The Generic, whose name derives from the idea of "theater in a plain wrapper", has over the years developed a reputation both for the excellence of its individual productions and for the quality of its season as a whole. During the past four seasons, 1993-94, 1994-95, 1996-97, 1997-98, the Generic Theater has walked off with the top honor - BEST SEASON -- at the annual Port Folio Awards ceremony. In addition, actors and designers have regularly received awards in recognition of their achievements at the Generic.

Founded in 1981 under the auspices of Norfolk's Department of Parks and Recreation, the theater had its first home in a small back room in the Norfolk Arena, now the Harrison Opera House, in quarters so small it could house an audience of less than 50 on a wide assortment of donated sofas and chairs. In 1983 the city found a more permanent home for the fledgling drama group on 21st Street on the edge of the Ghent section of Norfolk in a vocational/technical trade school, sharing the building with instructors who teach welding, masonry, auto-body and similar trades. There, under the continuing support of the city, the Generic Theater created an intimate "black box" theater and established the base which continues today as its home.

When a tight financial situation in early 1993 forced the City of Norfolk to consider closing the Generic, the theater's loyal audience and the local theater community joined in successful protest. The city granted the theater one more year of city funding and directed it to make arrangements to form a board, seek nonprofit status, develop a business plan, and become a separate and independent organization by July 1, 1994.

These steps were accomplished in a busy, challenging transition year, and the theater began its new life in 1994 as scheduled. Independence was made possible in large part by the generosity of the City of Norfolk, which continues to provide the 21st Street space to the theater without payment of rent or utility fees.

Throughout its history, the Generic has tackled plays and subjects that are current and relevant to modern life: AIDS (As Is), child abuse (Total Abandon), racism (Coup/Clucks, The Colored Museum, Split Second), mental illness (Standing on My Knees), violence against women (Extremities), deaf rights (Children of a Lesser God), abortion (Keely and Du) and sexual harassment (Oleanna). The theater has also produced and continues to look for original works such as The Salmon and Last Ride of the Bold Calhouns by Virginia Beach playwright Edward Morgan, to produce premieres like Amazons in August by the author of On Golden Pond, Ernest Thompson, and to treat its audiences to hilarious but seldom seen classics such as Servant of Two Masters, The Liar, and the contemporary La Bête.

In the spirit of risk-taking that earned the theater its reputation, the Generic continues to try new things. The summer of 1994 saw the theater initiate a five-week festival of new, never-before-produced plays, New Plays for Dog Days Festival. Because of its success this festival has now become a regularly schedule part of the Generic year, attracting playwrights from throughout the country. Today, Generic annually receives over 100 plays from playwrights from across the United States and overseas. Frequently playwrights travel to Norfolk to witness the premiere of their plays.

In June of 1996 Steven Harders became Artistic Director of the Generic Theater. Under his leadership, the Board of Directors looks forward to a continuation of the Generic's unique brand of theater and a growing role in the cultural life of Hampton Roads.