Group Information

Information for Groups

Group leaders, teachers and tour operators from all over the world make Barter Theatre a part of their annual vacation and trip planning. Over 48,000 group patrons visit Barter annually. More than 19,000 are students from over 200 educational institutions within our region and beyond. Plan a trip for your corporate gathering, church group, family reunion, birthday, anniversary or wedding party, school field trip or just bring 15 of your favorite people.
To secure the best dates and seats, groups are encouraged to make reservations as early as possible!

Special Group Perks

Special rates for all groups, one call booking and payment plans to make planning as easy as possible.
Our expert groups sales department can customize a trip and help plan your visit to the area based on your needs.
Enhance your experience with an actor led talkback or a behind-the-scenes tour for a nominal charge.
Add on workshops tailored to the specific needs of your group.
Our team can help organize and on-site dining and catering experience, which ensures premium parking with a one-stop experience your group members are sure to love.
Parking attendants and dedicated parking, unloading and loading zones.
Easy access for everyone in your group including: ramp entrances, fully handicapped accessible buildings, assistive listening devices for the hearing impaired, and easy drop-off points at each theatre.
For more accessibility Ask about our closed captioning & sensory friendly performances.

Talkbacks

Talkbacks are a unique experience after the show where the cast, crew, designers and directors will hang out for a Q&A session with your group.
Typically last 15-20 minutes and occurs immediately after the performance.
Free for student groups, $1 per person for all other groups
A specialty talkback may be scheduled for an additional nominal fee. Specialty talkbacks can either be longer than the standard talkback time and/or focused on a designated topic: a career in theatre, a deeper discussion concerning the theme of the show or a topic of your choosing.

Tours

Historical and Backstage tours are offered to groups of 10 or more only.
Tours generally last about an hour and must be booked in advance.
Some steps are required, and handicap accessible tours are only available upon request.
Tour Pricing:
Student Groups with Tickets $2.50 per person
Other Groups with Tickets $5.00 per person
Non-Ticket Holding Groups $10.00 per person

Exclusive Group Dining

We can help you book an exclusive catered meal in The Lounge at Smith Theatre. This not only gives you a one-stop experience complete with a meal, shopping and a performance but also allows your group to receive premium parking. Click here for details on booking The Lounge and adding a catered meal to your visit.

All meals must be pre-planned and are not part of the theatrical experience but take place before or after the performance.

Workshops

Barter Theatre’s Project REAL teaching artists and The Barter Players offer special workshops catered to the needs of your group. More information coming soon on how to book these exclusive workshops.

School Group Perks

Exclusive ticket pricing for student groups
Complimentary tickets & coffee for bus drivers
Chaperones and teachers will receive 1 complimentary ticket for the minimum order of 15 tickets. Additional comps are given in the ration of 2 per 25 tickets.
Please note: ALL parents, siblings, etc. who wish to attend are required to book their tickets through the school group for safety and procedural concerns.
We provide free downloadable study guides that go hand in hand with state curricula.
Free, exclusive talkbacks with actors, directors, staff and crew are available all student groups if booked in advance.
We offer behind the scenes tours for a nominal fee, and tours mustbe booked in advance.
Educational workshops are available upon request and can be brought to your school or conducted on-site during your visit to Barter. These workshops are tailored to the needs and curriculum of your students. All workshops must be booked in advance.
“Ticket-Free” seating for your group during weekday morning matinees.
Arrival time is always 30 minutes prior to performance start time unless otherwise noted. Refer to your group sales agreement for show start time.
Parking attendants and crossing guards will be present to ensure safety and efficiency of unloading students.
Each bus is greeted upon arrival and escorted to the theatre.
Bagged lunches available to take on the bus home or enjoyed on-site in The Lounge at Barter. Ask a group sales representative about booking The Lounge.
Title 1 schools may qualify for special offers! Talk to your group sales representative for details.

Booking

How many tickets constitute a group?

• Orders of 15 or more tickets qualify for a group discount.
• Smaller group? Call to see if we have any promotions for smaller groups

How much is a group ticket?

• Standard group tickets are $6 off regular ticket prices.
• Student group rates vary depending on the show, but range from $11.50 per ticket, to $21 per ticket.

Will I receive complimentary tickets?

• Yes! For groups of at least 15, you will be given one (1) complimentary ticket. For every 25 seats, you will receive 2 complimentary tickets. (For example 25:2. 50:4, 75:6, etc).

What dates and times do you have available?

• We list all of our show dates and times on our website. You can find this under the “SHOWS” tab on the top of your screen. Hover over that tab, and then you’ll see the “FULL CALENDAR” link.

What if I need to change my dates?

• We will do our best to accommodate any date change requests within reason. Please call the group sales office for specific details.

What additional experiences can my group take advantage of?

• Talkbacks, Tours, Workshops, Meals

My child is attending a performance with a field trip. Can I get a seat with my child?

• In order to be seated with your child you MUST book your ticket & pay through the school. No exceptions. If you book your ticket online or through the box office, you must sit in the seat you purchased even if away from the school.

Does my baby need to have a ticket?

• Yes, due to fire regulations, we need an accurate count of everyone in the theatre. For resident company shows, we generally ask patrons be 5 years or older to attend, but Barter Player shows are welcome to kids of all ages.

Payments

Is payment due at time of booking?

• No. We will set up a payment plan with your group to take care of payment (see below). Stipulations apply depending on amount of time between booking & the performance date.

How do we pay for group tickets?

• We ask that payment come from a maximum of two methods. You can either pay your order in full at least 30 days prior to the performance or you can pay a 50% deposit 60 days prior to the performance, and then a final payment 30 days prior.

Can we pay for group tickets on the day of the show?

• Generally, No. We must have payment before the date of the show.
• Please call the group sales office to discuss specific arrangements.

After paying, can I add more seats to my order?

• As long as there are seats available, absolutely! Based off of availability, we can’t guarantee that your added seats will be with your current group, but as long as we have seats available, we’re happy to add more seats to your order.
• For School groups however, we strive to keep student groups seated together for the morning matinees. Exclusions may apply based on availability.

Cancellations

If not all of my group members come to the show, can I have a refund?

• No, upon processing final payments, all group sales are final.

Can I cancel my reservation?

• Up until payment has been remitted, you may cancel or modify your reservation without penalty.
• Once final payment has been applied to an order, all sales are final.
• If you have paid a deposit on your order, you may be able to apply toward a future reservation ONLY if you cancel within 30 days of the performance.

During Your Visit

Where can we park & unload the bus?

• Visit our Parking, Unloading & Loading tabs on the Group Information Page

When should we arrive?

• In order to have ample time for your group to park, unload, pick up tickets, use the restroom, visit the gift shop, & be seated, we typically ask that groups arrive 30 minutes before the show begins (this is also when the house opens for seating).

How long does the show last?

• We don’t always know run-times at time of booking. We can estimate that most Barter Players shows run approximately 45 minutes – 1 hour. Resident Acting Company shows run approximately 2 hours to 2 hours & 45 minutes plus intermission.

How will I receive my tickets?

• Once an order is paid, you can pick up your tickets from the theatre’s box office prior to the show. Group tickets are unable to be sent through the mail or electronically.

On which stage will my show be performed? What time will the show start?

• Please refer to your group sale agreement for stage location & start time.

Do you have handicap accessible seating?

• We have many options for handicap accessible seating. Please review this with the sales associate upon booking.

What other special accommodations are available?

• Easy access for everyone in your group, including ramp entrances, fully handicapped accessible buildings, assistive listening devices for the hearing impaired, and easy drop-off points at each theatre & the lounge.

• Upon request, we can also arrange for interpreters & audio description. We offer listening devices at our gift shop for guests with hearing impairment.