South Coast Repertory Inc

South Coast Repertory was founded in the belief that theatre is an art form with a unique power to illuminate the human experience. We commit ourselves to exploring the most urgent human and social issues of our time, and to merging literature, design, and performance in ways that test the bounds of theatre’s artistic possibilities. We undertake to advance the art of theatre in the service of our community, and aim to extend that service through educational, intercultural and outreach programs that harmonize with our artistic mission. 

South Coast Repertory (SCR) was founded in 1964 at the dawn of the regional theatre movement by David Emmes and Martin Benson.  Led by Artistic Director David Ivers and Managing Director Suzanne Appel, SCR has grown from its humble beginnings in a former marine hardware store into an internationally renowned, Tony Award-winning theatre with outstanding plays on three stages—the 507-seat Segerstrom Stage, 336-seat Julianne Argyros Stage, and 94-seat Nicholas Studio.

For six decades, SCR has developed a distinguished repertory of classics, boundary-breaking plays and modern masterpieces. Named “One of America’s Top Five Regional Theatres” by TIME magazine, SCR is dedicated to a high standard of excellence and brings together the best actors, directors, designers and artists for each show, giving local theatergoers a premiere cultural experience that rivals New York, Chicago and London. At least one quarter of SCR’s 550 plus productions have been world-premieres with subsequent presentations nationwide and around the world.

Acclaimed for its extensive new-play development program, SCR has one of the nation’s largest play commissioning programs and is home to The Lab@SCR, an integrated play-development platform that aids playwrights in creating new work. SCR’s annual Pacific Playwrights Festival attracts theatre professionals and local new play fans every spring. SCR has also championed the works of contemporary playwrights such as Richard Greenberg, Amy Freed, Octavio Solis, Julia Cho, Donald Margulies, Lauren Yee, Qui Nguyen, Craig Lucas and David Henry Hwang among others. 

SCR’s Theatre Conservatory offers year-round acting classes and training for all ages—from beginners to serious acting students preparing for careers in creative dramatics. Since 1968, SCR has offered a number of low- and no-cost education programs to make theatre accessible to more than 20,000 participants every year.

For six decades, SCR has grown and evolved to become one of Orange County's premier performing arts amenities. The theatre's impact as a cultural and educational resource in our community is well recognized in that we often serve an annual audience of more than 65,000 patrons.

Each year, SCR enhances Orange County's cultural landscape by presenting a wide array of productions within a season comprised of classics, ground-breaking new plays and modern masterpieces designed to reach audiences of all ages and backgrounds and meet the highest standards of artistic and literary excellence. Our full spectrum of education and outreach programs, provided in collaboration with local schools, gives affordable access to performances and other theatre-related activities. These programs, including Theatre for Young Audiences, Theatre Access, and Neighborhood Conservatory are instilling an enjoyment and appreciation of the performing arts in young people and helping to cultivate the next generation of theatre lovers in our community.

Within its field, SCR is tremendously impactful in that it is internationally renowned as one of the leading platforms for the commissioning, development and presentation of new plays by both emerging and established playwrights. Each year, these efforts culminate in the presentation of the Pacific Playwrights Festival, when theatre professionals from around the country come to Orange County to join local theatre fans in experiencing seven new plays over a single weekend.

A world-class regional theatre, SCR relies heavily on community involvement to: 1) Support at least ten quality theatre productions each season. 2) Offer community education and engagement, regardless of age or socio-economic background 3) Provide free and discounted arts education programs for children and teens. 4) Support contemporary playwrights in development of new work. 5) Continue a tradition of excellence on stage and allow performances to be accessible to thousands of students and families every year through programs including Theatre Access, Theatre for Young Audiences and Neighborhood Conservatory, which allows underserved youth to enjoy and benefit from creative dramatics.

Approximately 33% of SCR’s budget is provided through charitable contributions, primarily from individuals and corporate and private foundation grants. Another 50-55% is provided by income from ticket sales, conservatory tuition, and concession sales. The balance is derived from endowment earnings.

South Coast Repertory attracts audience members and program participants from throughout Orange County and the surrounding regions. Our primary performance facilities are located in Costa Mesa.