Young Audiences

The Barter Players on Tour

The Barter Players are a group of professional theatre artists who perform for young audiences at the theatre April through December and in schools during their January through March East Coast Tour. The troupe presents high energy and original productions that capture the imagination, intelligence and sophistication of today's youth while providing the best in the classic literature and beloved story adaptation. The Barter Players have been acclaimed nationwide as one of the finest theatres for young people anywhere. In the grand tradition of Barter Theatre, The Barter Players perform with a unique combination of education and entertainment, plus the commitment to bring world-class theatre to young people of all ages and backgrounds.

For information on a show or workshop call 276-619-3347 or e-mail The Barter Players at playertours@bartertheatre.com.

 

The Barter Players on Tour - 2009

I Can Be Anything: The Simple Machines Musical

-A New Musical By Mike Ostroski, Grades K-6

Explore the fascinating world of simple machines as Brad the Inclined Plane and his friends the Lever, Wedge, Pulley, Wheel & Axle, and Screw discover both the magical power of individuality and the limitless potential of teamwork. A musical adventure guaranteed to keep you singing and exploring simple machines long after the curtain falls!

Tuck Everlasting

- Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt, adapted by Mark Frattaroli Grades 4-9

Based on the award-winning novel, the story follows Young Winnie as she leaves her grandmother’s house for an adventure in the woods. There she meets Jesse Tuck whose family has a secret: they have stumbled upon a spring whose waters grant immortality. The family strives to hide themselves and the spring from the sinister Man in the Yellow Hat who is desperate to discover the origin of their perpetual youth. It is left for Winnie to discover that the only thing that is truly everlasting is love.

Oedipus the King

- by Sophocles Grades 8 and up

First recognized as the ideal play by Aristotle in the Fourth Century, B.C. this play has mesmerized readers, scholars and audience members for, literally, thousands of years. This production emphasizes the last desperate moments of a city that is on the verge of extinction. Their leader, Oedipus, stubbornly refuses to give in to the scourge that is destroying his city and its people. He fights like a man possessed to find those responsible. This is a city that has one hour left in its long, glorious life. That hour is what you will see in this production. One hour. “Will those responsible for our destruction be found and punished? Can we be saved from certain death? Will we live to see tomorrow or is this our last hour?”

More Information

Study Guides

All of our productions are built to go hand-in-hand with your school’s SOL or TCAP curriculum. Please call for information on study packets with SOL and TCAP listings for each show, as well as information on our award-winning online educational game.

See study guides for shows above under show descriptions.

Classroom Workshops

Classroom workshops may be scheduled independently or following a performance. Workshops involve young people creating theatre from their own life experiences and are adapted to the age level of the students. We show them how they can do it just like us! Also ask about our actor talkback sessions immediately following performances.

Fees

Fees are negotiable, but we think you will find that we charge considerably less than other theatres of such professional quality. We strive to be affordable to anyone who desires a Barter Players performance. Further discounts are given for block bookings in your area.

For information on a show or workshop call 276-619-3347 or e-mail The Barter Players at playertours@bartertheatre.com.

• View The Barter Players Touring Brochure (pdf)

Meet the Barter Players

Ezra Colón	Chandler Davis	Philena Gilmer
Ryan Henderson	David McCall	Julia VanderVeen

Artistic Director

Katy Brown (Artistic Director of The Barter Players; Associate Director of Barter Theatre) is in her ninth year here at Barter. Her directing credits include The Last Five Years, A Thousand Cranes, Around the World in 80 Days, Scott Momaday’s Children of the Sun, Green Gables: The Musical, A Walk in the Woods and this spring’s production of The Quiltmaker. You have also seen Katy on stage in roles such as Phebe in As You Like It, Rose of Sharon in The Grapes of Wrath, Olivia in Twelfth Night and Suzanne in Picasso at the Lapin Agile. During her time here, she has worked as a teacher, choreographer, dramaturge and administrator; she also helped to create Barter’s internationally acclaimed on-line game for students. Katy is grateful for all the different jobs she has the opportunity to learn and do each year, particularly in her duties as the Artistic Director of The Barter Players – a wonderful group of actors whose growth and dedication never cease to make her proud.