With a rich tradition of innovation and civic engagement, Philadelphia's theater scene stands as one of the most eclectic and artistically adventurous in the country. Its top companies are embracing both legacy and experimentation, cementing the city's role as a hub for meaningful performance.

Arden Theatre Company

Founded in 1988, Arden Theatre is a cornerstone of Philadelphia's Old City arts district. Known for its commitment to storytelling and local education, Arden stages classics, new works, and family programming.

Wilma Theater

Established in 1973 and reimagined in recent years under the direction of its HotHouse ensemble, Wilma Theater continues to push artistic boundaries. Resulting in a dynamic theatrical experience that speaks to the complexity of human communication. 

Philadelphia Theatre Company

Housed in the Suzanne Roberts Theatre on Broad Street, Philadelphia Theatre Company has long been a champion of new American plays. Founded in 1974, the company maintains a strong national profile.

InterAct Theatre Company

Established in 1988, InterAct Theatre specializes in plays that spark conversation around contemporary issues. Their recent offering explored global displacement, cultural identity and resilience in the face of upheaval. 

Lantern Theater Company

Founded in 1994, Lantern Theater Company is beloved for its literary sensibility and intimate productions - known for breathing new life into classic texts.

EgoPo Classic Theater

EgoPo Classic offers radical reinterpretations of canonical works. Founded in New Orleans and relocated to Philadelphia in 2005, its stylized, emotionally charged approach continues to redefine what a "classic" can be.

Pig Iron Theatre Company

Founded in 1995, Pig Iron is internationally recognized for its hybrid of physical theater, clowning, and devised work and has a legacy of blurring genre boundaries. 

New Paradise Laboratories

An interdisciplinary company with a penchant for the surreal, their work remains some of the most daring in the city. 

Spiral Q Puppet Theater

Founded in 1995, fuses art and activism with giant puppet pageants and community-driven performances.

Mask and Wig Club

Established in 1889 by University of Pennsylvania students, Mask and Wig Club is the oldest all-male collegiate musical comedy troupe in the U.S. With its irreverent wit and charming traditions, the club continues to delight audiences with its signature satirical revues.

Philadelphia's theater community thrives on its mix of tradition, experimentation, and social consciousness. Whether rooted in Shakespeare or spoken word, satire or symbolism, these companies are keeping the spirit of the city's stages alive.