Commencement

Amy Murphy, an experienced leader in the national theatre field with a 38-year history of working in the nonprofit theatre industry, will deliver the keynote address at Susquehanna University’s 168th Commencement. Murphy is co-founder and managing director of Philadelphia’s Arden Theatre Company.

“Amy Murphy embodies the very spirit of a Susquehanna education — creativity paired with leadership, and vision matched with action,” said University President Jonathan Green. “Her commitment to excellence, education and community impact makes her an exceptional choice to address the Class of 2026.” The Arden Theatre Company was founded in 1988 by Murphy, Terrence J. Nolen and Aaron Posner. The company began producing at the 70-seat Walnut Street Theatre Studio. In 1995, the Arden purchased and renovated a 50,000 square foot building in Old City, creating a thriving two-theatre complex, and a unified location for classes, education programs, administrative offices and production shops. In 2013, the Arden opened the Hamilton Family Arts Center, which houses six classrooms, a teacher resource center, the Arden’s rehearsal hall, scenic design shop and paint deck, and a third performance space.

The Arden’s presence has helped Old City emerge as one of the region’s most popular destinations, with a significant economic impact on the neighborhood. The move was also the catalyst for the creation of Arden Children’s Theatre in 1998, the city’s first resident professional children’s theatre. Arden Children’s Theatre was founded on the dual premises that children’s theatre must maintain the same high production values as their nationally respected Mainstage shows, and that theatre should be affordable for children and their families. The Arden’s Education programs includes Arden for All, a theatre access and education program for underserved young people; Arden Drama School, offering after-school, Saturday and summer camp classes for pre-K through 12th-grade students; Teen Arden, an immersive after-school access program for Philadelphia-area teenagers; and the Arden Professional Apprentice Program, a nationally renowned comprehensive theatre management training program. The Arden has received 456 nominations and 77 Barrymore Awards for Excellence in Theatre.

Murphy earned a Bachelor of Arts in communications and theatre arts from Susquehanna University in 1985.