Temple Theaters is thrilled to announce our 54th Season for the 2021-2022 Academic Year!

The season opens with “Sensitive Guys” a contemporary play by Kilroy-recognized playwright MJ Kaufman, followed by “She Kills Monsters" by Qui Nguyen (did you see his "Raya and The Last Dragon" this spring?). 

To give us the time to get production shops up and running, we will still be presenting these first two productions (“Sensitive Guys” and “She Kills Monsters”) in a digital format, LIVE on zoom. In fact, the version of Monsters we procured was rewritten by the playwright Qui Nguyen to be presented digitally. 

For the third show of the fall, we have changed the first musical from what was initially announced. While we love the previously announced title, “Head Over Heels”, the original concept was a digital version. Because we love it so much, we are going to wait and present it when we have the ability to get it up on its feet in a way we can really be proud of. In fact, we can announce that we will be presenting it as part of the 2022-23 season!

We will replace that title this season with the wonderful musical “Spring Awakening” -- this will be our first show back FULLY in PERSON in the Tomlinson! We can't wait!

Then our Philly Young Playwrights: New Voices Festival will share that venue, performing in their original location, in Tomlinson, for this fall. 

This will be a fantastic way to welcome audiences back into the theater!

Our final Fall offering, “Hotel Williams” is a selection of short Tennessee Williams plays which will be divided into two evenings in repertory with half of the one-acts on one evening and half on the night following. It will feature curation by Brandon McShaffrey along with direction from undergrad directors. Audiences can then see all 6 pieces over two nights. 

Then in the spring, Ibsen's "Ghosts", will be followed by María Irene Fornés' “Fefu and Her Friends” which will be presented in two of our spaces with the audience walking between theaters to catch all the action in different acts/scenes.

We're also thrilled to be performing the Abbott and Loesser musical "Where's Charley?" as part of a tribute to our illustrious alum, Joy Abbott, who passed away in February of 2019. The final show of the year will be the stirring play by Dominique Morisseau, "Blood at The Root" 

Stay tuned for more information about each of these plays -- in the meantime, we are happy to be able to give you a full schedule (below)

FALL SCHEDULE

SENSITIVE GUYS (LIVE on ZOOM)
by MJ Kaufman
Directed by Cat Ramirez
September 9-11, 2021 (7:30 pm & Sat Mat @ 2 pm)
Stage Manager: Zach Holzberg

SHE KILLS MONSTERS (LIVE on ZOOM)
by Qui Nguyen
Directed by Rose Freeman (MFA '21)
September 30 - Oct 2, 2021 (7:30 pm & Sat Mat @ 2 pm)
Stage Manager: Sam Cashion

SPRING AWAKENING (LIVE IN PERSON!!!!)
Book & Lyrics by Steven Sater
Music by Duncan Sheik 
Based on the play by Frank Wedekind
Directed by Megan O'Brien Perri
Choreographed by​ Shavon Norris
Oct 15-24, 2021 (@ 7:30 -- Sun Mat @2) 
Stage Manager: Jess Fisgaer

NEW VOICES: PHILADELPHIA YOUNG PLAYWRIGHTS
October 28 - November 6, 2021 (Schedule TBD)
Production Stage Manager: Allison Ogdon
Stage Managers: TBA

HOTEL WILLIAMS
by Tennessee Williams
Directed by Brandon McShaffrey and 4 undergrad directors
November 11 - 18, 2021 (7:30 pm - Sat & Sun Matinees @2)
Production Stage Manager: Allison Ogdon
Stage Managers: TBA

SPRING SCHEDULE

GHOSTS 
by Henrik Ibsen 
Directed by Marcus Giamatti
January 13 - 15, 2022 (7:30 pm & Sat Mat @ 2 pm)
Stage Manager: Sam Cashion

FEFU AND HER FRIENDS 
by María Irene Fornés
Directed by Rebecca May Flowers
January 26-29, 2022 (7:30 pm & Sat Matinees @ 2 pm)
Stage Manager: Miranda Watkins

WHERE'S CHARLEY?
Based on Brandon Thomas' Play "Charley's Aunt"
Book by George Abbott
Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser
Directed by Peter Reynolds
Choreographed by Maggie Anderson 
Music Direction by Steven Gross
February 18-24, 2022 (7:30 pm, Sat & Sun mat @ 2 pm) 
Stage Manager: Laurence Christopher

BLOOD AT THE ROOT
by Dominique Morisseau
Directed by Amina Robinson
March 18 - 27, 2022 (7:30 pm, Sat & Sun Mat @ 2 pm)
Stage Manager: Ariel Weiner

Keep an eye out for more information on all of these productions! We're so excited to see you at the theater!