New London Barn Playhouse

 Located on Main Street in New London, the New London Barn Playhouse is the oldest continuously operating summer theater in New Hampshire, a distinction that has gained its inclusion on the state’s Register of Historic Places.  The theater district consists of a 200 year old historical Barn (theater), Red House (housing and offices), and the newly constructed Fleming Center for Artistic Development (education, rehearsal, scene shop).  For over 93 years, the Barn has been providing high-quality theatrical productions to the community, and has become a cultural cornerstone of the region.   

Our vision is “to be valued as the region’s leading source for the full spectrum of theater education” and our mission is to “enrich people’s lives through the theater arts by creating a top-notch education experience for all participants.”  We continue to provide resources, support, and opportunities to deliver in-depth classes and programs so that many will gain important skills they will use beyond the classroom or the stage.

The Fleming Center has allowed us to significantly expand and strengthen our offerings into year-round programming for all ages; adults, classes for parents and young children, and touring productions.  Our programs include but are not limited to intergenerational storytelling opportunities, arts integration programs in schools and workshops for new play development.  Our young professionals work alongside professional members of the actors union, Actors' Equity Association and those in our technical shops work alongside professional USA (United Scenic Artists) professionals and our Improv for a Cause program workshops in which we team up with other local organizations. We also provide opportunities for local artists to continue honing their craft by performing or working in the shops. 

Supporting the New London Barn Playhouse thorough NH Gives is an excellent opportunity for potential donors to make a meaningful impact on a beloved local institution.  We offer you the following compelling reasons which we hope will inspire you to consider making an impactful contribution:

1.  PRESERVING A LOCAL LANDMARK

The New London Barn Playhouse is more than just a theater – it's a historic landmark. The building was originally a grange hall built in 1890, and was converted into a theater in the 1930s. Over the years, the Barn Playhouse has undergone numerous renovations and upgrades to ensure that it remains a safe and comfortable space for performers and audiences alike. 

Your donation will help preserve a piece of American theater history and ensure that this historic venue can continue to be a cherished part of the New London community and beyond for years to come.

2.  EXCEPTIONAL AND ACCESSIBLE ARTS EDUCATION

Our educational program has grown significantly due to the quality of instruction and leadership, expanded outreach and accessibility.  During the 2024-25 school year, we had 520 class registrations for 20 classes and workshops, facilitated eight (8) residencies at schools that brought arts into the curriculum and produced eight (8) school year productions.  We also produced a touring production of The Snowy Day and other stories by Ezra Jack Keats that reached over 2,000 students in NH and VT, including many elementary schoolers who had not experienced live theater before.  

The New London Barn Playhouse's Junior Intern Company is comprised of approximately 44 performers and 12 tech/designers ages 12-18 who, over the course of nine weeks rehearse, build, and perform plays and musicals for young audiences as part of the annual Children's Theater Series.  This past spring, 65 students auditioned for our summer Junior Intern program representing an 22% increase from 2024. Our summer camps are designed to be an introduction to various theatrical talents including acting, musical theater, technical theater, playwriting, playwriting, improvisation, dance, film, and more.  We also offer camps to "Barnie Buddies (for  ages 6-8) and Main Street Players (ages 9-11).

We focus on expanding our outreach as funding allows.  We continue our transportation program in partnership with Kearsarge Neighborhood Partners (KNP) driving students to and from rehearsals during the school year thus allowing new students from local and surrounding communities to participate in our programming.

We spend over $18,000 on scholarships.  With 40 requests last year, double from the previous year, we want to ensure our scholarship process is easy and fully accessible with our strong belief that everyone should have access to theater education.  If you request a scholarship, you receive it without having to complete multiple pages of intimidating forms or disclosing financial information.

The New London Barn Playhouse is committed to arts education, offering programs and workshops for young people.  These educational initiatives help nurture the next generation of artists and theater enthusiasts.  Your donation will help sustain and expand these