Category: Uncategorized

WHEN: SUNDAYS 2/1, 2/15, and 3/1 from 1pm-4pm

WHERE: First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 2125 Chestnut Street

WHAT: A series of three free theater workshops exploring “The Alchemist’s Comedy–or Tragedy”, a new play by local Philadelphia playwright Evelyn Richardson, whose work was last on stage in “Esme’s Last Seance”

Join Open Theater Workshop artists to play with text, music, visuals, acting, and movement across three interdisciplinary, collaborative workshops.

Actors, dancers, musicians, writers, designers, artists of all disciplines, and all community members are invited to participate.

No experience is necessary; beginners are encouraged to join.

SUPPLIES: Supplies necessary for participation will be provided. You are encouraged to bring additional art supplies, musical instruments, etc. as you wish.

ATTENDANCE: Although each workshop may reference the discoveries made in the last, you are welcome to participate in one or two of the workshops if you are not able to join us for the full set.

RSVP: Email sarah@opentheaterworkshop.org to RSVP or ask questions!

WHEN: ALTERNATING TUESDAYS: 4/29, 5/13, 5/27, 6/10 from 7pm-10pm

WHERE: The First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia, 2125 Chestnut Street (in the Sanctuary)

WHAT: A series of four theater workshops exploring “Light, Shadow, & Mysticism” in The Dybbuk by S. Ansky.

Join Open Theater Workshop artists Sarah Billings, Sophie Koester, and Madeline Shuron in an exploration of the classic but now rarely performed Yiddish play “The Dybbuk” by S. Ansky through a series of four collaborative theater workshops.

Throughout the four-workshop series, we will explore the actor’s body and voice as tools of composition, create unique shadow puppets and projected scenery, and collaborate on new, multifaceted interpretations of this fascinating text.

We will examine light and shadow as key elements in staging scenes of magic, ritual, and mysticism, as well as engaging with the mysticism of the theater itself.

Actors, dancers, musicians, writers, designers, artists of all disciplines, and all community members are invited to join this free workshop series. No experience is necessary. Beginners are encouraged to join.

SUPPLIES: Supplies necessary for participation will be provided. You are welcome to bring additional art supplies, musical instruments, etc. as you wish.

ATTENDANCE: Although the contents of the workshops will progress as a series, you are welcome to participate in one, two, or three of the workshops if you are not able to join us for the full set.

RSVP: Email sarah@opentheaterworkshop.org to RSVP or ask questions!

This workshop is presented as part of Spirit+Ed adult education programming at the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia. We are grateful to First Unitarian and especially Reverend Alexandre da Silva Souto for their support of Open Theater Workshop.

WHEN: April 24th, 2025 7pm-10pm (venue opens at 5pm with non-alcoholic drinks and snacks available)

WHERE: Nutmeg Non-Alcoholic Bar and Market (1835 E Passyunk Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19148)*

*Please note that our space for the event is only accessible via one flight of stairs.

WHAT: We will be reading the first draft of THE ALCHEMIST’S COMEDY…OR TRAGEDY by Evelyn Richardson, a new play in verse with two endings that will be voted on by the audience, leading the story to a comic or tragic conclusion based on the outcome of one character’s fateful choice. 

This will be a reading in Open Theater Workshop style, meaning that anyone who attends can volunteer to read. We will change casts throughout the reading if there are more participants than characters. We will explore physical staging and design ideas even in this mostly cold reading, and we will pause to respond at intermission and after the play. You are welcome to bring art supplies and musical instruments as you like.

The non-alcoholic bar will be open before and during our event. Our space for the event is only accessible via a flight of stairs. The reading is free to attend and participate in.

A $10 donation will help us cover our space rental if you’re able to contribute.

RSVP: Email sarah@opentheaterworkshop to RSVP or just come!