About Us
Achievements
We are a theatre of triumphs. Here are some of them:
Incorporated in 1932 and opened on June 10, 1933, makes Barter Theatre one of the oldest professional theatres in the nation.
1997: Barter goes Off-Broadway for the first time since the 1960's with Doctors and Diseases. Barter receives Commonwealth of Virginia decree from Legislator in honor of Barter's 65th Birthday Season.
1996: Barter is one of three theatres in the U.S. to receive a challenge grant in the amount of $150,000 from the National Endowment for the Arts.
1996: Barter premiers in Rybinsk, Russia, with The Angel's Share marking the begin- ning of a continuing exchange between the Rybinsk Municipal Drama Theatre and Barter. In the summer of the same year, Rybinsk Theatre presents three plays in repertory at the Barter.
1995: Patricia Neal, a Barter Alum, visits for Barter's Day of the Woman, during which the Patricia Neal Scholarship for Barter acting interns is founded.
1993: The First Light Theatre is founded, providing live theatre for young audiences.
1979: Barter is given their first ever Virginia Governor's Award for Excellence in Art.
1978: Renovation of the Barter Playhouse (now Barter Stage II) is completed and to be used for new, experimental and innovative works.
Barter is a founding member of LORT, the League of Resident Theatres, a charter member of TCG, Theatre Communications Group, and a prominent force behind ANTA, the American National Theatre Association.
1963: President Kennedy praises Robert Porterfield for Barter Theatre.
1956: Barter establishes the annual "Ernest Borgnine Award" to honor the best new actor of each season. Borgnine, a Barter Alum, won an Oscar preceding this event.
1948: Barter wins the Antoinette Perry "Tony" Award for Regional Theatre.
1946: Barter is designated The State Theatre of Virginia, making it the first professional theatre to attain this status.
1939: The first Barter Theatre Award is presented; it is an annual award honoring the best performance in American Theatre.
Did You Know...
Barter Theatre was founded in 1933 during the Depression, and its name came from bartering produce from the farms and gardens of the area to gain admission to see a play.
