Like nearby Philadelphia, Delaware County has their fair share of cultural and historical attractions. The Hedgerow Theatre in Rose Valley meets both of these qualifications. This theatre has been putting on plays since 1923 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Nearly a century after it’s founding, families from Delaware County and throughout the Philadelphia metro area still visit here to watch the variety of plays they host, along with engaging in the educational programs they have to offer. Some of the reasons why our Delaware County personal injury lawyers love the Hedgerow Theatre include:

History

The Hedgerow Theatre is an anchor of the Rose Valley Historic District. The structure was originally a grist mill built in 1840 but was converted into a 144-person capacity theatre in 1923. Many significant plays have debuted here, and such prestigious names as George Bernard Shaw, Eugene O’Neill, and Sean O’Casey have had their plays produced here. Notable actors that have taken the stage at Hedgerow Theatre include Richard Baseheart, Ann Harding, Keanu Reeves, Stephen Lang, and Austin Pendleton.

Performances

Of course, performances are the most important aspect of any theatre – and Hedgerow has plenty to offer in this department. Each holiday season, the theatre hosts a production of A Christmas Carol. Throughout the year, they host plays in a wide range of genres, from drama to comedy.

Upcoming Performances

Some upcoming performances at the Hedgerow Theatre include:

  • The Importance of Being Earnest – Oscar Wilde’s famous play is running at the theatre from May 4 through May 27. This hilarious production first debuted in 1895 and continues to make audiences laugh today, over 120 years later.
  • His Girl Friday – This is the Hedgerow Theatre’s summer comedy and is running from June 30 through July 29.
  • Dishman Springs – You can see Jane A. McNeil’s play for the first time, as the world premiere is being held at Hedgerow Theatre from September 13 through September 30.

Educational Programs

Hedgerow Theatre is proud to host a variety of educational productions and programs, both for children and adults. The theatre lists kindness, professionalism, and developing critical thinking in a creative process as their foundations for classes and performances.

Robert Smythe’s Playwright’s Studio

This class is for adults and runs for six weeks. It’s a studio class in which participants can have their work read out loud and discussed in a workshop format. Students write 3-5 page scenes outside of class, which are then read and discussed using the Liz Lerman feedback method. The instructor will occasionally offer guidance on how the plays could be improved.

Hedgerow Theatre School

The Hedgerow Theatre School is designed for kids and is held in three sessions: fall, spring, and summer. These classes are meant to train the creative process in our youth, by building skills in performance, singing, directing, writing, and improvising.