Theatre Bristol’s 2023 season marks 58 years of shows, with as many as nine full-scale productions, as well as classes and workshops with the Catherine DeCaterina School of Theatre Arts and summer camp. Tickets and class registration are available at www.theatrebristol.org. schools can email info@theatrebristol.org for details on daytime shows.
The season opens in February with Mark Twain’s “The Diaries of Adam and Eve,” directed by Chris McVey. Shows are Feb. 9 through 14, Thursday through Saturday performances are at 7:30 p.m. Saturday and Sunday matinees are at 2:30 p.m.
In March, with personal narrative giving testament to the human spirit, Theatre Bristol presents the drama “The Diary of Anne Frank,” directed by Camille Gray, coming March 3–19.
Theatre Bristol has postponed its planned spring production of “To Kill a Mockingbird,” but are accepting audition forms at www.theatrebristol.org/audition. They will announce performance dates as soon as the production is cast.
The theater’s annual partnership with River’s Way comes to the stage March 25 and 26. Written and directed by Dottie Havlik, this year’s show is “Real Heroes,” a meaningful comedy for all ages.
For those young and young at heart an “adventure is going to happen” as Theatre Bristol brings “Winnie-the-Pooh” to the stage April 29 to May 7. Directed by Cindi Brooks, auditions are Feb. 18 and 19.
“The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet” comes in July. Directed by Kate Thomas Denson, auditions are May 1 and 2 at 6:30 p.m. and performances are weekends June 16 to 25.
“Oklahoma” auditions run June 2-4. As “big as all outdoors,” “Oklahoma!” comes to The Paramount Center for the Arts, Bristol, Tenn., in the fall running weekends Sept. 22 to Oct. 1 under the direction of Kenn Naegele.
PLAYtime in the ARTspace, performances for littles and those who love them, resumes Feb. 4 and continues Saturdays at 9 a.m. at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace, Bristol, Tennessee. The program includes Bristol Bagel coffee and bagels and Parenting Sweet resources.
The StART of Adventure summer camp runs July 10 - 14, and registration opens in February.
“A Christmas Carol,” directed by Glenn Patterson, comes to the stage in November and December. Auditions are held Aug. 25-27.
The theater tells the region’s story with “The Mockingbird Sings,” a musical telling of the musical influences that led to the Bristol Sessions. Key roles benefit from being able to sing and play an instrument, but there are many roles available. The character list is posted online, and audition forms are being accepted.
If you are interested in working backstage, Theatre Bristol is forming crews now. Email the theater for information.
Founded in 1965, Theatre Bristol is the oldest continually running children’s theater in Northeast Tennessee. Its main stage season consists of up to six productions. Some of its performances take place in the ARTspace, a multi-purpose, black box theater which seats up to 120, and other performances are on stage at the Paramount Center for the Arts. Theatre Bristol is volunteer run and invites you to get involved.
