St. Louis Repertory has a new Board of Directors president: Robert J. Messey. He joined the Board in 1990, served as treasurer in 1991, and then became vice president of development, 1992-95. Presidential terms are generally one year, but can be reelected.

A Washington University business administration graduate and former member of the Army Reserve, Messey is a certified public accountant. He succeeds Deborah Silverberg, who left to work with another (non-theatre) company in Atlanta, GA.

Asked about Messey's presidential responsibilities, Barbara Harris, director of development, told Playbill On-Line, "Our board has fiduciary responsibility towards the organization. Messey presides over board and executive committee meetings. He also works directly with the artistic and managing director."

Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, nicknamed "The Rep," is a member of the League of Resident Theatres. Education and family-oriented shows are a big part of their mandate, be it ITC performances or subsidized discounts to student matinees. The May Company's contribution helps underwrite teacher study guides.

Production spokesperson Judy Andrews told Playbill On-Line that although the Rep tries to choose plays that please its subscribers, they also shouldn't be lumped in with "the Midwestern mindset" that some people might ascribe to theatres of its type: "In our 30 years, we've never done a Neil Simon play. We do Shakespeare, a lot of Shaw, and we foster new writers like Anthony Clarvoe, whose Brothers Karamazov premiered here, or Hiram Titus and Barbara Field." -- By David Lefkowitz