Bartlett Theater

Bartlett Theater introduced itself to the community with its presentation of The Glass Menagerie at the Durham Arts Council PSI Theater in November 2015. We exceeded our expectations for our inaugural production, both artistically and financially, and achieved our main objective: to determine if there was interest, demand, and need for a new theatrical troupe in Durham. We are proud to add a unique voice and perspective to an already rich and diverse community of arts and artists. Since this was our first undertaking, we honed our various skills and tested our ability to work together as a team. We faced many challenges and learned many things about how to streamline our production process, share space and resources, and better manage our time. We are proud of the outpouring of community support that we received, and deeply appreciate the positive response from local theater critics. Here are excerpts:

 “Impressive… Heartbreaking… An innovative staging of striking design and emotional impact… Brady’s confident, well-paced direction gives the production a satisfying professionalism, promising much for future presentations.” – Raleigh News & Observer• 

“Four stars! Bartlett Theater shines in its debut… A startling take on a familiar classic.” –  Indy Review.

Most notably, we were surprised and grateful that the show received 12 nominations for the Triangle Independent Theatre awards, including Outstanding Drama, Outstanding Innovative Idea, Outstanding Director, and nominations for all of our actors, all of our designers, and even our stage manager.

  After the success of our inaugural production of The Glass Menagerie, Bartlett Theater’s artistic director Jonathan Bohun Brady is pleased to announce two upcoming 2017 productions made possible by a grant received from the Durham Arts Council. The grant was bestowed by a panel of regional arts experts using five major criteria: artistic quality, community impact, feasibility of project, stability and fiscal responsibility of organization, and diversity of organization. After a year of groundwork, Bartlett Theater will continue its opening season with three 2017 productions that will focus on Tennessee Williams, those who inspired him, and those he inspired. This structure builds upon the theater’s mission of presenting the creative world of one playwright throughout each season. The season will relaunch on March 3,  2017 with a production of Lynn Nottage’s Crumbs from the Table of Joy. The play follows an African-American family’s move from the American South to Brooklyn in 1950. Like Williams’ The Glass Menagerie, Crumbs from the Table of Joy is a coming-of-age memory play that examines the ability of humans to be flexible with the twists and turns of life. The production will be directed by Karen Dacons-Brock and will take place at the Durham Arts Council PSI Theater. It will run over the first two weekends of March. The Tennessee Williams-centered season will conclude in May with a play that was hugely inspiring to the iconic playwright: Anton Chekov’s The Seagull. Anya Reiss’s radical new adaptation delves into the mysteries of the human condition and explores the beauty and tragedy of human feelings. The Seagull will be directed by Jonathan Bohun Brady and will be performed at a historic country farmhouse on the banks of the Eno River. To compliment the two full productions, Bartlett Theater plans to produce a series of one-act Tennessee Williams plays free to the public.

Our new "Season 1.5" will position Bartlett Theater as a leader in quality professional performances in Durham.   We are committed to making this season a shining example of highly engaged theatre.  Bartlett Theater will use this season to exemplify why the City of Durham and local donors should invest and support in this type of theatre.  We build community and offer unique opportunities to examine our worlds together—both locally and globally through the lens of theatre.  We invite you all to help us be something bigger than ourselves—and we invite you to experience something together on the ground level of Bartlett Theater. Whether you live here in Durham or far away, we would like you to be part of the community forged by Bartlett Theater.

We are launching a participation campaign to fund our "Season 1.5" productions. We are federally recognized as a not-for-profit organization with all donations honored as tax-deductible contributions.  We plan to raise $32,000 in 32 days beginning today, December 20, 2016    

As we begin this campaign, we are proud to announce that through grants and fundraising, we have already secured $7000---thus providing a new goal of $25,000.  

ADDED BONUS! Our hosting website Razoo is waiving all credit card and hosting fees through December 31, 2016. That means 100% of your donation goes directly to us!

ADDITIONAL ADDED BONUS! We have a very generous founding donor that has pledged to match donations made by 12/31 up to $5000!

 

Please consider making a donation by 12/31 so we can not only get every dollar but also make our matching goal of $5000. 

 

Please note that the funds raised will support our season and be used to cover expenses such as:

*Rental of performance space                                                    

*Royalties

*Set, Costume, Lighting, Sound Designers/Design            

*Marketing

*Construction of all elements including labor                     

*Local Staff

*Equity/Union contracts for Stage Management and Actors

 

Your support is needed.  Please consider a gift that can provide sustainability for Bartlett Theater and its artistic mission and values.  

 

All Donations are tax-deductible!

 

Please Visit Our Website For More Information:

www.BartlettTheater.org