2008 Woodie Awards
After 40 years, Rep flirts with plan to move off campus
By: Kevin Huelsmann
Issue date: 3/8/07 Section: News
The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis is contemplating a move from its present location at Webster University's main campus, where it has been in operation for more than 40 years.
Officials from both Webster and the Rep stressed no decisions have been made yet, and the consideration of alternate locations is part of a regular planning process.
The Rep conducts self-evaluations every two or three years, said Steven Woolf, artistic director of the Rep.
"Everybody in the not-for-profit world does this," Woolf said. "You investigate your mission and who you are and what you are doing. You just throw everything out there to discuss."
Mark Bernstein, managing director of the Rep, said, generally, planning processes consist of surveys and market research from the community.
"We want to ensure the best experience for our audience," Bernstein said. "So we ask questions like 'How convenient is our location?' 'Do we have enough parking?' 'Is our theater comfortable?'"
Woolf said an article that appeared in the March 2 issue of the St. Louis Business Journal exaggerated what is really a normal business practice.
Webster University President Richard Meyers echoed Woolf's claims about the article.
"The Business Journal seemed to pick on the possibility of the Rep leaving," Meyers said. "Even though it never said the Rep was leaving, they emphasized the potential. I think it's a stronger possibility they will be staying."
Meyers said the Rep's affiliation with Webster carries a lot of weight in the decision about whether or not to leave campus.
"It's almost like a marriage," Meyers said. "You're through all the hard parts, you're through the early years and now you're in the long-term relationship that has gone very, very well."
Bernstein said the planning process was in a preliminary stage and was far from any formal decisions.
"We're at a very early point in the process," Bernstein said. "It will be some time before any decisions are made."
Officials from both Webster and the Rep stressed no decisions have been made yet, and the consideration of alternate locations is part of a regular planning process.
The Rep conducts self-evaluations every two or three years, said Steven Woolf, artistic director of the Rep.
"Everybody in the not-for-profit world does this," Woolf said. "You investigate your mission and who you are and what you are doing. You just throw everything out there to discuss."
Mark Bernstein, managing director of the Rep, said, generally, planning processes consist of surveys and market research from the community.
"We want to ensure the best experience for our audience," Bernstein said. "So we ask questions like 'How convenient is our location?' 'Do we have enough parking?' 'Is our theater comfortable?'"
Woolf said an article that appeared in the March 2 issue of the St. Louis Business Journal exaggerated what is really a normal business practice.
Webster University President Richard Meyers echoed Woolf's claims about the article.
"The Business Journal seemed to pick on the possibility of the Rep leaving," Meyers said. "Even though it never said the Rep was leaving, they emphasized the potential. I think it's a stronger possibility they will be staying."
Meyers said the Rep's affiliation with Webster carries a lot of weight in the decision about whether or not to leave campus.
"It's almost like a marriage," Meyers said. "You're through all the hard parts, you're through the early years and now you're in the long-term relationship that has gone very, very well."
Bernstein said the planning process was in a preliminary stage and was far from any formal decisions.
"We're at a very early point in the process," Bernstein said. "It will be some time before any decisions are made."
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