The Barn Theatre

42°19′31″N 85°22′22″W / 42.32535°N 85.37275°W / 42.32535; -85.37275 The Barn Theatre in Augusta, Michigan, Kalamazoo County, United States is one of the oldest summer stock theatres in the United States[1] and the oldest one in Michigan.[2][3] It also houses The Barn Theatre School.

The barn theatre is just off the State Highway 96 by Augusta.[2]

The theatre originated in 1946 when Jack Ragotzy, Betty Ebert and others formed the Village Players troupe. After playing several seasons in a community hall in a former Methodist church (in Richland[2]), in 1949 Jack and Betty moved a dairy barn, which was converted into a theatre and was purchased by them in 1954.[4] It was incorporated as "The Barn Theatre" in 1949.[2][3] In 1951 it became an Equity theatre.[2]

Its first show was the Finian's Rainbow musical.[5]

  1. ^ Bill Semion, WITH SUMMER COMES THEATER TIME, Chicago Tribune, 15 April 2000
  2. ^ a b c d e Barn Theatre, The Historical Marker Database
  3. ^ a b Theatre History: The Barne Theatre
  4. ^ History of the Barn Theatre School
  5. ^ Augusta Barn celebrates 65 years of hits, Between the Lines, June 9, 2011