[Congressional Record Volume 154, Number 94 (Monday, June 9, 2008)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1170]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




  INTRODUCTION OF H.J. RES. 90, COMMENDING THE BARTER THEATRE ON THE 
                    OCCASION OF ITS 75TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RICK BOUCHER

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                          Monday, June 9, 2008

  Mr. BOUCHER. Madam Speaker, I rise today to introduce a resolution 
commending the Barter Theatre on the occasion of its 75th anniversary. 
It is the longest continuously functioning live stage theater in the 
U.S.
  The Barter Theatre is located in my hometown of Abingdon, Virginia. 
It was founded in 1933. In the midst of the Great Depression, money was 
difficult to obtain, and families were reluctant to use it on such a 
luxury as a theater performance. Yet founder Robert Porterfield offered 
a novel solution: Patrons could view live theater performances in 
exchange for fresh produce or livestock. This successful ``ham for 
Hamlet'' arrangement inspired the name, ``Barter Theatre.''
  In its 75 years of existence, the Barter Theatre has established 
itself as a favorite destination for regional, national, and 
international visitors. Its popularity prompted the Virginia General 
Assembly in 1946 to designate the Barter Theatre as the State Theater 
of Virginia.
  As a premiere tourist attraction in southwest Virginia, the theatre 
makes a significant economic and cultural contribution to the region. 
The town of Abingdon and its surrounding localities benefit from the 
theatre's ability to attract more than 145,000 guests annually to its 
productions.
  The Barter Theatre is also a valuable educational resource, reaching 
thousands of children each season through its productions at Barter and 
Barter Stage II. Additionally, the Barter Players, the touring company 
of the theatre, travels to eight States each year performing at schools 
and community venues. Recently, Barter has created and implemented an 
innovative internet educational program which teaches students about 
artistic and technical theatrical elements using a Web-based 
interactive program available to classrooms across the region. This 
program exposes students to a side of a theatrical production that they 
might not have experienced otherwise.
  I commend and congratulate the Barter Theatre for its contributions 
to our region and for its many successes over the past 75 years. 
Passage of the resolution I have introduced commending the theater will 
be a fitting tribute to its many years of cultural contribution.

                          ____________________