Seattle Repertory Theatre

Seattle Repertory Theatre. After many years of difficulties, this nonprofit theatre in Washington found national recognition in the 1990s and became a favorite place to test original works before sending them on to Broadway. The company was founded in 1963 by Stuart Vaughan and was housed in a building remaining from the Seattle World's Fair. The troupe struggled with financial difficulties for over a decade, but by 1974 its subscription base and reputation in Seattle were secure and the company added a second performance space, Stage 2. Daniel Sullivan became artistic director in 1981 and helped revitalize the theatre, instituting a New Plays program and expanding the repertory. In 1983 the group moved into the 850‐seat Bagley Wright Theatre at the Seattle Center and added the 140‐seat PONCHO Forum space for new works. By the 1990s the Seattle Rep was sending such works as Wendy Wasserstein's The Heidi Chronicles, The Sisters Rosensweig, and An American Daughter to Broadway, as well as plays by Neil Simon and other established playwrights. The company received the 1990 Tony Award for outstanding regional theatre.