{"id":2531,"date":"2025-03-04T14:50:10","date_gmt":"2025-03-04T19:50:10","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/?p=2531"},"modified":"2025-08-07T06:21:40","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T10:21:40","slug":"the-history-of-theatre-philadelphia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/eternal-2531-the-history-of-theatre-philadelphia","title":{"rendered":"The History of Theatre Philadelphia"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Philadelphians have long been known as avid theater enthusiasts. The city boasts an extensive network of theaters and is the birthplace of stage legends like <a href=\"https:\/\/iphiladelphia.net\/en\/eternal-ethel-barrymore-the-first-lady-of-american-theater\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Ethel Barrymore<\/a> and many others. To foster and promote the art of theater in the region, local theater leaders and artists founded the association <strong>Theatre Philadelphia<\/strong>. More at <a href=\"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\">philadelphia-trend<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The organization was established in 2012. Since then, Theatre Philadelphia has organized the well-known and prestigious <strong>Barrymore Awards<\/strong>, fostered the growth of the theater community, and engaged volunteers in the process. Here\u2019s a closer look at the organization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_74 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-custom ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f26a466b80a\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-69f26a466b80a\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/eternal-2531-the-history-of-theatre-philadelphia\/#Founding_and_Mission_of_Theatre_Philadelphia\" >Founding and Mission of Theatre Philadelphia<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/eternal-2531-the-history-of-theatre-philadelphia\/#Major_Projects\" >Major Projects<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/eternal-2531-the-history-of-theatre-philadelphia\/#The_Barrymore_Awards\" >The Barrymore Awards<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/eternal-2531-the-history-of-theatre-philadelphia\/#The_Ubuntu_Young_Artist_Fellowship\" >The Ubuntu Young Artist Fellowship<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Founding_and_Mission_of_Theatre_Philadelphia\"><\/span>Founding and Mission of Theatre Philadelphia<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Throughout their history, Philadelphia&#8217;s theater professionals have formed various organizations and associations. These efforts helped pool resources to popularize theater and create a range of interesting projects.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For a long time, the city was home to the <strong>Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia<\/strong>. The Alliance initiated and presented the annual Barrymore Awards. In 2012, this creative community ceased operations, but the spirit of unity and collaboration in the city did not fade. That same year, theater professionals founded Theatre Philadelphia to increase interest in the artistic community and its work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The association&#8217;s mission is to inform the public and engage them as widely as possible in the city&#8217;s theatrical life. Its website has become an excellent guide to the world of Philadelphia&#8217;s theaters and events. Additionally, the organizers have continued the tradition of the Barrymore Awards and are developing strategies for effective audience engagement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As of 2025, the Board of Directors of Theatre Philadelphia consists of 10 members. The association also has an Alumni Council, composed of prominent figures from the theater world. The Executive Director is Sabriaya Shipley. She earned a B.A. in Theatre Arts from Temple University and an M.A. in Social Justice &amp; Community Organizing from Prescott College.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sabriaya has extensive experience collaborating with community organizations, artistic residencies, and creative projects at both regional and international levels. In 2020, she founded &#8220;Griot Girls,&#8221; a writing collective for young African American women. Sabriaya&#8217;s goal is to advance the art of theater and ensure freedom of expression for <strong>communities of color<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The Operations Director of Theatre Philadelphia is theater artist CJ Higgins. They have experience in directing, acting, writing music and plays, and producing. In CJ&#8217;s view, theater should foster the expression and development of talent for everyone wishing to join the community, regardless of sexual orientation or self-identification.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Thus, Theatre Philadelphia serves as an open and unbiased space created for artists and residents of the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Major_Projects\"><\/span>Major Projects<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.philadelphia-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxdsofagzkm8quekknsfzbdh7yqeacqfyiub8awhzuimrm8pxrk2gjglvpzr2zak00sqjcmrqzj45k9o05mhztekcneiwrm79s9ynf4vprcvb1gcb1yg3fxbahstzzzsjirep-xviwkeybi7wd5n4ytmtn_lcgzxky4df.png\" alt=\"Theatre Philadelphia logo and promotional imagery\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The public face and main platform of Theatre Philadelphia is its website. There, you can learn about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The association&#8217;s history, leadership, mission, and goals;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Philadelphia&#8217;s theater venues and their current schedules;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The theater industry, including news and job openings;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Details about the organization and events of Philly Theatre Week;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The history and current status of the Barrymore Awards.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Furthermore, the site offers the opportunity to make a donation to support the development of theater in the city. You can also learn how to get involved with the association&#8217;s activities. To this end, the site provides contact information and links to all major social media networks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Barrymore_Awards\"><\/span>The Barrymore Awards<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.philadelphia-trend.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/52\/2025\/03\/ad_4nxfwc_bwcerd2_zqrgz_jcmpzoh1ran-gydsyblb_gworrdqlnr8pgfansxljz9nrj-kybwkoydltqg9u_o2mbx12tu6weonlixt4gq9yfr7m0asmoit2jewvrdx7f3lgrv8g1wihqkeybi7wd5n4ytmtn_lcgzxky4df.png\" alt=\"A Barrymore Awards ceremony\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>A vital area of activity for Theatre Philadelphia, crucial for the region&#8217;s artists, is the annual presentation of the prestigious <a href=\"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/eternal-1100-history-of-the-theater-award\">Barrymore Awards<\/a>. This initiative was nearly lost after its previous organizers ceased operations. However, Theatre Philadelphia quickly revived it, even presenting awards for the missed season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The list of categories was then expanded, and the theatrical honor made a triumphant return to the city. In 2014, the first awards ceremony for the revived honor was held. The event took place at the Merriam Theater. In subsequent years, the event has been held at various arts venues across Philadelphia. Thus, the tradition has been preserved, and the best in theater are honored each year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"The_Ubuntu_Young_Artist_Fellowship\"><\/span>The Ubuntu Young Artist Fellowship<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As part of its support for young artists who join Philadelphia&#8217;s theater world each year, the association established the <strong>Ubuntu Young Artist Fellowship<\/strong>. It is designed for those who are currently studying in or have recently graduated from an undergraduate theater program in the region. Young artists interested in learning have the opportunity to receive this support.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Four fellows are selected each spring in areas such as arts administration, social media\/PR, and community engagement. They not only receive a stipend but also participate in Theatre Philadelphia&#8217;s activities, contributing their own ideas for the development and improvement of the art form they love.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Therefore, Theatre Philadelphia has become a vital artistic hub in the region, serving to popularize and spread knowledge about the city and region&#8217;s theater scene.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Philadelphians have long been known as avid theater enthusiasts. The city boasts an extensive network of theaters and is the birthplace of stage legends like Ethel Barrymore and many others. To foster and promote the art of theater in the region, local theater leaders and artists founded the association Theatre Philadelphia. More at philadelphia-trend. The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":405,"featured_media":2120,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[156],"tags":[1559,1553,1554,1564,1561,1562,1563,1558,1551,1560,1550,1552,1555,1556,1557],"motype":[160],"moformat":[],"moimportance":[32,35],"class_list":{"0":"post-2531","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-teatrs","8":"tag-arts-administration-philly","9":"tag-barrymore-awards","10":"tag-cj-higgins","11":"tag-community-engagement-arts","12":"tag-ethel-barrymore","13":"tag-griot-girls","14":"tag-merriam-theater","15":"tag-philadelphia-arts-community","16":"tag-philadelphia-theater-scene","17":"tag-philly-arts-organizations","18":"tag-philly-theatre-week","19":"tag-sabriaya-shipley","20":"tag-theater-alliance-philadelphia","21":"tag-theatre-philadelphia","22":"tag-ubuntu-young-artist-fellowship","23":"motype-eternal","24":"moimportance-golovna-novyna","25":"moimportance-retranslyacziya-v-agregatory"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/405"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2531"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2533,"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2531\/revisions\/2533"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2120"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2531"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2531"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2531"},{"taxonomy":"motype","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/motype?post=2531"},{"taxonomy":"moformat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moformat?post=2531"},{"taxonomy":"moimportance","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/philadelphia-trend.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/moimportance?post=2531"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}