Dr. Vernell A. Lillie founded it in 1974 at the University of Pittsburgh as a way of showcasing the playwright Rob Penny.

The theater group remained part of the University of Pittsburgh's Department of Africana Studies through the 2010-2011 season when Lillie retired as a professor at Pitt.

The Kuntu Repertory Theatre has won multiple awards, including several Onyx and People's Choice awards from the African American Council of Theatre[2][3] The company has also participated in the Pittsburgh New Works Festival.

In 2011 Kuntu moved to a new home at the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh's Homewood branch.

[5][6] Due to funding difficulties, the Kuntu Repertory Theatre announced it was closing after the 2012-2013 season.