As opposed to previous years where they would perform a full play, the Bristol Theatre Company will instead stage a cabaret performance this winter. The company, which has been looking for a home since it was pushed out of its residence in a town-owned space in downtown Bristol several years ago, will be holding the performance at Linden Place in December.

For years, the company performed multiple plays each year, with upwards of four plays annually during its peak. Space and logistics have hampered their activity lately. Their most recent play, “Beauty and the Beast Jr.,” was performed at Kickemuit Middle School.

Theater compamy chairwoman Marie Knapman said there are sparse opportunities for a theater company to find permanent space in the East Bay. She said few landlords are willing to lower their rent.

“Unfortunately, because we’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, all-volunteer company, we can’t really afford a lot of overhead. So right now we’re paying $1,000 a month for storage workshop space in Warren so we can actually get to all of our sets, props, and costumes,” Knapman said, while adding that they agreed to that lease when they were under the impression they would have a home in Warren for a very low rent. That would have been at the former Second Story Theater, but an elaborate plan to have three separate theater companies share that space fell through unexpectedly earlier this year, and Second Story was sent packing once again.

Knapman said places like Linden Place have been very kind to them, but the preserved mansion in downtown Bristol can do only so much to accommodate their needs. Linden Place is a difficult place to stage a full play because it lacks wings or a backstage area for moving set pieces.

“The only weekend that Linden Place has available for us is the week before Christmas, and we just can’t do a full show in a cramped space the weekend before Christmas,” Knapman said.

The cabaret will not hold auditions, instead focusing on actors who have participated in previous plays, and will feature them singing, as well as possibly some small skits and dancers who participated in last year’s rendition of “A Christmas Carol.”

Knapman said there will likely be a mix of traditional Christmas music and more modern music, while mentioning that they do not have to pay rights fees to use the more traditional music. In addition, they will continue a tradition of sending a group of singers to places such as toy drive events, where they will sing Christmas carols.

As for their new home, things remain uncertain. Knapp believes they will likely return to Kickemuit over the summer, describing them as very accommodating. While they have done plays out of the Bristol-Warren area, such as at St. Philomena’s School in Portsmouth, they do not want to have a full-time home outside of this immediate area, since everyone involved is a volunteer, and the further they travel from home, the more time consuming the commitment.

While the cabaret is not fully scheduled yet, performers are starting to respond and make commitments. More information will come as the date gets closer.