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Barter Theatre - Paramount Center
 Abingdon’s
Historic Barter Theatre is one of the longest
running professional theatres in the nation and
a popular attraction many of our visitors enjoy. Our
East Tennessee Cabin
Rentals are located in beautiful Bristol TN, just a short distance from Abingdon Virginia,
the Barter Theatre and all that this area offers. Come and stay
with us and enjoy a great East Tennessee
Vacation. Learn more about the Barter Theatre
Abingdon Virginia and enjoy a special show while visiting the area.
Known as the State Theatre of Virginia, the
Barter Theatre first opened its doors on June
10, 1933. The theatre’s founder, Robert
Porterfield wanted to provide the citizens of
Abingdon and the surrounding areas with a place
where they could come and celebrate art, music
and live theatre. When the Barter Theatre
Abingdon VA first began,
the country was right in the middle of the Great
Depression and many families in the area were
experiencing much more than just financial
hardships. Jobs had left the area, and most
local people were not able to afford groceries,
much less a show ticket at a theatre. However,
during this time, Porterfield did establish the
theatre, and upon opening, he offered admittance
to local patrons by allowing them to pay for
their show tickets in food goods and services. Hence, the theatre became known as the
Barter
Theatre. For more than 25 years Porterfield ran
the Barter Theatre, and upon his death, Rex Partington was named the artistic director; a
position he held for thirty years when he
retired in 1992. After Partington left the
position, Richard Rose became the theatre’s
third artistic director and has served in that
capacity since.
 The
Barter Theatre Abingdon Virginia has
enjoyed a long show history, bringing top stars
such as Gregory Peck, Patricia Neal, Ned Beatty,
Gary Collins, Kevin Spacey and Wayne Knight to
the stage over the years. Today, the Barter
Theatre’s talented actors and cast regularly
perform well known productions including plays
from Shakespeare and Arthur Miller;
Appalachian-themed plays are also quite popular.
Although much of the theatre’s historic
structures remain, the Abingdon Virginia Barter
Theatre underwent a massive renovation in 1995
that made the theatre a bit more comfortable for
patrons. During the 1995 renovation, all seats
in the house were given an unobstructed view of
the enormous stage, making every seat in the
Barter Theatre Abingdon VA the best seat
in the house! Come and stay with us on your next
East Tennessee Vacation and enjoy a show at the
historic Barter Theatre in Abingdon Virginia.
Just as magnificent as the Barter Theatre is
Bristol Virginia’s premier performing arts
venue, the Paramount Center for the Arts. The
Paramount Center’s shows draw large audiences
and create vivid memories as they bring talented
artists and performers together at each
performance. Inquire about shows and
performances at the Paramount Center by calling
the number below.
Barter Theatre
127 West Main Street
Abingdon, VA 24212
276-628-3991 |
The
Paramount Center
for the Arts
518 State Street
Bristol, VA
423-274-8920 |
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If you would like more information, please contact us at 800-359-4049,
e-mail us, or use our
online request form.
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