Virginia Repertory Theatre history

Kambis restored the Empire name and in 1979 leased it to Keith Fowler, artistic director of the American Revels Company.

In 1983, in partnership with the Virginia Department of Social Services and Prevent Child Abuse Virginia, Theatre IV created and began touring Hugs and Kisses, Virginia's principal child sexual abuse prevention program.

Revels was succeeded by Theatre IV in 1984.

In 1985 Theatre IV produced Do Lord Remember Me based on the oral histories of former slaves interviewed during the Federal Writer's Project, and received the Award of Excellence from Branches of the Arts for "The most outstanding play relating to African-American experience."

In 1986, Theatre IV purchased and renovated the historic November Theatre (formerly the Empire), one of Richmond's two Broadway style houses.

In 1990, the Tavern was sold to the Hanover Tavern Foundation.

In 1993, Pete, Muriel and Nancy retired.

Barksdale Theatre and Theatre IV began sharing a single staff in 2001, but operated as two separate nonprofit theatres.

In 2002 the Pentagon selected Theatre IV's production of Buffalo Soldier as a morale booster after September 11.

Barksdale returned theatrical programming to Hanover Tavern in January 2006, renting the space from the Hanover Tavern Foundation

On its 100th anniversary in 2011 the theater was further restored when Sara Belle and Neil November made a $2 million gift to Theatre IV and Barksdale.