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Artwork for Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

Peter Schmitz
Philadelphia
Walnut Street Theatre
Philadelphia, United States
Edwin Forrest
Centennial Exposition
Herbert J. Biberman
Diana Barrymore
Philadelphia Festival Theatre For New Plays
Interact Theatre Company
Mark Lord
Philadelphia Opera
Albert Innaurato
Trocadero Theater
Egopo Classic Theater
Lantern Theater Company
Hollywood Ten
Theater Guild
People's Light
Wilma Theater
Fringe Festival

Bringing you the best stories from the deep and fascinating history of theater in the city of Philadelphia. This is the podcast for all lovers of theater, students of history - or anyone who enjoys great stories with lots of drama!

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes136Founded6 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Performing ArtsArtsDocumentarySociety & Culture

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Artwork for Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

Latest Episodes

Our guest today is Nick Stuccio, the former ballet dancer who helped found, lead and guide one of the most important producing organizations in the city - the annual Philadelphia Fringe Festival.

Meet the man who "Made Philly Cool"!

NOTE: The song ... more

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The Artistic Director of the Philadelphia theater troupe New Paradise Laboratories talks with us about his early life and education, about his midlife journey from Bloomsburg, PA to Blacksburg, VA - and about how he is finds his new Home in Art in th... more

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We complete our conversation with the innovative Philadelphia director, teacher and dramaturg Mark Lord.

In this episode we touch on many of Mark's productions that he staged with the Philly performance groups Potlatch, Big House and Headlong Dance ... more

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We begin our conversation with the innovative Philadelphia director, teacher and  scholar Mark Lord, for many years a distinguished theater professor at Bryn Mawr College in the Philly suburbs.

Mark's life story starts us on a journey we are taking ... more

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Recent Guests

Mark Lord
Philadelphia area director, dramaturg and teacher; long-time Bryn Mawr College faculty
Bryn Mawr College
Episode: Mark Lord, Part Two
Jennifer Childs
Co-founder of 1812 Productions, actress, writer, director
1812 Productions
Episode: Funny How We Got Here - 1812 Productions, with Jen and Pete
Peter Pryor
Co-founder of 1812 Productions, actor, director
1812 Productions
Episode: Funny How We Got Here - 1812 Productions, with Jen and Pete
Mary Martello
Leading actress in Philadelphia nonprofit theater; versatile performer and director
Philadelphia theater community
Episode: Mary Martello is Always Right
Lane Savedove
Founder and longtime artistic director, EgoPo Classic Theater
EgoPo Classic Theater
Episode: Lane Savadove and EgoPo
John Henry Hepp
Professor emeritus of history at Wilkes University; Philadelphia Centennial Exposition expert
Wilkes University
Episode: Centennial Summer: Looking Back to 1876 - A Special Episode
Donald Travis Stewart
TravSD, author and cultural historian specializing in vaudeville and theater history
Travalanche; author of No Applause, Just Throw Money
Episode: Centennial Summer: Looking Back to 1876 - A Special Episode
Stacy Maria Dutton
Executive director, Lantern Theater Company
Lantern Theater Company
Episode: The Lantern Theater
Charles McMahon
Artistic director, Lantern Theater Company
Lantern Theater Company
Episode: The Lantern Theater

Host

Peter Schmitz
Host of Adventures in Theater History: Philadelphia

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • Great find!

    If you love the theatrical arts, architecture, history or Philly, this is a great channel. Very well researched and produced. The Vaudeville part 1 podcast was fascinating as it wove together descriptions of Mae West’s appearances in Philly, the sumptuousness of the Keith Theatre and the history of Vaudeville. The Clansman podcast was tough to listen to but an invaluable insight into what African Americans have had to face in their continuing pursuit of freedom, equality and opportunity in th... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    caro_lean
    United States3 years ago
  • Izzy

    Agree with other reviewers. This podcast sheds light not only on Phila theatre history — this is American theatre history. The generational lines reach to present day Drew Barrymore and others. And as a lifelong Philadelphian, I enjoy walking the streets and imagining or remembering where the theaters referenced were or are! The storyteller brings us there.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Izzy’sFried
    United States3 years ago
  • Just terrific

    It IS just terrific!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bob Goren
    United States3 years ago
  • Informative, enlightening, and engaging

    Peter Schmitz’ deeply researched podcast uncovers important moments in Philadelphia theatre history, providing helpful context and insights, as well as resources for those of us interested in further digging. I am so grateful to have stumbled upon this and could not hit the subscribe button fast enough.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    AngelPirateNY
    United States4 years ago
  • Fun and informative!

    Great Listening. Peter graciously expresses his enthusiasm for the subject with each anecdote he tells. Like a seasoned storyteller, Peter shares such interesting facts with style. And this is well researched. As a big philly theater fan, this is a must-hear.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    tg53
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show weaves American theater history with local Philadelphia culture really well.
The host's deep research and storytelling bring Philly theatre history to life.
Production quality and scholarly approach make it a standout for archival content.
Listeners appreciate the helpful resources and sources provided in show notes.
It's engaging and informative, though occasionally quiet in volume.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mark Lord, Part One
Q: What was the scene at Bryn Mawr like when you started there and how did your approach challenge the status quo?
He describes Bryn Mawr as architecturally impressive but culturally cautious about arts; he pushed for serious, open, and intellectually rigorous theater work, challenging the college's reluctance to credit acting and to treat theater as a serious academic discipline.
Mark Lord, Part One
Q: How did he get involved with Villanova and what drew him into the world of Shakespeare there?
A crush on a classmate led him to an acting class taught by Jim Pamillo, which connected him to a broader network including Irene Baird and Mary Lou DeFilippo; this opened doors to summer theater work and a life-changing experience that shaped his later career.
Mark Lord, Part One
Q: So what's your main creative outlet these days?
Lord discusses his ongoing balance between meditation, reading, and drawing, while continuing to pursue theater-making outside traditional academic settings and exploring new forms of directing and dramaturgy.
Mark Lord, Part Two
Q: What piece was that? (regarding the site-specific work at the Weatherill/Art Alliance)
He explains the Stein piece (Listen to Me) as a collage-like, multi-room, multimedia experience where scenes unfold across a mansion, with the audience moving through spaces and texts projected on walls, emphasizing spatial storytelling over a linear arc.
Mark Lord, Part Two
Q: I do want to ask you about one character in particular in the Philly theater world, who also becomes a great friend of yours and one whom we've quoted quite often on this podcast.
Mark Lord discusses William B. Collins's transition from critic to actor, his openness to learning the acting process, and how his collaboration helped shape productions like The Tempest, balancing criticism with creative work.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A deeply researched show exploring Philadelphia's theater history through interviews with curators, artists, and local companies. Episodes cover everything from landmark venues and archival collections to the lives of notable actors, directors, and producers, with a strong emphasis on how Philadelphia's cultural memory intersects with broader American theater history. Notable strengths include rigorous scholarship, on-site storytelling, and a clear passion for making local theater history accessible and engaging for both residents and curious newcomers. The format often combines archival material, personal reminiscences, and contextual analysis, making it a rich resource for researchers, educators, and fans of period theater alike.

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These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Fresh Air
2. Articles of Interest
3. This American Life
4. The Rest Is History
5. Maintenance Phase

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 6 years ago and published 136 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Mark Lord
2. Jennifer Childs
3. Peter Pryor
4. Mary Martello
5. Lane Savedove
6. John Henry Hepp
7. Donald Travis Stewart
8. Stacy Maria Dutton

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