Misson

“The only way the actor can be assured of continuity and development is within the structure of a permanent repertory theater. Society must be prepared to offer him this security. Lawyers have courts; doctors, hospitals. The actor’s institution is the theater.”

- Joseph Papp, Founder
New York Shakespeare Festival
and The Public Theater

Mission: The Repertory Theater of Iowa is a professional resident ensemble theater company dedicated to producing high-quality entertainment that educates and inspires by reviving the classics of yesterday and creating the classics of tomorrow.

Vision: The Repertory Theater of Iowa is a not-for-profit 501©3 organization founded with the vision of creating a professional theater company of national prominence in Des Moines, Iowa. RTI aims to gain a national profile by becoming an Actor’s Equity affiliated theater and a member of the League of Resident Theaters (LORT), joining over seventy other LORT theaters located in cities throughout the nation.

We believe that theater – created by an ensemble of passionate, skilled artists – can challenge, inspire and nurture lives and communities to be their best. We envision a theater company whose:

• artistic endeavors not only bring together actors and audiences but value cultural diversity and strengthen human bonds;

• dedication to artistic excellence plays a vital role in the cultural, educational and economic development of our city;

• presence enhances the attractiveness of central Iowa as a place for people to live, visit and work.

History

Founded by Joseph Leonardi as the Central Iowa Repertory Theater Company in 2004, the Repertory Theater of Iowa has since grown in central Iowa’s only resident theater ensemble, comprised entirely of experienced, professional central Iowa artists.

In August 2008, RTI merged with The Drama Workshop, Des Moines’ longest running avant garde theater company, in order to preserve its 50 year history and to promote and fulfill RTI’s educational and developmental goals.

Production History

2004
THE LADY OF LARKSPUR LOTION by Tennessee Williams
HUGHIE by Eugene O’Neil

2005
OVERRULED by George Bernard Shaw
TWYLA’S BOY by Charles E. Polly
27 WAGONS FULL OF COTTON by Tennessee Williams
THE GNADIGES FRAULEIN by Tennessee Williams
THE SPLIT INFINITY by William S.E. Coleman

2006
CROWNS by Regina Taylor
NOW THAT’S FUNNY by Steve Hakeman
UNCONVENTIONAL SEX by Chuck Hughes
WINDOW TREATMENT by Kay Frances Scott
ENDGAME by Samuel Beckett
A TUNA CHRISTMAS by Joe Sears and Jaston Williams

2007
(Company is reorganized and established as an ensemble theater)

2008
ALL MY SONS by Arthur Miller
BLOOD-READ POE featuring the works of Edgar Allan Poe
CLAUSTROPHILIA by Amy Freed
WONDER OF THE WORLD by David Lindsay-Abaire

2009
A PYG’S EYE by James Serpento and Mark Gruber
TWELFTH NIGHT by William Shakespeare
THE TRIP TO BOUNTIFUL by Horton Foote
BLOOD RED POE: BECOMING DRACULA by Mark Gruber
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens, adapted by Larry Carpenter

2010
LOVE AND OTHER MATTERS: An Evening of One Acts by Anton Chekhov
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR by William Shakespeare
AGNES OF GOD by John Pielmeier
THE WOMAN IN BLACK adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from the book by Susan Hill
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens, adapted by Larry Carpenter

2011
CAT ON A HOT TIN ROOF by Tennessee Williams
AS YOU LIKE IT by William Shakespeare
GOD OF CARNAGE by Yasmina Reza, translated by Christopher Hampton
THE WOMAN IN BLACK adapted by Stephen Mallatratt from the book by Susan Hill
A CHRISTMAS MEMORY by Truman Capote
THE SANTALAND DIARIES by David Sedaris, adapted by Joe Mantello

2012
TARTUFFE by Moliere, translated by Christopher Hampton
SENSE & SENSIBILITY by Jane Austen, adapted for the stage by Kerry Skram
A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens, adapted by Larry Carpenter

Company