The Administration and Operation of a Year-Round Professional, Resident Repertory Theatre Company as a Division of a University Theatre Program.

The Asolo State Theatre Company and Florida State University, operating together, provide a professional repertory theatre company, professional theatre training, a laboratory for theatre-related research, and a resource both for innovative teaching in the public schools and for undergraduate training in the humanities. Begun in 1960, this operation has grown from a summer student company to a year-round professional theatre company plus 19 full-time faculty members in the School of Theatre in 1974. Since the Asolo was designated the State Theatre of Florida in 1965, the state, the university, and the community have shared in the necessary financial subsidy, with additional support coming from the National Endowment for the Arts and other agencies. This is a highly successful operation which can serve as an example for the establishment of other similar theatre programs. (JM)