Artistic Statement

Hi, we’re Grant and Kendyll!

We fell in love in Philadelphia, both with each other and with this incredible city. It’s where we discovered not only our passion for theater, but also for the spirit and diversity of this city which would become our artistic home.

Having spent over a decade building our careers as actors here, we’ve had the privilege of working with incredible local talent. Seeing the potential of Philly artists sparked our vision to create a theater company where these artists could thrive, collaborate, and tell stories that resonate with the communities around us. Thus, the idea was born at our dinner table in West Philadelphia - the neighborhood where we bought our first home & has already shaped us in so many ways.

Our vision is simple: we want to bring together the voices of Philly—artists, storytellers, and audiences alike—to produce theater that speaks to the heart of this city. Our productions will showcase local artists and amplify the stories that make Philadelphia what it is—a city of resilience, diversity, and creativity.

We believe theater has the power to spark change, foster understanding, and build community. Our goal is to produce work that does just that - work that not only entertains, but also reflects the complexity and beauty of Philadelphia. This city has given us so much, and now we are honored to give back by creating a platform for its stories and its artists.

Mission

At the Relic Theatre Company, we believe great theater has the power to change the lives of both the audience who experiences it and the artists who create it. But this power is only manifested when the work is relevant, passionate, and financially accessible. We aim to produce a wide range of plays and musicals that embody these three principles while utilizing the rich artistic landscape of Philadelphia as our greatest resource.

Commitment

American theater has a long history of being dominated by whiteness, both on stage and off. As two white people starting a theater company in 2024, we acknowledge our extreme responsibility to create art that is inclusive and diverse - especially in a city like Philadelphia, which owes much of its cultural and artistic heritage to people of color. In order to properly tell the stories of the people of our community, we commit to:

  • Consistently hiring BIPOC artists, designers, and musicians;

  • Maintaining diversity amongst our board and staff;

  • Producing content that is representative of BIPOC experiences, as well as producing work written by BIPOC artists.