Theatre Bristol’s mission is to entertain and enlighten by providing quality live performing arts for all ages throughout the region and at the same time provide community members opportunities and skills that increase self confidence on and off stage, with a priority that no child is turned away.
Theatre Bristol, located in Bristol, Tennessee, was originally established in 1965 as the Bristol Children’s Theatre to reach children performers and audiences. Theatre Bristol has performed before audiences of school children from local school districts, and for the general public in this theatre-oriented area. Theatre Bristol grew to serve all ages and around the region with a full season of performances.
Theatre Bristol also hosts many outreach programs, workshops, and other educational programs. It is run by volunteers, with minimal support staff. The theatre welcomes your participation as a member of the audience, or as a volunteer helping to stage the various shows presented throughout the year.
Theatre Bristol holds a distinction as the oldest continuously-run children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee.
Theatre Bristol is dedicated to:
- Main Stage Seasons of Quality Adult/Family Musicals and Dramas;
- Arts Education and Youth Programming; and
- Community Outreach.
EDUCATION – The Catherine F. DeCaterina School of Theatre Arts is a year-round series of classes and workshops for people of all ages. Our teaching artists in the classroom program offers free classroom visits upon request prior to each of the plays. We collaborate with elementary school partners around the region. Children from over 60 school districts participate in our programs. Our plays and musicals are taken from the literature found on the required reading lists of the local school systems or have won international literary awards, such as the Newbery Award.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH – Theatre Bristol performs a community and public service by providing free study guides and theatre tours for classes attending Theatre Bristol productions.
MAIN STAGE – Our Main Stage season consists of up to 5 productions. Performances take place in the ARTspace, a multi-purpose, black box theatre which seats up to 100 and in The Paramount Center for the Arts, a restored 756-seat movie palace which has been converted to use as a performing arts venue.
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Theatre Bristol’s Facebook Page
Playing a leading role in Bristol
Catherine Fleenor DeCaterina, “Cathy,” Bristol native, Fairmont Elementary, Tennessee High School and Sullins College graduate, went on to study voice at the Julliard School of Music. While a New York singer, she met and married Frank DeCaterina and settled in Bristol in 1961. To teach children confidence, DeCaterina founded and directed the Bristol Children’s Theatre in 1965, the oldest continuing community children’s theatre in the State of Tennessee.
DeCaterina opened the Catherine F. DeCaterina School of the Arts in 1977, and incorporated themes for adult audiences to become Theatre Bristol in 1980. DeCaterina selected, cast, rehearsed and directed more than 200 classic, popular and original productions in all for hundreds of thousands of students and adults.
DeCaterina’s keen artistic and business management led to a downtown presence for Theatre Bristol drama company’s offices, rehearsal hall and now ARTspace black box theatre. In 1983, she played an instrumental role in the rescue and restoration of the Paramount Theatre. Recognized for a lifetime of achievement by the Tennessee Arts Commission in 2008, DeCaterina’s Theatre Bristol continues to educate, inspire and entertain—and build confidence—in children and adults.
In 1965, while principal of the Emmanuel Episcopal Day School pre-school, DeCaterina was motivated by motherhood to use her talents to develop children’s confidence and poise through acting and performance. The productions DeCaterina directed officially became the Bristol Children’s Theatre in 1970, making it the oldest community children’s theatre in the State of Tennessee. DeCaterina selected, cast, rehearsed and directed more than 200 classic, popular and original productions for hundreds of thousands of students and general audiences at the former Sullins College Humanities Center.
As the Bristol Children’s Theatre children matured, the Theatre grew to accommodate the passion it had fostered in them. The Theatre opened the Catherine F. DeCaterina School of the Arts in 1977, enlarged its staff and volunteer base, and incorporated more sophisticated themes, to become Theatre Bristol in 1980. In 1983, DeCaterina was instrumental in the rescue of a neglected Paramount Theatre and she was soon directing live performances in her former childhood cinema. DeCaterina’s keen artistic and business management led to a downtown presence for Theatre Bristol rehearsals and offices and the now ARTspace stage in addition to the Paramount main stage, where the Theatre continues to educate, inspire and entertain children and adults.
“If you start children in dramatics at an early age, it will give them confidence in themselves and in front of people,” Cathy would often be quoted, living out her belief in those words every day (Bristol Virginia-Tennessean, 1970).
DeCaterina enjoyed performing, volunteering, and serving on the Bristol Arts Council as president; Tennessee Arts Commission, advisory panel; and the Tennessee Arts Commission’s First Tennessee District Panel. DeCaterina was a member of St. Anne’s Catholic Church.
Cathy DeCaterina is the recipient of the 2009 Mayors’ Award of Distinction, given by the combined Bristols of Tennessee and Virginia to recognize outstanding contributions made in the arts, industry, entertainment, education and to the welfare of others. DeCaterina received a Senate Joint Resolution honor and commendation on March 14, 1994 for her life’s work and was similarly honored in 2007 by the Tennessee Arts Commission. In her honor, a 2007 proclamation declared State of Tennessee Children’s Theatre Month.
DeCaterina received special recognition for a lifetime of service to the community commemorated with a bronze plaque on State Street that greets visitors to Theatre Bristol. A special plaque placed on the outside of Theatre Bristol, a rare distinction, was bestowed in the spring of 2009 by the community. She is honored by “Spotlight” recognition by the Paramount Center for the Arts, as well as Finalist distinctions in 1992 and 1994 for the YWCA’s Tribute to Women in the area of Arts and Education.
“One of the best Christmas traditions I have established with my granddaughters – I give them an experience each year. The experience of community theatre is one of our favorites!
“Really enjoyed Scrooge! It was a great show with a great cast!
“What a wonderful experience that my daughter and I had at the theater! This was my Christmas present from my daughter and it was the best present ever! Thank you all for your hard work and your time that you shared with us.”
“I was blown away by the children’s performances. I was moved to tears at the end. Congratulations on an excellent production to Dottie, the cast, and crew!”
Summer Camp:
“Camp was great for my first grader. Thanks for all of the leaders and helpers. She learned a lot and we hope you do it again next year.”
Les Miserables:
“Saw Les Miserables tonight. IT was Excellent! Congratulations to all!
One of the best performances of Les Miserables That I have seen! Bravo!
I’ve been to numerous productions of Les Mis and this current performance can hold its own against any of them. Valjean and Javert are amazing and “God on High” will positively give you goosebumps! Furthermore, the trio between Cosette, Marius, and Eponine is absolutely the best blending of voices I have ever heard in any production I’ve seen. Full of tremendous and passionate local talent, this theater group can really bring it! Catch a show of Les Mis – and if you’re unfortunate enough to miss that production, check out what else this theater has to offer! Super job and thanks for enriching our community so gracefully, Theatre Bristol!!!”
Theatre Bristol’s 990 available to view on Candid
Theatre Bristol Nondiscrimination Policy: No person on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability, age, religion, or sex shall be excluded from participation in, or be denied benefits of, or otherwise be subject to discrimination of services, programs, and employment provided by the Theatre Bristol.