59th year features Disney’s The Little Mermaid!, Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve, Aesop’s Foibles, The Rainbow Fish, The Mockingbird Sings, Scrooge! The Musical, and A Tuna Christmas
Mark your calendars for performances, auditions, summer camp, and other ways to get involved in your community theatre, Theatre Bristol!
The new year is full of opportunity and we invite you to play a role at Theatre Bristol!
Our 2024 season of auditions, performances, and registrations brings us the works of Hans Christian Anderson, Alan Menken, Mark Twain, David Birney, Marcus Pfister, and Dickens for favorites like Disney’s The Little Mermaid, Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve, Aesop’s Foibles, The Rainbow Fish, The Mockingbird Sings, Scrooge! The Musical, A Tuna Christmas, and more!
Know the joy of community theatre, and join us!
- If your interest is comedy, drama, or musicals, we have stories and characters for you.
- If you are new to theatre, we have classes and workshops, and if you’re newer to the world, Saturday morning programming and summer camp.
- If you are looking for purpose, we build skills and create together, and partner to improve lives.
- If you are looking for friends and community, we’re your theatre.
Our 2024 season marks 59 years of shows, with as many as seven full-scale productions, as well as classes and workshops with the Catherine DeCaterina School of Theatre Arts and summer camp.
- We open the season with Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam and Eve coming this February and directed by Chris McVey – a great night out with some dinner on the town, perhaps with a date! Shows are February 16-18, so come with your Valentine or just come for a laugh, with details and additional ARTScene show dates at www.theatrebristol.org. Tickets at the door and online at www.theatrebristol.org.
- Auditions for The Rainbow Fish with roles for children and teens are February 12 and 13, with details at www.theatrebristol.org/audition.
- Auditions for Disney’s The Little Mermaid coming to the Paramount stage in June will be March 1-3, with available roles and details at www.theatrebristol.org/audition.
- Our annual partnership with River’s Way is coming to the stage and is guaranteed to sell out as it always does. Written and directed by Dottie Havlik, we present Aesop’s Foibles, a meaningful comedy for all ages with three shows on March 16th and 17th. Reserve tickets at www.theatrebristol.org.
- The gift of generosity sparkles in The Rainbow Fish coming to the stage April 20 – 28 for Saturday and Sunday matinee performances, and Saturday evening performances. Reserve tickets online or purchase them at the door. Schools interested in attending weekday morning performances can contact info@theatrebristol.org for reservations.
- In June, it’s a mega underwater sea adventure with Disney’s The Little Mermaid coming to The Paramount Center for the Performing Arts two weekends only June 7-16, and under the direction of Glenn Patterson. Tickets are on sale now at www.paramountbristol.org. Schools can contact info@theatrebristol.org for daytime show dates.
- PLAYtime in the ARTspace performances for littles and those who love them resumes on February 3 and continues Saturdays at 10:00 am at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace, 506 State Street, Bristol, TN 37620. Make friends and enjoy the show, Bristol Bagel coffee and bagels, and Parenting Sweet resources!
- The StART of Adventure summer camp runs July 15 – 19, 2024, and registration opens in February. Camp sells out quickly so be sure to register early!
- We’ll also be telling our own story with The Mockingbird Sings, a love story of the musical influences that led to the Bristol Sessions recordings, in time for the Bristol Rhythm and Roots Reunion Festival, September 6-12. Auditions will be held July 20 and 21. 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 now at www.theatrebristol.org/audition.
- The rousing holiday favorite, Scrooge! The Musical directed by Camille Gray comes to the Paramount Center for the Performing Arts stage November 22 – 24 and December 6 – 8. Auditions will be held August 2 – 4, details at www.theatrebristol.org/audition. Schools can contact info@theatrebristol.org for daytime show dates.
- The hilarious comedy, A Tuna Christmas, sequel to the riotous show, Greater Tuna, comes to the ARTspace stage December 13-22. Auditions are August 5 & 6. Learn more at theatrebristol.org/audition.
- Registration is now open for The School of the Theatre Arts spring semester dramatics classes: Creative Dramatics for ages 5-7 begins February 5 and runs Mondays 5:00-6:00 PM and is $160 for the semester. Dramatics 1 for ages 8-10 begins February 6 and runs Tuesdays 5:00-6:00 PM and is $160 for the semester. Dramatics 2 for ages 11-13 begins February 8 and runs Thursdays 5:00-6:00 PM and is $160 for the semester. Registration is now open at https://theatrebristol.org/tbarts/
- Upcoming workshops include Dialects, Stage Combat, Musical Theatre Dance, Singing Parts in Musical Theatre, an Acting Series, Stage Management, and more. Free audition workshops will be held for Disney’s The Little Mermaid, The Rainbow Fish, The Mockingbird Sings, Scrooge! The Musical, and A Tuna Christmas, and other productions.
If being in the spotlight is not your interest, but backstage on the production team or crew is, we are forming teams and crews now. Please contact info@theatrebristol.org with your interest and experience. This invitation includes those interested in orchestra, costuming, set design and construction, lighting, sound, stage management, props, publicity, assisting, and many other roles. All roles are volunteer and experience or a strong willingness to learn is welcome.
Opportunities are also available to be a show sponsor or represented in our souvenir programs. Contact us for details about how you can become an arts patron.
Gift certificates for Theatre Bristol productions are available at www.theatrebristol.org/tickets.
Read all that was new and special at Theatre Bristol in 2023, from new programs and staff, to the results of an exciting season, and to the impact of our collaborations.
Theatre Bristol appreciates the support of the Tennessee Arts Commission of our 2024 Season, as well as the support of our arts sponsors: the City of Bristol, TN, The United Company Foundation, the James W. and Frances G. McGlothlin Foundation, Lighthouse Supply Company, Leticia Peltzer ENT & Allergy Consultants, Citizens Bank, HVAC Inc., Burwil Construction, PROCIM Engineering, Summit BSR Roofing, Seaman Corporation, Food City, WCYB News 5, The Loafer, WETS, The Bristol Herald Courier, Good News, and federal award number SLFRP5534 awarded to the State of Tennessee by the U.S. Department of the Treasury .
Founded in 1965 by Cathy DeCaterina, Theatre Bristol is a community theatre serving all ages that also has the distinction as the oldest continually running children’s theatre in northeast Tennessee. Located on historic State Street in Bristol, it also serves southwest Virginia. Our seasons consist of drama, comedy, and musical productions that take place in our blackbox ARTspace theatre and at the Paramount Center for the Arts, and offerings provided by our School of Theatre Arts. Theatre Bristol is a volunteer-operated community organization and we invite you to get involved.
For more information, visit the Theatre Bristol’s website or Facebook page, contact Theatre Bristol at 423-212-3625, or email info@theatrebristol.org.