About The Barnstormers

Our HistoryStaff and Directors

Our Mission

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.

Our History

Alice and Francis Cleveland

The year was 1931. It was the first season of The Barnstormers, founded by Francis and Alice Cleveland and Ed Goodnow.  Francis, the youngest child of President Grover Cleveland, was already pursuing a career on Broadway when The Barnstormers made its debut in the family’s summer hometown of Tamworth, New Hampshire.

The original troupe was composed mostly of young actors – recent graduates from colleges including Harvard, Wellesley, Radcliffe and Amherst.  The first director was Goodnow, a graduate of Harvard and George Pierce Baker’s “47 Workshop” which later became the renowned Yale School of Drama.

The name “The Barnstormers” was a natural choice as it described exactly what the theatre troupe did –  barnstorming from town to town, opening on Monday in Tamworth and then touring towns in Maine and New Hampshire during the week, returning for a final Saturday evening performance in Tamworth at the Tamworth Gardens – a former boxing venue where the audience was often greeted by former First Lady Frances Cleveland dressed in a formal gown.  It was an ambitious project as the locations included Sugar Hill, Wolfeboro, Conway, Holderness, and Harrison and Poland Spring, Maine – long hauls even today.

After four years of touring, The Barnstormers bought the old Kimball’s Store on Tamworth’s Main Street in 1935 and converted it into a theatre.  World War II brought an abrupt end to barnstorming. The theatre did its part to keep the home fires burning by showing movies, and, after the war, the building became the troupe’s permanent home.

With many updates (like air conditioning!), the theatre today continues to provide the region with what many consider the best live summer theatre in the state.  It is one of only three Equity theatres in NH – a professional designation which separates the company from community-based theatres. This summer actors will travel from across the country – most hail from New York City – to participate in the region’s longest running summer theatre.

The Theatre

Tamworth is a small village surrounded by pastures and the dramatic backdrop of the White Mountains.  After years of traveling to various towns in New Hampshire and Maine, in 1935 The Barnstormers bought and converted a Tamworth Main Street store to a theatre.  This building remains The Barnstormers’ home but has been updated to include a 28-foot proscenium stage, 282 comfortable seats, air-conditioning, and superb acoustics.  The theatre is handicapped accessible and has a hearing-assistance loop with headsets available. The façade remains mostly unchanged.

During the off-season, the facility is available to rent for concerts, drama and dance performances, talks and community events.  The theatre is also offered to the many local performing arts groups free-of-charge.

The Company

Over 40 professional actors from around the country join an experienced core company (some of whom have performed on The Barnstormers stage for over 50 years) to become a part of The Barnstormers family.  The majority are members of the Actors’ Equity Association, many have worked together for years, and the younger ones enjoy a rigorous theatre training experience in a highly supportive environment.

Directors, designers, stage managers and theatre technicians come together for an intense season of nonstop creative action.  Our audience is filled with year-round and summer residents along with visitors, who come to enjoy great professional theatre in a historic New Hampshire setting.

The Plays

During June, July and August,  The Barnstormers feature the gems of American and British theatre.  “Ghost Train” and “Our Town” are the two most frequently produced shows in The Barnstormers history.  Each summer musicals, an Agatha Christie or similar suspense/mystery, as well as a modern drama are included in the summer line-up.  But humor prevails as our audience loves to laugh.

While the plays change each season, The Barnstormers’ commitment to provide its audience with great professional theatre remains as strong as at its opening in 1931.

Read what people are saying about The Barnstormers

Damn Yankees was a fabulous way to start the 2019 season. Great musical performances in the small theater with the comfortable seats that I truly enjoy. Looking forward to the rest of the season.

Lynda Johnson

Great summer theater with returning host of cast and crew members. I’ve been coming here for years. Starts the season with a musical and then has a new play every few weeks throughout the summer.

Andrew Korson

What a perfect way to enjoy one’s summer in NH. The production was first class in every way and done with such a light and witty touch as only true professionals can deliver. I will be sure to return for more!

Deborah Child

Rent The Barnstormers Theatre

Thinking of holding an event in the Tamworth area?

The 292-seat theatre, with its intimate atmosphere and great acoustics, is available to rent in the spring and fall. Great for music, dance, drama, lectures – anything requiring a fine stage and comfortable seats.

The Barnstormers Theatre is available to rent if you and your group are looking for a wonderful place to meet or perform.  Overnight accommodations and fabulous dining are nearby.

If you are thinking of a corporate retreat or presentation, please call (603) 323-8661 for more information.

Contact The Barnstormers

Who We Are

Staff and Board of Directors

Sarah Rozene

Sarah Rozene

Artistic Director

Sarah has a true love and appreciation of our theatre.  She is well respected within the Barnstormer family and has a true understanding of the BST heritage.  The board has the utmost confidence in Sarah’s ability to embrace, execute and present productions that honor our rich heritage, while acknowledging our evolving culture and addressing contemporary social issues such as inclusion and diversity.

Sarah is no newcomer to The Barnstormers, having designed 20 productions dating back to 2010.  Sarah’s educational pedigree includes a BS in theatre arts along with an MFA from Brandeis University, which makes her an ideal candidate for this position. Her partnership with The Barnstormers signifies a groundbreaking event in the theatre’s history with the hiring of our first woman Artistic Director.  

Continue Reading

Staff

Ana Prillaman

Ana Prillaman

Administrative Coordinator

Originally hailing from the mountains of West Virginia, she was schooled in theatre at DePaul University where she both designed and facilitated professional and student productions. After graduation she remained in Chicago where she continued in the performing arts field, notably with the Chicago Shakespeare Theatre and The Chinese Fine Arts Society. She is thrilled to join the Barnstormers staff and to be a part of our upcoming season.
Rebekah Pugh

Rebekah Pugh

Box Office Manager

At 10, Rebekah saw her first  Barnstormers show in 1962: Toad of Toad Hall
Usher 1967 – 1968
Patron since 1969
Chorus 2001 – John Brown’s Body 
Box Office Associate 2004 – 2006
Extra & Chorus 2012 – Our Town 
Box Office Manager 2007 – present
Evelyn Lamprey

Evelyn Lamprey

Marketing Director

Evelyn came to The Barnstormers with a background in commercial photography, marketing and design.  She was formerly Creative Director at Keepsake Quilting, and head of catalog design at Northeast Auctions in Portsmouth, NH.

She manages messaging and events, takes pictures and occasionally makes cheeky curtain speeches.

Board of Directors

Lou DeMaio

Lou DeMaio

Chairperson

Having fallen head over heels for The Barnstormers, I have served on the Board since 2004.  Being involved with The Barnstormers and working to create a sustainable theatrical model for future generations has been a meaningful and rewarding endeavor. 

Community outreach has always been a priority for me.

Continue Reading

Dorothy Veracka

Dorothy Veracka

Treasurer

My husband Gene and I owned Indian Mound Hardware in Center Ossipee for 28 years before we retired.  I was very honored to be asked to join the Board of the Barnstormers Theatre and subsequently become Treasurer.  I enjoy sharing my experience in the accounting field and being a part of a great team of people working to insure the future success of The Barnstormers.

Anne McKey Batchelder

Anne McKey Batchelder

Secretary

Anne grew up in Wonalancet. When she was twelve, Francis Cleveland cast her in January Thaw. She then worked properties and moved up to stage managing through her college years. She spent many years in New York, working as a casting director for commercials and industrial films…

Continue Reading

Lynn Kearney

Lynn Kearney

Director

Lynn and her family have been enjoying The Barnstormers Theatre for over nine years. Their love of the Barnstormers is what drove her to serve on the Board of Directors.  She is the State Director for New Hampshire for Groups Recover Together. With over 23 years of experience in the health and human services field, the mission of any organization is extremely important to her.  Lynn states, “The mission of The Barnstormers and the experience it brings to our patrons is bound to bring a smile to those that join our Barnstormers family.”  

Continue Reading

Minda Bradley

Minda Bradley

Director

Minda has been involved with the Barnstormers for about 10 years. She lives in Wellesley MA and spends her summers in Moultonborough, NH. Attending the theatre has always been a special interest of her husband and her parents. They still bring her 89 year old father who loves the experience. Minda’s family supports the Barnstormers every season and want to be a part of its success. 

Continue Reading

Mary Breasted Smyth

Mary Breasted Smyth

Director

Mary has been a Barnstormers board member for eight years. Her father, James Breasted Jr., served on the board in the 1970’s. Her aunt, Katherine Hocking, acted in numerous Barnstormers productions. Mary was a small animal in the first production of “Toad of Toad Hall” in the theater in the 1950s, painted scenery as an apprentice in her teens and has been a Barnstormers fan all her life. 

Continue Reading

Lauren Moulis

Lauren Moulis

Director

Lauren has been attending Barnstormers productions with her family since she was a child. Having a background in dance and music, she has always loved and appreciated the magic of the arts. This passion has driven her to become involved with the Barnstormers in a more intimate way and is excited to offer her assistance with this upcoming season. In her working life, she is the Animal Care Director at Squam Lakes Natural Science Center, and in her down time, she can be found on the water, or performing with local community bands.