Founding the Missouri Repertory Theatre

After her negative experiences directing an off-Broadway production in New York City, Dr. McIlrath wanted to create a professional theatre where KCU students could get professional experience. The Missouri Repertory Theatre (MRT) was created in 1964, shortly after the merging of the University of Kansas City with the University of Missouri system. Dr. McIlrath later said that “one had to be there to know the trials and tribulations of living through such transitions."26

The MRT started in 1964 as the UMKC Summer Repertory Theatre. "Repertory theatre" typically refers to a theatre with alternating productions. In addition, repertory theatres often use the same cast in each rotating play, so individual actors play multiple roles throughout the week. In the summer of 1964, the newly formed UMKC Summer Repertory Theatre performed two plays, The Corn is Green by Emlyn Williams and Private Lives by Noel Coward, over the span of two weeks.23 During the first years of the theatre, productions took place in the summer in the University Playhouse. Dr. McIlrath referred to the theatre as a “professional internship Summer Repertory Theatre,” which reinforced its focus on giving students professional experience.33

1967 was a turning point for the UMKC Summer Repertory Theatre. Changes to the program were primarily due to a surprising factor: The addition of air conditioning to the University Playhouse, where the productions took place. Dr. McIlrath identified the lack of air conditioning in the Playhouse as a significant issue in 1965. In a report on the UMKC Summer Repertory Theatre 1965 season, Dr. McIlrath wrote, “There is little question that Kansas Citians will deeply resent another summer operation without air conditioning."27 Local theatre critic Giles Fowler wrote an article in The Kansas City Star praising the theatre as a whole, but asserting “that many potential playgoers obviously stayed home for fear of discomfort, that those who did come sometimes complained of the heat and related distractions, and that the players, forced to perform in heavy costumes under blazing lights, sweltered every night.”14

Finally, in 1967, the University Associates paid for the Playhouse to be air-conditioned. Adding air conditioning to the building met the requirements of the Actors’ Equity Association, which is the professional union for actors. Therefore, professional actors and members of the union were able to work for the newly named Missouri Repertory Theatre (MRT).23 The addition of Actors' Equity Association actors was especially important to Dr. McIlrath because, as she wrote in 1965, “nothing so strengthens that Master’s program in Theatre arts as our professional internship theatre represented by Summer Repertory Theatre.” She firmly believed that professionalizing the theatre would increase the educational experience.34

In 1968, the newly named Missouri “Rep” created a new traveling company called the Missouri Vanguard Theatre. Dr. McIlrath had been interested in creating a touring theatre since at least 1965, requesting grants to create “a UMKC Summer Repertory theatre on Tour.”31 However, funding was not available until 1968. Initially, the MRT traveling productions toured around Missouri, but the range eventually expanded to include neighboring states as well. 

The MRT first performed in the winter as well as the summer in 1976, when they produced The Rainmaker by N. Richard Nash and The Morgan Yard by Kevin O'Morrison in February.13 By the 1980s, the Rep performed eight or nine shows a year, as well as two touring shows and three to four “Summer Showcase” shows that allowed apprentices and students to gain professional experience. The shows would often alternate performances with different shows on successive days. According to Dr. Londré, each year, for a single weekend, the Saturday matinee, Saturday evening performance, Sunday matinee, and Sunday evening performance would all be different shows. This allowed out-of-town visitors to see four plays in a single weekend.23