H. Con. Res. 416 Agreed to September 30, 2008

One Hundred Tenth Congress 

of the 

United States of America 

AT THE SECOND SESSION 

Begun and held at the City of Washington on Thursday, 

the third day of January, two thousand and eight 

Concurrent Resolution 

Whereas Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Virginia, presents its 75th 

anniversary season in 2008; 

Whereas Barter Theatre was founded in 1933 by visionary Robert 

Porterfield, who originated the idea of offering people admission 

to artistic performances in exchange for fresh produce and livestock, inspiring the name, ‘‘Barter Theatre’’; 

Whereas in 1946, the Virginia General Assembly designated Barter 

Theatre as the State Theatre of Virginia, the first theater to 

receive this distinction; 

Whereas Barter Theatre is a favorite destination for regional, 

national, and international visitors, and its patrons have more 

than doubled over the past 10 years; 

Whereas in 2006, the company’s 2 stages drew 160,000 patrons 

for live theatrical productions, including comedies, musicals, 

dramas, mysteries, and innovative new works, to educate and 

entertain audiences; 

Whereas, as one of the few resident theaters still functioning, 

Barter Theatre is the longest continuously operating Equity theater in the country; 

Whereas the Barter Players, the touring company of the theater, 

travel to 8 States each year, performing at schools and community 

venues, augmenting the artistic education for all ages; 

Whereas Barter Theatre’s Appalachian Festival of Plays and Playwrights is an annual arts festival that celebrates the richness 

of Appalachian history and culture by providing a venue where 

the story of the region, both past and present, can be explored 

and showcased by area playwrights and writers; 

Whereas Barter Theatre has created and implemented an awardwinning Internet Distance Learning Program which teaches students about artistic and technical theatrical elements using a 

web-based interactive program available to classrooms across the 

region; 

Whereas the Barter Theatre Student Matinee Program provides 

the opportunity for students to attend professional theater 

performances, ask questions of the actors and other theater 

professionals, participate in set design and acting workshops, 

and learn about the inner workings of a professional theater; 

Whereas the Barter Theatre Young Playwrights Festival offers a 

contest for local high school students to write and submit plays 

of their own, with the winning plays performed by professionals 
H. Con. Res. 416—2 

at Barter Theatre, encouraging the development of students’ 

writing skills and creativity and providing training to educators 

in teaching playwriting; and 

Whereas Barter Theatre is a premiere tourist attraction in Southwest Virginia and one of the cornerstones of tourism for the 

entire region: Now, therefore, be it 

Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That the Congress— 

(1) commends and congratulates Barter Theatre on the 

occasion of its 75th anniversary; 

(2) recognizes Barter Theatre for providing 75 years of 

high quality artistic programs to visitors and the surrounding 

community, educational programs, and a venue for artistic 

development in Southwest Virginia; 

(3) recognizes that Barter Theatre is a valuable educational 

resource, reaching 18,000 students each season through its 

productions on two stages; and 

(4) recognizes that educational outreach of Barter Theatre, 

which includes the Young Playwrights Festival, the Internet 

Distance Learning Program, the Student Matinee Program, 

and the touring company of Barter Theatre, the Barter Players, 

exposes young people to playwriting and performances and 

encourages artistic expression. 

Attest: 

Clerk of the House of Representatives. 

Attest: 

Secretary of the Senate.