Repertory Theatre Term

performers in a row, standing behind mismatched empty chairs

five women covered in veils holding golden apples, 2 men laying at their feet

silhouette of the royal family, seven people in a variety of costumes and poses

performers with wing costumes on outstretched arms

a woman standing on a man's shoulders walking with the help of another man and long poles, a third man stands by watching

two women sitting on floor, three women standing, others sitting in chairs, all talking to one another

many people on two levels, two rolling stair units

three women kneeling with outstretched arms

• What is Rep. Term?

Knox’s Repertory Theatre Term (Rep. Term), produced every three years by the Department of Theatre, is the only undergraduate theatre program in the United States that embeds academic study of theatre within the experience of forming a repertory company that produces two fully staged productions. Its success depends on intensive collaboration between faculty and students, and it provides the students who participate with an unforgettable 10-week immersion in theatre.

• Our Approach

Rep Term is a three-credit course in which all the students serve on multiple crews (such as set construction, props, and publicity) as well as playing roles – on stage or off – in one or both productions. They also learn about dramaturgy, and study and carry out independent research into the plays. Workshops and colloquia provide additional training in areas such as voice, and stage combat, and opportunities to meet with alumni and other professionals.

• Our Mission

Working with faculty directors and designers, the students — about half of whom, typically, are theatre majors — spend an entire term researching, designing, constructing, rehearsing, and performing two full-length plays. The plays are performed in nightly rotation over two weekends, including two Saturdays with both matinee and evening performances. Repertory Theatre Term is immersive, collaborative, and one of the most intense and rewarding theatre experiences a student can have at the undergraduate level.

Rep Term by the numbers

# of Rep. Terms

Staged Productions

Student Participants

# of Performances

Year of the First Rep Term

“Every Rep Term has its own special personality, and I think one of the successes of Rep Term is that each time it’s revisited and re-examined and reworked. Of all the memories that I have of Rep Term, the one that sticks with me the most was that tremendous high on opening night and you see that show, and you think, ‘we did all of this.’ The pride of seeing that show come alive through you is an incredible thing that you will never forget.”

-Ivan Davidson, Repertory Term Co-Founder, and Professor Emeritus

“Rep Term gave me a level of confidence and reinforced that intrepid nature I have had. It showed me I could do a bunch of different things and be successful at them…. I’d definitely recommend coming to Knox for Rep Term. I think it’s an invaluable tool. As far as programming goes, I don’t think you’ll find anything like it anywhere else. I don’t think you’ll find a college that does that sort of intensive and all-around training.”

– Jesse Dabson, class of ’83, Rep. Term V

“It prepared me for the insanity of the professional costume shop and how to work professionally with people in the industry who expect no less than perfection. It really taught me the value of hard work and preparation and the importance of showing up every day, even if you didn’t want to. Rep Term was something that really expanded your horizon. You weren’t just required to do one thing — you were required to do everything.”

– Jess Drew, class of ’07, Rep. Term XIV

group of seven people, arms raised as if they are flapping their wings

Q: How does someone with a Computer Science major decide to take on theatre and Rep Term?

A: The simple answer is that I love it. The more detailed answer is that your major doesn’t define you. I have aspirations to work in theatre as much as in computer science. I have evaluated what I want to do more at this point, and though the theatre major would be useful, I’m learning technology. Computer science is learning about technology and how to use it to your advantage. I’m also a musician, so music is probably my minor. I have found a way to compile all three of those things, and what better way than to create this piece of art that will end up on stage?

– Dakota Stipp, class of ’17, Sound Designer “Neil Gaiman’s Neverwhere” – Rep. Term XVII

Repertory Terms

Rep. Term XXI • 2028

Rep. Term XX • 2025

Rep. Term XV • 2010

Angels in America: Millennium Approaches

Angels in America: Perestroika

Rep. Term XIV • 2007

Working
The Madwoman of Chaillot

Rep. Term XIII • 2004

Lysistrata
Trojan Women

Rep. Term XII • 2001

War and Peace
Parts 1 & 2

Rep. Term XI • 1999

The Government Inspector
Treacherous Journey

Rep. Term X • 1997

Spoon River Anthology
Diary of a Scoundrel

Rep. Term IX • 1994

Spring Awakening
Much Ado About Nothing

Rep. Term VIII • 1991

J. B.
The Rimers of Eldritch

Rep. Term VII • 1988

The Good Woman of Setzuan
Dark of the Moon

Rep. Term VI • 1985

Hippolytus
Lady Windemeres Fan

Rep. Term V • 1982

Six Characters in Search of an Author
The Philadelphia Story

Rep. Term IV • 1979

The Enchanted
The Crucible

Rep. Term III • 1976

Ring Round the Moon
The Maids

Rep. Term II • 1973

The Trojan Women
The Madwoman of Chaillott

Rep. Term I • 1970

Love Labours Lost
Seven Against Thebes & Antigone