Greetings from the Board

The tale of the Generic Theater is filled with triumph and tragedy, laughter and tears, and a vast cast of characters. As we journey onward, we’re grateful for the many people who have invested their time, talent, and treasure since our founding in 1981. We’re also looking forward to new opportunities to serve Norfolk and the Hampton Roads community. We hope that you will join us.

Sherman McDaniel, President
Wina Giddens, Vice President
Julianne Baker, Secretary
Randy Miller, Treasurer
Anne Odell, Head of Long-Term Planning
Jim Keesler, Head of Policy Team
Kathy Strouse, Member at 
Large
Terrance Afer-Anderson
, Member at Large
Brad Breckenridge, Member at Large
Jake Pruitt, Member at Large
Thomas Trumbauer, Member at Large
Ron Stokes, Founder Emeritus

Generic Hallmarks

Innovative Productions

We’re committed to innovative productions of contemporary works, new plays, and reinterpretations of the classics. 

Cultivating Talent

We provide experienced artists & technicians space to craft great theater while also seeking to nurture & develop new talent.

Community Impact

We explore issues of importance to our diverse community via provocative works and collaborative partnerships.

Arts Outreach

We increase access to the performing arts for underserved populations by sponsoring Arts4All and Kids Free Hampton Roads programs.

Norfolk’s Literal Underground Theater

Since 1981, Generic Theater has been the area’s “Off-Broadway” playhouse, producing plays and public programs that challenge and delight audiences, take risks, and are unlikely to be seen anywhere else.

Generic Theater is committed to innovative productions of contemporary works, new plays, and reinterpretations of the classics. We explore issues of importance to our diverse community via provocative works and collaborative partnerships. We provide experienced artists and technicians space to craft great theater while also seeking to nurture and develop new talent in Hampton Roads.

Generic’s cause has long been to foster striving, semi-pro level theater in Hampton Roads and, just as important, to remind all workers (including cultural ones) that the enemy is not one another.

This is, in short, what community and even regional theater are meant to be.

Generic Theater is not a story about a building. It is a story about dedicated, passionate people who want to take risks, push the boundaries, evoke a reaction and put on a show that is accessible to everyone.

Street Address

Generic Theater

215 St. Pauls Blvd

Norfolk, VA 23510

Mailing Address

Generic Theater

PO Box 536

Norfolk, VA 23501

Social Media

Facebook: GenericTheater

Instagram: @GenericTheater

Contact

Voicemail: 757-441-2160