Seattle Repertory Theatre photograph collection, 1963-1994

The Seattle Repertory Theatre (SRT) opened its first season on November 13, 1963, at the Seattle Center Playhouse. A non-profit organization, the Seattle Repertory Theatre was originally a project of the Century 21 Exposition (Seattle World's Fair). The management of the theater answers to a board of trustees. During the first years of SRT's existence, Bagley Wright served as president of the board, followed by Stewart Ballinger, Donald A. Schmechel, and Dr. Solomon Katz. Peter Donnelly was producing director from 1969 to 1982. During the season, six plays are presented from October through May. During the 1974-1975 season, the Seattle Arts Commission joined with SRT to make live, professional theater available to a larger audience by underwriting special matinees of each mainstage production to make free tickets available. The Seattle Repertory Organization (SRO) is the theater's auxiliary group which devotes hundreds of volunteer hours to repertory activities.

During the 1974-1975 season, SRT leased a historic building in downtown Seattle, completely redesigning the interior for theatrical use. Called the 2ND STAGE, the facility was managed by SRT and made available to other arts and performing groups within the community. In 1977, the citizens of Seattle passed a 19 million dollar bond issue of which 4.8 million was designated for the construction of a new resident theater with a proscenium stage and complete theatrical support plant. The new Bagley Wright Theatre of the Seattle Repertory Theatre opened in 1983.