The Philadelphia Theatre Company was founded in 1974 by Robert Hedley and Jean Harrison. Soon thereafter, Sara Garonzik joined the company, eventually rising to the position of Producing Artistic Director. Joined in 1989 by General Manager Ada Coppock, Garonzik led the company to local and national prominence for her commitment to premiering new American plays. Together, Coppock and Garonzik built the Philadelphia Theatre Company into a commercial and artistic success, allowing them to eventually spearhead the building of a new home for the Philadelphia Theatre Company on the Avenue of the Arts, in the Suzanne Roberts Theatre.