Balancing Revenue and Mission in the Seattle Repertory Theatre’s Leo K. Theater

At what point does revenue intersect with mission fulfillment? In 1996, the Seattle Repertory Theatre, one of the country’s leading producers of regional theater and new works, expanded their home at Seattle Center to include a second intimate, proscenium style theater. Its purpose was to engage audiences in its mission of commissioning and presenting the work of new American playwrights. The Rep’s main stage, the Bagley Wright Theater seated 842. The Leo K. Theater seated 282 and, since its inception, has operated at a loss despite programming that aligned with Seattle Rep’s mission, vision, and values (Seattle Rep, n.d.). This paper asks the question: at what point does mission fulfillment justify capital expansion, regardless of revenue generation? Additionally, can a regional theater with this model for operating a second stage achieve both goals