2/8
Performing Arts
Evoking an ancient world
The medieval English epic poem “Beowulf” is brought to life in a musical performance by Benjamin Bagby and academic discussion through a partnership among the Penn Live Arts, the Libraries, and the School of Arts & Sciences.
Experimental Italian theater comes to the Annenberg Center
In “fedeli d’Amore,” Italian theatre company Teatro delle Albe immerses audiences in the last visions of Dante.
Our 15 favorite stories from 2022
From interdisciplinary research and life-changing discoveries to a new University president and everything in between, this year at Penn has been one for the books.
Penn Figure Skating Club brings ‘The Nutcracker’ to life
A cast of 31 skaters took to the ice to perform original choreography set to Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet.
At Penn Museum, a one-man show on Palestinian-Israeli identity
“In Between” is an award-winning, semi-autobiographical one-man show by Ibrahim Miari that portrays the complexities and contradictions inherent in Palestinian-Israeli identity.
Jayson Musson: ‘His History of Art’
Musson, an alumnus of the Master of Fine Arts program in the Stuart Weitzman School of Design, will speak at the Annenberg Center about his artistic practice and current exhibition “His History of Art.”
Mask and Wig makes history with its first gender-inclusive show
The 133-year-old comedy troupe becomes gender-inclusive, opening auditions to all undergraduates this fall, recruiting 20 new members, 14 of them female-identifying.
At the Annenberg Center, 50 years of experimentation
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts celebrates its 50th anniversary with a new season and a planned building expansion. Penn Today looks back at the Center’s history—and where it’s going under Penn Live Arts.
New Stuart Weitzman Theatre to be constructed for Penn Live Arts at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
The multipurpose space will adjoin the existing building in the heart of the University of Pennsylvania campus.
A summer internship with Play On Philly
Rising College of Arts and Sciences second-year Chaily Derecskey is a summer intern with Play On Philly, a nonprofit that provides orchestral instrument instruction to Philadelphia school children.
In the News
Ukraine is calling for a boycott of ‘The Nutcracker.’ Ballet companies aren't budging
A quoted essay by Kevin Platt of the School of Arts & Sciences derides pro-Ukraine cancellation of Russian art as reflecting the same kind of nationalism driving the Russian invasion.
FULL STORY →
Penn to build new Stuart Weitzman performing arts center in the heart of campus
Christopher Gruits of Penn Live Arts says that the new Stuart Weitzman Theatre will give artists more flexibility and completely transform the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.
FULL STORY →
After 50 Brutalist years, the Annenberg Center plans to stretch out, open up
Penn Live Arts plans to transform Annenberg Plaza into a new performance space, the Stuart Weitzman Theater, expanding the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts for the first time in 51 years.
FULL STORY →
University of Pennsylvania planning new $31M performing arts center
The University plans to develop a new performing arts center adjacent to Woodland Walk. The space will be dedicated to student uses and construction could begin as early as summer 2023.
FULL STORY →
Penn performing arts center changes its name
The Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts has been renamed Penn Live Arts. “As we have programmed outside of the four walls of the Annenberg Center, we really needed a brand more reflective of how we are presenting programs,” said Christopher Gruits.
FULL STORY →
With Emmy win, John Legend achieves status worthy of his last name
With his latest award, a Creative Arts Emmy for his role as producer for “Jesus Christ Superstar Live,” the Class of '99 Penn alum became the 15th recipient of the legendary EGOT—or Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony award.
FULL STORY →