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Barter Theatre, Abingdon, VA

Photo: RebelAt, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons. Cropped and resized.

Theatre & EventsDate NightHistory BuffLocal Gem

Barter Theatre

127 W Main St · Abingdon, VA

Why you should go…

Barter Theatre opened in Abingdon on June 10, 1933, and is the longest-running professional Equity theatre in the United States. Its founder let Depression-era audiences pay for tickets with farm goods, which gave the theatre its name, and it was named the State Theatre of Virginia in 1946. You can catch plays and musicals on the 505-seat Gilliam Stage and the smaller Smith Theatre, and the Barter Players stage shows for young audiences.

  • #live theatre
  • #musicals
  • #historic theatre
  • #family shows

Good to know

General theatre & events guidance

Habits that pay off across this whole category, not rules for this one venue. Always check the official site for the specifics.

  • Curtain time is firm

    Latecomers are commonly held at the back until a scene break, so build in a buffer.

  • Study the seating chart

    Price and sightline vary a lot within the same house. A few rows back can be the better seat.

  • Rush and lottery seats exist

    Many venues release same-day tickets at a discount if you are flexible about where you sit.

  • Arrive with time to spare

    Parking, bag check, and finding your row all take longer than you think on a full house.

What's around here?

The closest stops to Barter Theatre, ordered by straight-line distance.

  • Sport & Outdoor
    Outdoor Adventure

    Grayson Highlands State Park

    Under $25

    Hike open mountain balds above 5,000 feet near Mount Rogers, where wild ponies graze beside the Appalachian Trail.

    26 mi awaySwitch it up: Sport & Outdoor