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Rep Theatre donations lead to bright future, hopes to reopen Spring 2019

The Rep is considered an icon, and after announcing it was closing the curtain, hundreds of people stepped up to the plate.

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – The Repertory Theatre in downtown Little Rock may have suspended operations, but organizers say its future is looking bright.

The Rep is considered an icon, and after announcing it was closing the curtain, hundreds of people stepped up to the plate.

"I knew before that people really loved the Rep, but I know it better now because so many people reached out,” Ruth Shepherd said.

Shepherd said donations have been pouring in. The Rep set a goal of raising $750,000 to help pay off some debt.

“We are almost there. We have raised close to 600,000," she said.

Shepherd says the donations are nonstop, but she said The Rep still needs to do more fundraising.

“We’ve got to raise money to support next season. Have to plan our season, start selling tickets,” she said.

Director of Development Fran Carter says The Rep is also reaching out to ticket buyers, asking people to attend focus groups to talk about the future.

"They'll go through with a professional facilitator and answer some questions about what they love about theatre what they love about the Rep,” Carter said.

Carter says the support is encouraging, and hopefully the stage will soon be back open for business.

"This summer 2018, is the time where we can pause and figure out what we're doing in the future so it works so we can come back with season hopefully next spring,” she said.

The Rep is holding a town-hall style meeting on Tuesday, June 26, and is asking anyone to come who would like to give feedback about the Theatre.

Carter said they hope to have The Rep back open in Spring 2019.

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