Act II Playhouse
56 East Butler Avenue
Ambler PA 19002
Phone: 215-654-0200
Fax: 215-654-9050
Email: [email protected]
Description:
Mission:
Act II Playhouse, a 130-seat professional theatre located in the Philadelphia suburb of Ambler, PA, is committed to creating world-class theatre in a venue whose intimacy draws audiences and actors into dynamic interaction. Act II produces new, classic and contemporary plays and musicals that reflect the highest artistic standards, under the direction of Bud Martin (Producing Artistic Director) and Harriet Power (Associate Artistic Director).
Our work is expansive: we make theatre to explore big ideas, broaden minds, move hearts, exercise imaginations and ultimately build community through the shared experience of live theatre.
Act II Playhouse is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and operates under an SPT (Small Professional Theater) agreement with the Actors' Equity Association.
History:
Act II Playhouse was founded in 1998 by Stephen Blumenthal and Alan Blumenthal (who share the same last name but are not related). Alan left the Playhouse in 2006 and remains active in the Philadelphia theatre community.Act II enters its second decade with new artistic leadership and vision. In May of this year, Act II Playhouse named Frank “Bud” Martin as its new Producing Artistic Director and Harriet Power Associate Artistic Director. Martin and Power created Act II’s new slogan “world-class theatre, intimate venue” as an emblem of their commitment to bring the best plays and artists to Act II, while guaranteeing that viewers will be close to the action and involved in the exciting, moving and often humorous stories unfolding on stage.
In its 10-year history, Act II has received 24 Barrymore Award nominations and four Barrymore Awards including the 2006 Charlotte Cushman Award for Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play to Susan Riley Stevens in Bad Dates, Best Actor in a Musical to Tony Braithwaite in The Big Bang (2005) and Outstanding Lead Actor in a Play to Kraig Swartz in Fully Committed (2003, a co-production with Philadelphia Theatre Company). Act II also took home a Barrymore for Best Lighting for James Leitner’s work on the 2004 production of Mary’s Wedding. In 2002, just three years after it opened, Act II Playhouse was awarded "Best of Philly" Suburban Theatre Company by Philadelphia Magazine.