Birmingham Repertory Theatre

The REP’s mission has always been to produce excellent theatrical experiences, to entertain, enlighten and engage audiences and, wherever possible, to reflect the diversity of Birmingham and the surrounding region. This supports our vision, which is to ‘Inspire the city of Birmingham to a lifelong love of theatre’

Making theatre from scratch remains at the heart of the theatre’s work. Birmingham and the Black Country have historically been known as the workshop of the world. They are now celebrated as great cultural workshops too. Birmingham City Council vision has put cultural ingenuity at the centre of regeneration and The REP is a force at the heart of that vision.

The REP is one of Britain’ s leading producers of new theatre. We commission newcomers and new groups as well as established theatre professionals. In 1998 the studio theatre was re-launched as The Door and is the only such studio in a regional theatre to be dedicated exclusively to the creation of new work. We support the development of new ideas for productions through linking our creative team across many diverse communities of professional and emerging artists. Some new works start life here and go on to become tours or films or transfers to other theatres. For instance, East Is East by Ayub Khan-Din was premiered at The REP in 1996, published and adapted into a multi-BAFTA award winning film in 1999 and returned to The REP in 2009. Frozen by Bryony Lavery was commissioned by The REP, produced for the main stage in 2000, transferred to The National Theatre, won TMA best play award, was produced on Broadway and nominated for 4 Tony Awards.

The REP runs over a dozen youth theatre companies across Birmingham as well as providing summer schools and work experience placements for young people.

The REP regularly offers work experience placements to year 10 and 11 pupils. Placements are for one week and offer experience in a variety of different departments and roles within the theatre. Students on work experience placements with The REP also have the opportunity to complete a Bronze Arts Award during their placement. The weeks we offer and the departments in which we are able to offer experience are determined by factors such as the company’s production schedule and the dates required by the majority of schools.

Backstage Tours

Which REP production sent a horse and cart crashing through the stage?

Which famous Hollywood actors started their careers at The REP?

Just how DO we make people fly on stage?

Take a peek behind the curtain at The REP! Backstage tours offer a unique opportunity to explore the unseen areas at one of the largest producing theatres in the country. We can even tailor tours to focus on areas of particular interest to your group. Call the Learning & Participation team to book.

Schools

The REP’s Learning & Participation team have a wide range of experience and expertise which we can bring into your school to introduce students to particular topics or strengthen their understanding of a particular area of drama or theatre. If you want to consolidate what you’re already teaching in class with a workshop led by one of the largest producing theatres in the UK, why not book us in?

A REP Learning and Participation package can:

• Get students straight into the action with a one-off workshop
• Take place over a number of workshops that develop a deeper understanding of a theatrical technique

A REP Learning and Participation package will:

• Develop speaking and listening skills
• Improve confidence
• Enhance team work and communication skills