The Barnstormers Theatre

About Us:

The Barnstormers Theatre is located in the center of picturesque Tamworth Village in east central New Hampshire. Built in the 1820s as a store, in 1936 the building was remodeled as a theatre. Following renovation in 1998-1999, it became a year-round facility. With a 28-foot proscenium stage, the auditorium has 282 comfortable seats in orchestra and balcony, air-conditioning, and superb acoustics.

The Barnstormers' mission statement is "to keep vital the value, spirit, and tradition of fine summer theatre in Tamworth and to provide a venue for and to promote varied cultural activities within the region." During July and August, the resident professional acting company produces eight shows, one each week. From September to June, the facility is available to rent for concerts, drama and dance performances, talks and community events.

The Barnstormers was founded in 1931 by Francis and Alice Cleveland and Ed Goodnow as a resident summer acting company. In the early days the company trouped from town to town in the region, five nights a week, performing a new play each week. After World War II it gave up barnstorming to perform all five nights at the theatre in Tamworth.

As far as we know, we are the only theatre in the country still producing a show a week with a resident company in the old summer stock tradition.

Plays include old favorites and less well-known gems of the American and British stage, with a slant towards comedy, and contemporary and occasional new plays. There is usually one musical each summer and one more serious drama and mystery. See other pages on this website for past and upcoming shows.

The audience is a broad cross-section of year-round and summer residents of Tamworth and the surrounding area. For many, The Barnstormers is a long-standing summer tradition. Our mailing list continues to grow as new visitors to the region discover the pleasures of an evening at the theatre in Tamworth Village - which can include dinner at any of many nearby cafes and restaurants, and a stroll through the peaceful and picturesque village.