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 is made possible by the generous support of Henry & Flora Joy, The Estate of Dr. Bert C. Bach, Linda Coffey, John & Leann Turbyfill, Ty & Julann Warren.
Partially funded by Larry & Leanne Mitchell, and Alice Link.
AFPP 2025
February 13th – 16th at Barter’s Smith Theatre
We invite you to join us for the 25th Annual Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights!
Deera’s Country Funeral by Ned Dougherty
Thursday, February 13th, 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.
Faster Than the Speed of Race by Russell Nichols
Friday, February 14th, 11am
Faster Than the Speed of Race is a high-speed ride — one act, no brakes — through the life of NASCAR legend Wendell Scott. With his loyal crew and beloved stock car, Baby Blue, Scott races against reckless engines and the relentless injustices of Jim Crow to become the first Black man to claim victory at NASCAR’s highest level. More than a sports story, this play is about one man’s unstoppable drive to break barriers before they could break him.
A 2025 Black Stories Black Voices Selection.
Separating the Art by David L. Williams
Friday, February 14th at 3pm
When the work of an artist with a checkered past is vandalized, gallery curator Riley must wrestle with the notion of separating the art from the artist, and if that’s even possible. Once a group that purchases work by problematic artists enters the picture, Riley tries to save the painting she loves, and suffers the consequences.
Chimborazo Hill by Irene Ziegler
Saturday, Feb 15th at 11am
Long-time liberal activist Carol Rankin is days away from being recognized with a prestigious Humanitarian of the Year Award when long-suppressed truths about a murder on Richmond’s Chimborazo Hill threaten everything she holds dear, including her career, reputation and family. Questions of complicity, hypocrisy and vigilante justice swirl as Carol’s once solid code of ethics is put to the test.
Take My Hand and Wave Goodbye by Tammy Ryan
Saturday, February 15th, 3pm
When Stef is killed in a random act of gun violence, her niece, Cassie, begins dreaming her back into existence. In the months after the shooting each family member is confronted with the question: if they had done one thing differently would Stef still be alive? An examination of grief, told with humor and heart – Take My Hand And Wave Goodbye is about the impact of gun violence on one family in America – and what it means to move forward.
Salvage by Mary Lynn Owen
Sunday, February 16th, 11am
Six months after Father’s death, Mother sends an urgent email to her adult children, summoning them home to collect their things. Brother and Sister arrive to find their childhood home in a state of collapse and strewn end to end with the stuff of their lives – dolls, clothes, books, toys -and in one growing pile, the stuff of their father, his vests and cassette tapes and Star Wars ties. Soon the truth is out in this interracial, intergenerational family: Mother is tossing in the towel and “going West” the very next day. In the hours that follow, and as boxes are packed and unpacked and packed again, Mother will fight to leave, and Brother, Sister, and Grandpa will fight to stay, and as they each fight to set the course of their lives, they will struggle with how to save themselves and each other. What will they keep? What will they toss? What will they transform into something new?
Another Appalachian Story Brought to Us by AFPP
After its original debut at AFPP and a full run in our 2024 Season, Grandma Gatewood Took a Walk is coming back for an encore!
February 5th to March 8th at Barter’s Smith Theatre
“I said I’d do it, and I’ve done it.” One fine spring day, Emma Gatewood, a 67-year-old mother and grandmother, told her children she was “going for a walk.” She failed to mention that her walk would be over 2,000 miles and take her through 14 states, making her the first woman to solo through-hike the newly formed Appalachian Trail! Grandma Gatewood Took A Walk is a wildly theatrical adventure following Emma and all who played a part in her incredible journey.
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!
