Another positive change comes to Flint, Michigan. For over 60 years, Flint Youth Theatre has proudly served young people and their families, and today it takes a bold new step to offer more to all ages by transforming into the new Flint Repertory Theatre. This name change will go into effect immediately. Starting with the coming 2018/2019 season, a major expansion of the depth and breadth of its programming, as well as its mission, will position it as a professional, not-for-profit regional theatre.
“We
are extremely proud of the work we’ve done over the past six decades
with the support of our generous donors and the Flint Institute of
Music,
of which we are a part. We are now in a position to expand and serve
more people in our community and in southeastern Michigan,” said Michael
Lluberes, Producing Artistic Director, Flint Repertory Theatre. “We
have an exciting new commitment to provide highly
imaginative, thought-provoking theatre that is challenging,
entertaining and inspiring for all ages. We look forward to our future
and to enriching the lives of those who share our passion for the
performing arts.”
Flint
Youth Theatre, a true community treasure, will be under the new banner
of Flint Repertory Theatre – or “The Rep.” It will become a program of
The Rep’s Education Department and will present student driven
productions that perform at the theatre and tour to local schools and
community organizations.
Expanded Programs at The Rep
One
of the biggest changes at The Rep will be expanded programming for
adult audiences. The new “Signature Series” will offer a professional
season
of diverse plays and musicals. The 2018/2019 season titles will be
announced on August 22 at The Rep’s Season Announcement Party:
https://thefim.org/events/fyt-season-announcement-party
Additionally,
The Rep will considerably expand its commitment to develop new work for
the stage. The newly created “Flint Rep Lab” will offer studio
space and other resources to playwrights, composers and directors to
workshop new plays and musicals. The Rep will expand their “New Works
Festival” to establish a hub for creating original theatrical work that
can only be seen in the city of Flint. After
a successful inaugural festival last season, the second annual “New
Works Festival“ will be a three-day presentation of staged readings and
workshops of world premiere plays and musicals with discussions between
playwrights and audiences.
A multitude of new opportunities for professional theatre artists will be offered with the broadening of these programs.
The
transformation to Flint Repertory Theatre will also create more options
for those interested in learning more about what goes on behind the
curtain
or perfecting their craft on stage. An expanded alliance with the
University of Michigan-Flint will provide theatre students an array of
apprenticeship opportunities. Additionally, The Rep will now offer
professional fellowships and adult classes.
Continuing Programs at The Rep
The Rep will continue to offer shows for the entire family under the
“Theatre for Young Audience Series” which will present the best and
brightest in the
genre, including world premieres and wonderful re-imagined classics.
The popular “Learning Through Theatre” school matinee program will also
continue to provide thousands of students from Genesee and surrounding
counties
with free or highly discounted tickets to The Rep’s Theatre for Young
Audience shows.
Year-round education classes, camps and workshops for every grade level will also remain a part of The Rep’s offerings.
About Flint Repertory Theatre
Originally founded in 1957 as Flint Youth Theatre, the new Flint
Repertory Theatre – also known as “The Rep” – is a professional,
not-for-profit regional
theatre located in the heart of Flint, Michigan. It is a program of
the Flint Institute of Music and its mission is to provide the city of
Flint and surrounding communities with highly imaginative,
thought-provoking theatre that is challenging, entertaining
and inspiring for all ages.
Along
with a season of professional works and an annual festival featuring
new work, The Rep offers educational programming for all ages.
Facilities
at The Rep include Bower, a 300-seat proscenium theatre; Elgood, a
150-seat thrust theatre; two rehearsal spaces; and, scenic and costume
shops.
Funding
for The Rep is primarily through individual and corporate donors
including Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, James A. Welch Foundation,
Whiting
Foundation, Bower Charitable Trust and The Community Foundation of
Greater Flint Endowment.
For more information about Flint Repertory Theatre, please visit
www.FlintRep.org
Follow Flint Repertory Theatre at:
Facebook: FlintRepertoryTheatre
Instagram: @FlintInstituteofMusic
Twitter: @FIM
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