EMORY, VA -- Emory & Henry College and Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Va. signed an agreement Thursday, Sept. 3, 2009, that continues a collaborative arrangement aimed at enhancing professional theatre education for E&H students.
The agreement, which was signed by Dr. Rosalind Reichard, E&H president, and Richard Rose, producing artistic director for Barter Theatre, establishes a variety of programs that connect E&H students with the professional actors and staff at Barter.
The programs include a mentor program that allows E&H students to "shadow" the work of a Barter professional and an observation program, which allows students to observe daily rehearsals, productions meetings and performances throughout an academic year.
The three-year agreement also establishes the name of the E&H drama program as The Department of Theatre at Emory & Henry College, in association with Barter Theatre.
"This agreement continues a very valuable relationship for Emory & Henry College," said Reichard. "Barter Theatre – the state theatre of Virginia – is recognized around the world for high quality, professional theatre. It is a great privilege for Emory & Henry to be associated with such a quality theatre enterprise."
Other features of the agreement include an audition and review process involving Barter personnel to help monitor the work of students in the E&H theatre program, professional workshops conducted by Barter professionals, instructional tours for students of Barter facilities, and E&H student participation in technical activities at Barter.
"We deeply value our relationship with Emory & Henry College," said Rose. "Barter Theatre believes that a strong liberal arts background is the best way to prepare aspiring theatre artists for their chosen career. We have found this program to be mutually beneficial to the students of Emory & Henry as well as to the artists of Barter Theatre. We hope this program continues to grow and flourish for many years to come."
The Emory & Henry Theatre Department offers students the combined strengths of a small liberal arts college and the type of pre-professional experiences often found only in large conservatories. The degree options offered by the Theatre Department are designed to equip students with the skills required to succeed in the professional theatre, graduate school, and a wide range of vocations.
With its unique beginnings during the Great Depression, Barter Theatre, one of this nation's oldest professional non-profit theatres, is located in beautiful historic Abingdon, Virginia. Barter Theatre is a theatre of firsts: one of this nation's first professional regional theatres, the first professional theatre to be designated a state theatre – The State Theatre of Virginia and more.
Today, Barter offers a variety of musicals, classics, comedies, dramas and new southern and Appalachian plays performed February – December yearly on two stages: Barter Theatre and Barter Stage II. Barter Theatre continues to be one of the nation's most vibrant and exciting professional theatre experiences.
