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    • BUY TICKETS
    • About
      • About Us

        2025 Season Overview

        Mission Statement

        Culture of Belonging

        Staff Directory

        Board of Trustees

        History

        Work With Us

        Plan Your Career

        Open Positions

        Auditions

        New Play Development

        Advertise with Barter

        Ask Us

        Frequently Asked Questions

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        Plan Your Trip

        Press & Media

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        Browse shows and schedules, find information about special events, and book tickets.

        Show Calendar

        Barter Connects Events

        Special Events

        Content Advisories

        The Barter Players

        The Barter Players specialize in creating theatre for young audiences in a friendly and accessible manner.

        About The Barter Players

        Barter Players Season Overview

        Barter Players on Tour

        Groups & Subscriptions

        Find out about group packages, learn about subscription options, and buy your subscription online.

        Subscriptions

        Group Tickets

        Gift Vouchers

        Find out about gift voucher options. Send a gift voucher now or schedule future delivery!

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        Plan Your Trip!

    • Programs & Initiatives
      • Education

        Browse Barter Theatre’s offerings for students.

        Barter Theatre for Student Groups

        Barter On Demand for the Classroom

        Barter Theatre and Emory & Henry

        New Play Development

        Browse Barter Theatre’s new play development programs.

        About Barter's New Play Development Program

        Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights

        Black Stories Black Voices

        College Playwrights Festival

        Young Playwrights Festival

        Accessibility & Inclusion

        Barter strives to be an inviting place for all people.

        Sensory Friendly Performances

    • Support Us
      • Make A Gift

        Annual Fund for Artistic Excellence

        Ways to Give

        Donor Benefits

        Our Donors

        Donate Online
        Planned Giving

        Learn About Planned Giving

        Join The Porterfield Society

        Meet the Advancement Team
        Get Involved

        Volunteer

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    Nov 28 through Dec 23
    Barter CastPerformed by
    Gilliam Stage (archived)Venue/Stage
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    I Want A Hippopotamus
    Study Guide for Student Groups

    I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas

    November 28th – December 23rd on Gilliam Stage

    It’s Christmas time at the Cincinnati Zoo, and everyone there eagerly anticipates the birth of Bella, the zoo’s first baby hippo. Seven-year-old Lois Jean, the zookeeper’s daughter, is especially excited—she’s counting on Bella to reunite her family in time for the holidays. Then the unexpected happens, and only one person can prevent tragedy. Will Santa arrive in time to save Bella—and Christmas? A heartwarming musical adventure for the whole family.

    hippopotamusforchristmas_primaryphoto_2023-1
    hippopotamusforchristmas_primaryphoto_2023-10
    hippopotamusforchristmas_primaryphoto_2023-16
    hippopotamusforchristmas_primaryphoto_2023-14

    Barter Theatre is partially funded by:

    This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency. 

    A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
    Kailey Kyle
    Lois Jean Braunagel/Patron #2
    James Jiggetts
    George Braunagel
    Marissa Emerson
    Dolly Frizzoti/Patron #1/Girl #2
    Kaci Deakins
    New Yorker/Big Suzy/Girl #1/Dr. Brozen/Carol
    Jacob Nuti
    Mac/Big Suzy/Boy #1
    Christopher White
    Mayor/Santa Claus
    Garrett Summitt
    Chet Myerson/Boy #2
    Sarah Van Deusen
    Director
    Zacchaeus Kimbrell
    Music Director
    Dax Dupuy
    Musical Tracks
    Hana Eichin
    Set Designer
    Sydney de Briel
    Costume Designer
    Catie Clark
    Props Designer
    Andrew Morehouse
    Lighting Designer
    Matt Green
    Sound Designer
    Sydney Sutherland
    Stage Manager
    Sarah Van Deusen
    Associate Artistic Director of the Barter Players
    Barrett Guyton
    Artistic Director of the Barter Players
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    A tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization EIN # 54-6000120

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