin family cemetery to clean the graves and remember their dead. As a girl, Kate and her mother, Cordie, moved away after her father, Boyd, was sent to prison. Boyd is haunted by a childhood accident that has split the Rankin and Hughes families. With Aunt June as her guide, Kate must come to her own understanding of her mother’s accident, her father’s involvement and sacrifice, her parents’ tumultuous relationship, and ultimately the meaning of family, home, and tradition. Just as they sidestep the graves of their ancestors, they must learn to navigate the unsettled and unsettling terrain of the here and now and move forward together.
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Dickie’s Got His Hans Full by Todd Olson
Saturday, February 21st, 3pm
It’s the summer of 1857 and not all is right in Charles Dickens’ country home. His frazzled wife struggles with their 10 kids, he’s rehearsing a play in their living room in preparation for a royal performance, and he can’t seem to begin a new novel about the French Revolution. Into this chaos comes an unexpected visitor: Denmark’s famous Hans Christian Anderson, complete with eccentric personality, quirky social skills, and bizarre Danish traditions for every occasion. Announcing his wish to stay “only a fortnight”, Hans ends up staying five unpredictable, odd-ball weeks. Based on true events, DICKIE’S GOT HIS HANS FULL is a farcical clash of cultures about literature, lovers, and cake.
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Book Woman by Catherine Bush and Dax Dupuy
Sunday, February 22nd, 11am
The year is 1935 and the citizens of Reinhardt, a small hamlet in eastern Kentucky, find themselves firmly in the grip of the Great Depression. Iris Prue and her family are especially hard hit and are in danger of losing the family farm. Then the WPA announces the formation of the Pack Horse Library, an initiative to hire area woman to deliver books to remote locations on horseback. Iris believes she’s found a way to save her family, but will have to overcome many obstacles, including the toughest – her father.
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AFPP “IN DEVELOPMENT” READING
Join us for a reading of a play from last year’s festival and see how it’s developing!
Deera’s Country Funeral by Ned Dougherty
Wednesday, February 25th, 7:30pm
Ray Sally wants to have a funeral for his tractor. The old machine has played Santa’s sleigh in many a Christmas Parade, helped rescue folks during a flood, hard-worked too many harvests to count and she even met the Governor once. But this farmer can’t find parts anymore and it’s time for her to meet her maker. Troubled by his inability to keep her running and drowning in his grief, Ray Sally wishes he was the one on the short road to the great beyond. Questions about destiny, the role our communities play in holding us up and the measure of a useful life are themes in this humble dark comedy about a legendary tractor.
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Unlock the Ultimate Festival Experience
Elevate every moment of the Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights with our exclusive AFPP Pass, designed for patrons who want more than just a seat—they want the best of everything.
Pass holders enjoy guaranteed seating across select readings and performances, with center seating reserved just for you at General Admission events. For paid performances, you’ll be seated in the best available seats. Your pass includes a commemorative VIP credential, plus special perks that make every performance feel like an occasion—a free cup of coffee at each event, 10% off in the Barter Theatre Gift Shop or The Barter Lounge and 10% off at participating restaurants. .
You’ll also receive:
One Brother Boys Concert Ticket with reserved seating.
One Trains performance ticket, reserved seating for the performance of your choice.
Guaranteed or priority seating for all AFPP readings, the College Playwright Festival, Young Playwrights Festival, and Shine: Illuminating Black Stories.
This is more than a pass—it’s insider access, premium seating, and thoughtful perks that reward your love of live theatre. Join us as a VIP and experience the festival the way it was meant to be seen: up close, stress-free, and unforgettable for only $50.00!
Purchase your pass today by calling the Box Office at 276.628.3991
The AFPP Process
Six new Appalachian plays are chosen from the submissions to be given public readings by Barter’s company.
The playwrights are brought in at the beginning of the festival week to be a part of the rehearsal process. Each play is given about 8 hours of rehearsal time with the focus being on clarity of story.
After each reading, there is a moderated discussion between a panel made up of three regional theatre professionals and, most importantly, the audience, for their feedback. That way, the playwright receives feedback from three separate groups: artists, panelists, and audience.
Playwrights have found this to be a very useful step in developing their plays, as well as a wonderful opportunity to meet other artists, make new friends, and enjoy the beauty of Southwest Virginia!
Play Submission Guidelines
Plays must be written by an Appalachian playwright (currently living in a state that contains the Appalachian Mountain Range— which, for our purposes, run from New York to Alabama.)
OR
The plays must be set in the Appalachian region.
Plays must be unpublished and must not have had a full professional production.
Plays must be full length.
Plays must be submitted electronically.
Please send play and a brief synopsis to: apfestival@bartertheatre.com
