Generic Theater

Introducing ArLynn Parker who will be directing Making God Laugh at Generic Theater next April!

Tickets are on sale now at GENERICTHEATER.ORG

Making God Laugh, by Sean Grennan. April 16 - May 2 at our new location at 7001 Granby!!

"ArLynn Parker is a writer, director, and performer whose work has been seen on and offstage across the local theater scene. She is delighted to make her Generic Theater debut at the helm of this wonderful show. She directed “Stick Fly” and assistant directed “The Producers” at Little Theatre of Virginia Beach where she also serves on the Playreading Committee. Previously, she assistant directed readings at Downing-Gross Cultural Arts Center. She directed as a featured artist in the 2024 and 2025 Z Fringe Festivals at Zeiders American Dream Theater. ArLynn holds an MFA in Playwriting from Hollins University. Her most recent work has been performed in Hollins University’s Winter Festival, Proteus New Plays Festival, and First Look Theatre Buffalo’s New Play Reading Festival. She wishes many a broken leg to the cast and production team!"

Introducing Vivian Ruiz who will be directing Marjorie Prime at Generic Theater next February!

Tickets are on sale now at GENERICTHEATER.ORG/TICKETS/

Marjorie Prime, by Jordan Harrison. February 26 - March 21 at our new location at 7001 Granby!!

"Vivian is thrilled to be making her directorial debut at the theater that brought her back to the stage! Her most recent appearances have been during In The Heights (ASM), As You Like It (Ensemble), Water By The Spoonful (Orangutan), and The Boys Next Door (Sheila). Thanks to Generic Theater and the Norfolk Masonic Temple for welcoming her into this next chapter of shows. Additional thanks to her husband Paryn and her little felines Artie and Hugo. “How nice that we could love somebody.”

Introducing Dr. Shelley Nowacek who will be directing Putting It Together this November!

Tickets are on sale now at GENERICTHEATER.ORG

Putting It Together, by Stephen Sondheim. November 6 - 29 at our new location at 7001 Granby!!

"Dr. Shelley Nowacek has nearly thirty years of theatre teaching experience at the elementary, middle, public high school, and university level. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Theatre Education and her Master of Fine Arts in Theatre, Directing, from Virginia Commonwealth University. She earned her doctorate from the College of William and Mary. She has written theatre curriculum for public school divisions in both Virginia and Maryland and has spoken at national conferences regarding assessment and evaluation for theatre and performing arts teachers. She has a number of published works and has served in leadership roles in educational theatre and community theatre boards. She has directed and designed sets for over seventy productions of theatre and opera over the course of her career. She is excited to direct this production and is excited to be working with Generic Theater once again"

This was a BIG night for Generic Theater.

We officially signed our lease with The Norfolk Masonic Temple and secured our new home for many years to come.

Then we were welcomed by the Talbot Park Civic League at their meeting. Thank you to Drew and the entire team for such a warm reception — we are thrilled to be your new neighbors!

A huge milestone for Generic, and an exciting step toward the future. Let’s go, Generic!!

After 18 years in one location our volunteer powered community theater is packing up and moving to the Masonic Temple in Norfolk.

We need your help!!

Come out this coming Sunday, 5/17 from 1-5

Or the BIG MOVE DAY on Saturday 5/23 all day!

Details and sign up here (link in bio): https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45A9A628A6FDCF8-63446348-packing #/

See you there! 🫡

THANK YOU to everyone who donated, launched a campaign for Generic, posted, or shared our mission. You didn’t just help—you pushed us well past the finish line.

Because of you, we can breathe a little easier. And we’re incredibly grateful.

But this is just the beginning.

We’re now embarking on a major capital campaign to transform Generic Theater into one of the most iconic black box venues in our area—a space where bold, thought-provoking, and innovative work can thrive. A space that continues to foster talent and bring our community together through the power of theater.

Stay tuned—there will be more ways to get involved.

If you haven’t already, join our Generic Ensemble group on Facebook. You can also reach us at [email protected] if you have ideas, want more information, or are ready to volunteer.

Special thanks to for helping make this fundraiser such a success.



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