Max Campos
photo by Barter Theatre
Harper Mensch and Sean Maximo Campos
photo by Barter Theatre
Michael Poisson and Ashley Campos
photo by Barter Theatre
Meet the Campos’-- the family that came to be on one of America’s oldest stages, Barter Theatre.
Ashley Campos, a gifted actor hailing from Ringgold, discovered not only her passion for the stage at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, Va., but also found love in the spotlight. It was on the boards of this historic theatre that Ms. Campos met her now-husband, Sean Campos. Their love story blossomed season after season on Barter’s stage, and they started a family, raising their son, Max, within the magical world of theatre arts.
This holiday season marks a special milestone for the Campos family, as nine-year-old Max takes his debut steps onto the Barter stage in the enchanting production of Miracle on 34th Street.
Running through Dec. 27, this timeless classic tells the story of the year when Macy’s Santa Claus claims to be the real Kris Kringle. When he is put on trial to prove it, it’s up to a little girl’s belief in miracles, a kindly lawyer and a lot of Christmas spirit to save the day.
"Barter has been Max's playground for his whole life, so being a part of this production is an incredibly special moment for us as a family,” said Ms. Campos. “It’s more than a theatre to us; Barter is a second home where our family has grown, and now we get to share that with our extended Barter family and audiences.”
"For 90 years, Barter Theatre has been a cultural cornerstone, delivering Broadway-quality productions to the Appalachian region. With an exceptional cast, elaborate sets and heartwarming narratives, Barter's productions promise to captivate and entertain audiences of all ages," officials said.
Recognized as the State Theatre of Virginia and boasting a legacy as one of the oldest stages in the nation, Barter Theatre is proud to be welcoming audiences to its 90th season. This year’s holiday lineup features three productions: "Miracle on 34th Street," "I’ll Be Home for Christmas," and the family-friendly Barter original "I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas."