About Us
Mission Statement
The mission of The Media Theatre Company is to promote and nurture the imagination, diversity, and joy through musical theatre by the production of new and classic works. The Media Theatre Company will be a leader in the integration of the arts, business, and community. We encourage and foster the artistic flame through our productions, children's programs and will be the catalyst to showcase other artists to the community.
Vision Statement
To be recognized as a provider of quality musical theatre entertainment where new and classic works are brought to life and as a leader in musical theatre education. The Media Theatre is where students, professionals, and theatre lovers alike gather to be inspired by the art of live theatre.
The Media Theatre History
The Media Theatre was originally built in 1927 by Samuel Dembow and designed by the firm of Magazine, Eberhard, and Harris as Media’s third and largest movie theatre. The interior was decorated in the English Renaissance style by Harris Brodsky and opened in August 1927 with a screening of The Jazz Singer starring Al Jolson. The theatre served our community for nearly 75 years as a movie palace displaying the magic of motion pictures to generations of Media residents. The theatre was also the site for vaudeville shows, Media High School graduations, and community events.
In 1994 the building was acquired by Walter M. Strine who converted it into The Media Theatre in honor of his wife, Elizabeth, and her lifelong love of music. The theatre undertook a massive renovation of over $1 million at Strine’s direction which restored the theatre to its former aesthetic glory. Throughout the ’90s the theatre was run as a for-profit business under the management of Rockwell Productions.
In 2000, when Rockwell Productions abandoned the theatre and its production of live entertainment, the Society for the Performing Arts
of the Media Theatre, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, stepped in to take over management and established the Media Theatre as it is today.
Today The Media Theatre produces five musicals each year, hosts a number of educational programming and classes, and the Broadway Series brings Broadway-caliber productions right to Media, PA. Under the direction of our executive staff, the theatre has garnered numerous accolades including Broadway World, Barrymore, and Delaware County Daily Times readers poll awards.