| Former names | Orlando Little Theatre, Civic Theatre of Central Florida, Orlando Repertory Theatre |
|---|---|
| Address | 1001 E. Princeton Street Orlando, Florida United States |
| Designation | Non-profit professional theatre |
| Type | Theatre for Young Audiences |
| Opened | 1926 |
| Website | |
| orlandofamilystage | |
Orlando Family Stage is a professional Theatre for Young Audiences (TYA) company based in Orlando, Florida. Founded in 1926, it is one of the oldest continuously operating theatre institutions in the southeastern United States and the only professional theatre in Florida dedicated exclusively to young audiences and families. Formerly known as Orlando Repertory Theatre (or Orlando REP), the organization rebranded in 2023 to better reflect its multigenerational audience and family-centered mission. [1]
The organization began in 1925 as the Orlando Little Players and officially incorporated in 1934 as the Orlando Little Theatre. [2] Its first Christmas Pageant was produced in 1932. It paused operations during World War II (1942–1946) and reopened in the post-war years. In 1959, the company moved to Montana Avenue and was renamed Orlando Players Little Theatre.
In 1968, the group became the Central Florida Civic Theatre and began construction on a new facility in Loch Haven Park. The Edyth Bush Theatre opened in 1973 and the Tupperware Children's Theatre in 1975. [2] The company also launched youth-focused programming including children's plays, a Drama Academy, and Junior Players ensemble.
By the 1980s, the theatre had expanded its field trip performances and technical capacity. In 1990, the Anne Densch Theatre opened. In 1997, the Civic Theatre began a full Actors' Equity Association season.
In 2000, the Civic Theatre transitioned to a professional youth and family theatre in partnership with University of Central Florida (UCF), becoming Orlando Repertory Theatre. [3]
Following an 18-month research process, the name changed to Orlando Family Stage in June 2023 to better reflect the theatre's focus on all families and all ages. [1] [3]
The 2025–2026 season will mark the theatre's 100th anniversary and will include new commissions, special events, and the inaugural Florida Children's Book Festival.
Orlando Family Stage operates in a 40,000-square-foot venue in Loch Haven Park, home to:
The facility includes a full scene shop, puppet shop, costume shop, prop shop, and the Florida Blue Lobby. [4]
Jeff Revels, artistic director, has led the theatre since the 2000s. His directing credits include How I Became a Pirate, Junie B. Jones Is Not a Crook, The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, and The Happy Elf. He has written and directed works for Dollywood, the city of Manaus (Brazil), and Okada Manila, and contributed to nationally broadcast events like the National Memorial Day Parade and Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day Parade. He has received awards from the Florida Theatre Conference and Winthrop University, spoken at BroadwayCon and was honored with “Jeff Revels Day” by the City of Orlando. [8]
Chris Brown, executive director, joined in 2012 and assumed his current role in 2019. A graduate of UCF and the Yale School of Drama, Brown has overseen strategic planning, capital improvements, and the 2023 rebrand. [9]