Franklin Civic Operetta Association/ Barrow Civic Theatre

The vision of the theater is to provide expanding opportunities for quality programming and entertainment for a broad-based audience while maintaining financial stability.In 1959 a group of six energetic and brave citizens, interested in improving the cultural status of the Franklin Area and to encourage music and drama appreciation through training and participation of area residents of all ages in the various phases and aspects of theatrical production, organized the Franklin Civic Operetta Association. Civic’ first stage was located on a cement slab which originally was a base for one of the large oil tanks of the former Atlantic Refinery located on Route 8 North about 1 mile from Franklin.

Many of the big Broadway musical hits including Oklahoma, Bye Bye Birdie, Showboat, My Fair Lady, Sound of Music, Cabaret, Oliver, and Music Man, to name a few, have been produced by the Operetta Association. Since the opening of the Barrow-Civic Theatre in 1993 Civic has also produced many fine dramas and comedies such as Ten Little Indians, Ah Wilderness, Inherit The Wind, Nises Off and Glass Menagerie to name a few. A complete listing of Civic productions is listed below.

Much fine talent has been uncovered in the area and afforded an opportunity to display that talent, as well as learning many other aspects of theatre production under professional guidance and instruction. Many of the players double in the construction and painting of sets, handling of special lighting effects, designing and making costumes, etc. An average production involves about 80 people, including technical, stage and orchestra personnel. Until recent years, much of Civic’s activity had been confined to the summer months when the college students were home, since they depended heavily upon that age group for talent and participation. Today Civic’s season in year round.

Throughout the years “Civic” has called a number of locations “home.” This peripatetic group has adapted to various stages while continuously searching for a permanent and legitimate theatre to call its own. The result of this long trek is the Barrow-Civic Theatre. The following is a chronological list of the locations and presentations “Civic” has offered since its inception.