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.


Just Announced...The 2013-2014 ITC Season!
Click the show links below to learn more:

The Tortoise and the Hare
Touring Dates: October 21, 2013 - April 6, 2014

The Velveteen Rabbit
Touring Dates: November 11 - December 28, 2013

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Touring Dates: January 14 - April 6, 2014

2013–2014 Season

Welcome to ITC's 38th season! Invite us to come play with you, and let our literature-based productions introduce your kids to a whole new way to learn.

The Tortoise and the Hare
by Sarah Brandt

Music and Lyrics by Neal Richardson

Recommended for grades K-3
45 minutes

Available for touring: October 21, 2013–April 6, 2014

Public performances: TOURING ONLY

One of Aesop’s fables springs to life in this fun new musical adaptation. Henry is a racer, one of the fastest bunnies the forest has ever seen. Shelly’s a tortoise, his quietly devoted best friend. Henry has always been the star of the show, until one day Shelly starts to have some dreams of her own. With the help of their forest friends, Shelly realizes her own worth and Henry finds out that sometimes being the best isn’t the most important thing.

The Velveteen Rabbit
by Kim Esop Wylie

Music and Lyrics by Joe Dreyer

Recommended for all grades and family audiences
45 minutes

Available for touring: November 11–December 28, 2013

Public performances: December 14 - 23 (Heagney Theatre at Nerinx Hall High School)

Based on Margery Williams’ famed literary classic, The Velveteen Rabbit tells the story of a little boy and his stuffed bunny who wonders what it means to be “real.” After years of adventure and devotion, the bunny becomes a truly beloved friend and is magically transformed into a real woodland rabbit. Join us this holiday season and share in a heartwarming musical tale that celebrates the rewards of loyalty and the wonderful, surprising power of love.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
by le Clanche du Rand

Recommended for grades 4-6
45 minutes

Available for touring: January 14–April 6, 2014

Public performances: Student Matinee: January 16, 2014 (Loretto-Hilton Center)

C.S. Lewis’ classic magical journey comes to life in this unique, imaginative touring adaptation. When a game of hide-and-seek sends Lucy into the darkness of an old wardrobe, she steps into a secret world full of mystical creatures and an evil witch bent on ruling all. If she is ever to get back home, Lucy must band together with her siblings and their newfound friends to bring peace back to the enchanted world of Narnia.

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 e-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.

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 e-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.

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 .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address).

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 Monsanto Fund and Brown Shoe Company, for general support. Thank you.