Seattle Repertory Theatre

Seattle Repertory Theatre, Seattle, Wash., opened at the 895-seat Seattle Center Play House in 1963, its first season including King Lear, Max Frisch's The Firebugs, Christopher Fry's The Lady's not for Burning, and Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. A financial crisis in 1970 (overcome by 1975) led to reduced emphasis on the classics. In 1983, the Bagley Wright Theatre, consisting of the 868-seat Mainstage and the 142-seat Poncho Forum, was erected at the Seattle Center to house the company. Three production schedules have been established: the Main Season, Oct.–May, on the Mainstage; the more intimate Stage Two; and the Other Season. The emphasis is on new works, and many plays originating at the Seattle Rep. have moved to Broadway and other venues. The company also tours extensively along the west coast. The Seattle Children's Theatre uses the Poncho theatre for its productions. A Contemporary Theatre, also in Seattle, was founded in 1965, and operates a 449-seat theatre with a thrust stage. At one time it worked in close co-operation with the Seattle Rep., but it now produces independently and also operates a Young ACT, founded in 1966, for younger audiences.