Opportunities with Barter Theatre

Opportunities with Production

Gilliam Stage Carpenter
The Stage Carpenter’s primary responsibilities are maintaining the integrity of the scenery once in performances and changing over the scenery (“repping”) between shows. This employee is responsible for all crew members involved in the rep and for leading this process in an efficient and safe manner. If needed, this employee works in conjunction with stage management to help run the show. When no shows are in performance and/or the above responsibilities are not required of the Stage Carpenter, the employee will work in the scene shop. This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position making $15.00/hr. Contract dates are May 23rd– December 18th, 2022.
Essential Functions and Skills:
* Lead the rep crew
* When needed, be a part of the run crew
* Excellent understanding of scenic construction and tools
* Knowledge of the basic aspects of stage rigging
* Attend strike and load-in work calls as needed
* The ability to work independently
* A self motivator with the ability to motivate others
* Excellent communication skills including prompt and thorough paperwork
* The ability to perform under pressure
* The ability to lift fifty pounds
* Maintain a clean and organized backstage area
* Other duties as assigned
Required Education/Experience:
* BA or BFA with an emphasis in Technical Production as well as run crew experience AND/OR a minimum of 2 years experience in scenic construction and run crew work in a professional performing arts environment.
Please send resume and references to Brandon Jones, Technical Director, at bjones@bartertheatre.com

Scenic Carpenter
This employee is responsible for the safe construction, installation, and removal of scenery as directed by the Technical Director and /or Shop Foreman. This is a full-time, hourly, non-exempt position. Full benefits and housing included. $12/hr. This position reports to the Technical Director.

Essential Functions and Skills:
* Build scenery safely, efficiently and accurately in accordance with the designs
* Rig scenery safely and efficiently
* Attend all strike and load in calls
* Job may require heavy lifting (50+ lbs.), ladder work, and long hours
* Additional duties as assigned
* Ability to read and interpret working drawings
* Demonstrated knowledge of stage carpentry
* Demonstrated knowledge of basic aspects of stage rigging.
* Knowledge and proficiency of all common hand and power tools
* The ability to work both as part of a team and independently
* A self motivator with the ability to motivate others
* Clear and concise communication
* Welding skills, experience with CNC machines are a plus
Required Education/Experience:
* BA or BFA in Technical Production with an emphasis on scenic construction
AND/OR a minimum of 2 years experience in a professional scene shop.

Please send resume and references to Brandon Jones, Technical Director, at bjones@bartertheatre.com.

Barter has instituted a mandatory COVID vaccination program for all employees; the successful candidate must provide proof of an FDA-approved vaccine prior to beginning work and must agree to adhere to all Barter safety Protocols.

Barter Theatre is an Equal Opportunity Employer who celebrates diversity and does not discriminate based on race,religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Barter Theatre is committed to providing access, equal opportunity, and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities.

Barter Players are some of the finest young actors from across the country who come to Barter Theatre to further their training. We audition over a thousand actors each year for 6 year round positions, and we seek young artists who are committed to growth, who have strong enough skills to step into major roles, and who believe in theatre as a service to others.

The Players are the non-equity acting company at the theatre. They perform in at least 5 plays during their contract, but usually closer to 7 or 10. Barter Players perform for young audiences in their own shows, and also perform in Barter’s AEA shows in roles small and large. We use the same depth of acting tools on Hamlet and Charlotte’s Web. Because we believe in all theatre artists having an understanding and respect for all parts of theatre, all Barter Players will work backstage of at least one show during their time here, but the bulk of a Players’ experience here is in rehearsal and performances.

Rehearsals have a master class feel, as we are constantly working together on each person’s strengths and weaknesses. If you enjoy learning with an ensemble of artists who care about theatre as much as you do, if you are excited to see how far you can push yourself as a theatre artist, if you work best when you are juggling lots of projects, if you don’t mind sweeping a stage before you act on it, if you believe that theatre can change a child’s life for the better, and if you want to see how much you can learn, you might be a Barter Player.

We audition at Barter in early December each year and attend UPTAs in Memphis in February. For more information on the program, contact Barrett Guyton at barterplayers@bartertheatre.com

Barter depends on its amazing group of volunteers! Our volunteers are essential to what we do here at Barter. There are many ways to help support Barter with your time.

Front of House Volunteers

Ushers assist patrons, take tickets, answer questions, sell concessions and ensure the safety and comfort of all of our guests. If you’ve ever seen a show here at Barter, you’ve interacted with some of our wonderful volunteers! For more information about ushering, contact Kenny Davis, House Manager volunteer@bartertheatre.com.

If you are interested in an internship with Barter Theatre, please send a resume and cover letter to the appropriate department.

Summer Educational Acting Internships with The Barter Players

Barret Guyton at barterplayers@bartertheatre.com

Technical Internships

Camille Davis at dirofproduction@bartertheatre.com

Marketing Internships

Morgan Egan at dirofmarketing@bartertheatre.com

Advancement Internships

Jackie Johnson at advancementmgr@bartertheatre.com

Guidelines for the Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights (AFPP)
AFPP usually takes place in July and August, and play submissions are accepted through March. The next AFPP deadline will be in March 2018. Click here for more information on the AFPP.

Plays may be emailed to apfestival@bartertheatre.com

Or mailed to:
Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights
Barter Theatre
P.O. Box 867
Abingdon, VA, 24212-0867

Guidelines for Barter’s Shaping of America Initiative
America began as an idea. Who are we? Where did we come from? How did we get there? “The Shaping of America:” The stories you won’t find in history books. What’s your idea? Submit a proposal for Barter Theatre’s “Shaping of America” Series. Existing full-length scripts are not accepted.

Submissions may be emailed to shapingofamerica@bartertheatre.com

Or mailed to:
Shaping of America
Barter Theatre
P.O. Box 867
Abingdon, VA 24212-0867

Guidelines for other play submissions
Barter also accepts new play proposals that do not fit in to either of the above programs. Please note: Barter does not accept unsolicited manuscripts. Barter does not generally produce one-act plays nor plays with extremely urban themes. Barter does produce plays for Young Audiences, whether one-acts or full length. Plays with an Appalachian theme or by an Appalachian playwright are encouraged to submit via Barter Theatre’s Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights. To submit your play for consideration, please use the following guidelines.

Submissions may be emailed to dramaturge@bartertheatre.com

Or mailed to:
Dramatuge
Barter Theatre
P.O. Box 867
Abingdon, VA 24212-0867