Our Story
Engaging Our Community
Each season, Barn Lot Theater proudly attracts over 6,000 individuals, supported by a remarkable volunteer base of nearly 200. Our patrons and volunteers come from more than a dozen counties in South Central Kentucky, as well as neighboring states like Tennessee and Ohio. With over 300 season subscribers, we significantly contribute to the local economy, fostering tourism and vibrancy in Metcalfe County. Our theater has been described as “a gem tucked away in small town Kentucky,” reflecting the community's appreciation for the arts.
In our commitment to nurturing young talent, we have revitalized our children's programming, featuring dedicated performances for actors 18 and under. Additionally, we periodically include young performers in our main stage productions, providing a supportive environment for the next generation of artists to flourish. This dedication to community engagement harks back to our grassroots origins, where friends and family rallied together to create something beautiful out of nothing.
Beginnings at the Park
Barn Lot Theater’s background story is as grass roots as they come. In 1980, Edmonton residents shared a vision to bring the arts to rural Metcalfe County. With no money, no place to perform, no actors, and no costumes or props, they had to get creative, so they recruited friends and family to help. Within a few weeks, they had transformed a barn and feedlot at the local community park into an outdoor theater. When they held their first production, Barefoot in the Park, in this small outdoor summer theater, Edmonton’s first community theater was born, thus inspiring the name Barn Lot Theater. The hard work and dedication of our initial founders and volunteers including Father George Bowling, Doris Rush, Dora Rowe, the Richard and Jeanette Duncan family, Tim and Carolyn Best and the Harold and Susan Chambers family cemented Barn Lot Theater as Edmonton’s Community Theater.
The original Barn Lot Theater stage, 1980
Three plays were performed in that first year, and each subsequent year additional plays were produced. In 1986 Barn Lot Theater was given permission to use the new gym built at Bowling Park. With an indoor venue, Barn Lot was able to extend their plans for the 1987 season.
In 1991, with the help of a grant from the Kentucky Bicentennial Commission, Barn Lot Theater hit a milestone by purchasing the old Ford garage in Edmonton. Renovations were funded through donations from the local community during a pledge drive. After two years of renovations, they performed their first play, Good Morning, Miss Dove, at Barn Lot Theater's new facility. With each new season more successful than the last, the Barn Lot Theater Board of Directors decided to hire a staff in 1999. With a staff in place, the 2000 season was the first pre-scheduled, year-round schedule of plays and concerts.
The former Ford Garage, Barn Lot Theater’s current home, was acquired in 1991.
Innovative Funding Strategies
To ensure our financial sustainability, Barn Lot Theater has embraced innovative funding strategies. In June 2023, we opened an Electronic Pull Tab room at beside our Administrative Office on Edmonton Square, which, alongside our long-standing and popular bingo events that we have held for many years, has become a vital source of funding. These initiatives enable us to continue delivering high-quality theatrical experiences to our community. Our history of community support, dating back to the early days when local residents transformed a barn into a theater, underscores the importance of collaboration in our ongoing success and has played a crucial role in allowing our theater to flourish with a dedicated staff.
Barn Lot Theater, present day
The TOPPS Factory: A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, we are excited about our plans to transform the TOPPS Factory into a premier venue for the arts. While this ambitious project requires strategic planning and significant funding, the Factory currently serves as an essential space for warehousing, set construction, and occasional rehearsals. We are dedicated to making this vision a reality, further enhancing our ability to serve the community and honoring the legacy of our founders who dreamed of bringing the arts to rural Metcalfe County.
At Barn Lot Theater, we believe in the transformative power of the arts. We remain steadfast in our mission to inspire, entertain, and connect people through the shared experience of live theater. Thank you for being an integral part of our story, which began with a simple dream in 1980 when a small group of passionate individuals transformed a barn and feedlot into Edmonton’s first community theater, and continues to flourish today. As we look to the future, we invite you to join us in this exciting journey, as together we cultivate creativity, foster community, and create lasting memories for generations to come. Your support and enthusiasm are crucial as we embark on this next chapter, and we can't wait to share the magic of the arts with you in our new home.
The former TOPPS sewing factory, future home of Barn Lot Theater
Our Mission and Vision for the Future
At Barn Lot Theater, our mission is to inspire, entertain, and connect individuals through the transformative power of live theater. We are committed to fostering a sense of community and nurturing the artistic talents of people of all ages. As we continue to grow and evolve, our vision for the future remains steadfast: to be a premier cultural hub that enriches the lives of everyone in South Central Kentucky and beyond.
Looking ahead, we are excited to realize our dream of transforming the TOPPS Factory into a state-of-the-art venue that will serve as a beacon for the arts. This ambitious project aims to expand our capacity to deliver diverse and high-quality theatrical experiences, ensuring that the arts remain an accessible and integral part of our community's fabric.
As we embark on this exciting chapter, we invite you to join us in our mission. Your support and enthusiasm are vital as we strive to bring innovative performances, educational programs, and new opportunities to the heart of Metcalfe County. Together, we will continue the legacy of Barn Lot Theater, creating lasting memories and celebrating the magic of the arts for generations to come. Thank you for being a part of our story.