Terry is the co-founder and Producing Artistic Director of the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia. Founded in 1988, the Arden is a nationally recognized regional theatre with an annual operating budget of over $4 million. Terry led a $5 million capital campaign for the creation of a 2-theatre complex completed in 1998. As Producing Artistic Director of the Arden, Terry has produced over 106 productions and directed over 49 plays and musicals.
Critically, the Arden has been named “Theatre Company of the Year” by The Philadelphia Inquirer (in 2002, 1998, 1996, 1993); has been named “Best of Philly” by Philadelphia Magazine (in 2000, 1997, 1996, 1991, 1990): received the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce Arts Excellence Award (1993); and has received 182 Barrymore nominations and 35 Barrymore awards.
Terry has directed or co-directed about half of the Arden’s productions. Favorites include all-Philadelphia casts of ALL MY SONS, DEATH OF A SALESMAN, THE GRAPES OF WRATH, and HEDDA GABLER and such musicals as SWEENEY TODD, A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, FALSETTOS, and VIOLET. In addition, Terry has directed six world-premiere plays by Michael Hollinger (OPUS, AN EMPTY PLATE IN THE CAFÉ DU GRAND BOEUF, INCORRUPTIBLE, TINY ISLAND, RED HERRING, TOOTH AND CLAW and OPUS) and three by Dennis Raymond Smeal (HEARTS, CHANGE PARTNERS & DANCE, and EXIT WOUNDS). In 2001, Terry directed the world-premiere production of Michael Ogborn’s BABY CASE, the first world premiere musical in the Arden’s history, which received the Barrymore Award for “Outstanding Musical” and “Outstanding Ensemble in a Musical.” Terry recently collaborated with Michael Ogborn on the book of his new musical, CAFÉ PUTTANESCA, which received its world premiere in Fall 2003 at the Arden under Terry’s direction. His work has also been seen at the Beverly Hills Playhouse, Burt Reynolds Jupiter Theatre, City Theatre (Pittsburgh) and People’s Light & Theatre Co. Terry has been nominated for 16 Barrymore Awards for his directing work at the Arden. He received the 2006 Barrymore Award for “Outstanding Direction of a Musical” for WINESBURG, OH and “Outstanding Direction of a Play” for OPUS. He received the 2005 Barrymore Award for “Outstanding Direction of a Musical” for SWEENEY TODD and the 2001 Barrymore Award for “Outstanding Direction of Musical” for his work on THE BAKER’S WIFE. His short film THE PERSONAL TOUCH was nominated for an Emmy Award.
Terry served as Chair of the Performing Arts League of Philadelphia for four years, during which time the Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre were launched. He also served on the Mayor’s Commission for Arts and Culture, as well as a panelist for the Independence Foundation, New Jersey Council for the Arts, Pennsylvania Council for the Arts, Philadelphia Theatre Initiative and the William Penn Foundation. Terry is a graduate of Northwestern University.