From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Founded in 1997, 1812 Productions is the only theatre company in America dedicated to producing solely comedic works.
1812 Productions is the result of long term collaboration between actor/teachers Peter Pryor and Jennifer Childs. Both came to Philadelphia, PA in 1986 to attend the University of the Arts. After graduating from the University of Arts in 1990, Childs and Pryor left Philadelphia, only to return in 1991 to find a changing and rapidly growing theater community. More small theatre companies were forming and the larger companies were starting to hire local actors instead of casting directly from New York, as had become the practice.
Along with a host of other actors, sculptors, dancers, painters and musicians, Childs and Pryor moved into an apartment at 1812 Pine Street, in the heart of Philadelphia's Center City district. Both began acting and teaching in Philadelphia and, between them, worked at every theatre in the city. Both gained reputations as gifted actors and each has since become a Barrymore Award winning artist. Having proven themselves as gifted comedic artists (and with inspiration from a found statistic which reported that the average American laughs only once per day), In 1997 Childs and Pryor made a commitment to making people laugh and to the Philadelphia theatre community by establishing 1812 Productions, Inc.

When Childs and Pryor announced that they were founding this one-of-a-kind company, the same community that had accepted them as actors supported the beginning of 1812 Productions. 1812 Productions received support from the Arden Theatre Company in the form of rehearsal and performance space, technical and box office support, and much advice on how to run a company. Terry Graboyes, mother of a former student of Childs’ and Pryor’s and President of Graboyes Commercial Windows , volunteered to be 1812’s first corporate sponsor and board president.
In 1998, 1812 Productions premiered with The Compleat Works of Wllm Shkspr (abridged). In 1999, 1812 Productions inaugurated its Educational Outreach Program at South Philadelphia High School and at the Widener Memorial School for Children with Orthopedic and Developmental Disabilities.

Philadelphia Weekly named 1812 Productions the “Theatre Company of the Year 2002-2003”. At the close of the 2002-2003 season, 1812 Productions was the recipient of eight nominations and two wins at the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre. 1812 Productions received eight Barrymore Award nominations for its 2004-2005 season and most recently closed its 2005-2006 season with the world premiere, and Barrymore Award winning, production Daughters of Genius. Their education program, 1812 Outreach, has received four consecutive nominations and been awarded once the Barrymore Award for Excellence in Theatre Education and Community Service. 1812 Productions, while continually on the search for a permanent home, continues to perform at various locations around Philadelphia.

On April 20, 2005, 1812 Productions received a special citation from the City of Philadelphia for outstanding work and commitment to the Philadelphia arts community.

2006-2007
Madame Douce-Amere, This Is The Week That Is: Political Humor For The Holidays, Small Fish, The Four Of Us
2005-2006
Quinnopolis vs. Hamlet, Double Down: A Good Bet On A Comic Pair For The Holidays, Perfectly Marvelous, Daughters Of Genius
2004-2005
Mondo Mangia, Always a Lady, All Wear Bowlers, Recent Tragic Events
2003-2004
Brief Interviews With Hideous Men, Something Wonderful Right Away: Improv For The Holidays, The Uneasy Chair
2002-2003
Like Crazy Like Wow: 50's Humor With A Holiday Twist, Heckler, Bat Boy: The Musical
2001-2002
Another Big Time: More Vaudeville For The Holidays, Amputation Nation, Madame Ranevskaya
2000-2001
Mondo Mangia, The Big Time: Vaudeville For The Holidays, The Great Northeast
1999-2000
The Santaland Diaries & Season's Greetings, Private Eyes
1998-1999
Box Office Of The Damned
1997-1998
The Compleat Works Of Wllm Shkspr (Abridged)

• Official website
• The Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia