VORTEX Repertory Company:  Mission

• to create and present new, innovative performances
• to transgress conventional theatrical forms
• to cultivate new relationships between artists and audiences
• to generate new audiences through outreach to special constituencies
• to nurture diversity of VORTEX artists
• to foster educational programming
• to anchor The VORTEX, a dynamic and cherished home for the arts of the 21st century

VORTEX Repertory Company:  Organizational History

    VORTEX Repertory Company was incorporated in October 1988 to create innovative productions of original work. In its first year, VORTEX presented five productions at Mexic-Arte Multicultural Museum in downtown Austin. From 1990-94, VORTEX operated The VORTEX Performance Café on Ben White Blvd. and now owns its own facility, The Vortex on Manor Road, a cherished home for the arts in East Austin. VORTEX was the first theatre to make a home for the performing arts in historically under-served Eastside, now a blossoming Independent Theatre District. The VORTEX facility is artist owned and operated.
    VORTEX has successfully produced hundreds of quality performances for more than 16 years and is widely recognized as the pioneering leader in Austin's alternative theatre scene. VORTEX has received numerous awards for artistic excellence including 27 B. Iden Payne Awards and 15 Austin Critics’ Table Awards. More than 200 productions world premieres of musical theatre and opera, world premieres of collaborative works and ritual theatre, vibrant productions of classics, new plays by Austin playwrights, and Austin premieres of new works.
    VORTEX Repertory Company trains together, experimenting and growing, developing a common vocabulary, expanding communications skills, expanding movement and dance skills, writing new material, honing interpretive skills, and creating ensemble work.
    VORTEX's free Summer Youth Theatre teams adult professionals with teenagers to instruct students in all aspects of theatre and presents in a fully-designed production. This program has a thirteen-year history and has received funding from the Texas Commission on the Arts and the City of Austin.
    VORTEX receives recommendations around the country as a haven for alternative performance in Central Texas. VORTEX proudly produces original cutting-edge work by internationally-recognized guest artists including Karen Finley, Tim Miller, Quentin Crisp, Heather Woodbury, Rob Nash, and Penny Arcade. This programming brings important work to Austin to enrich spectators and artists, broadens the public’s horizons, and spreads the word about great performers and audiences at The VORTEX in Austin, Texas all across the national arts scene.

The Vortex is now secured as a home for the arts.  Now is the time to contribute to the artistic work here and the completion of renovations for this venue.
        Join the VORTEX team of artists and benefactors and watch this facility blossom into the next millennium.  A donation of $1000 places your name permanently on the walls of the theatre as a Hurricane.  Other perks and benefits at all levels including invitations to parties and events and recognition of your gift in show programs.  Donations are tax-deductible.