Opportunities

We're Currently Seeking...

Production Assistant

Barter Theatre (founded 1933) – a year-round LORT – AEA resident repertory company located in the mountains of Southwest Virginia is seeking a full-time Production Assistant. Production Assistants serve as assistants to the AEA Stage Manager and Deck Manager for productions. They will be involved in the daily change over of sets and will be called upon to fill several different run crew roles. They will also be integral in helping with rehearsals. Ideal candidates will have strong leadership skills, ability to work well with others and solid stage management skills. This position involves six days of work per week including nights, weekends and occasionally holidays. Relevant experience and/or technical theatre degree is required. Possible EMC credit.
Send resume and references to cdavis@bartertheatre.com
Start Date: March 2020
Pay: $8/hr plus housing and benefits

Youth Auditions for Barter Theatre

Barter Theatre seeks young actors for BARTER’S 2020 SEASON

We are seeking the following:
• 4 young girls or boys for Munchkins in The Wizard of Oz, no taller than 4’10”
• 3 young girls, doubled, for The Weird Sisters in Macbeth, no taller than 5’0”

If auditioning for The Wizard of Oz: please prepare one monologue no longer than 60 seconds, and one song no longer than 60 seconds. You must bring sheet music with you (you can’t be seen without some sort of sheet music); an accompanist will be provided. Some auditionees may be asked to stay to read from the play and/or dance.

If auditioning for Macbeth: please prepare one monologue no longer than 60 seconds. We will also send you a portion of the script to be familiar with for your audition.

If auditioning for both The Wizard of Oz and Macbeth, please prepare one monologue no longer than 60 seconds, and one song no longer than 60 seconds. You must bring sheet music with you (you can’t be seen without some sort of sheet music); an accompanist will be provided. We will also send you a portion of the Macbeth script to be familiar with for your audition.

Rehearsals for The Wizard of Oz begin on March 10th, and the show begins previews on June 10 and runs through August 23rd.
These roles for The Wizard of Oz include 1 swing actor to fill in when needed.

Rehearsals for Macbeth begin on March 3rd, and the show begins previews on March 26th and runs through April 19th.
These roles for Macbeth will likely be double cast, so young actors may not be called for every performance.

There is a place to include any conflicts you have on the audition forms; we ask that you come ready to list all conflicts at the audition so we can take them into consideration while casting. The date and time of each performance is on our website at www.bartertheatre.com. Each child is paid a stipend for every week that they rehearse or perform the show.

The audition will take place at Barter Theatre’s rehearsal halls (160 Trigg Street—pull to the back of the building, and enter through the glass doors) on Saturday, February 1, 2020 from 10:00am-12:00pm. We ask that you arrive at 9:45am with a parent or guardian to fill out paperwork with contact information and the conflicts that you have between March 3rd and August 23rd.

Please RSVP to bartercastingasst@bartertheatre.com so we can know how many are attending the audition. Please specify whether you’d like to audition for The Wizard of Oz, Macbeth, or both.

Feel free to share this notice with anyone you think might be interested. We hope to see you there!

Barrett Guyton – Barter Theatre Casting

Local Auditions

Barter Theatre holds local auditions in early December each year. We ask for 2 contrasting monologues and part of a song, and we also hold dance/movement auditions. This is the earliest audition we hold for the next season, so it is an excellent time to be seen for the most roles.

Regional Auditions

We also audition in New York early each year through Paul Russell Casting. We attend UPTAs in Memphis in February each year, and we alternate years in other area cities.

Youth Auditions

For actors under 18 years of age, we hold local youth auditions for youth roles. If you’d like to be on our youth audition list to hear about those calls, please email bartercastingasst@bartertheatre.com

What does it mean to be a Barter Player?

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 acting apprentices at the theatre. They perform in at least 10 plays during their contract, but usually closer to 12 or 14. 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 UPTA’s in Memphis in February. For more information on the program, contact Barrett Guyton n at bartercastingasst@bartertheatre.com

This video is from Revel for Explore Theatre: A Backstage Pass by Michael M. O’Hara, Elizabeth A. Osborne, and Judith A. Sebesta.

https://www.pearson.com/us/higher-education/program/O-Hara-Revel-for-Explore-Theatre-A-Backstage-Pass-Access-Card-2nd-Edition/PGM2474243.html

Volunteer

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.

Intern with Barter

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

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

Wardrobe Intern: 2020 Spring and Summer

The historic Barter Theatre is seeking a motivated wardrobe intern to join our team for the Spring and Summer Rep Cycles. The ideal candidate will have at least two years of higher education in theatre costuming. If selected, this dresser will assist the Barter wardrobe team with the running and maintenance of 9 to 5: The Musical during the Spring rep, and The Wizard of Oz and The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church during the Summer rep. Dates are April 21 through August 23, 2020. Barter offers a stipend of $200 per week plus housing.
Barter Theatre is one of the few professional companies left in America to operate in true rotating repertory with a resident company of actors. We are located in the town of Abingdon, VA – a quaint, historic village in the southwest corner of the state. Barter Theatre has helped launch the careers of such greats as Ernest Borgnine, Patricia Neal, Gregory Peck and maybe yours.
Please send resume and references to Alice Sullivan at costumesmgr@bartertheatre.com

Dresser: Gilliam Stage

The historic Barter Theatre is seeking an experienced dresser to join our team for the Summer and Fall Rep Cycles. The ideal candidate will have a college degree in theatre costuming, or at least one year experience dressing professionally. If selected, this dresser will assist the Barter wardrobe team with the running and maintenance of The Wizard of Oz and The Charitable Sisterhood of the Second Trinity Victory Church during the summer rep, and Frankenstein and We Will Meet Again during the Fall rep. Dates are May 26 through November 14. Pay rate is $325 per week plus housing.
Barter Theatre is one of the few professional companies left in America to operate in true rotating repertory with a resident company of actors. We are located in the town of Abingdon, VA – a quaint, historic village in the southwest corner of the state. Barter Theatre has been home to such greats as Ernest Borgnine, Patricia Neal, Gregory Peck, and possibly you!
Please send resume and references to Alice Sullivan at costumesmgr@bartertheatre.com.

Marketing Communications Specialist

Barter Theatre is in need of a marketing communication specialist to nurture a strong industry network, by developing and executing effective communication and media relations programs. We are looking for someone with strong skills in written communication who will help Barter to expand its network of business and community relationships while fostering Barter’s reputation of high quality theatrical experiences in Southwest Virginia.

Responsibilities:

Develop a marketing communications plan including strategy, goals, budget and tactics
Develop media relations strategy, seeking high-level placements in print, broadcast and online media
Coordinate all public relations activities
Manage all Barter organic social channels and utilize organic social media channels to engage audiences across traditional and new media
Leverage existing media relationships and cultivate new contacts within business and industry media
Manage media inquiries and interview requests
Create content for press releases, byline articles and keynote presentations.
Monitor, analyze, and communicate PR results on a weekly basis
Evaluate opportunities for partnerships, sponsorships and advertising on an on-going basis
Build relationships with thought leaders and influencers to grow industry awareness
Maintain a keen understanding of industry trends affecting patrons and make appropriate recommendations regarding communication strategy surrounding them

Desired Skills:

Proven working experience in public relations, theatre, or performing arts required
Proven track record designing and executing successful public relations campaigns at both a local and national level
Strong relationships with both local and national business and industry media outlets
Experience in acting as a company spokesperson; comfortable and skilled in both broadcast and print media interviews
Exceptional writing and editing skills
Solid experience with social media including Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc.
Event planning experience
BA degree in Theatre, Marketing, Advertising, Communications or a related discipline or equivalent work experience

Submit letter of interest and resume to megan@bartertheatre.com