Trinity Repertory Company

In 1963, a group of citizens in Providence, Rhode Island, decided their city needed a professional resident theater. They hired a director from New York named Adrian Hall to be the founding Artistic Director, and by March 1964, the Trinity Repertory Company staged its first production in a local church. The company's playbook was different from the start. A key move came in 1966 with the launch of Project Discovery, a program funded by the new National Endowment for the Arts that brought high school students to see live theater for free. This wasn't just about community outreach; it built a future audience and stabilized the theater's finances, bringing it national attention. This strategy paid off, and in 1968, Trinity Rep became the first American theater company to perform at the prestigious Edinburgh International Festival. A major turning point occurred in 1973 when the company acquired a former vaudeville house in downtown Providence, securing a permanent home now known as the Lederer Theater Center. This acquisition was more than a real estate transaction; it cemented their place in the city's fabric. The company's innovative work and community focus culminated in receiving the regional theater Tony Award in 1981, a major mark of distinction in American theater. Trinity Rep's journey demonstrates a model for building a lasting cultural institution. By combining a commitment to a resident acting company, developing new works, and embedding itself in the community through education, it established itself as a major force in regional theater, a legacy that continues today.