Trinity Repertory Company
A nonprofit resident theater company in Providence, Rhode Island, known for ensemble-based productions, new-work development, education, and its annual staging of A Christmas Carol.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Trinity Repertory Company, commonly called Trinity Rep, is a nonprofit regional theater company based in Providence, Rhode Island. It was established in 1963 by Rhode Island residents who wanted to create a professional resident theater institution for the state. The company incorporated as the Foundation for Repertory Theater of Rhode Island on March 21, 1963, and engaged director Adrian Hall to lead its artistic work. Its first production, Brendan Behan's The Hostage, opened on March 14, 1964, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Trinity Square. Trinity Rep developed around the resident-company model, maintaining an ensemble of actors who could perform across a repertory season rather than operating solely through one-off productions. This approach became a central part of its identity and helped establish the company as one of the most prominent regional theaters in the United States. Its programming combines classical drama, contemporary plays, musicals, adaptations, and world premieres. The company has also used national and international touring to extend its work beyond Providence, including appearances at the Edinburgh International Festival and tours in India and Syria. In 1973, Trinity Rep moved from its original church venue to the historic Lederer Theater Center in downtown Providence. The building, formerly known as the Emery Majestic Theatre, contains the more-than-500-seat Chace Theater and the approximately 300-seat Dowling Theater, together with administrative offices, production facilities, rehearsal spaces, and other support areas. The property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The two-theater complex enables the company to maintain overlapping productions and support a substantial annual season. Education and professional training are major parts of Trinity Rep's business and public mission. Project Discovery, launched in 1966, introduces secondary-school students to live theater through student matinees, classroom residencies, workshops, and related activities. The program has reached students across Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Connecticut, and later reporting described Trinity Rep's educational work as serving students in roughly 60 percent of Rhode Island schools. The company also opened the Trinity Rep Conservatory in 1977. In 2001, Trinity Rep and Brown University formed the Brown/Trinity Rep three-year MFA program, which trains actors and directors and operates alongside Brown's MFA playwriting program. The company received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater Company in 1981. It has produced four television works for PBS and has developed dozens of world premieres. Its annual production of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is one of its most recognizable recurring offerings and an important part of its seasonal relationship with audiences. Trinity Rep also presents the Pell Awards, founded in 1997 in honor of Rhode Island senator and arts advocate Claiborne Pell. The awards recognize achievement and leadership in the arts while functioning as a major fundraising event. Trinity Rep remains a nonprofit cultural institution serving Providence and the wider New England region. Its positioning combines a professional resident acting company, ambitious artistic programming, civic education, actor and director training, and stewardship of a historic theater complex. The company is a member of the League of Resident Theatres and continues to balance local audience development with national recognition and occasional international reach.
History
Trinity Repertory Company was created in 1963 after Rhode Island citizens organized to build a professional resident theater in Providence. The organization was incorporated on March 21 under the name Foundation for Repertory Theater of Rhode Island. Its founders recruited Adrian Hall, a New York-based director originally from Texas, to shape the artistic program. The first production, Brendan Behan's The Hostage, opened on March 14, 1964, at Trinity United Methodist Church in Trinity Square. The early company adopted the resident-theater model, with a continuing ensemble able to work across a season of productions. The company quickly developed a reputation beyond Rhode Island. In 1968, Trinity Rep performed at the Edinburgh International Festival and was described as the first American theater company to appear there. Its artistic profile combined classic works, contemporary plays, and new writing. Over time, the company produced numerous world premieres, toured nationally and internationally, and created television productions for PBS. The commitment to new work became a continuing part of its identity rather than a separate initiative. Trinity Rep moved in 1973 to the historic Emery Majestic Theatre in downtown Providence, later known as the Lederer Theater Center. The building contains two principal performance spaces: the more-than-500-seat Chace Theater and the approximately 300-seat Dowling Theater. Offices, production shops, rehearsal facilities, and other operational spaces support the company's repertory activities. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places and remains the company's principal home. Education has been integrated into Trinity Rep's work since the 1960s. Project Discovery, launched in 1966, brought high-school students to performances and expanded into school residencies, workshops, and other forms of theater education. The program serves communities in Rhode Island and neighboring New England states. The company later expanded its professional training role through the Trinity Rep Conservatory, opened in 1977. In 2001, Trinity Rep and Brown University created the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA program, a three-year course focused on actors and directors, operating alongside Brown's MFA playwriting program. The artistic leadership of the company has changed several times while retaining a strong resident-company tradition. Adrian Hall led from 1963 to 1989, followed by Anne Bogart, Richard Jenkins, Oskar Eustis, and a brief acting-director period under Amanda Dehnert. Curt Columbus became artistic director in 2006. Across these administrations, Trinity Rep has maintained programming that includes classical repertory, contemporary theater, adaptations, musicals, and new plays. In 1981, Trinity Rep received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater Company. The company also created the Pell Awards in 1997, naming the event for Rhode Island senator Claiborne Pell, a supporter of the arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. The awards recognize lifetime achievement, distinguished artistic achievement, New England excellence, and arts leadership, while also serving as a fundraising event. Recipients have included Ruby Dee, Ossie Davis, Viola Davis, Robert Redford, John Krasinski, and Debra Messing, among others. A Christmas Carol has become Trinity Rep's best-known recurring production and an important annual tradition. Alongside its mainstage season, the company continues education, training, new-play development, and community engagement. It is a member of the League of Resident Theatres and serves Providence and the wider New England region while retaining a national and occasional international profile.
- 2001
Brown/Trinity Rep MFA partnership begins
[1]Brown University and Trinity Rep created a three-year MFA program for actors and directors.
- 1997
Pell Awards established
[1]Trinity Rep inaugurated the Pell Awards as an arts-recognition and fundraising event.
- 1981
Tony Award recognition
[1]Trinity Rep received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theater Company.
- 1977
Trinity Rep Conservatory opens
[1]The conservatory began professional actor training.
- 1973
Move to the Lederer Theater Center
[1]The company moved into the former Emery Majestic Theatre in downtown Providence.
- 1968
Edinburgh International Festival appearance
[1]Trinity Rep performed at the Edinburgh International Festival in Scotland.
- 1966
Project Discovery launches
[1]The company began its long-running theater education and student-outreach program.
- 1964
First production opens
[1]The Hostage by Brendan Behan opened at Trinity United Methodist Church, marking Trinity Rep's first production.
- 1963
Organization incorporated
[1]The Foundation for Repertory Theater of Rhode Island was incorporated on March 21, establishing the organization that became Trinity Repertory Company.
Products and positioning
A leading nonprofit resident theater in New England, combining ensemble performance, new-work development, classic and contemporary repertory, arts education, and professional conservatory training.
Theater productions · 1964
Mainstage repertory productions
Trinity Rep's principal artistic offering is a season of professional productions spanning classic plays, contemporary drama, adaptations, musicals, and new works. The repertory-company structure allows artists and production resources to support multiple works over a season. The company has also commissioned and premiered new writing, making development of original theater a recurring part of its artistic program.
Seasonal theater
A Christmas Carol
The company's annual production of Charles Dickens's A Christmas Carol is its most recognizable recurring offering. The seasonal presentation has become a major audience tradition in Providence and functions as both a signature artistic property and an important recurring point of contact between Trinity Rep and the community.
Arts education · 1966
Project Discovery
Project Discovery is Trinity Rep's long-running education and audience-development program. It introduces students to live theater through matinee performances, in-school residencies, workshops, and related learning activities. The program serves schools across Rhode Island and neighboring New England states and is designed to make professional theater accessible to young audiences.
Professional training · 2001
Brown/Trinity Rep MFA Program
The Brown/Trinity Rep MFA program is a three-year graduate program for actors and directors created jointly by Brown University and Trinity Rep. It combines university-based study with the professional theater company's practical environment and operates alongside Brown's MFA playwriting program. The program has become a significant training pathway associated with Trinity Rep.
Arts awards and fundraising · 1997
Pell Awards
The Pell Awards recognize lifetime achievement, distinguished artistic achievement, New England excellence, and leadership in the arts. Named for Rhode Island senator Claiborne Pell, the event also raises funds for Trinity Rep and connects the company with prominent artists, cultural leaders, and supporters.
Marketing campaigns
- 1997Pell Awards
United States · New England
Trinity Rep established an annual awards and fundraising event honoring major contributions to the arts and named it for Rhode Island senator Claiborne Pell.
Outcome. The event became a recurring institutional fundraiser and recognition platform.
- 1966Project Discovery
Rhode Island · Massachusetts · Connecticut
Trinity Rep launched a structured education and outreach initiative using student matinees, school residencies, and workshops to connect young people with professional theater.
Outcome. The program became a continuing pillar of the company's public mission and expanded its reach across New England schools.
Brand decisions
2001
Creation of the Brown/Trinity Rep MFA programStrategyBackground
Trinity Rep had operated professional training through its conservatory and sought to deepen its connection with higher education and structured graduate preparation.
Action taken
Brown University and Trinity Rep formed a three-year MFA program for actors and directors, alongside Brown's playwriting program.
Aftermath
The partnership established a continuing training pipeline linked to a professional resident theater.
1973
Relocation to a permanent downtown theater centerStrategyBackground
After beginning in a church venue, Trinity Rep needed a dedicated facility capable of supporting resident-company productions, rehearsals, production work, and overlapping performances.
Action taken
The company moved into the former Emery Majestic Theatre, now the Lederer Theater Center, in downtown Providence.
Aftermath
The move provided Trinity Rep with two performance spaces and became the foundation for its long-term operating model.
Recent events
Ocean State Job Lot committed to match donations supporting Trinity Rep and the Rhode Island Community Food Bank[3]
Reported:
Ocean State Job Lot committed to match up to $60,000 in public monetary gifts contributed to Trinity Rep, with an equivalent donation of food benefiting the Rhode Island Community Food Bank.
Sources3 sources
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