San Jose Repertory Theatre
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The San Jose Repertory Theatre (or San Jose Rep, SJ Rep or, locally, just the Rep) was founded in 1980 as the first resident professional theatre company in San Jose, California, USA. Artistic Director Timothy Near's vision of reaching the ethnically diverse San Jose population was highlighted by opening the newly built new permanent home of the Rep with the West Coast premiere of Thunder Knocking on the Door by African American playwright Keith Glover, with a Rep-commissioned score by Michael Butler and local blues legend Chris Cain.
Like many organizations concerned by the humanitarian needs posed by the recent Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami, the Rep has announced a benefit performance February 14, 2005, with some of the proceeds going to victims of the disaster.
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[edit] History
Founded by James P. Reber in 1980 as San Jose’s first resident professional theatre, the Rep soon became the fastest growing regional theatre in the country. The arrival of Timothy Near as Artistic Director in 1987 signalled a more focused commitment to making the Rep an integral part of the life of San Jose. Ms. Near gave the Rep a mission to produce plays that spoke to the city’s diverse community both directly or by inflection. Innovative productions of the classics, combined with daring contemporary works and a commitment to developing new plays, have won the Rep a distinctive identity and respected place in American theatre. The company’s 1997 move from the quaint but restrictive old Montgomery Theatre into a new, purpose-built home in the heart of downtown enhanced its ability to offer San Jose a wide range of programming, produced to the highest artistic and technical standards. Meanwhile, the Rep’s imaginative education and outreach programs —particularly its Red Ladder Theatre Company for disadvantaged youth and other underserved groups—have enabled the Rep to make a significant contribution to improving the quality of life in the broader community.
[edit] Current Leadership and Staff
Michael Mulhern, Associate Director of Operations
Nick Nichols, Managing Director
Bruce Elsperger, Casting Director
Karen Altree Piemme, Director of Outreach
Timothy Near, Artistic Director
[edit] Seating and House Capacity
Orchestra: 166 seats (Modified Thrust)
Front Orchestra: 56 seats (Proscenium)
Parterre: 197 seats
Balcony: 165 seats
TOTAL: 528 (Thrust)/584 (Proscenium)
Wheelchair and handicap access available in the orchestra and balcony only. Assisted listening devices are available upon request. Slight variation in seating configuration may occur based on the needs of the show in performance. It is also possible to make the front orchestra slightly less intimate, configuring it with two rows instead of three, resulting in 41 seats rather than 56.
[edit] Outreach
Red Ladder Theatre Company
Red Ladder Theatre Company, the social outreach program of San Jose Repertory Theatre, works with under-served and disadvantaged communities to improve and enrich lives through the art of theatre. Red Ladder was founded on the premise that creativity is the key to personal achievement and individual well being. It offers participants a safe and nurturing place to play, invent, express, and create. Guided by Red Ladder Company members, participants are encouraged to examine and solve the issues and problems that affect and often derail their lives. Through the tools and techniques of improvisational theatre, participants are able safely to come to terms with, and triumph over, the forces that hamper their lives while also actively developing their abilities to make positive choices, solve problems creatively, focus on tasks, and work collaboratively.
Post-Show Discussions
Immediately following Wednesday, Saturday, and Sunday matinees, audiences have the opportunity to meet the cast and discuss the performance. Lead by Rep artistic staff, post-play discussions are one of the most popular programs at the Rep.
Ghostlight Forums
Ghostlight Forum is a presentation and panel discussion about the artistic process behind every Rep production. Forums are held on selected Monday evenings at 7:00pm
