MISSION
Curio Theatre Company’s mission is to serve audiences in West Philadelphia and beyond with high quality, affordable theatre performances; to develop artistic talent through ensemble based performance, training and rehearsal processes; and to further academic, social, and personal development through arts education. The artistic and the educational arms of the theatre company are intertwined as we make our home in the diverse community of West Philadelphia.

PHILOSOPHY
Curio believes in ensemble based performance for theatre professionals and the development of new and young talent through practical theatre involvement. This philosophy filters down into our theatre school, summer camps, internship programs, and our hiring process. We believe in the artistic benefit of using a core company of artists for seasons of performances, which allows for the development of exciting and memorable works of imagination, intelligence, and passion from a variety of genres.

HISTORY
Curio Theatre Company is a 501(c)3 non-profit charitable organization based in West Philadelphia. The Company operated on a minimal level from 2001-2004 as a touring and outreach company composed of professional artists in the Philadelphia region before being incorporated as a non-profit organization in October 2004. In January 2005, Curio joined in partnership with the Calvary Center for Culture and Community at 4740 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia. This partnership provides Curio with a performance venue within the Calvary Church and office space and classrooms in the parsonage at 815 South 48th Street at a below-market rental rate. The partnership also promises to raise capital to restore and convert the sanctuary of Calvary Church (which has been empty and in need of repair for 25 years) into a professional performing arts venue serving West Philadelphia.

Curio moved into the rented office and classroom space in the rectory in September 2005 at which time we launched a Saturday theatre school, outreach programs in local schools, and our first season of four professional productions in the church. We have completed our season in Calvary and are looking forward to the renovation and the occupancy of the sanctuary space later this season (for the Odyssey) and permanently in the fall of 2008.