History of

MacGuffin Theatre and Film Co.

A “MacGuffin” is a term that film director Alfred Hitchcock used to describe the secret plans or jewels the spies were after. The MacGuffin is ultimately unimportant. Its purpose is to inspire the chase. It brings the characters together in conflict and drama. The quest for the MacGuffin is perhaps all of our individual and societal journeys, for it’s not the end that is important, but rather how we get there.

 

Since 1991 MacGuffin has grown young actors between 8 and 17. With over 35 theater productions, 6 films, 1 documentary and 7 summer camps under our belts we have taught, encouraged and inspired over 1,000 young people from many ethnic groups and economic levels.  Our alumni have gone on to study acting in many of the leading acting schools in America, including Temple University, Emerson College, New York University, Columbia University and Northwestern University. Several of our students act in regional theaters, on Broadway and recently in Hollywood films (Spanglish, The Village) and commercials. Of course many do it for the love of acting and the social bonding that comes with our productions. Our instructors are some of the best actors in the Philadelphia area and their leadership has created a family-like atmosphere where students can feel free to take chances and develop a strong sense of self.

The MacGuffin Theatre and Film Company, a Philadelphia-based arts education program, hosts theatre classes and free productions for youth actors between the ages of 8 and 17.

• Production of an original or adapted musical
• Summer Pre-camp gives students of all talent levels a crash course in comedy
• The intense month-long Summer Musical Theater Camp teaches valuable acting techniques while focusing on the production of a musical
• Cabaret Camp features the vocal talents of our students in solo and group performances.
• Shakespeare Camp provides an opportunity to delve into the plays of Shakespeare in a way that's dynamic and fun.
• Film Acting Camp trains students in film acting and production work. Students star in commercials and produce an original short film .
• Theater classes on acting in musicals, plays and film are held on Saturdays in Fall, Winter, and Spring sessions
• This Side Up, a comedy improv troupe of young comedians, serves as an outreach program to bring laughter to places that need comedy the most:  hospitals, community centers, retirement communities, and hospices.