Long before the first lead was cast or the first costume was stitched, Nashvillians had a dream to build a first-rate local theater company in town. Under the umbrella of the Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC), the Nashville Repertory Theatre — originally the Tennessee Repertory Theatre — began to grow. This year marks the 40th year for the venerable institution — and that is something to celebrate.

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History

In 1985, Mac Pirkle and Martha Ingram founded the Tennessee Repertory Theatre from Mac’s production company, Southern Stages. (The name changed in 2014 to better align with other production companies, like Nashville Opera and Nashville Ballet.) While some might debate which show was the theater’s debut, many artists and supporters say the first performance was of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie.

In the early days, the Nashville Repertory Theatre acted as an educational arm of TPAC, exposing students to the art of theater by producing plays for them. Many current patrons of the Rep will tell you their first experience with theater was watching a Nashville Rep performance. 

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Legacy

Through the decades, the Nashville Rep grew, gradually adding more artists and performances to its repertoire. Today, the organization is Middle Tennessee’s leading employer of theater professionals. 

When many creatives were out of work during the pandemic, the Rep commissioned original pieces from local playwrights and cast local actors in performances of them — creating plays you could stream at home while theaters were closed. At the same time, the organization moved its educational content from classrooms to virtual platforms. The hard work paid off: Support for the theater company jumped during the pandemic and has only continued to grow.

Outside of its theater performances, one of the Rep’s most beloved events is its wildly successful Broadway Brunch — the organization’s primary fundraiser. Each year, patrons and supporters gather for a spirited brunch filled with theatrical performances by Nashville Rep actors. The event has raised crucial funds for the Rep’s operations, ensuring a continued legacy for the theater company.

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Future

Today, the Nashville Rep looks to the future. The organization is laser-focused on expanding  its educational programs over the next three to five years. In 2025, the Nashville Rep plans to launch the Young Stars program — a fully produced musical performed by students to encourage more young people to get involved with theater. 

While keeping an eye on the horizon, the Nashville Rep continues to bring top-notch performances to Nashville. The April 2025 capstone is a production of Sunday in the Park with George — quite fittingly, a story about the struggles and triumphs of becoming an artist.