Mission Statement

We believe theatre is best when created by artists experienced in working together, and allied in producing theatre as a company. Our strength lies in the power of our ensemble, and our communion with our audience. We are dedicated to a full repertory, strongly rooted in the classics, which we know reflects, enlightens, and informs our contemporary culture. We endeavor to find innovative methods to interpret these plays, re-examining and challenging traditional forms, while honoring the playwright’s original intent. We challenge conventional casting ideas about gender and age. We champion the inclusion of all ethnicities and identifications onto our stage, and into our company, and audiences. We are committed to inhabiting the heart of these great plays with truth, humor, humanity and clarity, striving always to serve the playwright, to serve our community with educational programming, and inviting our audiences, community and colleagues to think anew about themselves, and the world we live in.

Our History

The Pearl Theatre Company was founded in 1984 by Shepard Sobel. Performing a classical repertory with a resident acting company, the troupe of actors trained together and performed show after show together, forming a common theatrical aesthetic and artistic bond in order to deepen and enrich the work of these great plays. From its beginnings in a storefront in Chelsea, to Theatre 80 on St. Marks Place, to City Center and finally 42nd St., the Pearl grew into a respected and beloved Off-Broadway theatre, earning Drama League awards, a Drama Desk for “nurturing a stalwart company of actors… “, and several Obies along the way for Artistic Excellence. In 2009 J.R. Sullivan took over as Artistic Director and starting in 2014 Hal Brooks helmed the company. When, after 33 seasons the Pearl closed its doors in June of 2017, members of the acting company banded together to form The Resident Acting Company to both re-examine, and carry on the legacy of this rich tradition.