Founded in 1968 as the East Bay's first resident professional theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre (Berkeley Rep) has established a national reputation for the quality of its productions and the innovation of its programming. Berkeley Rep seeks to set a national standard for ambitious programming, engagement with its audiences, and leadership within the community in which it resides. Through productions, outreach, and education, Berkeley Rep aspires to use theatre as a means to challenge, thrill, and galvanize what is best in the human spirit. Berkeley Rep was the recipient of the 1997 Tony Award for outstanding regional theatre.