Universal Movement Theatre Repertory

The Universal Movement Theatre Repertory (U.M.T.R.), originally the Radical Theatre Repertory, was a New York based booking agency. The purpose of this non-profit organization was to assist theatrical groups and individuals in finding outlets for the presentation of their art and to encourage developments in new and experimental forms which did not find a place in the commercial theatre.

Administrative History

History

The Radical Theatre Repertory, first envisioned by Ronald Davis of the San Francisco Mime Troupe and founded by Saul and Oda Gottlieb in 1968, was a cooperative consisting of several American experimental theatre groups. Gottlieb concentrated his efforts on the Living Theatre's 1968-1969 tour of the United States and was therefore unable to focus as much on the cooperative. In 1970, after the Radical Theatre Repertory had ceased to function, Mark Hall Amitin, who had been the Living Theatre's road manager, seeing the need for the work to continue, reorganized and incorporated it as a non-profit organization under the name Universal Movement Theatre Repertory. Amitin expanded operations, encompassing not only American but also European groups with high artistic standards and strong political commitment.

The purpose of the Universal Movement Theatre Repertory was to assist theatrical groups and individuals in finding outlets for the presentation of their art and to encourage developments in new and experimental forms which did not find a place in the commercial theatre.

Thus, the Universal Movement Theatre Repertory provided a central clearing bureau for booking and information on, about, from, to, and between all the member groups and individuals. In addition, it organized performances, festivals, tours, lectures, demonstrations, and workshops.