Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Established in 1968 as a storefront community theater, Berkeley Repertory Theatre produces ambitious new and classic plays. Located in downtown Berkeley, and presenting shows in two theaters to over 110,000 patrons annually, Berkeley Rep is a local arts leader with a growing national reputation. A former Tony winner for outstanding regional theater, Berkeley Rep has brought numerous shows to Broadway, most recently the 2007 production of Passing Strange in collaboration with The Public Theater. By the end of 2007 Berkeley Rrep had raised $17 million towards a $25 million 40th anniversary campaign to eliminate its debt, build cash reserves and provide increased funding for new play development. Leveraging relationships with established and emerging playwrights including Tony Kushner, Sarah Ruhl, Mary Zimmerman and Marcus Gardley the Rep aspires to present 50 new plays over the next ten years; 10 of them by the end of the 2010 season. With renewed, and increased, operating support the $12 million Berkeley Rep will continue to stage audacious, challenging work at the highest professional level and deepen its commitment to cultivating an interest in the arts among schoolchildren kids in dozens of Bay Area schools, students in its youth theater programs and increasing numbers of audience members under 30.(Renewal, $480,000/3; 1% of organization budget)