DREAM
At the core of our company: Education
Everything we do at Theatre Bristol has an educational focus. Regardless of whether you participate in one of our plays or musicals on the stage of the Paramount Center for the Arts; attend a master class or workshop in our ARTspace & Gallery; accompany a Teaching Artist on a visit to one of the classrooms in the 500 schools we serve in the rural mountains of the Southern Highlands; or just drop by our office for a friendly visit - you can't help but be impressed by the quality and scope of our work. And our educational activities aren't just geared to young audiences, either. People of every age and walk of life are involved in our activities. Working closely with area educators and artists, carefully planned activity-oriented experiences challenge students and encourage complex thinking, teamwork and self-confidence.

Catherine F. DeCaterina School of the Arts
Named in honor of our founder, the Catherine F. DeCaterina School of the Arts offers a variety of opportunities to learn and grow throughout the entire year for people of all ages. Instructors engage the creative spirit of each student by combining aspects of creative drama, puppetry arts. dance, music and art with reading, math, social studies and science. The result is an explosion of creativity and fun! Dramatic themes and characters are explored and students get to interact with professionals in each area of study. At Theatre Bristol we believe that learning can be fun and there's no business like show business! Contact the Education Department for more information.

All you need to succeed at Theatre Bristol is enthusiasm and a willingness to learn!

The School of the Arts. A year-round exploration of the remarkable world of the performing arts for people of all ages and backgrounds.

Showbiz Saturdays. Offered on Saturdays throughout the school year, these sessions encourage teamwork and heightened creativity using the arts as a springboard to the fantastic worlds of literature and drama. All-day sessions are available for youth ages 6 to 18 years.

Teaching Artists In The Schools. Theatre Bristol professionals visit the classroom with multi-cultural, designed to make youngsters and educators realize that learning can be fun!

Free Study Guides. Nearly 40,000 students see our youth productions each year! Before they arrive they get a free, informative study guide to help them prepare for the field trip.

Important Parking Procedures. Click here to get important parking information.

Tennessee Ticket Subsidy Program.
Click here for more information on the Tennessee Ticket Subsidy Program.

Understanding Our Seating Procedures and Chaperone Information.
Click here to get more information on our seating procedures.

Inclement Weather and Cancellation Policy.

2009-2010
Discovery Series for Young Audiences

As an outreach to over 60 school districts in 5 states, The Discovery Series inspires, educates, and entertains children from Pre-K to 12th grade and beyond. Many selections this season are taken from literature found on the required reading lists of area schools. (Public performances are listed in italics)

Because live theatre places special demands on the audience, we do not recommend bringing children younger than three to any Theatre Bristol performance. No infants permitted.
If you have any questions about the appropriateness of a play for your child please call
Theatre Bristol at 423.968.4977.

The Trial of the Big Bad Wolf
At Theatre Bristol's ARTspace
Auditions: July 19 at 2:30 p.m. and July 20 at 7 p.m.
Performances: September 10-25, 2009
The Wolf: villain or victim? The Three Pigs: innocent or at fault? The Jurors (Miss Muffet, Bo Peep, Cinderella and Humpty-Dumpty, to name a few): solid citizens or characters with a past? And what about Judge Wise O. Al? Is justice on his side—or does he have a secret to hide? Then there's the media—a reporter, newscaster and town crier. Have they come to accurately report the proceedings—or to turn the courtroom into a media circus? And who is that surprise witness at the end? The answers to these profound questions and even more are revealed once and for all in this rollicking, fun-filled, action-packed trial-of-the-century.

Scrooge!
at the Paramount Center for the Arts - Season Ticket Show
Auditions: August 20 (under 16) at 2:30 p.m. and August 31 & September 1 at 7 p.m.
Performances: Nov. 12-22, 2009
A timeless classic that appeals to children of all ages, Scrooge! is the musical guaranteed to put you in the holiday spirit. Charles Dickens' timeless tale of old Ebenezer Scrooge, who changes his mean-spirited ways after visits on Christman Eve by the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-To-Come. You'll hum along with a wonderful musical score.

The Taming of the Shrew
at Theatre Bristol's ARTspace
Auditions: January 17 at 2:30 p.m. and January 18 at 7 p.m.
Performances: March 4, 5, 11 & 12, 2010 at 930 and 1130 am daily
In Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, Petruchio and Kate engage in a battle of wits as he tries to "tame" his bold and stubborn wife and bring her into line with society's expectations. This romantic farce, full of disguises and role playing, deals with themes such as marriage and duty, reality and illusion, and compromise. The Taming of the Shrew is one of William Shakespeare's most clever and sophisticated comedies.

Seussical, Jr.
at the Paramount Center for the Arts
Auditions: By Appointment Only, January 9 and 10, 2010, prepared materials necessary
A special Musical Theatre Workshop, limited to 40 students, grades 6 to 12, registration fee required
School Performances: May 6, 7, 13 & 14, 2010 at 930 and 1130 am daily
Public Performances: May 8 at 230 and 6 pm

“After all those years being stuck on a page, Did you ever imagine you’d see me onstage? Now I’m here, there’s no telling what may ensue! No, there’s no telling what! But I’ll give you a clue…” So says the mischievous Cat in the Hat at the onset of this fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza! Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (My Favorite Year, Ragtime) have lovingly brought to life all of our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, Gertrude McFuzz, Lazy Mayzie and all the Whos of Whoville! These classic, colorful tales are seamlessly brought together by Jojo, a young boy and “thinker of strange and wonderful thinks!” As each story unfolds you will marvel at how relevant and profound Seuss’ subtle themes are, making this musical one that appeals to all ages.