Winner of the 1997 Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre, Berkeley Repertory Theatre s reputation draws theatre artists from throughout the United States to work on a variety of productions from September through July. Founded in 1968, Berkeley Rep is a professional resident theatre company. The season consists of seven productions of classic, contemporary and new plays. In March 2001, Berkeley Rep opened The Roda Theatre, a 600-seat proscenium theatre that complements the existing 400-seat thrust stage. The addition creates a versatile performing arts complex. In December 2001, the company opened the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, housed next door in the Nevo Education Center. The School of Theatre offers a variety of educational programs designed to enrich the theatre-going experience through extensive training for the working professional, the emerging artist and the theatre enthusiast, as well as numerous community outreach programs throughout the nine-county Bay Area.