Statements
Mission
The mission of the Nashville Repertory Theatre is to entertain and inspire by creating exceptional theatre that explores the diversity of human experience.
Our vision is to be a strong and vital professional regional theatre that is an indispensable part of our community's creative life, widely embraced and deeply valued as an essential source for illuminating artistic experiences, engaging diverse groups in conversation about contemporary issues and providing exciting entertainment. As such, we strive to be recognized as a model of sustainability that is home for a diverse, thriving community of professional artists, and whose name is synonymous with excellence in every aspect.
As Oscar Wilde said, 'Theatre is the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it means to be human.' We believe there are few things more important than reminding Nashvillians of their shared humanity as a means of building community.
Background
Nashville Repertory Theatre was founded in 1985 by Martha Rivers Ingram & Mac Pirkle, and for 39 years has served as the resident theatre company of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. Each year, more than 35,000 community members experience a Nashville Rep production, special event, or outreach program.
The Rep's annual program of work includes a main stage season, a nationally-recognized new play development program, professional development & education initiatives, engagement & outreach activities, and several special events, supplemented by a props & costume rental operation.
The company employs 19 full time staff year-round. During the 9-month production season, the Rep contracts on average over 250 actors, playwrights, designers, directors, musicians, technicians, & educators each year, making it the leading employer of theatrical artists in the region.
The Rep is recognized as a theatrical company of the highest quality. It has been named "Best Performing Arts Organization" by Nashville Business Journal, "Best Professional Theatre" by Nashville Scene, "Best Local Theatre" by The Tennessean, & was formally recognized for 35 years of service to the community by the Metropolitan Government of Nashville. The company's artists have been honored with awards from the Nashville Business Journal, Nfocus, the First Night Awards, Nashville Scene, The Tennessean, & more.
The Ingram New Works Project, the Rep's new play development program, has been recognized at the national level. Since 2009, the project has seen the creation of more than 70 new American plays. Of those, 30% have won major awards, & 50% have been produced across the country, including Broadway, Off-Broadway, & the NYC Fringe Festival. In 2019, Theatre Communications Group & American Theatre Magazine recognized Martha Rivers Ingram, the founder of the program, for her role in expanding the landscape of American theatre and specifically for its commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices and creating representation on American stages. In 2023, the program expanded to premiere new musical works for Nashville audiences.
A focus in all programming is to make theatre accessible to all. This is achieved through robust youth impact programs, community outreach initiatives, and multiple accessibility programs offering free or deeply discounted tickets. As Nashville Rep enters its 39th season, it continues to grow.
Impact
1. Main Stage Fiscal Success. Since returning to live performance in fall 2021, the Rep's new strategic plan for main stage growth has been extremely effective, with back-to-back record-breaking seasons for ticket sales and attendance. Nashville Rep was named was named "Best Theatre Company" for the third consecutive year by Nashville Scene.
2. . Commitment to Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility.
The Rep is committed to creating an inclusive organization and encourages all to participate, both on and off the stage, and continues to strive to be a model of equity and diversity in the local arts community. Significant milestones achieved in the last two years include:
• The Board has diversified its Board of Directors with an impressive roster of BIPOC leaders from the community, and is proud to have the most diverse board of any major arts organization in the region. The current board mirrors the demographic makeup of our community, and anti-racist training for Board and staff has been formally incorporated into the company's by-laws.
• On the mainstage, 54% of all artists in the 38th season were artists of color. In 2022, the company produced its first ever production featuring 100% BIPOC contracted artists on the stage and behind the scenes, and in 2023 mounted the biggest largest ever production of a black writer's play in Nashville. 2023 also saw the first ever LGBTQ themed shows on the Rep stage, with both "RENT" and "The Cake".
• The Ingram New Works Festival featured new works by a Latinx and black female playwright, with 72% BIPOC cast/crew between the two productions
• The Rep launched a formal Technical Theatre Apprenticeship Program to provide paid work experience to early stage technical theatre artists with a focus upon supporting primarily artists of color to help transform the local workforce.
• More than 2500 comp tickets were redeemed for mainstage shows, offered to constituents of organizations such as 100 Black Men, LINKS, Safe Haven Family Shelter, Hope Kids, Nashville CARES, Big Brothers/Big Sisters, and at community events such as African Street Festival and PRIDE
3. Expansion of Youth Programming
Youth engagement nearly tripled from FY22 to FY23 with more than 9000 youth served thanks to:
• 3 sold-out sessions of Broadway Theatre Camp at YMCA Camp Widjiwagan,
• Broadway masterclass with Lana Gordon of "Hadestown"
• 7 youth performers featured in mainstage productions
• Educational Equity programs teaching life skills through theatre continued for a third year with increased participation.
• School performances of "Fences" and "The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time" engaged more than 3300 students
• Family-friendly "Elf" brought the next generation to experience live theatre over the holidays
4. Expansion of community outreach & engagement.
In service to a new 3-year strategic plan developed with input from more than 700 community stakeholders, the Rep continues to expand outreach & engagement programs in service to community.
Events in recent years brought new partnerships with community non-profits to expand the conversation regarding topics presented on stage and offer resources to the community to address them. Recent productions have resulted in community conversation surrounding the school to prison pipeline, the impact of mental health upon family, and racial identity in America. Partnerships (including free tickets to constituents of each group) included Oasis Center, Metro Juvenile Court, NOAH, GANG, Metro Human Relations Commission, Centerstone, Gordon Jewish Community Center and National Museum of African American Music, among others. For our production of "Ragtime" alone, the Rep engaged community with 14 different programs tied to the themes of the play.
Needs
Our most pressing needs include:
1. Continue to secure seed money to launch Professional Apprenticeship program and expand youth offerings without cannibalizing existing resources for established Rep programs and events.
2. Continue to diversify Board of Directors leadership and staff to maintain a Board that reflects the community we serve.
3. Expand our volunteer base to support auxiliary programs.
4. Connect with newcomers and visitors to Nashville to expand audiences through strategic partnerships and marketing.
5. Seek ways to reduce occupancy costs related to rental of TPAC and NPT, including the possibility of a capital campaign to secure our own space.
6. Find new ways to identify potential donors, both organizational and individual.
CEO Statement
From Executive Director Drew Ogle:
Often when I am with audiences and funders, I speak about the economic value of the arts. In Tennessee, the financial impact of the arts is tremendous. Every $1 invested in the arts generates over $4 in earned income. The arts attract newcomers and business to our city, and the arts drive tourism. This is why Nashville Rep receives support from a wide variety of stakeholders: individuals, businesses, the nonprofit sector, schools, and city, state, and federal government. So vital are the arts to our economic health, that sometimes we forget how vital the arts are to our happiness, well-being, and connection to our community.
Of all the arts, theatre, in particular, deeply connects us.
We performers stand on the stage and tell our stories and sing our songs. You join us in a darkened theatre. And for a brief moment in time, we all feel something, together. We can experience great joy, we can witness deep sorrow. We laugh and we cry, together.
Did you know that our heartbeats actually synchronize when we see a show together? Theatre reminds us that, despite any distinctions, we are all part of the same human tapestry.
In this world, where there are plenty of things that can divide us, I'm so grateful that theatre brings us together. And I'm proud that this is the way that Nashville Rep serves our community.
Sincerely,
Drew Ogle
Executive Director
Board Chair Statement
From Board President, Mark Peacock, M.D. :
Why do I give to Nashville Repertory Theater? Because quality theatre is not inexpensive to produce, but Nashville Rep is committed to keeping its ticket prices affordable for our community. Charitable giving is essential to meet the budget needs and sustain this important company.
So do yourself a favor. Buy some tickets. Attend a show. And see for yourself how wonderful the Rep shows are.
Then do me a favor and join me as a donor committed to keeping local theatre thriving in Nashville.
Sincerely,
Mark Peacock, M.D.
Service Categories |
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| Primary Category: | Arts, Culture & Humanities - Theater |
| Secondary Category: | Youth Development - Youth Development Programs |
| Tertiary Category: | Education - Adult Education |
Areas Served
Middle Tennessee: Davidson County and surrounding counties
| TN - Wilson |
| TN - Williamson |
| TN - Cheatham |
| TN - Maury |
| TN - Hickman |
| TN - Trousdale |
| TN - Cannon |
| TN - Davidson |
| TN - Bedford |
| TN - Dickson |
| TN - Marshall |
| TN - Montgomery |
| TN - Robertson |
| TN - Rutherford |
| TN - Sumner |
