Actresses perform a scene from Mamma Mia

Visual & Performing Arts

Barton has no shortage of events to offer the community. Each season brings a unique flavor of visual and performing arts. Live entertainment. Right in your back yard.

Interested in learning more about Barton Performing Arts programs? Click on the links below to find program information, curriculum guides, and more!

Arts Program   |   Dance Program   |   Music Program   |   Theatre Program

Interested in learning more about upcoming events? Join our mailing list!

Next Show:               

CANCELED: Alithea Mime Theatre
Saturday, March 9th 
Fine Arts Auditorium
Hosted by Barton Theatre, The Alithea Mime Theatre is a company dedicated to a continuing vision of mime theatre both as a single discipline and as a multidiscipline, with an emphasis on group choreography. The company has been selected for the Kansas Arts Commission touring roster and has been applauded for its dynamic fusion of mime and dance and combining comic and dramatic works in a rare and unusually entertaining performing arts experience.

Our Campus will be closed March 14th & 15th for Spring Break.

Dancing with the Cougars – Salsa Dance Class
Tuesday, March 19th
6:30 pm
Studio 34
$15 per Individual, $20 per couple. Tickets sold at the door!
Please fill out our form: https://forms.office.com/r/agsMeD9uMh
Learn Salsa and Latin Dance in this 2-hour class taught by Danika Bielek.  All proceeds go to support Barton Dance Theatre's trip to dance in New York City.

Words and Music; a Workshop in Writing Lyrical Poetry 
Thursday, March 21st
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Cavanaugh Room in the Barton Library
Free Event
The public is invited to attend this free workshop by lyricist Charles Silvestri.

Words and Music: Creative Collaboration and the Choral Arts
Friday, March 22nd
10:30 am & 12:30 pm
Fine Arts Auditorium
Free Event
The public is invited to attend this free workshop by lyricist Charles Silvestri titled “Choir as a Messenger,” which will discuss the business of poetic writing for the choral arts. At 12:30 p.m., the Barton Concert Choir and high school vocalists from Hoisington and Great Bend will perform selections from Silvestri’s broad collection of literature for choral works. Directed by Dr. Eric Foley    Accompanist : Dr. Alejandro Avila

 

Performing Arts Department 2023-2024 Schedule of Events

January 2024
January 2024

Dancing with the Cougars – Line Dance Class
Friday, January 19th
6:30 pm
Studio 34
$15 per Individual, $20 per couple. Tickets sold at the door!
Learn popular Line Dances of all styles in this 2-hour class taught by Danika Bielek. All proceeds go to support Barton Dance Theatre's trip to dance in New York City.

February 2024
February 2024

Barton Cougar College Dance Day
Friday, February 2nd
10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Studio 34
This is a recruitment event where high school dance students can be a college dancer for a day! For more information about this event or to sign up, please contact Danika Bielek at bielekb@bartonccc.edu or 620-792-9253.

Musical Scholarship Audition Day
Saturday, February 10th
8:00 am – 4:00 pm

Animal Creative Camp for Kids
Sunday, February 11th
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Fine Arts Building
$20 per child, $10 per sibling
Children aged 3-12 years will love this creative camp exploring the animal kingdom, from domestic to the wild! The camp includes classes taught by Barton Dance student in Dance, Visual Art, Tumbling, and Acting, plus a snack and movie time at the end. The camp is a fundraiser for Barton Dance Theatre's trip to dance in NYC.  

*POSTPONED AND WILL BE RESCHEDULED* Dancing with the Cougars – Salsa Dance Class
Friday, February 16th
6:30 pm
Studio 34
$15 per Individual, $20 per couple. Tickets sold at the door!
This class is postponed and WILL be rescheduled for March- please check back for more details.
Please fill out our form: https://forms.office.com/r/agsMeD9uMh
Learn Salsa and Latin Dance in this 2-hour class taught by Danika Bielek.  All proceeds go to support Barton Dance Theatre's trip to dance in New York City.

March 2024
March 2024

Spring Musical – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
February 29th & March 1st – 3rd
Thursday, Friday & Saturday @ 7:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday @ 2:00 pm
Fine Arts Auditorium – Doors will open 45 minutes before the start of each performance.

Tickets available through Booktix click here to purchase tickets or visit F-142, Fine Arts Building starting February 19th; Monday – Friday;  9:00 am – 11:00 am & 1:00 pm – 3:30 pm or by appointment by contacting Jamie Fager, at fagerj@bartonccc.edu or 620-792-9391.
*Box office hours are subject to change.

Please note there will be no ticket sales at the door. Please purchase your tickets in advance!
*No refunds of exchanges.
*No food, drinks, or photography permitted in the auditorium.
*This production will not be livestreamed.

Ticket Information:
All tickets are reserved seating and are available via Booktix, please click here to purchase tickets!

Adults: $15
Children 13 & up: $10
Children 6 – 12: $7
Children 5 & Under: Free (Maximum of 2, per paid adult)
BCC Students with ID will receive free admission. Your passes will be available prior to each performance at the student help desk outside the Auditorium.

Questions or need help? Contact Jamie Fager, at fagerj@bartonccc.edu or 620-792-9391.

Alithea Mime Theatre
Saturday, March 9th 
7:30 pm
Fine Arts Auditorium
Tickets are $10 each. Show is appropriate for ages 12 and up.
Hosted by Barton Theatre, The Alithea Mime Theatre is a company dedicated to a continuing vision of mime theatre both as a single discipline and as a multidiscipline, with an emphasis on group choreography. The company has been selected for the Kansas Arts Commission touring roster and has been applauded for its dynamic fusion of mime and dance and combining comic and dramatic works in a rare and unusually entertaining performing arts experience.

Words and Music; a Workshop in Writing Lyrical Poetry 
Thursday, March 21st
6:00 - 7:30 pm
Cavanaugh Room in the Barton Library
Free Event
The public is invited to attend this free workshop by lyricist Charles Silvestri.

Words and Music: Creative Collaboration and the Choral Arts
Friday, March 22nd
10:30 am & 12:30 pm
Fine Arts Auditorium
Free Event
The public is invited to attend this free workshop by lyricist Charles Silvestri titled “Choir as a Messenger,” which will discuss the business of poetic writing for the choral arts. At 12:30 p.m., the Barton Concert Choir and high school vocalists from Hoisington and Great Bend will perform selections from Silvestri’s broad collection of literature for choral works. Directed by Dr. Eric Foley    Accompanist : Dr. Alejandro Avila

April 2024
April 2024

Student Recital
Thursday, April 4th
5:00 pm
Chapel
Free Event

Dancing with the Cougars – Swing Dance Class
Friday, April 12th
6:30 pm
Studio 34
$15 per Individual, $20 per couple. Tickets sold at the door!
Please fill out our form: https://forms.office.com/r/agsMeD9uMh
Learn Swing Dance in this 2-hour class taught by Danika Bielek. All proceeds go to support Barton Dance Theatre's trip to dance in New York City.

Spring Choral Concert
Thursday, April 18th
7:30 pm
Fine Arts Auditorium
Free Event

Moving in the Heartland Dance Festival
Friday & Saturday, April 26th & 27th
7:00 pm
Fine Arts Auditorium
Festival representing dance in the region, featuring Barton’s Dance Department and guest Kansas dance groups. Check back for more information!

May 2024
May 2024

Student Recital 2
Thursday, May 2nd
5:00 pm
Chapel
Free
Enjoy instrumental and vocal performances by students of the Barton Music Department.

Endowment Concert
Saturday, May 4th
7:30 pm
Fine Arts Auditorium
Check back for ticketing information!
Join us for a concert featuring vocal and instrumental music groups including Jazz Ensemble, Orchestra, Choir, and Hilltops. All proceeds go to the Vocal and Instrumental Music Endowment

Commencement
May 10th 
~Congratulations, Graduates! 

Past Events: August 2023
Past Events: August 2023

Auditions: PUFFS 
Monday, August 21st and Tuesday, August 22nd
7pm
Fine Arts Building, F-164For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain Wizard School and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is a story of the Puffs… who just happened to be there too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world. To audition prepare 5 minutes of Standup Comedy to perform. All are invited to audition.

Past Events: September 2023
Past Events: September 2023

Barton Dance Theatre Car Wash
Saturday, September 2nd
10 am - 3 pm
Eagle Tire, 1008 Kansas Ave in Great Bend
This fundraiser will help get Barton Dance Theatre to KC and NYC!

Service Through Music
Monday, September 11th
12:00 pm
Flag Pole on Campus
Barton instrumentalists will play tribute to those who lost their lives on 9/11 and to our Barton County first responders by performing at the flag pole.

Faculty Recital & Exhibition
Thursday, September 14th
5:00pm
Shafer Art Gallery
Barton's Fine & Performing Arts faculty present music, theatre, dance, and visual art.

Past Events: October 2023
Past Events: October 2023

Autumn Arts Sneak Preview Concert
Thursday, October 5th
7:30pm
Fine Arts Auditorium
FREE EVENT
The Barton Performing Arts Department invites the community to enjoy its “Autumn Arts” Sneak Preview Concert! The concert will feature vocal and instrumental performances, as well as performances by the Barton Dance Theatre.

Friday Night Line Dance Class
Friday, October 20th
7:00pm
Studio 34
$15 per Individual , $20 per couple
Social and Line Dances taught to all ages.

Fall Theatre Production: Puffs
Thursday, October 26th 7:30pm
Friday, October 27th 7:30pm
Saturday, October 28th 2:00pm
Saturday, October 28th 7:30pm
Fine Arts Auditorium
$10 for Adults. Children - College Students (with ID) FREE.
All tickets will be sold at the door, our Box Office will be open an hour prior to show time for purchases. Questions? Give us a call at, 620-792-9391.
A wizard-centric original comedy for anyone who has never been destined to save the world. Join the “Braves,” “Snakes,” “Smarts,” and “Puffs” for a show filled with laughs and adventure. Suitable for all ages!

Haunting on the Hill
Saturday, October 28th
4:00pm - 7:00pm
Fine Arts Building
Please register here if you plan to attend- this helps us to ensure we have enough supplies.
This free family-friendly event celebrates the creative side of Halloween with activities including games, performances, escape room lockbox challenge, costume contest, art-making session, and a cake walk (small fee, cash only please*), and more!

Check back on Monday, Sept. 25th, to sign-up for the costume contest!

*ATM located in the Student Union

Auditions – A Christmas Story
Sunday, October 29th
3:00pm - 5pm Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Avenue in Great Bend

Monday, October30th
6:00pm - 8:00pm Fine Arts Building, F164.

Combined Concert at Sterling College
Sunday, October 29th 
3:00pm
Sterling College, 125 W Cooper Ave, Sterling, KS 67579
FREE EVENT
This first in an exchange concert featuring the Prairie Winds concert band with the Sterling College Band.

Past Events: November 2023
Past Events: November 2023

Student Recital 1
Thursday, November 2nd
5:00pm
Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel
FREE EVENT
Enjoy instrumental and vocal performances by students of the Barton Music Department.

Auditions- Spring Musical; Chitty, Chitty, Bang, Bang
Saturday and Sunday, November 4th & 5th 
2:00pm - 5pm
Fine Arts Auditorium
All roles and technical positions will be cast. Those auditioning do not need to prepare anything but will need to plan on dancing as part of the audition process.

Combined Concert with Sterling College
Thursday, November 9th 
7:30pm
Fine Arts Auditorium
FREE EVENT
The second exchange concert featuring the Prairie Winds concert band with the Sterling College Band. Barton Jazz Ensemble will also perform.

Dancing Around the World Presentation
Tuesday, November 14th
6:30pm
Studio 34
FREE EVENT
Students from the History of Dance class will present their research on dances from their heritage.

Fall Barton Cougar Dance Day
Friday, November 17th
11:00am - 4:00pm
Studio 34

Student Recital 2
Thursday, November 30th
5:00pm
Dorothy Moses Morrison Chapel
FREE EVENT
Enjoy instrumental and vocal performances by students of the Barton Music Department.

Past Events: December 2023
Past Events: December 2023

Holiday Concert
Friday, December 1st
7:30pm
Fine Arts Auditorium
FREE EVENT
The Performing Arts Department will get you in the holiday spirit with the Barton Jazz Ensemble, Chorus, Hilltop Singers, and Barton Dance Theatre.

A Christmas Story
Tuesday, December 5th
7:30pm
Crest Theater, 1905 Lakin Avenue in Great Bend
FREE EVENT
A radio play version of the 1983 film originally conceived by Jean Sheppard- a family favorite!

Central Kansas Community Choir Concert
Sunday, December 3rd
3:00pm
First Presbyterian Church, 2400 Washington St. in Great Bend
FREE EVENT

Our Campus will be closed for winter break from Tuesday, December 19th through January 1st, 2024. Please check out our upcoming Spring 2024 Events & Productions on the tab below!