The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis facts for kids
| Location | 130 Edgar Road Webster Groves, Missouri 63119  United States |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 38°35′20″N 90°20′39″W / 38.588813°N 90.344143°W |
| Public transit |  MetroBus |
| Type | Entertainment venue |
| Capacity | 763 to 963 |
| Construction | |
| Opened | 1966 |
| Renovated | 2002 |
| Expanded | 2002 |
| Website | |
| http://www.repstl.org/ | |
The St. Louis Repertory Theater, often called "The Rep," is a special theater group located in Webster Groves, Missouri. This town is a suburb near St. Louis. The Rep is known for putting on many different plays.
As of August 2025, Kate Bergstrom is the Artistic Director, who guides the creative side of the theater. Danny Williams is the Managing Director, handling the business and operations.
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About The Rep
The Rep is a "repertory" theater. This means they perform a variety of plays each season. They don't just stick to one type of show.
What is a Repertory Theater?
A repertory theater often has a group of actors who perform in different plays. This allows them to show many stories and styles of theater.
The Rep's History
The St. Louis Repertory Theater started in 1966. Its first home was at the Loretto-Hilton Center for the Performing Arts, located at Webster University.
Early Productions
The very first plays performed at The Rep were two short plays by Peter Shaffer. They were called "The Private Ear" and "The Public Eye." These were shown together as one performance.
Taking a Break
In 1970, The Rep paused its shows for a year. This break allowed them to plan for the future and improve their finances. They started performing again in 1971.
Leadership Changes
Over the years, The Rep has had different leaders. In 1986, Steven Woolf officially became the Artistic Director. He led the theater for more than 30 years. Mark Bernstein joined as the Managing Director around the same time.
Steven Woolf announced his retirement plans in 2017. Hana S. Sharif took over as the Artistic Director in 2019. Mark Bernstein retired in 2021, and Danny Williams became the new Managing Director.
Programs and Outreach
The Rep does more than just put on plays for adults. They also have special programs for younger audiences and new plays.
Imaginary Theater Company
In 1975, The Rep started The Imaginary Theater Company. This group brings plays and theater experiences to schools. It helps introduce younger students to the magic of live performances.
Off-Ramp Performance Series
In 2005, The Rep launched a new series called the "Off-Ramp performance series." These shows took place at The Grandel Theatre in Grand Center. This series allowed them to explore different types of performances.
Ignite Festival of New Plays
The Rep created The Ignite Festival of New Plays in 2012. This festival helps new playwrights develop their ideas. It supports the creation of brand new plays for the stage.
Play At Home Program
In 2020, The Rep was part of the "Play At Home" program. This program asked writers to create short plays that people could perform at home. It was a way to keep theater alive when many people were staying indoors.
The Rep's Home
The Loretto-Hilton Center is a busy place for the arts. The Rep shares this building with other performing arts groups.
Sharing the Space
The Loretto-Hilton Center is also home to the Opera Theatre of Saint Louis. It's also used by The Conservatory of Theatre Arts at Webster University and Webster University's dance department. This means many different artists use the same stage.
Looking for New Venues
In early 2007, The Rep thought about moving to a different location. However, they continued to stay at the Loretto-Hilton Center.
Memorable Seasons
The Rep has had many exciting seasons over the years.
50th Anniversary Season
The 2016-2017 season was very special because it was The Rep's 50th anniversary. This season featured several popular shows, including:
- Follies
- The first-ever performance of Dael Orlandersmith's Until the Flood
- A Christmas Carol
- All My Sons
- To Kill a Mockingbird
- Million Dollar Quartet
See Also
