The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, commonly known as The Rep, is a distinguished professional theatre company located in St. Louis, Missouri. Established in 1966, The Rep has a storied history as a leading cultural institution in the region and is a member of the League of Resident Theatres, the League of St. Louis Theatres, and Theatre Communications Group, Inc., which is the national organization for the not-for-profit professional theatre. The Rep's mission is to create bridges between people in the St. Louis area and beyond through expertly crafted theatrical experiences that are joyful, unique, inspiring, and thought-provoking. The theatre is dedicated to producing a wide range of shows, including classics, contemporary dramas, and new works. The Rep began its journey on May 8, 1966, when Webster University dedicated the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, a facility uniquely designed to house both a professional acting company and an undergraduate theatre arts department. The theatre's inaugural production was "The Private Ear and the Public Eye," marking the start of its legacy as a true repertory company with a resident company of actors performing multiple plays in rotation. Throughout its history, The Rep has experienced significant moments of growth and change. After a brief hiatus in 1970-1971 to improve its financial stability, the theatre rebounded, expanding its subscriber base from 3,500 to 16,500 within five years. In 1975, The Rep's Imaginary Theatre Company was launched, providing performances for young audiences that continue to this day. The 1980s saw a shift in The Rep's approach as it began to feature more nationally recognized stars under the leadership of new artistic director Wallace Chappell. Notable productions during this time included the world premiere of "Under the Ilex" with Julie Harris and a production of "Buried Child" featuring Holly Hunter. Steven Woolf and Mark Bernstein took the helm in the mid-1980s, steering The Rep through three decades of artistic excellence. The theatre's 20th-anniversary season was marked by this leadership change, and the duo's tenure saw the debut of the WiseWrite Young Playwrights Festival and numerous critically acclaimed productions. The Rep has been recognized for its contributions to the arts, winning a record 18 Kevin Kline Awards in 2007 and hosting the world premiere of "High" with Kathleen Turner in 2010. In 2012, a production of "Sunday in the Park with George" garnered eight St. Louis Theater Circle Awards, and Ayad Akhtar's "The Invisible Hand" premiered at The Rep just before he won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The theatre's 50th anniversary in 2016-2017 was celebrated with a season of all-star shows and a significant endowment for the artistic director position. Steven Woolf retired in 2019, passing the torch to Hana S. Sharif as the new Augustin Family Artistic Director. The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis continues to be a beacon of the performing arts in the region, with a commitment to new play development, educational programs, and community engagement, ensuring that live theatre remains an integral part of St. Louis's cultural landscape.