Class of 1981

Year Inducted 2006

Terrence Nolen is an award-winning American theater director and the Producing Artistic Director of the Arden Theatre Company in Philadelphia. In 1988, he co-founded the Arden Theatre Company, now a nationally recognized regional theatre with an annual operating budget of over $4 million. As Producing Artistic Director of the Arden, Terry has produced over 102 productions and directed over 48 plays and musicals. He has helped the Arden garner 182 Barrymore Award nominations and 35 awards. He has won the prestigious Barrymore Award for best director in 2006, the Harold Prince Award For Outstanding Direction of a Musical in 2005, and the Harold Prince Award For Outstanding Direction of a Musical in 2001.  The Arden has been a leading force in the emergence of Philadelphia as a thriving regional theatre community.

Terry’s interest in theatre dates back to elementary and middle schools and to his experiences in Summer Stage. In his senior year of high school, as a member of Upper Darby’s Theatre Guild, he co-directed a children’s musical, The Fabulous Fable Factory. Over 1000 elementary school children attended.

Terry studied theatre at Northwestern University after graduating from Upper Darby High Shcool.