The Orlando Repertory Theatre

The REP

Seeking to Educate and Enlighten Young Minds on the Merits of Theater

Sixteen years. That marks the number of years children in Orlando and beyond have been impacted by productions and theatrical opportunities of Orlando Repertory Theatre in Partnership With UCF, fondly known to many as The REP. First emerging in 2000 in partnership with UCF, The REP has continued its initial goal to provide quality, family-friendly theater to patrons of all ages.

“Everything we do for The REP focuses on family-friendly audiences,” said Jeff Revels, artistic director. “Our goal is always to create moments that matter, which is the motto we follow.”

Whether it is offering classes/workshops about learning all aspects of stage production or performing The Little Mermaid onstage to the delights of many, The REP is an experience that is life-changing and integral in the development of a child and family.

Pillars of Theater

When asked what The REP theater company consists of, Revels attributes it to four pillars of service: professional production, youth academy, community engagement and partnership with UCF.

“We like to use theater as a tool to get involved in the community and create meaningful programming,” he said.

The REP’s most known pillar, professional production, consists of six mainstage shows running from five to eight weeks with eight performances per week. The performances are separated into school performances during the week and performances for families on weekends.

This production year of 2016-17 will bring to the stage beloved book classics such as Llama, Llama from Sept. 12-Oct. 16, Nancy Drew and Her Biggest Case Ever from Apr. 10-May 14, and Geronimo Stilton: Mouse in Space  from Jan. 30-Mar. 5. This season’s onstage musicals include the rock musical Rock the Presidents from Oct. 10-Nov. 13 and jazz musical Harry Connick Jr.’s A Happy Elf from Nov. 7-Dec. 13. Rounding out the season is a new adventure for a treasured character, Curious George, in Curious George: The Golden Meatball from Feb. 27-Apr. 9.

There are also several limited-run productions, one-day showings and other programming that keeps the stage busy every weekend.

With The REP’s youth academy, young people can enjoy the creativity of theater and the arts through summer camps, classes and productions for ages 3-18. Summer camps are housed in five different locations: the Loch Haven residence and four additional satellite sites.

“This is integral to growth, and we feel theater is so important, and we want as many children as possible to have access to performances and programs,” Revels said. “We fund scholarships so that children can come to camps, as they may not have any other way to get here.”

The youth academy also leads into The REP’s community engagement pillar, where the theater company has worked with recognized nonprofit organizations such as Girl Scouts, Edgewood Children’s Ranch, and Boys and Girls Clubs of America. Maynard Evans High School is among those connected to The REP, as students are matched with senior citizens at assisted living homes for cross-generational programming.

In light of recent events nationwide, the theater company does not shy away from programming connected to current events. This season brings a limited engagement production called The Drama Club, with high school students depicting racial tensions that occur between an African-American girl and Caucasian girl in a drama club.

Orlando Reporatory Theater

Ashley Willsey

Orlando Repertory Theater in Partnership With UCF brings family-friendly performances to audiences of all ages.

“Theater opens up dialogues on issues families can discuss and is a safe place to be creative and be open about themselves,” said Ashley Willsey, marketing director.

The theater has also partnered with police academy students at Valencia College for their Justice Project, which brings the students together with African-American teenage boys to use theater as a way to communicate their perspectives to one another.

“Using theater as entry to discuss sensitive issues levels the field and encourages meaningful dialogue,” Revels said. “Art has always and will always be a constructive way to respond to the world around us.”

The final pillar is the theater’s partnership with UCF, coupled with a graduate program to allow UCF students to learn all aspects of theater for young audiences — not just acting and directing, but costuming, tech, marketing and theater management. The same teaching outlet is offered to young people as well with The REP’s Design and Tech Academy and Student Advisory Board.

New Ways of Theater

Even with all the programming The REP offers the community, the company is always seeking new ways to impact families and young people with theater. Revels mentioned that several of the board members and staff have been with The REP for years (he is celebrating his 21st year; Willsey, her fifth) and are encouraged to research ideas for fresh program opportunities.

One that is close to Revels’ heart is a sensory-friendly production for those diagnosed within the autism spectrum. The program, now in its fifth year of existence, has already been implemented in several local and countrywide theaters, including the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts.

“Theater is life-changing, whether you are watching or are participating in it, I think theater strengthens your character in that you [have] a chance to see things from other people’s perspectives,” Revels said. “We have to find some outlet, some reason for hope; our theater is always hopeful about anything and everything that we do.”

For more information about Orlando Repertory Theatre in Partnership With UCF, 1001 E. Princeton St., Orlando, call 407-896-7365 or visit orlandorep.com on the web.💓