Descriptive Summary
Access
Publication Rights
Preferred Citation
Acquisition Information
Biography/Administrative History
Scope and Content of Collection
Indexing Terms
Descriptive Summary
Title: San Jose Repertory Theatre Records
Dates: 1985-2014
Collection Number: 2014-66
Creator/Collector:
San Jose Repertory Theatre
Extent: 20 boxes (approx. 17 linear feet)
Repository:
History San Jose Research Library
San Jose, California 95112
Abstract: San Jose Repertory Theatre, or "The Rep," was founded in 1980 by James P. Reber, the first resident professional theater company
in San Jose. The Rep's opening production of Noel Coward's 'Private Lives' was well received and was followed by three more
plays in 1981. For roughly the next thirty years the company was prominent in Downtown San Jose's artistic community, until
filing for bankruptcy and closing its doors in 2014. The records primarily document theatrical productions (programs, posters,
photographs, scripts, production notes, and press kits), as well as educational outreach programs, with limited financial
records.
Language of Material: English
Access
The records are available to the public by appointment with the Curator of Library & Archives.
Publication Rights
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions
of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a
photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used
for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy
or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution
reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgement, fulfillment of the order would involve violation
of copyright law.
Preferred Citation
San Jose Repertory Theatre Records. History San Jose Research Library
Acquisition Information
Transferred to History San Jose by the City of San Jose's Office of Cultural Affairs in December 2014.
Biography/Administrative History
The San Jose Repertory Theatre, or "The Rep," was founded in 1980 by James P. Reber, the first resident professional theater
company in San Jose. The Rep's opening production of Noel Coward's 'Private Lives' was well received and was followed by three
more plays in 1981. For roughly the next thirty years the company was prominent in Downtown San Jose's artistic community.
Early grants came from the San Jose Fine Arts Commission as well as the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation who provided
a grant to help hire professional staff. As a nonprofit, fund-raising and grants were crucial. A board of trustees was set
up quickly to speak publicly and fund-raise for the company.
In 1997, The Rep moved from the Montgomery Theater to a new building in downtown San Jose, 101 Paseo de San Antonio. This
purpose-built theater was more spacious, seating 584 people.
The 2002-2003 season was by far the most profitable with over 15,000 subscribers; however it was becoming increasingly hard
to keep this level of interest in the arts in the Bay area. In 2006 the company saw a drop in subscriptions as well as a drop
in city funding after the state ordered the dissolution of local redevelopment agencies. The company required a $2 million
loan to keep afloat. Loan payments, combined with the economic downturn of 2008 and a continued drop in subscriptions forced
The Rep to file for bankruptcy in 2014, closing its doors in June of that year.
Scope and Content of Collection
The San Jose Repertory Theatre Records primarily consist of theatrical production programs, advertising, reviews and press
clippings from 1985 to 2014. The contents of the boxes are sorted chronologically, by production.
There are three boxes of administrative information in the form of subscription newsletters, financial information, media
plans, a five year play from 1985, inter-department memos and audit reports. There is also a small collection of awards and
plaques awarded to the company during its life time.
Other administrative information available in this collection includes shareholders information (2013), Board of Trustees
information (2007, 2008), and financial reports (2000-2003).
The Rep's "Red Ladder Company," designed specifically for children and geared towards education, is documented for years 2001
and 2002.
Also included are extensive photo CD-ROMs and DVDs, and a small number of audiocassettes and digital video of productions,
as well as staff and member events, organized chronologically where possible. Included are a small number of photographs of
the construction of the new theater in 1998.
Indexing Terms
Theatrical companies
Theater programs
Art and popular culture
San Jose Repertory Theatre
San Jose (Calif.)