Southern Rep (Southern Rep Theatre) is a regional theatre located in
New Orleans
New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a Consolidated city-county, consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana. With a population of 383,997 at the 2020 ...
,
Louisiana
Louisiana ( ; ; ) is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It borders Texas to the west, Arkansas to the north, and Mississippi to the east. Of the 50 U.S. states, it ranks 31st in area and 25 ...
. It is a member of
National New Plays Network and
Theatre Communications Group
Theatre Communications Group (TCG) is a non-profit service organization headquartered in New York City that promotes professional non-profit theatre
Theatre or theater is a collaborative form of performing art that uses live performers, us ...
.
Founded in 1986 by Dr. Rosary O'Neill, it is now led by Producing Artistic Director Aimee Hayes. Southern Rep has been the recipient of the Governor's Arts Organization Award from Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu and the State Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
History
After its founding in 1986 by playwright and scholar Dr. Rosary O'Neill, Southern Rep focused on producing work that reflects Southern heritage. From 2002 through 2007, under the leadership of Producing Artistic Director Ryan Rilette, Southern Rep began focusing on developing new plays by American playwrights, featuring regional premieres of national work, and joining the National New Play Network. Marieke Gaboury joined as Managing Director in 2010 and left in 2012.Aimee Hayes was appointed Artistic Director in 2008. Aimee Hayes left in 2020. Sacha Grandoit is The Current Interim Artistic Director, as August 2021 of
In 2019, the theater took up permanent residence in the former
St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. It closed in 2022.
Former locations
The company's primary location was at
One Canal Place
One Canal Place, located at 365 Canal Street in the Central Business District of New Orleans, Louisiana, is a 32-story, -tall skyscraper. The building contains The Shops at Canal Place and is attached to the Westin New Orleans Canal Place hote ...
. The theater has also performed at Mid-City Theater,
Loyola University's Marquette Hall,
Michalopoulos Gallery,
Ursuline Academy auditorium theater, Ashé Power House theater and
The Contemporary Arts Center, NewOrleans.
Katrina
In 2005, Southern Rep had to temporarily close its doors during
Hurricane Katrina
Hurricane Katrina was a powerful, devastating and historic tropical cyclone that caused 1,392 fatalities and damages estimated at $125 billion in late August 2005, particularly in the city of New Orleans and its surrounding area. ...
and ensuing aftermath. It reopened to the public in the months after Hurricane Katrina.
[ ]
Production history
Southern Rep Theatre Productions
References
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Theatre companies in Louisiana
Arts organizations established in 1986
1986 establishments in Louisiana
Tourist attractions in New Orleans