In late April of this year, Barter Theatre announced a new $20 ticket price in an effort to continue its legacy of offering accessibility to world-class theater.
Barter Theatre offers a selection of $20 seats to each performance at both Barter Theatre and Barter Stage II.
These tickets are limited and are available for select seats at each performance of every show. To find out if these tickets are available, visit www.bartertheatre.com, choose the show and date and click on "Buy Tickets." This takes you a diagram of the theater. The ticket options are color coded by price, so you can easily see the seating and ticket price options.
Barter Theatre's regularly priced tickets are based on availability, seat location and advance purchase. Adding a $20 ticket option to the offerings is a move that would likely make founder Robert Porterfield proud. Due to the recent economic decline's impact on entertainment budgets, Barter Theatre hopes to keep the arts accessible.
While Barter Theatre might not return to the days of "Ham for Hamlet," trading livestock and produce in exchange for tickets, the new $20 tickets are a hit with audiences.
New The Patron Experience
As anyone who has ever attended a Barter Theatre show knows, volunteer ushers are a huge part of the experience at both Barter Theatre and Barter Stage II. Have you ever wondered what ushers do or how to become one?
Volunteer ushers assist Barter Theatre patrons to their seats, scan tickets, answer questions, sell concessions and ensure the safety and comfort of guests. Since Barter Theatre and Barter Stage II host a plethora of shows, ample volunteer opportunities exist. Volunteer shifts take place during morning, afternoon, evening and sometimes even late-night hours. Most volunteer shifts last three to four hours, but some are as short as two hours.
Ushers work hard to make sure that patrons enjoy the best experience possible when they visit Barter Theatre. Becoming an usher includes lots of benefits to reward volunteers for their service. Perks include seeing the shows, an annual appreciation event, a complimentary ticket for every 25 volunteer hours, a treat from the concession stand after each performance and 20 percent off in the gift shop.
Barter Theatre also recognizes ushers who have worked the most hours throughout the year. Each Christmas, 35 ushers with the highest number of cumulative hours, receive an invitation to the annual Barter Christmas Auction attended by Barter staff, crew and actors.
Ushers have unique opportunities to see the behind-the-scenes workings of Barter and interact on a personal level with key staff and, often times, actors and actresses. Many of Barter's ushers return year after year. Some ushers have been volunteering at Barter Theatre for more than 20 years.
Kenny Davis, Barter Theatre's volunteer usher coordinator, said, "It's rewarding to see that you've been part of making a patron's time at Barter such a great experience. You are often the first and last face that a patron sees and can really shape their impression of the theatre."
What does it take to be an usher at Barter Theatre? A positive attitude, an upbeat personality and a bright smile are all it takes. Barter Theatre provides training for their ushers to get them up to speed on the theater's policies and history.
Barter Theatre is always looking for more ushers. If you are interested in becoming an usher, email Davis at volunteer@bartertheatre.com or call 276-619-5407.
