The Barnstormers Theatre is located in
Tamworth, New Hampshire
Tamworth is a town in Carroll County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 2,812 at the 2020 census. Tamworth includes the villages of Chocorua, South Tamworth, Wonalancet, and Whittier. The White Mountain National Forest is to the n ...
, and is the oldest ongoing professional summer theatre in the United States.
"Granite State Stuff: The Barnstormers Theatre Announces its 78th Season" New Hampshire.com
/ref> It was founded in 1931 by Francis Cleveland
Francis Grover Cleveland (July 18, 1903 – November 8, 1995) was an American politician, stage actor, director and producer. He was the co-founder of the Barnstormers Theatre, a theatre company in Tamworth, New Hampshire. His parents were Preside ...
, the son of 22nd president Grover Cleveland
Stephen Grover Cleveland (March 18, 1837June 24, 1908) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 22nd and 24th president of the United States from 1885 to 1889 and from 1893 to 1897. Cleveland is the only president in American ...
. It is one of the only professional theatres in the United States that performs eight shows in eight consecutive weeks every summer.
History
In 1931 Francis and Alice Cleveland founded the theatre company, along with their friend, Ed Goodnow. During the summer they would lead a company of resident actors around the region, performing different plays each night. In some cases they would literally storm barns, arriving in the afternoon to set up their scenery and lights in time for an evening performance.
After World War II
World War II or the Second World War, often abbreviated as WWII or WW2, was a world war that lasted from 1939 to 1945. It involved the vast majority of the world's countries—including all of the great powers—forming two opposing ...
the acting company purchased Kimball's Store on Main Street, across from the Tamworth Inn, and transformed the building into a theatre. Since then the theatre's acting company has kept the rigorous schedule of rehearsing one play by day, and performing another by night, from the end of June to the beginning of September. Francis Cleveland acted as Artistic Director until his death in 1995.
The theatre
In 1998 The Barnstormers Theatre was renovated and winterized. It now seats 282 patrons, is heated and air conditioned, and hosts touring performances as well as producing summer theatre. Many of The Barnstormers' performances are classic comedies, murder mysteries, and musicals from the British and American stage. In 2006 the Barnstormers celebrated its 75th anniversary.
See also
* New Hampshire Historical Marker No. 90: First Summer Playhouse
References
{{reflist
External links
The Barnstormers Theatre website
Buildings and structures in Carroll County, New Hampshire
Theatres in New Hampshire
Arts organizations established in 1931
Tourist attractions in Carroll County, New Hampshire
Tamworth, New Hampshire