Location

153 North 10th Street (Corner of 10th & Walnut) Reading, PA 19601

Contact Info

P.O. Box 6564 Wyomissing, PA 19610
Office: 610-371-8151
Tickets: 610-373-9500
Tickets Online at tix.com
genesiustheatre.org
email: genesiustheatre@verizon.net

Our Mission

We believe that the best theatre is an experience of living and feeling, changing and growing, challenging and becoming. We trust in the power of this inspiring and dynamic medium to transform the artists who create it, the audiences who enjoy it, and the patrons who support it. We exist to produce and present entertainment in all phases of the performing arts that entertains audiences, educates and trains artists,
nurtures emerging art, and enriches the cultural community for people of all ages in Berks County.

Our Founders

Founded in 1971 by Jane Simmon Miller and Michael O’Flaherty, Genesius Theatre is named after
Saint Genesius, Patron Saint of Actors.

Our Beginning

Jane Simmon Miller dreamed of a theater group where young people could participate, learn and grow in every aspect of show production. In 1971 she founded Genesius Theatre, first in a storefront at 711 Penn St, and then in 1974 at our own building at 153 N. 10th St.

Board of Directors

President: Abbe Dillon
Vice President: Katie Mohn
Secretary: Zach Frantz
Treasurer: Dave Neel
Board Members: Brian Fichthorn, Alex Miller, Hope L. O’Pake, Barry Ewald, Ann Cusano, Laura Kruse

Departments & Staff

Box Office: Abbe Dillon (Chair) , Sharon Majesky, Kelly Snyder, Sheila Harrington, Zach Frantz
House Managers: Brandon Kegerize and Christina Ferlazzo
Marketing: Katie Mohn (Chair), Shannan Denlinger, Hope L. O’Pake, Kirk Lawrence, Jamie Howard, Jordan Baylor
Education Director: Christine Cieplinski (Chair), Sheila Harrington, Sharon Majesky, Hope L. O’Pake, Donna Robinson, Kelly Snyder
Grant Writing: Robert Aregood (Chair), Brian Fichthorn, Alex Miller
Sponsorships: Hope L. O’Pake (Chair)
Membership: Laura Kruse (Chair)
Musical Supervisor: Ann Cusano
Readers Theatre: Marjory Ewald (Chair), Abbe Dillon
Technical Consultant: Dave Neel
Photographer: Shannan Denlinger
Footlights Editor: Jordan Baylor
2012 Season Promotional Videos: Jordan Baylor
2012 Season Logos: Jordan Baylor
Web Developer: Zach Frantz

Who was St. Genesius?

03 A.D. – Emperor Diocletian, the last and greatest of the Roman Empire’s persecutors of Christians, came to Rome and was given a festive welcome. Part of the celebration was a play. Genesius, the producer and comedian, had thought that the emperor would be pleased by a play mocking the martyrdom of a follower of Christ.

In preparation for the skit, Genesius decided to make fun of the Christian baptism ceremonies. This would amuse the people who held religion in contempt. At the start of the play Genesius lay down on the stage as if sick. Two other actors asked what ailed him. Genesius said he felt a great weight that he wanted removed. Hence, two other actors, dressed as a priest and exorcist, were called in. They asked what the star wanted. He replied, “A baptism.” There upon, he said, he saw a vision of angels bearing a book with all his sins inscribed. The actor portraying the priest asked him: “My child, why did you send for me?”

According to legend, Genesius was suddenly converted by divine inspiration and asked to be baptized himself onstage. The Emperor was enraged, and ordered Genesius to be beaten and tortured. Clinging to his newfound faith, he refused to recant. In the midst of his pain, Genesius kept crying out that he would cling to his baptism even if it meant suffering a thousand deaths. Finally, the Emperor ordered his head to be cut off. For his martyrdom, Genesius was bestowed as the patron of actors. His Feast day is Aug. 25th.