Emory & Henry College and The Barter Theatre joined their brands and resources Thursday in a collaboration geared at enhancing the student drama program.
In the three-year partnership, college students will have access to Barter’s professionals and shows, and the renowned theater will aid recruitment efforts for the college’s theater department. The terms of the agreement allow the college to bill its theater program as “The Department of Theatre at Emory & Henry College, in association with Barter Theatre.”
In exchange, Barter banks $44,600 each year of the partnership.
“This agreement continues a very valuable relationship for Emory & Henry College,” Rosalind Reichard, the college’s president, said in a joint statement with the theater. The Barter, Reichard noted, “is recognized around the world for high quality, professional theater. It’s a great privilege for Emory & Henry to be associated with such a quality theater enterprise.”
The collaboration includes a mentor program, in which students shadow professionals for a semester; an observation program, in which students observe rehearsals, production meetings and performances from behind the scenes; professional workshops; post-performance discussions; and facility tours.
In addition to providing Emory & Henry students with access to its theater and personnel, Barter will reach out to prospective students through bulk letters and e-mails, and participate in college theater auditions. The college agrees to buy at least 300 tickets to Barter shows each year for students.
“Barter Theatre believes that a strong liberal arts background is the best way to prepare aspiring theater artists for their chosen career,” Richard Rose, Barter’s producing artistic director, said in the joint statement.
The most expensive component of the partnership is the Committee on Artistic Growth – a six-member body composed in equal parts of college and theater representatives, funded at $15,200 a year. The committee is designed to evaluate the successes and failures of the theater department’s association with the Barter and will meet at least two times each year.
dgilbert@bristolnews.com | (276) 645-2558
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