Bristol Theatre Company was founded in 1983 as the Bristol High School Alumni Theatre Company.
In 1985, the name was changed to The Bristol Summer Theatre Company. “The Barn” at Roger Williams University opened in 1986 and became a home to the Bristol Summer Theatre Company. In the spring of 1989, the Company formally changed its name to Bristol Theatre Company [BTC].
Late in 2013, Bristol Theatre Company finally found a permanent home at the old Reynolds School in downtown Bristol, and became a founding partner of the Arts in Common collaborative. Sadly, in 2021, the Reynolds Building was taken over by the Town of Bristol, and BTC was once again without a permanent home.
As of 2026, despite the challenges of finding rehearsal and performance spaces, the Bristol Theatre Company continues to provide opportunities for performers from all over Rhode Island and Massachusetts. Many who "grew up" in BTC productions have gone on to study theatre and music at the university level, and to teach and mentor new generations of "theatre kids."
PRODUCTION HISTORY
August 2025 - Roald Dahl's MATILDA the Musical
December 2024 - A Holiday Celebration
August 2024 - DISNEY'S BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, Jr.
December 2023 - A CHRISTMAS CAROL
August 2023 - DISNEY'S THE DESCENDANTS, The Musical
February 2020 - DISNEY'S FROZEN JR.
December 2019 - ANT'NY CLAUS, A DYSFUNCTIONAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS
August 2019 - DISNEY'S CAMP ROCK
December 2018 - IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE, A LIVE RADIO PLAY
November 2018 - THE WHO'S TOMMY
August 2018 - ELF THE MUSICAL, Jr.
March 2018 - THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
December 2017 - TINSEL & TALES, An Original Play with Music
August 2017 - JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH Jr.
March 2017 - URINETOWN THE MUSICAL
December 2016 - A GOOD OLD-FASHIONED CHRISTMAS SPECTACULAR
August 2016 - SEUSSICAL THE MUSICAL
June 2016 - VINYLS: A Musical Revue
December 2015 - A CHRISTMAS CAROL
August 2015 - SHREK Jr.
May 2015 - KIDS ON BROADWAY Cabaret
December 2014 - A CHRISTMAS CAROL - A Play with Music
August 2014 - Disney's HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL
April 2014 - ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
March 2014 - HOORAY FOR HOLLYWOOD Cabaret
January 2014 - A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM (in conjunction with Caron Productions)
2013 - BEAUTY & THE BEAST, Jr.
2013 - The 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE
2013 - Musical Reviews : SWEET INDULGENCE at Linden Place; DISNEY UNDER THE STARS at Blithewold Mansion, Gardens and Aboretum; and FROM BACK TO THE FUTURE – A COMPILATION OF BROADWAY HITS at Franklin Court.
2012 - CHILDREN OF EDEN
2012 - A CHRISTMAS CAROL, A Play with Music
2011 - ANNIE, Jr.2010 - ALICE IN WONDERLAND, Jr.
2009 - FOOLS
2009 - WILLIE WONKA, Jr.
2008 - LOVE LETTERS
2007 - JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT
2006 - CATS
1989 - 2005 - OLIVER, ON THE RAZZLE, CAMELOT, HEAVEN CAN WAIT, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF, FORUM, JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, CABARET, KISS ME KATE
1988 - A CHILD'S CHRISTMAS IN WALES
1987 - DAMES AT SEA
1986 - SEVEN KEYS TO BALPATE
1985 - BACKSTAGE, A Musical Review
1984 - ANYTHING GOES
1983 - FUNNY GIRL