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Department of Theatre Arts

About the Repertory Company

Every year, a troupe of graduate students from the University of Louisville performs two plays in rotating repertory for thousands of children, teachers, and other members of our community. Since its first performance on January 20, 1975, the Repertory Company has become one of the most visible aspects of the theatre program at UofL, having performed for more than 100,000 people. The Repertory Company performances are free of charge for any school or non-profit organization in the Louisville metropolitan area, a unique service made possible by the generous support of the University of Louisville, the College of Arts and Sciences, the Graduate School, and the Department of Theatre Arts. Through projects such as this, an urban university can serve its community as no other type of institution can.

Although area schools now schedule the vast majority of Rep Company performances, the Company’s tours have taken it to a remarkable variety of venues: classrooms, nursing homes, chapels and outdoor amphitheatres, the Governor’s Mansion, and the state prison. The Rep Company’s production of The Glass Menagerie was performed at the international Avignon Theatre Festival in France. It seldom, if ever, performs in a traditional theatre.

103 performers have been members of the Repertory Company to date. Alumni of the Company are working as actors throughout the country or as teachers, lawyers, carpenters, or in other professions.

The 2004-2005 Repertory Company Presents:

How Orisanmi Chose His Head
A Yoruba tale from Nigeria adapted for the stage by Nefertiti Burton.

In this half-hour theatrical presentation, four actors transform into traditional Yoruba characters to perform a coming of age story. Through storytelling, ritual, music, dance, and song, they enact the story of three young spirits who undertake the journey to be born on earth as human beings. The story reveals the traditional Yoruba values of patience, humility, respect for parents, and courtesy to others. Each performance is followed by a talkback with the actors.

The Women of Will’s World—Witty, Willful, and Wonderful
Adapted and directed by Kathi E.B. Ellis

William Shakespeare peopled his plays with women who embody the full range of the human condition. This production brings together well-known and lesser-known female characters of all ages and experiences in a celebration of the wealth of roles Shakespeare created 400 years ago. Funny, passionate, curious, unruly, trusting, imperious, and more: Discover these wonderful women!

Repertory Company Production History