Theatre Bristol

08/28/2026

"But in a world in which the global rides roughshod over the local, maybe one of the things theatre does exceptionally – perhaps uniquely – well is not just stage art but act as a beacon in a wider ecology, making somewhere a richer, more sustainable place to live. For everyone.

"So, stand up for your local theatre. In doing so, you are standing up for independence of mind and wallet, and not just the survival and resilience of that individual theatre but of community itself."

Holds true from Bristol UK to our very own Bristol!
https://www.thestage.co.uk/opinion/local-theatres-build-stronger-communities-heres-why-lyn-gardner

On a trip to the Highlands, Lyn Gardner found a powerful reminder of the value of independent businesses – it prompted her to ask whether we should think about our local theatres in exactly the same way

08/28/2026

Just one week from today Theatre Bristol's "The Mockingbird Sings" comes to the stage once again thanks to title sponsor The Sessions Hotel!

Be sure to reserve your tickets now at www.TheatreBristol.org/tickets for our hometown world-changing story about the musical influences on the Bristol Sessions Recordings. Visit 1927 with us and meet Ralph and Monique Peer, the Carter Family, Pops Stoneman - and some of his children, Jimmie Rodgers, and many more in this musical love story!

"The Mockingbird Sings" features a live onstage band through the entire performance with some extraordinary musicians; veteran cast members reprising roles like Toney the blues singer and yodeling Jimmie Rodgers; folks new to the production we can't wait for you to see and hear; some rousing square dancing called by a professional; and beautiful traditional and original tunes by playwrights Terry Harkleroad and Sharon Cort. Directors Susan McNabb and Barbara Walton bring the heart to this love story to our community and musical heritage.

Named for the 1927 Sessions, downtown partner and sponsor The Sessions Hotel has preserved the 1915 Bristol Grocery Building, the 1920 Jobbers Candy Factory and a 1922 Simply Grand Granary Mill. They have carefully protected the historic elements of the buildings leaving guests the opportunity to visualize how the buildings functioned in their original uses.

The Sessions Hotel features musical touches throughout, including record players and vinyl collections in the rooms, plus song titles and artist names on plaques by the doors.

While "The Mockingbird Sings" is being presented on the ARTspace stage at Theatre Bristol, we have enjoyed performing on The Sessions Hotel outdoor lawn stage where you can regularly enjoy more music!

Thank you, The Sessions Hotel for supporting live performance and this treasured story!

08/26/2026

Today's Bristol Herald Courier on Theatre Bristol's upcoming "The Mockingbird Sings" from Tom Netherland!:

"The show, based loosely on the 1927 Bristol Sessions, blends fact with fiction in a homespun love story built on hopes and dreams as entwined in Appalachian culture.

"A two act play with plentiful live music performed, “The Mockingbird Sings” offers light in oft-darkened times. Optimism, like beams from unwavering eyes, penetrates the story and the music and the points made within the show.

"Bristol’s Heath as Toney sings a wildly captivating trio of blues tunes. Hear the hammer swing during “John Henry” then imagine the bright array of city lights as far as one can see in Robert Johnson’s rollicking “Sweet Home Chicago. Call it a highlight among a series of bright lights within “The Mockingbird Sings.”

"The looks, the sounds, the feel and feeling of “The Mockingbird Sings” establishes pinpoint touches such to inspire deeper understanding and learning of the actual events that made Bristol renowned worldwide as the Birthplace of Country Music."

See the link to read more and then be sure to get your tickets at www.TheatreBristol.org/tickets!

BRISTOL, Tenn. – Darkness on the face of the Earth spread wide to envelop the Birthplace of Country Music on Monday night. ⤵️ Find a link to the story in the comments.

08/26/2026

A few of our Theatre Bristol 2026 cast and crew of "The Mockingbird Sings" toured the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and caught a few photos to give you hints of who'll you'll see come to life on stage!

Thank you BCM Museum for welcoming us and helping us prepare this birth of country music story, opening this Friday, September 4, at the Theatre Bristol ARTspace!

Theatre Bristol presents "The Mockingbird Sings"
ARTspace Stage, 506 State Street, Bristol TN
September 4, 5, 6, 9, 10
Playwrights Nancy Hamblen Acuff, Terry Harkleroad, and Sharon Cort
Directors Susan McNabb and Barbara Walton
Tickets at www.TheatreBristol.org/tickets

08/23/2026

It's the final day to audition for It's A Wonderful Life the Musical! Join us today at 2:30!

08/22/2026

“Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?” ~"It's a Wonderful Life"
Don't leave an awful hole - audition to be a part of the cast!

Final auditions for "It's a Wonderful Life" the musical directed by Kenn Naegele--director of "Annie," "The Wizard of Oz," "Chitty Chitty Bang Bang," and many more wonderful productions--are tomorrow, Sunday, August 23 at 2:30 pm!

No preparation required; visit www.TheatreBristol.org/audition for roles and important audition details.

08/21/2026

OPEN AUDITIONS Saturday and Sunday for Theatre Bristol's "It's a Wonderful Life" the musical!
Details, dates, times, roles, music, audition form, location, and more at www.theatrebristol.org/audition.

Join us for the regional stage premier this beloved tradition, a beautiful score, and an experience to remember coming to the Paramount this November and December!

08/18/2026

The first rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.

Well, so that we can fight on stage safely, we're gonna talk about it anyway! Learn how to throw punches, slap, kick, stomp, pull hair and more without leaving a mark! Camille Gray teaches the fundamentals of unarmed hand-to-hand stage combat in this workshop. Even if you've performed stage combat before, come brush up on your technique, review the rules, and learn and perform a fun combo!

Register at theatrebristol.org/tbarts.

When: Saturday, September 19, 10:30 AM-12:30 PM
Where: 512 State Street, Bristol, TN
Tuition: $15
Age limit: Ages 12 and up

Registration closes 1 hour prior to the workshop.

08/17/2026

Auditions for "It's A Wonderful Life The Musical" are this weekend! Make sure to get familiar with the music ahead of time so you have a great audition and fill out the form at theatrebristol.org/audition! See you at the Theatre August 22 or 23!