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A new exhibit celebrating the legacy of South Dakota State University’s Prairie Repertory Theatre is now on display at the Washington Pavilion’s University Gallery. The display highlights more than 50 years of PRT productions and will be on view through Jan. 5, 2026. 

Founded in 1970, Prairie Repertory Theatre has become a cornerstone of live theater in eastern South Dakota. The exhibit offers a behind-the-scenes look at the creative process — from the first rehearsal to opening night — through video interviews, posters, costume pieces and production visuals from the company’s 54-year history. 

“We aimed to showcase the history of Prairie Repertory Theatre while also highlighting the process of theater as a collaborative art form,” said Billy Wilburn, artistic director of PRT and associate professor of theatre at SDSU. “We want visitors to walk away with a greater appreciation for theater, understanding it as a true collaborative art form and recognizing the impact the arts have on our lives.” 

The University Gallery is one of eight galleries housed in the Washington Pavilion and often features work from regional institutions with the mission to entertain, educate and enrich. According to SDSU Associate Vice President for External Affairs Vernon Brown, the Prairie Repertory Theatre display offers something truly unique. 

“PRT has such a rich history in eastern South Dakota,” Brown said. “This gallery exposition celebrates that, but whether it's the displays, posters or video, theater lovers will experience how much planning and physical work goes into producing a show.” 

The exhibition encourages visitors to see theater not only as entertainment but as a deeply human, communal act of creativity. As the exhibition description notes, “Ultimately, this exhibition is an invitation to witness the shared experience of what it means to create together. It is in these collaborations that the power of theater comes alive, touching the minds and hearts of those both on stage and off.”