Trinity Repertory Company

Providence, Rhode Island

Since its founding in 1964, Trinity Repertory Company has been one of the most-respected regional theaters in the country. Featuring an acclaimed resident acting company, Trinity Rep presents a balance of world-premiere, contemporary, and classic works, including an annual production of A Christmas Carol , for an estimated annual audience of nearly 200,000. In its 43-year history, the theater has presented more than 50 world premieres. Project Discovery, Trinity Rep's pioneering educational outreach program launched in 1966, introduces approximately 25,000 students a year to live theater. Since 1973, Trinity Rep's home has been the Lederer Theater Center , a historic landmark built as the Majestic Theatre in 1917. With an annual budget of approximately $7 million, the theater employs more than 130 artistic and administrative staff and annually generates more than $24 million in economic activity.

Trinity Repertory Company implemented a wide-ranging and inclusive arts education program, Shakespeare for a New Generation: Richard III in the Modern World . This program provided participating students with an engaging learning process that brings the issues of Richard III into the 21 st century, making the play a tangible source of learning for today's youth. All educational activities surrounded the mainstage production of Richard III , which was produced as part of Trinity Rep's 2007–2008 season. Richard III in the Modern World included three fundamental components for each of the partnering schools. Students and teachers attended a fully professional, high-quality, mainstage student matinee of Richard III, performed at the theater by Trinity Rep's resident acting company. Schools that reserved seats were offered the opportunity to participate in two additional program components, including short-term artist residencies to introduce students to Shakespeare and Shakespearean text and extensive professional development offerings for teachers. The support from Shakespeare for a New Generation allowed Trinity Repertory Company to form partnerships with area schools in underserved communities.

Visit them at: http://www.trinityrep.com/

Feedback from Company

Trinity Rep's performance style immerses the audience in the action of the play; scenes and dialogue regularly extend off the stage to locations all over the theater space - in the aisles, behind the audience, etc. In Richard III, Richard's soliloquies often took place off the stage, walking through aisles, talking directly to students. In general, our student audiences are more vocally and visibly responsive than our adult audiences. There was a lot of other hooting and hollering at various points throughout the play- several characters meet with bloody deaths, which wen over well with the students. For all of their enthusiasm, our student audiences are reportedly the favorites of our actors - they appreciate the raw, honest response that they get from the young people.