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

Next Show:                         

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!

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! Happy Holidays!

Performing Arts Department 2022-2023 Schedule of Events

Coming Soon - Spring 2024 Events & Productions
Coming Soon - Spring 2024 Events & Productions

Here's a sneak peek of our Spring 2024 events and productions!

As a reminder, our Campus will be closed for winter break from Tuesday, December 19th through January 1st, 2024.

January
19th - Community Dance Class

February
2nd - Barton Cougar College Dance Day
11th - Animal Creative Camp for Kids
16th - Community Dance Class
23rd - Community Dance Class
29th - Musical ~ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

March
1st - Musical ~ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
2nd - Musical ~ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (two performances)
3rd - Musical ~ Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

April
4th - Student Recital
11th - Instrumental Concert
12th - Community Dance Class
18th - Spring Choral Concert
26th - Moving in the Heartland Dance Festival
27th - Moving in the Heartland Dance Festival

May
2nd - Student Recital 2
7th - Endowment Concert
10th - Commencement ~ Congratulations, Graduates! 
 

August 2023
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.

September 2023
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.

October 2023
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.
Tickets available for purchase soon- check back later for details!

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.

November 2023
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.

December 2023
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!