“Trains,” a play written by Troy University’s Professor of Theatre Quinton Cockrell, will premiere at Barter Theatre in Abingdon, VA on Feb. 13.

Barter Theatre, which opened in 1933, is the nation’s longest running professional theater. Cockrell said his relationship with the theater began in 2020 when he won the first Black in Appalachia play development initiative (Now known as the Black Stories Black Voices Initiative) for his play “City Limits.” In 2021, the play was read at the theater’s New Play Festival.

In the same year, Barter Theatre announced a monologue writing contest and provided prompts based on historical events related to African Americans. 

“The prompt that attracted me was the story of the ‘Corbin, Kentucky Expulsion’ in 1919, during which approximately 200 black residents were forcibly expelled from the town,” Cockrell said. “The monologue I wrote centered on the lasting trauma caused by racially motivated violence.  My piece was one of the winners and was given a public reading at the first occurrence of an event called “SHINE.”

“SHINE: Illuminating Black Stories” is an annual event curated by Barter Theatre’s “Black Stories Black Voices” Initiative. It features original monologues and scenes by Black playwrights from across the nation, performed and directed by Barter Theatre’s artists. The event provides a platform for voices that are often unheard, celebrating the Black experience in Appalachia.

Cockrell said the event allowed for the theater to showcase pieces they would eventually develop into new, full-length plays. On the night of his monologue presentation, the theater was sold out.

“My monologue, performed by a Barter company member, was a hit,” he said. “After the event, they asked me to develop the monologue into a scene which was read at the next year’s ‘SHINE.’ The scene was also well-received, so I was asked to expand the scene into a play. ‘Trains’ will be the first fully produced play from the “Black Stories Black Voices’ Initiative”

Cockrell expressed his gratitude for those who have been there throughout the journey of creating “Trains.”

“I am profoundly indebted to Troy University, Dean Thrasher, Tori Lee Averett, my colleagues in Theatre and Dance and my students for their encouragement, understanding and support,” he said. 

“Trains” will run from Feb. 13-28 at Barter’s Smith Theatre.