The Stagecrafters Theater

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The Stagecrafters Theater The Stagecrafters Theater is Chestnut Hill Philadelphia's historic playhouse, presenting 5 professional staged productions every year since 1929.

History of the Stagecrafters Theater

The Stagecrafters was founded to “promote the advancement of knowledge and appreciation of drama in all its forms, and to encourage the writing and production of drama of a high literary and artistic standard by its members.”

Motivated by a mutual love of drama, some twenty friends who had been acting together since 1926 under the sponsorship of the Germantown Women's Club, organized as The Stagecrafters in 1929. The theater was incorporated in 1932. A small house and a smithy of Revolutionary vintage were rented on the present site and used as a workshop and a clubhouse. Only a pot-bellied stove heated the workshop, where one-act plays were presented to an audience of about thirty. The actors appeared from the kitchen or stairway. That building now houses our lobby, a small kitchen area, and newly-renovated restrooms on the first floor, and our lighting and sound equipment on the second floor. Full length plays were still given at the Germantown Women's Club until the former smithy in front of the house (which served as a work shop) was enlarged to include a small stage and seating for one hundred. In 1936, the two buildings were altered and connected to form our present theater, nearly doubling the audience capacity. The stage and lobby entrances were enclosed later. In 1950 we were able to purchase both the theater and the lovely historic house on Germantown Avenue which contains an office, a meeting room, a rehearsal room and a kitchen for cast and crew dinners. In the early sixties, we acquired the adjoining property, which allowed us to add required fire-exit doors on the south side of the theater. In the summer of 2002, through a generous bequest from the Estate of Dwight V. Dowley, we were able to expand the lobby/cloakroom area and renovate the theater bathrooms to allow handicapped accessibility. This represents the configuration of our premises as it exists today.

09/25/2026

to Our Featured Sponsors! Artistic_eyewear Booked. Borrelli's Chestnut Hill Gallery Caleb Meyer Studio Cin Cin Restaurant Curtis Institute of Music Henkel Roofing HOST Chestnut Hill Community Association Locals Coffee Wyndmoor Max L. Lieberman & Associates McNally's Tavern Chestnut Hill Poppy's Coffee Rob Lamb & Associates Scene-N-Action Productions Company Zipf's Candies

09/22/2026

THEIR FIGHT CHANGED THE LAW AND THEIR STORY STILL MATTERS.
These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich. Directed by Jane Toczek.
Performances run through to October 4
The Stagecrafters Theater in Chestnut Hill
RESERVE YOUR SEATS: https://thestagecrafters.org

OPENING NIGHT TONIGHT FRIDAY 9/18 THESE SHINING LIVESOpening night event September 18: SPECAL performance from 6:30 to 7...
09/18/2026

OPENING NIGHT TONIGHT FRIDAY 9/18 THESE SHINING LIVES

Opening night event September 18: SPECAL performance from 6:30 to 7 by Rare Spirits, whose original song, “Radium (Curie Eleison)” connected us with the band; they serve up high-proof Roots music with verve, humor and aplomb. Sweet harmonies, rollicking rhythms and an electrifying stage presence all combine. Link here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1BRHlGnliKI
Rare Spirits

SUNDAY 9/20
Panel discussion after September 20 matinee: featuring labor attorney Michelle Devitt of Willig, Williams & Davidson and Dr. Barbara Kimmelman, Professor of History at Thomas Jefferson University, East Falls.

Chestnut Hill PA

Original song, performed for the 59th Annual Philadelphia Folk Fest...

NEW NEW NEW --- FOR YOU!All evening performancesproduced by The Stagecrafters Theaterwill start at 7:30PM.Sunday Matinee...
09/17/2026

NEW NEW NEW --- FOR YOU!
All evening performances
produced by The Stagecrafters Theater
will start at 7:30PM.

Sunday Matinee begins at 2PM all season long.

Learn more about the cast of THESE SHINING LIVES which opens this Friday 9/18Tickets available - link in bio!Chestnut Hi...
09/15/2026

Learn more about the cast of THESE SHINING LIVES which opens this Friday 9/18
Tickets available - link in bio!

Chestnut Hill PA eastmtairyneighbors West Mt Airy Neighbors

Address

8130 Germantown Avenue
Philadelphia, PA
19118

Telephone

+12152478881

Website

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