Repertory Theatre of St. Louis

After a problematic history and three name changes, this nonprofit professional company located in a suburb of St. Louis has survived to become a notable regional theatre. It was started by Marita Woodruff and Wayne Loui in 1966 on the campus of Webster College and named the Repertory of Theatre at Loretto‐Hilton. The title came from the Sisters of Loretto, who administer the college, and from Conrad Hilton, an alumnus who contributed substantially to the project. The troupe had a true rotating repertory, using drama students from Webster to offset the costs, but the program was a financial failure and was dissolved after a few seasons. By 1973 it was operating as the Loretto Hilton Repertory Theatre and fared better, eventually changing its name once again to reflect its status as the city's premiere resident theatre. The company currently performs in a 733‐seat thrust stage and in a 125‐seat studio theatre, offering classic and modern revivals, small‐scale musicals, and occasionally new works. Their children's theatre touring group is called the Imaginary Theatre Company.