THE BLACK REP

The St. Louis Black Repertory Company was founded in 1976 by Ron Himes and a group of students who wanted to increase awareness of black culture on their university campus.

It is the largest African American performing arts organization in Missouri and is based in the newly-remodeled Grandel Square Theatre.

The Black Rep has a touring group that performs four shows about 150 times yearly at neighboring schools and universities. It provides internships for 10 students and presents workshops at the sites visited.

The organization invites local schools to attend matinees of its Mainstage productions, which number six per season. The current two-man play, "Williams & Walker," is based on the lives of African American vaudevillians Bert Williams and George Walker.

Upcoming is Langston Hughes' "Tambourines to Glory" Feb. 12-March 9, followed by a departure on March 19-April 13. "Kingdom of Earth: The Seven Descents of Myrtle" was written by Tennessee Williams. Most of The Black Rep's productions were written by African Americans or Third World playwrights.

Also upcoming are Herb Gardner's "I'm Not Rappaport" April 23-May 18 and Himes' own "Tell Me Something Good" May 28-June 22.

The Black Rep has a staff of 14, including new Managing Director Shay Wafer. Himes' title is producing director.

The organization receives funding from the Missouri Arts Council, the National Endowment for the Arts, corporate contributions and the Regional Arts Commission, which allocates local hotel and tourism taxes to arts organizations.