Trains
By Quinton Cockrell
SPRING 2026 at BARTER'S SMITH THEATRE
On October 31, 1919, an angry mob in Corbin, Kentucky, drove 200 Black citizens from town on railcars. Thirteen years later, Travis Hampton and his father, Lester, now living in Knoxville, are still dealing with the memories of that night. One night, Travis’ former friend, a white man named Junior Greevy, shows up at their door with a business proposition. Can Junior be trusted? Or does his presence present an even greater threat than before? Don’t miss this world premiere, the first work to be fully developed through Barter’s Black Stories Black Voices Initiative.
Content Advisories: (IL, P) – Intense language and themes of prejudice. More information.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
The Three Musketeers
Adapted from Alexandre Dumas by Catherine Bush
SPRING 2026 on GILLIAM STAGE
All for one and one for all!
This witty and action-packed adventure follows the friendships of young D’Artagnan and his band of swashbuckling Musketeers as they fight to protect the ones they love from the evil Cardinal Richelieu. It’s a story of double crossings, kidnappings, and carefully guarded secrets, complete with lavish sword fights and sweeping romance, set in a time when love and honor ruled the world. This production has been specially adapted for Barter’s Resident Acting Company. An adventure for the whole family!
Content Advisories: (V) – Theatrical violence. More information.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
PICKLEBALL
By Jeff Daniels
SPRING 2026 at BARTER'S SMITH THEATRE
In America’s fastest-growing game, there’s no place for apologies or excuses, but there is a lot of room for comedy. When four below-average players have an opportunity to compete in a local tournament, they must learn to overcome their limitations and dig deep to find the greatness that lies within. This hilarious new comedy by Jeff Daniels shows us all the possibilities of middle-aged athleticism when combined with the unconquerable human spirit. Join us for the fun!
Content Advisories: (ML) – Mild language. More information.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Peter Pan
Adapted by Catherine Bush from the novel by J.M. Barrie
March 24th - May 12th on GILLIAM STAGE
Wendy and her brothers love to play make-believe in their nursery. Then one night, a young boy named Peter Pan and his fairy friend Tinkerbell fly into the nursery window and whisk them away to a Neverland filled with Lost Boys, pirates, and a man-eating crocodile. Brought thrillingly to life with six quick-changing actors, the Barter Players make this an adventure you will never forget.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Always... Patsy Cline
Written and originally directed by Ted Swindley
SPRING 2026 on GILLIAM STAGE
Based on a true story, this heartfelt musical celebrates the life and career of country music legend, Patsy Cline. Told through the eyes of her biggest fan and unlikely friend, Louise Seger, this show includes many of Patsy’s unforgettable hits such as “Crazy,” “I Fall to Pieces,” “Sweet Dreams” & “Walking After Midnight.” Complete with down-home country humor, true emotion, and even some audience participation, this musical is a joyful tribute to one of music’s most beloved voices!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Savannah Sipping Society
Written by Jones Hope Wooten
SUMMER 2026 at BARTER'S SMITH THEATRE
In this delightful comedy, four very different Southern women, all strangers, are drawn together by an impromptu Happy Hour, and decide it's high time to reclaim the excitement their lives once held. Over the next six months, with the help of several hilarious misadventures and the occasional liquid refreshment, these ladies discover that it’s never too late to make new old friends. A guaranteed good time for all!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
The Da Vinci Code
Adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel / Based on the novel by Dan Brown
SUMMER 2026 on GILLIAM STAGE
While visiting Paris, Professor Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre Art Museum in the dead of night, where he unwittingly becomes the center of a murder investigation. When cryptologist Sophie Neveu arrives at the scene, she alerts Robert that, not only is he being asked to solve the crime, he is also the prime suspect. Soon they are in a race against time to clear Robert’s name and decipher a labyrinthine code before a shocking historical secret is lost forever. Based on Dan Brown’s thrilling international best-seller, this is one you don’t want to miss!
Content Advisories: (ML,V, O) – Mild language, violence, other. More information.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
The Sword in the Stone
Adapted by James Hendley
June 9th - July 3rd at BARTER'S SMITH THEATRE
For years, the sword has stood in the stone, waiting for the day that it will be drawn by the one true King of England. But could that king be an absent-minded squire named Arthur? Join Arthur and his mentor, the wizard Merlin, on a series of adventures where they face magical beasts and powerful knights as Arthur learns what it truly means to be king.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Guys & Dolls
Book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows / Based on a story and characters by Damon Runyon / Music and lyrics by Frank Loesser
SUMMER 2026 on GILLIAM STAGE
Flawlessly blending a fantastic story with unforgettable music- it’s no wonder that Guys and Dolls is often called “the perfect musical.” The show follows the high stakes games of a motley crew of gamblers and the women who unexpectedly steal their hearts. This great American musical comedy features hits like "A Bushel and a Peck" and "Luck Be a Lady," and tells a story of romance, adventure, second chances, and the transformative power of love. Don’t miss this quintessential golden age musical performed by the quintessential American theatre company.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Cinderella
Adapted by Kailey Kyle from the fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm
July 7th - August 8th at BARTER'S SMITH THEATRE
This classic story is brought to life in a brand new adaptation written especially for The Barter Players. Cinderella dreams of a different life, far away from the ceaseless demands of her cruel stepmother and mean-spirited stepsisters. Then the Palace announces that a Royal Ball will be given in honor of the King's son, Prince Anthony. Could it be that happily-ever-after awaits her there? A delightful tale that will make you believe once again in the magic of Love.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Come From Away
Book, music & lyrics by Irene Sankoff and David Heinook
FALL 2026 on GILLIAM STAGE
When the world stopped on Sept. 11, 2001, kindness soared in an isolated Canadian town. In Come From Away, a big-hearted musical based on a remarkable true story, 38 commercial flights from around the globe are diverted for days to tiny Gander, Newfoundland. Unfazed by the arrival of nearly 7,000 surprise guests, the residents provide light in a dark time, welcoming the stranded travelers with music, open doors, and hope.
Content Advisories: (ML, O) – Mild language, other. More information.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Dracula
Adapted from Bram Stoker’s novel by Kate Hamill
FALL 2026 on GILLIAM STAGE
When your survival is at stake…will you be able to distinguish the monster from the man? Both terrifying and riotous, Kate Hamill’s imaginative adaptation is like no Dracula you’ve ever seen, exploring the nature of predators and reinventing the story as a smart, darkly comic drama. Hamill’s signature style upends this familiar tale of Victorian vampires, driving a stake through the heart of the familiar and giving us a play we can sink our teeth into. Perfect for the Halloween season!
Content Advisories: (V, S) – Violence, sexual situations. More information.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Kings Mountain
By Catherine Bush
FALL 2026 at Barter's Smith Theatre
Kings Mountain -- the battle that turned the tide of the Revolutionary War and eventually led to American Independence. But how did we get there? Barter actors in a theatrical tour-de-force lead us through the events that surround that fateful day, giving us a glimpse into the world of Overmountain Men and the women who loved them, English kings and the soldiers who served them, and enslaved Americans who wondered what Liberty could possibly mean for them. Commissioned by VA250, this is an experience you don’t want to miss.
Content Advisories: (ML) – Mild language. More information.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
Adapted by Catherine Bush from the novel by Mark Twain
September 22nd - November 6th at BARTER'S SMITH THEATRE
Whether it’s fishing with Huckleberry Finn or convincing his friends to whitewash Aunt Polly’s fence, nobody loves life more than the irascible Tom Sawyer. Then one night in a spooky graveyard, Tom and Huck stumble upon a deadly secret. Will they be able to save Muff Potter before it’s too late? Join Tom and Huck on the most exciting adventure of their lives, where they learn that man’s greatest treasure is the gift of friendship.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Elf the Musical
Book by Thomas Meehan & Bob Martin / Music by Matthew Sklar, Lyrics by Chad Beguelin / Based on the New Line Cinema film by David Berenbaum
WINTER 2026 on GILLIAM STAGE
The hilarious tale of Buddy, an orphan baby who mistakenly crawls into Santa’s bag of gifts and winds up being raised at the North Pole. When Buddy discovers that he is actually human, he embarks on a journey to New York City to find his birth father, discover his true identity, and help New York remember the true meaning of Christmas. This modern-day Christmas classic is sure to make everyone embrace their inner “elf.”
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Wooden Snowflakes
By Catherine Bush
WINTER 2026 at Barter's Smith Theatre
Certain events have left their mark on Eve Lawson. She has renounced her faith in Love and anything to do with America’s favorite winter holiday. Then, on December 24th, Eve’s car slides off an icy Kentucky road and she finds herself seeking shelter at the home of Simon Peter Whitaker, a woodcarver who wholeheartedly embraces the magic of the season. As the night unfolds, Simon and Eve, believer and skeptic, find themselves clashing time and time again as long-suppressed old wounds struggle to the surface, only to be healed by the Love that is Christmas.
Content Advisories: (ML, S) – Mild language, sexual situations. More information.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
Here Comes Suzy Snowflake
Book & Lyrics by Catherine Bush / Music by Dax Dupuy
November 24th - December 24th on GILLIAM STAGE
Of all the residents in Wintertown, no one looks forward to the first Christmas snow more than seven-year-old Maggie Rose Tuggle. The first snow means that her best friend - a snowflake named Suzy - will be coming to play all Christmas long. Then tragedy strikes when Maggie Rose's parents decide to spend the holiday season in sunny Florida. Will Maggie Rose and Suzy survive being apart during the most wonderful time of the year? This brand new musical tale of an unlikely friendship will set your heart aglow.
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
77th Annual Abingdon Rotary Frolics
7:30 pm Friday January 30th and Saturday the 31st
Enjoy a night of fun and laughter at the Barter Theatre while together we raise money that goes back into our community supporting children’s needs. $100,000 donated from Abingdon Rotary Club for the Rotary Splash Pad at the Meadows Sports Complex? Frolics helped make that happen. Support of Isaiah 1:17 House? Frolics. Children’s Christmas through Washington Social Services? Frolics. Backpack weekend food program for school children? Frolics. Together through Rotary Frolics, we make our community better, especially for children!
Barter Theatre is partially funded by:
This project was supported [in part] by the Virginia Commission for the Arts, which receives support from the Virginia General Assembly and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
A special thanks to the Town of Abingdon, Washington County, and the Virginia Tourism Corporation for their support.
