FRIENDS OF REPERTORY

Throughout its history, REP has always striven to keep ticket prices as low as possible in order to make theatre affordable to many.  Although it has increased ticket prices slowly over the years, this has not been enough to cover the increase in production costs and other overhead costs that enable us to produce plays and musicals every year efficiently and well.  In recent years, income from ticket sales during the season have not covered expenses and REP has only managed to break even by earning a little on the Big Musicals and Children’s Theater productions.  A few corporations and individuals have helped reduce expenses by donating services and/or goods.  Others have made outright donations to cover some special need.  However, there are still other problems such as the need for more publicity, the need to update and improve antiquated technical facilities and equipment, the need to provide better living for our talented artists, the need to create a fund for emergencies and the need to plan for a future that will include a theater and training facility of our own. 

In 1988, some loyal Rep goers expressed a willingness to help and the FRIENDS OF REPERTORY or F.O.R. was born.  It started out as an informal, unstructured group of people headed by Margaret Go, who had one thing in common - they enjoyed the theatre, understood the workings that went into keeping good theatre in the community, and, in spite of busy schedules of their own, wanted to help REP.  They met once a month and were initially responsible for:

1. Making opening nights a special event by soliciting refreshments and inviting guests, giving valuable publicity to REP and getting others interested in helping REP.
2. Providing food for rehearsals, which gave much encouragement to the actors; not so much that they were being fed but that their hard work was recognized.
3. Soliciting prizes and sold raffle tickets that raised money for an F.O.R. fund.  Having full control over the fund, they collaborated with REP as to how and where the money was spent for REP improvements.
4. Solicited donations of food for an end-of-season meet-the-cast party.

The group was later formalized with it’s own officers and members, by the late Paz Yuchengco and headed afterwards by Juan Lanuza.  The group went on to:

1. Solicit sponsorships from various corporations.
2. Raise funds for lighting equipment, fans, and other needed supplies.
3. Market special out-of-season shows.
4. Conduct script-reading evenings.
5. Stage opera concerts and other special projects.

The F.O.R.’s greatest contribution to the theatre, however, is the moral support it gives to the actors and crew who must work long and hard at a profession still not commensurately rewarded in terms of fame and fortune.

In 2007, REP is proud to announce it’s the new batch of F.O.R.’s. This new batch picks up where their predecessors left off.  Headed by Toff de Venecia, they bring with them the promise of new and vibrant energy to help Rep move forward in 2008 and the years to come. 

Do join us. Enlist at the Friends of Rep E-Group