Detroit Repertory Theatre

02 / The story of this place

Make time for these

Bruce Millan, T.O. 'Rip' Andrus, Dee Andrus and Barbara Busby founded the Detroit Repertory Theatre in 1957 as a touring company, taking children's musicals around Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania. In 1963 it settled into its own 194-seat house on Woodrow Wilson Street, and it stayed through 1967 and decades of neighborhood decline. For many years it was the city's only fully professional Actors' Equity nonprofit theatre. Its mission pairs professional theatre with fighting racism, and it pioneered race-transcendent casting. It stages four productions a year, each running about eight weeks; Season 70 (2026–27) includes two Michigan premieres, a world premiere and August Wilson's Seven Guitars.

• Michigan's longest-running professional nonprofit theatre
• World premiere: Rodeo Clown, April 2, 2027
• Lobby cocktail bar, kitchen and local art gallery

Plan your visit

General admission is $30 in advance and $35 on the day, with no online surcharge. Latecomers aren't seated, so plan ahead: the box office, bar and kitchen open an hour before showtime. The lot next to the lobby is free, lit, fenced and attended.

Box office

Office Tuesday through Friday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., (313) 868-1347. The box office, lobby bar and kitchen open one hour before showtime. For sold-out shows there's a standby rush list at the lobby box office one hour before curtain.

Ticket prices

General admission $30 in advance, $35 on the day; no online surcharge. Gold and Silver subscriptions by phone or in person.

Age policy

Latecomers are not seated. General admission seating.

Accessibility

ADA compliant, with step-free access from the parking lot to restrooms and seats. The front row holds accessible seating and wheelchair spaces; request them when you book at (313) 868-1347.

Parking

Free, lit, fenced and attended lot next to the lobby, with limited bike parking. DDOT routes 15 and 18 stop within two blocks; 23, 42 and 43 within half a mile.