The Repertory Theatre of St. Louis has launched a $1 million fundraising campaign to honor the artistic legacy of Steven Woolf, who will retire as The Rep’s Augustin Family Artistic Director at the end of the 2018-2019 season.
The $1 million raised will fund an endowment in Woolf’s name that will support the hiring of brilliant directors, designers and actors for future productions in The Rep’s Studio Theatre. The endowment campaign will run throughout the upcoming season, concluding on May 31, 2019.
The Berges Family Foundation will support the campaign through a $350,000 challenge grant, matching 100% of all gifts up to that amount.
Thanks to early gifts from Rep donors and matching support from the Berges Family Foundation, The Rep has already raised $300,000 toward its goal.
Steven Woolf has been The Rep’s artistic leader since 1986. His stewardship helped to stabilize the theatre during a rocky period of transition, before rapidly expanding its profile into a nationally recognized artistic force. During his tenure, The Rep has won more than 100 combined awards for its onstage excellence, while also topping $1 million in single-ticket sales across the past two seasons.
Those interested in donating to the campaign can do so here.
Lynn (Zipfel) Venhaus has had a continuous byline in St. Louis metro region publications since 1978. She writes features and news for Belleville News-Democrat and contributes to St. Louis magazine and other publications.
She is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved film critic, currently reviews films for Webster-Kirkwood Times and KTRS Radio, covers entertainment for PopLifeSTL.com and co-hosts podcast PopLifeSTL.com…Presents.
She is a member of Critics Choice Association, where she serves on the women’s and marketing committees; Alliance of Women Film Journalists; and on the board of the St. Louis Film Critics Association. She is a founding and board member of the St. Louis Theater Circle.
She is retired from teaching journalism/media as an adjunct college instructor.