The University of Louisville Alumni Magazine: for alumni, faculty, staff, students and anyone that is a UofL Cardinal fan.
Issue link: https://louisville.epubxp.com/i/643329
1 2 | L O U I S V I L L E . E D U News & Impact Each year, a troupe of graduate students from UofL's Theatre Arts Department travels to dozens of area schools and performs plays from their repertory. "They transform from student actors to characters right before the children's eyes," said Bert Harris, retired theatre professor, who started the Repertory Company in 1975. "It opens children up to theatre, often for the f rst time, and hopefully a lifelong interest is born." Now celebrating its 40th year, the Repertory Company has become one of the most visible aspects of the Theatre Arts Department, having performed for more than 150,000 people, mostly local children. The performances are offered at minimal costs for any non-prof t organization in the metro area, but, by and large, elementary schools take advantage. The productions focus on social justice and inclusion and have accompanying study guides with related activi- ties. Since 2000, the plays have featured content and characters from around the world, including tales from Africa, the Middle East and Brazil. For UofL students, the company offers four paid assistantships a year and invaluable production and performance experience. More than 115 performers have been members and are working throughout the country now as actors, professors, designers, scenic technicians and other theatrical professions. The company only charges the cost of gasoline for travel. The service is supported by the University of Louisville, the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Theatre Arts. "This work is offered at such a discounted fee as a way for Theatre Arts to serve our community," said Nefertiti Burton, department chair. "We believe in the art of theater and the power it can have to reach children and unlock their imaginations. We want to see the arts continue to grow in our community, and we know that art is expensive to bring to schools where artistic funding is in jeopardy or has been eliminated." Theatre Arts plans to fully celebrate the 40th anniversary this spring with a fundraising event. The goal is to raise enough money to purchase a van that grad students can use to travel to their weekly performances. "Currently, the students use their own cars, which presents challenges. Sometimes there's not enough room to transport all the actors and the costumes," Burton said. "We want to make it easier for them. And, we want to recognize and appreciate the tremendous impact the company has had in our community." 40 Years of Community Service: University of Louisville Repertory Company Members of UofL theatre's Repertory Company perform at Blue Lick Elementary School in November.