Learn with Play!

The Imaginary Theatre Company (ITC) is the resident, professional, touring ensemble of The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis. Through the use of literature, folk tales, fairy tales and new adaptations of classic works, ITC is committed to providing the very finest in theatre for young audiences and strives to bring quality performances to schools and community venues throughout the bi-state area.

2008–2009 Season

Welcome to ITC's 33rd season! Invite us to come play with you, and let our literature-based productions introduce your kids to a whole new way to learn.

My Father's Dragon Adapted by Sarah Brandt From the book by Ruth Stiles Gannett Music by Neal Richardson

Recommended for grades K-3.
45 minutes.

Available for touring: October 20, 2008–April 4, 2009

Public performances on The Rep's Mainstage: February 28, 2009

Curriculum Connections:

• Explore the world with imagination and creativity
• Discover and appreciate the value of friends
• Identify problem-solving strategies within a story
• Recognize and evaluate the difference between real and make-believe
• Discuss the differences in theatre and literature

Celebrating the 60th anniversary of this Newbery Honor-winning children’s classic, ITC welcomes a premiere adaptation to the stage. Jim is restless at home on summer vacation, but mom knows what will entertain him—the story of Grandpa’s adventure to rescue a captive dragon! Join Jim for a fantastic jungle journey past obstacles and wild animals, as together we discover the importance of perserverance and the wonderful power of imagination.

The Little Fir Tree by Brian Hohlfeld Based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen

Recommended for all ages and family audiences.
45 minutes.

Available for touring: November 10–December 31, 2008

Public performances on The Rep's Mainstage: December 20, 22 & 23, 2008

Curriculum Connections:

• Discover new versions of classic tales
• Explore holiday customs within cultural context
• Recognize different theatrical elements: costume, puppetry, characters, plot, etc.
• Celebrate the differences between ourselves and others
• Discuss the importance of environmental awareness
• Understand the importance of friendship and loyalty

Truly a classic for the holidays, this tale is sure to warm your heart in the cold, blustery winter! Small and separate, the little fir tree spends her days alone in a meadow, hoping for a friend. Just when she is beginning to think her day will never come, the fir tree is chosen to help a sick little boy celebrate Christmas. Year after year the fir tree returns to the boy, and the friends learn that with time, hope and faith, miracles really do happen.

Robin Hood by Michael Erickson

Recommended for grades 4–6.
45 minutes.

Available for touring: January 20–April 4, 2009

Public performances on The Rep's Mainstage: Performed only on tour

Curriculum Connections:

• Analyze different views of heroism
• Discover ancient folktales
• Examine medieval culture and traditions
• Compare a story in different presentations—oral, cinema, theatre
• Assess the themes of greed, hope and justice

The Prince of Thieves and his friends are back in a brand new adaptation written for ITC! Travel with us to Sherwood Forest and watch Robin Hood and his Merry Men come to the rescue of the poor citizens of Nottingham, foiling the rotten Sheriff along the way. It’s all adventure and excitement as legend’s most famous outlaw outwits his enemies and accomplishes daring feats of bravery, always with the goal of helping others.

Additional Services

Free Study Guides: Each play comes with its own multi-disciplinary study guide. ITC study guides are designed to give teachers direction and concepts for pre-performance and post-performance discussion of the production, and include activities supporting Missouri Knowledge Standards and Illinois Learning Standards. Guides are mailed to you at least two weeks prior to the scheduled performance, and are also available for download online.

Free Question and Answer Sessions (Q & A): Q & A's are held immediately after a performance and can be up to 15 minutes in length. Q & A's provide your students with an opportunity to meet the actors, discuss what has just been performed, and to ask questions about life as a professional in the arts.

Workshops: These workshops, presented by ITC's professional cast, are offered as an enhancement to your students' theatre experience and a supplement to your curricular program. Using theatre exercises, your students will explore the discipline and skills used by actors to create characters and communicate meaning. While exercising their "muscles" of imagination, concentration and teamwork, your students will learn to trust their own creative being, expand their emotional freedom and explore the joy of taking risks. The specific activities used in these workshops are chosen based upon the participants' grade level.

• Acting Up
  Length: 30–60 minutes
  Space Requirement: classroom, stage or open space
  Group Size: 6 to 70

See below for fees and booking information.

Booking Information

Touring (Same Day Bookings):
One performance starts at $350.00.
Two services start at $630.00.
Three services start at $975.00.

Study guides are included in your cost and will be mailed to you prior to the first scheduled performance. An additional educational component at no extra cost is an optional 15-minute Q&A with the actors immediately following each performance.

• A service is defined as a performance or a workshop.
• Fees vary. Actual cost is determined by distance to be traveled, if an overnight stay is required, the total number of days involved, and the various combinations of performances and workshops.
• No workshop can be scheduled without a performance.
• A three-performance day must be of the same play.
• Services can be delivered in no more than two locations on any scheduled workday.

For statewide touring dates, the Missouri Arts Council (MAC) will grant awards to Missouri-based presenters outside the St. Louis metro area. Grant requests must be submitted to MAC at least two months prior to the contracted performance date(s).

For touring dates outside of Missouri, financial awards may be available through your state arts council. Please ask for more information when booking your date(s).

Contact ITC

For more information or to book the Imaginary Theatre Company, call (collect) (314) 968-7344 or e-mail .

Thank You

The Rep's Imaginary Theatre Company is grateful for the generous support of the Employee Community Fund of Boeing St. Louis for underwriting free performances in the St. Louis city and county schools; of Energizer, which provides batteries for the acting company's body mics; and of Belden CDT Inc, for general support. Thank you.