About the Bards
vision
To promote Christian fellowship through the performing arts.
mission
Love God. Serve Others. Share our Gifts.
our history
Founded in 1994, Bart’s Bards has offered wholesome entertainment to St. Bartholomew Church and the community at large. By 1995, we adopted a vision statement:
To promote Christian fellowship through the performing arts.
We began offering three performances a year: a straight comedy in the Spring, a musical in the Summer, and a spiritual children’s performance in the Fall. Beginning in 2004, we began an Outreach Ministry, a volunteer choir and variety show that brings the performing arts to neighbors living in retirement and assisted living communities.
Because our venue—the Krumpe Activity Center—is used widely by St. Bartholomew Church activities, our initial performance schedule needed adjusted. By August of 2009, a reformed Board of Directors took on several new members to lead the organization
With the assistance of East Side Players, the Bards started pursuing more ambitious Broadway productions. These larger presentations required increasing the size of the available stage. After many configurations, the result was the Ray Sowell Commemorative Stage that is still used for all Bards’ productions today.
In 2015, we adopted a mission statement to communicate what is most important to our theatre family:
Love God. Serve others. Share our gifts.
In 2019, the Bards presented our first annual CaBARTret, a one-night-only variety show with light refreshments. Around the same time, we collaborated with John Paul II Catholic School to offer the students theatre writing workshops, multi-week theatre camps, and the chance to present junior musicals and plays.
our impact
The Bards continue to perform thought-provoking family-friendly shows, visit retirement and assisted living communities, go on group service outings, and donate financially to local charitable organizations. Since 2005, the Bards have donated over $50,000 to the following organizations: St. Bartholomew Church, John Paul II Catholic School, Matthew 25 Ministries, Mt. Healthy Alliance, St. Vincent de Paul Society, St. Vivian School, and Valley Interfaith Community Resource Center.
Bart's Bards by-laws
In 2022, the Bards adopted these By-Laws to govern the organization. All members are held to these By-Laws.
Board of Directors
The Bards are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors who serve four-year renewable terms. To serve on the Board, Bards members must be at least 18 years of age, exhibit dedication by a minimum involvement of two years within the last five, demonstrate Christian behavior, and receive a nomination by a current Board member.
Emeritus Members
Founding members of the organization can claim Emeritus status on the Board. These members are granted full voting power at Board meetings but are not held to the same volunteer requirements or membership dues.
Bill has been with the Bards since its inception, joining to allow one of the founding members to take on another Parish project. He’s enjoyed numerous roles while sharing the stage with his three daughters. Bill is constantly amazed at the quality shows by Bart’s Bards but more so by the sense of family created within the group.
Sandy is a founding member of Bart’s Bards and has been a St. Bartholomew parishioner since 1978. Her children and grandchildren have been active thespians on stage, while she primarily enjoys assisting with ticket sales and serving on behind-the-scenes committees.
Margie is a founding member of Bart’s Bards. She has served as President, Treasurer, and produced many shows. Her late husband, Ray, envisioned the current stage-build process. She is very glad for the opportunity to continue to serve on the Board.
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