Barter Theatre, Virginia's official State Theatre, has been producing professional theater in its historic 1833 building since 1933, when founder Robert Porterfield accepted produce as payment for admission during the Great Depression. The Barter's two stages — the landmark main theater and the more intimate Barter Stage II — host a year-round season of productions ranging from Broadway blockbusters to world premiere dramas and beloved holiday shows. The theatre's legacy is woven into the fabric of American regional theater. Dining at the adjacent restaurant before a performance completes a perfect Abingdon evening.