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    • The performing arts at Penn: Process, practice, and purpose

    In the vivid tapestry of performing arts groups at Penn, students prepare for their performances while simultaneously enriching their college experience.

    2 min. read

    A member of Quadramics on stage.
    “The performance itself is the visible result of weeks—or months—of invisible labor,” says Penn’s inaugural executive director for the arts Rachel Wenrick.

    Dancing in unison, rehearsing lines, practicing instruments, harmonizing together: These experiences are a window into the vibrant world of student-run performing arts groups at Penn. With the Platt Student Performing Arts House supporting more than 70 active groups ranging from dance, vocal, and instrumental music to comedy, theater, and spoken word, Penn students have myriad opportunities to hone their creativity, gain practical experience, and enrich their college education through the performing arts.

    “Performing arts groups function like academic labs or varsity teams: Rehearsals are spaces for experimentation, problem‑solving, and growth,” says Rachel Wenrick, Penn’s inaugural executive director for the arts. “Students learn how to manage time, handle constructive criticism, and push past comfort zones, all while balancing demanding coursework. The performance itself is the visible result of weeks—or months—of invisible labor.

    Led by director Laurie McCall, the Platt House provides a dynamic hub for student groups to engage in the creative process of practicing their skills and preparing for performances. The value of group-based artistic expression is embedded in Penn’s culture: Nearly one in five Penn undergraduates are involved with performing arts. These collaborative activities empower participants to continually evolve into well-rounded students, citizens, and leaders.

    “Involvement in the performing arts deepens how students think, feel, and engage with the world around them,” says Penn’s inaugural vice provost for the arts Timothy Rommen. “Performing arts groups invite students to integrate mind and body, theory and practice, individual expression and collective responsibility. In doing so, they help students become more thoughtful collaborators, more agile thinkers, and more engaged citizens of the Penn community and beyond.”

    These photos offer a glimpse into the process of students practicing the arts, preparing for performances, and building community together.

    The student-director of Quadramics is providing instruction to the group members. The director's arms are up with fists clenched and they are smiling.
    A student in the Quadramics group is pictured striking a pose while speaking with a peer. Fellow group members are practicing in the background.
    Students in the Quadramics group circling each other while rehearsing a dance routine. Their arms are extended and they are smiling and laughing. In the foreground, a student is pictured on her laptop, helping to plan the rehearsal.
    Students in the Quadramics group circled around a table, smiling while looking at a screen and planning their routine.
    Quadramics is a student theatre company in which participants serve as directors, producers, actors, singers, band members, and board. Formed in 1973 at the Quad, the company typically performs one play and one musical per year. In this session, Quadramics members prepare for their “Mean Girls”-themed spring fling musical.
    Three students practicing their One Acts scene. All three are standing under a white wooden frame and reading lines from scripts. The rehearsal audience is also pictured.
    Three students practicing their One Acts scene. On the left, a student is speaking to the audience and using hand motions. On the right, two students are sitting criss-cross style, smiling and laughing while playing a patty-cake hand game.
    A student practicing their One Acts scene. They are illuminated by a red- and orange-tinted circular lighting glow.
    Two students practicing their One Acts scene. In the foreground, a student is speaking to the audience. In the background, a student observes the student who is speaking.
    Composed of five student-produced short plays, One Acts is a festival that features Theatre Arts Council groups showcasing a wide range of theatre arts. This year, One Acts included abstract comedy and philosophical themes. During practice, the performers appear to “question” or “engage” the playwrights from within the plays.
    Two students in the Bloomers group band are practicing a music number. On the left, a student is singing while holding a microphone. On the right, a student is sitting while facing to the side. A brass instrument is also pictured on the right-side of the image, being held by a band member.
    A student in the Bloomers band group is holding a guitar while strumming the instrument's strings. The student's face is not pictured.
    Three students in the Bloomers band group are practicing a music number. On the left, a student is playing a flute-like instrument. In the center, a student is practicing a violin-like instrument. On the right, a student is playing the guitar.
    Founded in 1978 as the nation’s first collegiate all-female musical sketch comedy troupe, Bloomers is open to all gender identities underrepresented in comedy. The group consists of a band, cast, writers, tech crew, business team, and costumes specialists. Here, the Bloomers Band rehearses for their spring show.
    Students in the Strictly Funk group sitting on the floor and striking a pose in unison, all looking in the same direction
    Students in the Strictly Funk group dancing in unison. In the middle, one student's long hair is pictured in motion.
    Students in the Strictly Funk group sitting next to a wall mirror. In the mirror, fellow participants are seen dancing unison. The sitting students are cheering on their peers.
    A student in the Strictly Funk group facing forward with a focused look, and extending her arm and fingers
    Strictly Funk, started in 1997, is focused on hip-hop and contemporary dance. Preparing for their spring show, the group practices student-produced renditions of famous performances by pop culture icons.
    Two students in the Onda Latina group practicing a partner dance. On the left, the group lead is spinning a group member around (pictured right). The dancer on the right is pictured with long hair in motion while spinning around.
    Students in the Onda Latina group practicing a dance routine. In the foreground, the group lead is dancing while guiding the group members; their shirt notes the group was established in 1996. In the background, a mirror reflects the students practicing their dance routine.
    A student in the Onda Latina group striking a sideways pose while practicing their routine.
    Students in the Onda Latina group are pictured smiling while holding hands in unison at the end of a practice routine. In the image center, one student is expressing a particularly exuberant, celebratory smile.
    Onda Latina is a Latin dance troupe that launched in 1996. The all-gender group covers various styles of Latin dance throughout their practice sessions. Participants are seen dancing solo, partnered, and in sync.
    Students in the Dischord group practicing their a capella number. They are smiling, clapping, snapping, and laughing in unison, while holding laptops to follow the music notes.
    Two students in the Dischord group practicing their parts in the rehearsal number. They are sitting side-by-side on a sofa with laptops, while singing with hands raised.
    Students in the Dischord group circled around each other while holding laptops to review their music notes. They are preparing to practice their group number. In the image center, a pair of students is seen hugging each other and smiling.
    Dischord is an R&B and pop all-gender a cappella group. Formed in 1998, the group annually puts on two performances and releases a studio-recorded album every two years. Huddled in a soundproofed room, students practice vocalizing, harmonizing, and beatboxing in unison.
    A student in the PennYo group is extending both arms outward. Four of their peers are standing to the right, watching the student practice.
    Students in the PennYo group singing and practicing in unison. Some have their arms slightly raised as they practice and some of the students are smiling.
    A student in the PennYo group smiling with arms raised while singing. Another student is smiling at him to the right.
    The PennYo group practicing together in unison, circled around a piano. They are laughing and smiling.
    Established in 2002, PennYo is a Chinese a cappella group, and the first collegiate Chinese a cappella group in the U.S. The ensemble has covered various artists, including Korean bands and Japanese musicians. Rehearsals involve students harmonizing in tandem while covering hit songs.

    Credits

  • Writer

    Jimmy O'Hara

  • Photographer

    Eric Sucar

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