Terrence J. Nolen

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Terrence J. Nolen
Born1964 (age 61–62)
Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania
EducationNorthwestern University (BF A)

Terrence J. Nolen (born 1964), usually called Terry Nolen, is an American theater director and the producing artistic director of the Arden Theatre Company,[1] a professional regional-theatre company located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He has been nominated for a Lucille Lortel Award for his work.

Early life

Nolan was born in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania to Raymond J. Nolen Jr. and Anaise Nolen and had six siblings.[2] While in high school, he became involved in theatre and graduated from Upper Darby High School in 1981.[3] He participated in Upper Darby Summer Stage[4] before studying theatre at Northwestern University, where he met future co-founder of Arden Theatre Company Aaron Posner. He graduated in 1986 with his Bachelor of Fine Arts.

Career

In 1988, Nolen co-founded the Arden Theatre Company with Amy Murphy and Aaron Posner with just a $70,000 budget. Under his leadership, the company has produced 60 productions and .[5] received 182 Barrymore Award nominations and win 35 awards.[5] The company currently has an operating budget of $5.5 million, as of 2024.[6]

Notable productions at Arden directed by Nolen include a 2001 revival of The Baker's Wife and a 2005 revival of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, for both which he won a Harold Prince Award for Outstanding Direction of a Musical. In 2006, he directed Michael Hollinger's play, Opus, which won him a Barrymore Award for Best Director, eventually transferring Off-Broadway, where his direction garnered him a 2008 Lucille Lortel Award nomination for Outstanding Director.[7][8] He won two further Barrymore Awards for directing in 2008 for Bruce Graham's play, Something Untangible and in 2018 for Fun Home

Awards and nominations

Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2001 Harold Prince Award Outstanding Direction of a Musical The Baker's Wife Won [9]
2005 Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street Won [10]
2006 Barrymore Award Best Director Opus / Winesberg, Ohio Won [11]
2008 Lucille Lortel Award Outstanding Director Opus Nominated [7]
2009 Barrymore Award Best Director Something Intangible Won [12]
2018 Best Director of a Musical Fun Home Won [13]

References

  1. Shapiro, Howard (October 7, 2007). "Barrymores Happy About 'Les Miz' and 'Six Characters'". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 10, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  2. "Obituary: Anaise Nolen". Donohue Funeral Home. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  3. "Alumni Wall of Fame". Upper Darby High School. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  4. "Calling all Upper Darby Summer Stage alums for 50th season gala weekend". Delaware County Daily Times. June 21, 2025. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  5. Buehler, Pati (September 24, 2007). "Philly People Behind The Curtain: Terrence J. Nolan". BroadwayWorld. Retrieved March 31, 2025.
  6. "The Philadelphia Story". American Theatre. July 1, 2001. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  7. "Lucille Lortel Winners Announced". Variety. May 5, 2008. Retrieved September 18, 2025.
  8. "Philadelphia Spotlight: May 2005". TheaterMania. April 30, 2005. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  9. "The 2001 Barrymore Awards". Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. 2001. Archived from the original on June 3, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  10. "The 2005 Barrymore Awards". Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. 2005. Archived from the original on June 3, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  11. "The 2006 Barrymore Awards". Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. 2006. Archived from the original on June 12, 2008. Retrieved November 8, 2008.
  12. "Gattelli, Nolen, Arden Theatre, Martello Among 2009 Barrymore Award Winners". BroadwayWorld. October 6, 2009. Retrieved June 29, 2026.
  13. "2018 Barrymore Award winners". The Philadelphia Tribune. November 6, 2018. Retrieved June 29, 2026.