San Diego Repertory Theatre

Political satires, compelling human struggles, classics and bilingual productions—the San Diego Repertory Theatre represents the diversity that is San Diego. Founded by Sam Woodhouse and D.W. Jacobs in 1976, the Rep has evolved over the years but has never fallen short in its mission to produce programming that explores spiritual, political and cultural values that are vital to the community. The Rep features world premieres, reimagined classics of the world stage and innovative work by contemporary playwrights. What makes this theater’s performances different is that the artists and audiences reflect the dynamic diversity of cultures, ages and economic means that characterize San Diego’s population.

“San Diego is extraordinarily diverse, which provides a broad palette from which to paint,” says Michael Gepner, marketing and public relations director for the Rep. “We do not produce work that is necessarily designed for Broadway reviews; we produce work for the community.”

While Gepner remains humble, the Rep’s recent production of It Ain’t Nothin’ but the Blues moved to Broadway and earned four Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. Additionally, its revival of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? was such a success the production moved to Los Angeles.

In 1996, the Rep launched a bilingual, binational initiative to create new work that speaks to and about the people of the actors on stage Californias in both the United States and Mexico, past and present. Working with artists, arts organizations, scholars and community activists, the Calafia Initiative produces full-scale productions as part of the subscription season. Focusing on the creation of regionally voiced work, the initiative fosters new cultural exploration and expression.

The Rep produces two multicultural, multidisciplinary festivals of the performing and visual arts: Kuumba Fest, a Black History Month celebration of African-American arts and creativity, and the Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival, celebrating inspirational ideas of Jewish philosophy, culture, history and spirituality through music, theater, dance and fine arts.

Nurturing partnerships is a cornerstone of the Rep’s work. The Rep operates the Lyceum Theatre and gallery complex as a “cultural town hall” for San Diego. Each season, more than 40 local arts groups take advantage of the Rep’s resources for production and box-office support, joint marketing ventures and facilities. The Rep has received funding from the National Endowment for the Arts to participate in Shakespeare for a New Generation, and ongoing educational programs include Project Discovery, a comprehensive, intercultural use of theater to educate and enlighten students from underserved communities. As a social and cultural pioneer, the Rep continues to offer the people of San Diego the opportunity to come together as a community and reflect on the place we call home.