History Flashpoint Theatre Company was born on July 4, 2003. The founders – Derick Loafmann, Erin Lucas, Gigi Naglak, Michael Osinski, and Meghann Williams – met while studying Theatre Arts at Drew University in Madison, New Jersey. After graduating, each member pursued careers in theatre in various parts of the country before deciding it was time to relocate to Philadelphia to pool their collective talents, create an atmosphere where contemporary and cutting-edge work could be produced, and provide an artistic home for artists of all disciplines.

Flashpoint, according to Merriam-Webster, is “a point at which someone or something bursts suddenly into action or being.” In October 2004, Flashpoint burst onto the Philadelphia theatre scene with its inaugural production of Keith Bunin’s The Credeaux Canvas.

In its first four seasons, Flashpoint has produced 10 Philadelphia premieres and 1 world premiere, staged David Sedaris's The Santaland Diaries every holiday season at multiple venues, worked with over sixty emerging and established theatre artists, brought in close to 4000 audience members, and surpassed its ticket sales goals for nearly all of its mainstage productions. Additionally, Flashpoint has presented numerous staged readings of new works as part of the High Voltage Workshop Series. Flashpoint has thrice participated in the SPARK Showcase Festival, a ten-minute play festival produced by the Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia to expose the community to some of its smaller theatre companies. The company has also raised money for the Renfrew Center Foundation, American Red Cross, Covenant House, Philabundance and Save Darfur during its mainstage season; its most successful fundraising endeavor was its 2005 production of The Vagina Monologues, which raised over $4200 for the WAVE Organization and the V-Day Spotlight Campaign to help stop violence against women.

In its fourth season, Flashpoint added an Outreach Coordinator to its staff and took up residence at Second Stage at the Adrienne, a performance venue that they now manage.

Flashpoint now launches its Fifth Anniversary season. Like each previous year, this season will include a selection of groundbreaking new plays and the tried-and-true favorite, The Santaland Diaries. Three Philadelphia premieres for 2008 and 2009 include Matt Pelfrey's An Impending Rupture of the Belly, Neena Beber's Jump/Cut, and Douglas Carter Beane's The Little Dog Laughed.

Accomplishments and praise:

"Flashpoint [is] a dynamic young company to watch." — Mark Cofta, Philadelphia City Paper

"...most original work on a local stage." — J. Cooper Robb, Philadelphia Weekly

"Flashpoint succeeds brilliantly." — Mark Cofta, Philadelphia City Paper

Best Theatre Company, City Paper Choice Awards