Capital Repertory Theatre

Directed by future producing artistic director Peter Clough, it starred company members Michael J. Hume, Court Miller, Janni Brenn, Patricia Charbonneau, Sofia Landon Geier and Steve Hytner.

"The premiere...was a completely auspicious one," according to critic James R. Gray, "charming enough to boost the new troupe into strong contention in its first "real" season next fall."

At the invitation of SUNY dean John W. Shumaker, the 93-person company would receive free performance space in exchange for providing learning opportunities for students and faculty for the college.

"[11] In October 1980, amidst circulating rumors, executive director Michael Van Landingham announced that the theatre would not return to Lexington House and instead move permanently to Albany.

[14] On August 31, 1981, Mayor Erastus Corning 2nd met with recently appointed Producing Artistic Directors Bruce Bouchard and Peter Clough, which secured the fledgling theatre with a new space in a former supermarket on North Pearl Street owned by the city of Albany.

[15] At a press conference on November 12, Mayor Corning announced a rent-free, five-year lease of the former Grand Cash Market, which included the city paying for utilities and heat for at least the first year.

Clough and Bouchard expressed optimism amidst the need to raise $225,000 for an operating budget, as well as to address an accumulated debt from previous years' deficit.

[22] The theatre has produced numerous world premieres, including Dreaming Emmett by Toni Morrison,[23] November by Don Nigro,[24] Saint Florence by Elizabeth Diggs,[25] Breaking Up Is Hard to Do by Neil Sedaka,[26] Grand View by William Kennedy[27] and Edges: A Song Cycle by Pasek and Paul.