Trinity Repertory Company
Encyclopedia
Trinity Repertory Company (commonly abbreviated as Trinity Rep) is a non-profit regional theater
located in Providence, Rhode Island
. The theater is a member of the League of Resident Theatres
. Founded in 1963, the theater is "one of the most respected regional theatres in the country". Featuring the last longstanding Resident Acting Company in the U.S., Trinity Rep presents a balance of world premiere, contemporary, and classic works, including an annual production of A Christmas Carol, for an estimated annual audience of 120,000. In its 47-year history, the theater has produced nearly 58 world premieres, mounted national and international tours and, through its MFA program, trained hundreds of new actors and directors. Project Discovery, Trinity Rep's pioneering educational outreach program launched in 1966, introduces over 15,000 Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut through matinees as well as in-school residencies and workshops (See: YASI
).
citizens sought to create a professional resident theater company in Providence. Incorporated as the "Foundation for Repertory Theater" on March 19, 1963, the group hired Adrian Hall, a New York-based director originally from Texas. At Trinity Union Methodist Church, located in Trinity Square, the first production "The Hostage" by Brendan Behan, opened on March 14, 1964. In 1968, Trinity Rep performed at the Edinburgh International Festival
in Scotland
, the first American theater company to do so. The company received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater Company in 1981, produced four television productions for PBS, toured India and Syria, and has a strong commitment to the development of new works.
The Trinity Rep Conservatory opened in 1977, serving as a training ground for actors. Today, the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA program offers degrees in acting and directing, a collaboration between Trinity Rep and Brown University founded in 2002.
From its roots in Providence's Trinity United Methodist Church, Trinity Repertory Company moved in 1973 to its present home the Lederer Theater Center in downtown Providence. Formerly a historical vaudeville performance house known as the Emery Majestic Theatre, the historic building houses two performance spaces: the 500-plus seat Chace Theater and the 300-seat Dowling Theater, as well as offices, production shops, and rehearsal halls.
Regional theatre in the United States
Regional theaters, or resident theaters, in the United States are professional or semi-professional, theater companies that produce their own seasons. The term regional theatre most often refers to professional theatres outside of New York City...
located in Providence, Rhode Island
Providence, Rhode Island
Providence is the capital and most populous city of Rhode Island and was one of the first cities established in the United States. Located in Providence County, it is the third largest city in the New England region...
. The theater is a member of the League of Resident Theatres
League of Resident Theatres
The League of Resident Theaters is the largest professional theater association of its kind in the United States, with 76 member Theaters located in every major market in the U.S., including 29 states and the District of Columbia...
. Founded in 1963, the theater is "one of the most respected regional theatres in the country". Featuring the last longstanding Resident Acting Company in the U.S., Trinity Rep presents a balance of world premiere, contemporary, and classic works, including an annual production of A Christmas Carol, for an estimated annual audience of 120,000. In its 47-year history, the theater has produced nearly 58 world premieres, mounted national and international tours and, through its MFA program, trained hundreds of new actors and directors. Project Discovery, Trinity Rep's pioneering educational outreach program launched in 1966, introduces over 15,000 Rhode Island, Massachusetts and Connecticut through matinees as well as in-school residencies and workshops (See: YASI
YASI
The Young Actors Summer Institute is an arts enrichment summer programs in New England. Held annually since 2005 at the Tony Award-winning Trinity Repertory Company, in Providence, Rhode Island, YASI is taught by the theater's resident acting company and education staff...
).
History
Trinity Rep was founded when a small group of Rhode IslandRhode Island
The state of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, more commonly referred to as Rhode Island , is a state in the New England region of the United States. It is the smallest U.S. state by area...
citizens sought to create a professional resident theater company in Providence. Incorporated as the "Foundation for Repertory Theater" on March 19, 1963, the group hired Adrian Hall, a New York-based director originally from Texas. At Trinity Union Methodist Church, located in Trinity Square, the first production "The Hostage" by Brendan Behan, opened on March 14, 1964. In 1968, Trinity Rep performed at the Edinburgh International Festival
Edinburgh International Festival
The Edinburgh International Festival is a festival of performing arts that takes place in the city of Edinburgh, Scotland, over three weeks from around the middle of August. By invitation from the Festival Director, the International Festival brings top class performers of music , theatre, opera...
in Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
, the first American theater company to do so. The company received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater Company in 1981, produced four television productions for PBS, toured India and Syria, and has a strong commitment to the development of new works.
The Trinity Rep Conservatory opened in 1977, serving as a training ground for actors. Today, the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA program offers degrees in acting and directing, a collaboration between Trinity Rep and Brown University founded in 2002.
From its roots in Providence's Trinity United Methodist Church, Trinity Repertory Company moved in 1973 to its present home the Lederer Theater Center in downtown Providence. Formerly a historical vaudeville performance house known as the Emery Majestic Theatre, the historic building houses two performance spaces: the 500-plus seat Chace Theater and the 300-seat Dowling Theater, as well as offices, production shops, and rehearsal halls.
Artistic directors
- Adrian HallAdrian Hall (director)Adrian Hall ia an American theatre director. In his career, he has seen his belief in the primacy of the artist and in the value of the confrontation between actor and audience come to full fruition...
(1963–1989) - Anne BogartAnne Bogart-Biography:She earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from Bard College in 1974, followed by a Master of Arts degree from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts in 1977. She served as Artistic Director of the Trinity Repertory Company for its 1989-90 season...
(1989–1990) - Richard JenkinsRichard JenkinsRichard Dale Jenkins is an American stage, film, and television actor. After beginning his career in theatre, Jenkins made his film debut in 1974, and appeared in supporting roles in numerous film productions in the 1980s and the 1990s. His breakthrough came in the 2000s for playing the deceased...
(1990–1994) - Oskar EustisOskar EustisOskar Eustis is the artistic director at the Public Theater and has worked as a director, dramaturg, and artistic director for theaters around the country.-Career:...
(1994–2005) - Amanda Dehnert (2005–2006, Acting Artistic Director)
- Curt ColumbusCurt ColumbusCurt Columbus became the fifth artistic director of Trinity Repertory Company in January 2006. His directing credits for Trinity include Camelot, Cabaret, The Odd Couple, The Secret Rapture, The Receptionist, Memory House, Blithe Spirit, A Christmas Carol, Cherry Orchard and the world premiere of...
(2006–Present)