BARTER CONNECTS EVENTS 2025
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Tuesday, March 18th after the 2pm show of THE BOOK CLUB PLAY on Gilliam Stage
Reading a good book is a wonderful experience that is made more magical when shared with others. Book clubs have become a phenomenon in this country, and here to tell us why is Washington County librarian Sally Jones. Sally will discuss the different book clubs available through the WCPL system, what makes “good” literature, and the benefits derived from being part of a literary group. Sally will be joined by Barter Book Club members Sarah Van Deusen (Director), Sydney de Briel (Costume Designer), and Megan Pressley (Props Master).
A great discussion, and a great way to kick off our Barter Connects series. Join us!
TO BE OR NOT TO BE
Sunday, April 13th after the 3pm show of HAMLET at Barter’s Smith Theatre
With the death of his father, Hamlet finds the world he once knew turned upside down and must choose between leaving the home he loves or taking action to change his circumstances. With the decline in the coal industry and in the wake of Hurricane Helene, many young Appalachians find themselves faced with the same decision. With that in mind, Barter Connects is thrilled to welcome Crystal Breeding, Director of the Education and Emerging Workforce Program at EO. Crystal will discuss EO’s various programming, including Educators in Industry, which takes teachers into the workplace so they can learn more of what the local employers need from their future workforce. Join us for this uplifting conversation.
OH, WHAT A NIGHT!
Sunday, April 27th after the 3pm show of MILLION DOLLAR QUARTET on Gilliam Stage
When Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Carl Perkins, and Jerry Lee Lewis found themselves in an impromptu jam session at Sun Studios, it was a night that changed their young lives – and rock-n-roll – forever. Join members of the cast as they discuss the effect these men had on American musical history, as well as the effect their music had on their own lives.
SEPARATE, NOT EQUAL*
Sunday, May 18th after the 3pm show of THURGOOD at Barter’s Smith Theatre
Long before Thurgood Marshall took on school segregation in Brown vs. The Board of Education, the teachers and staff of the Calfee Training School in Pulaski, Virginia (the town’s Black public school) were courageously standing up to the local school board for equal pay and school facilities. The lawsuits that resulted from their battles became the building blocks for Thurgood Marshall and the NAACP’s most famous case. Here to talk about the role Calfee played in the history of school integration is Dr. Michael “Mickey” Hickman, Board President of the Calfee Community & Cultural Center and Calfee Training School alumnus. Joining Mickey will be Barter Resident Actor Vince McGill, who portrays Thurgood Marshall in the show. A conversation you don’t want to miss!
*This is a Black Stories Black Voices Community Event
DO YOU WANT TO BUILD A COSTUME?
Sunday, June 29th after the 3pm show of DISNEY’S FROZEN on Gilliam Stage
It’s time for another Barter Connects Costume Contest! We invite children of all ages to come to the show dressed as their favorite FROZEN character. After the show, cast members from the show will come out and judge the contestants, and the winners will receive a gift card to Abingdon’s favorite “frozen” treats, the Ice Cream Stop!
Two things to keep in mind:
1) Your costume should allow you to fit in the seat and not block the view of anyone behind you. 2) Due to contractual obligations, the actors judging the contest will NOT be in costume.
We can’t wait to see what you come up with!
HONOR, CODE, LOYALTY…
Thursday, July 17th after the 7:30pm show of A FEW GOOD MEN on Gilliam Stage
When Lance Corporal Dawson and PFC Downey kill a fellow Marine during a Code Red (illegal hazing), they are accused of murder. But is it murder when the two men were following orders? Please join Barter Connects in welcoming Colonel Kirsten Brunson, retired Army Judge Advocate and current member of the Military Justice Review Panel. Colonel Brunson will be joined by some of the show’s cast members in a discussion centering around the events in the play and their ethical implications. Can you handle the truth? Join us and find out!
SUGAR AND SPICE AND EVERYTHING NICE…
Sunday, July 20th after the 3pm show of MOUNTAIN MAMAS at Barter’s Smith Theatre
For a long time, women were denied work in the coal mines because they were thought to be too weak, unable to dig with the men. Here to tell us just how wrong that assumption was is Leslie Baker, Director of Operations for the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine in Beckley, WV. Lesley was the force behind the museum’s new exhibit paying tribute to the contributions of female miners and will be discussing the history of these amazing women, and the challenges these “groundbreakers” faced in the underground world of men.
TICKLING THE IVORIES
Sunday, Sept 14th after the 3pm show of MURDER FOR TWO at Barter’s Smith Theatre
Piano lessons. Many of us have taken them, suffered through them, but few have persevered long enough to become the accomplished musicians who perform in this show. What do these folks have that we don’t? Here to discuss their relationship both to the piano and to music in general are the stars of MURDER FOR TWO, Barter Resident Actors Zaccheus Kimbrell and Jacob Nuti. Joining them is Barter’s Resident Music Director – and piano teacher par excellence – Dishon Smith. A fun conversation that might even inspire you to take one more stab at those scales…
“MY LIFE IS A PERFECT GRAVEYARD OF BURIED HOPES”
Sunday, Oct 19th after the 3pm show of ANNE OF GREEN GABLES on Gilliam Stage
One of the things Anne of Green Gables fans adore about young Anne Shirley is her vocabulary, her way of speaking. Her conversation is rife with symbols, metaphors, and imagery far beyond her years. To that end, Barter Connects is thrilled to welcome Dr. Melissa King, Director of the Writing Center at Berry College. Dr. King will be discussing, among other things, both Anne’s unique, language-driven character and the effect of it on the community of Avonlea. Joining Dr. King will be Barter’s Producing Artistic Director, who is a huge “fan of Anne” as well as a Berry College alum. Join us for a great conversation with kindred spirits.
WE GOTTA GIVE YOU PROPS
Sunday, Oct 26th after the 3pm show of DEATHTRAP on Gilliam Stage
Sidney Bruhl is a playwright who has amassed quite a collection of antique murder weapons – props – used in his Broadway thrillers. Now those props have come back to haunt him, and who better to tell us how they create their maniacal theatre magic than Megan Pressley, Barter’s Prop Master. Megan will be discussing how props are made, what safety features are involved, and the protocols actors must follow when using them. Megan will be joined by Mr. Sidney Bruhl himself, Barter Resident Actor Nick Piper. This is one you don’t want to miss!
TOY STORY
Sunday, Dec 7th after the 3pm show of ELF: THE MUSICAL on Gilliam Stage
We can all picture those North Pole elves making toys for Santa to deliver on Christmas Eve. But sometimes even Santa and his elves need a little help, which is why Barter Connects will be dedicating this performance of ELF to the non-profit “Toys for Tots.” There will be boxes in the lobby for any and all who want to donate a toy or toys, and our post-show discussion will feature Rebecca Robinette, this area’s Toy for Tots Coordinator. Join us for this great discussion surrounding the mission of this organization and help us make this a great Christmas for all the kids.
CALL THE MIDWIFE
Tuesday, Dec 16th after the 2pm show of THE INNKEEPER’S WIFE at Barter’s Smith Theatre
What better way to follow up a play celebrating the midwife who delivered the Baby Jesus than to sit down with the midwife who inspired the play in the first place? Barter Connects is thrilled to welcome Leah Terhune, former nurse-midwife and friend extraordinaire of Barter’s resident playwright Catherine Bush. Cathy and Leah have been friends for 50 years and have all the dirt on each other – if they can only remember what it is. Joining them will be retired nurse-midwife Jackie Gruer, Leah’s former colleague and the person charged with keeping the conversation on track. Midwifery then and now, surrounded by a whole lot of Love and Laughter. A night you don’t want to miss.
