Barn Lot Theater puts on a show
Since this Business Spotlight column debuted in January 2020, the variety of companies featured has included manufacturing, farming, retail, service and artisan entrepreneurs. Now, add live theater to the list of categories served by electric cooperatives.
Founded as an outdoor summer theater in an Edmonton feedlot and barn in 1980, Barn Lot Theater moved into an old Ford garage in 1991 where it mounts performances with volunteer casts throughout the year.
“We have so many talented people,” says Kyle Hadley, who has worked for the theater since 2012 and became executive director four years ago. “Whether they’re singing or acting or dancing, you just wouldn’t expect to see that kind of talent here in such a small little community in Edmonton.”
About a dozen employees “do everything from costumes to lights to sound to cleaning,” Hadley says. “Because we have a staff, we’re able to kind of take it to the next level. We’re one of the top tourism destinations in Metcalfe County. We’re seeing people drive three or four hours from out of state to come here.”
“Whoever coined the description of the Barn Lot Theater as a ‘gem tucked away in small town Kentucky’ was accurate,” says Tri-County Electric CEO Paul Thompson. “We are proud the Barn Lot Theater is a Tri-County Electric member-owner and grateful they have continued to grow in our service area.”
A recent financial impact study showed 55% of theater patrons visit from outside the county and spend about $70 each outside of their ticket price while they are in Metcalfe County, such as on food and gas.
In addition, Barn Lot Theater’s fundraising activities generate other economic activity, including bingo Thursdays and Fridays at the Bowling Park Bingo Hall. When COVID-19 shut down bingo for several months, the theater improvised, launching the Auction Barn. The theater purchases pallets of merchandise and resells the items on Facebook.
With an eye to the future, Barn Lot purchased a neighboring building three years ago with plans to convert it into a community arts center.
“While we’re many years away from the funding on it, we hope to build a larger, maybe 300 or 400 [additional] seats, and art space, and expand our operations,” Hadley says. “We’re talking multiple events per month. That’s an exciting thing we’re looking at.”
With about half of the seats already claimed by approximately 450 season ticket holders, Hadley urges visitors to plan ahead. “We’re already seeing some low nights of availability for To Kill a Mockingbird in October, and that’s six months away.”
