5/26
Performing Arts
The Sachs Program celebrates fifth year of supporting arts innovation at Penn
The Sachs Program for Arts Innovation announced its 2022 cycle of grantees, with new funding for alumni and community partnership projects.
Penn Live Arts celebrates 50 years with upcoming season
For its 50th anniversary, Penn Live Arts is rolling out a season like none before it—complete with a John and Alice Coltrane festival, one-act plays in partnership with the Negro Ensemble Collective, and a new ListenHear composer series.
From the page to the stage
In collaboration with author Amitav Ghosh, musician Ali Sethi, and Penn’s Brooke O’Harra, 14 students brought to life a parable Ghosh wrote about the world’s largest mangrove forest, human greed, and the environment.
Penn Live Arts embraces hybrid shows for spring season
A first for Penn Live Arts, several performances at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts this season will be both in-person and live-streamed.
On stage at Carnegie Hall
The third-annual “Toast to Dear Old Penn” showcase featured more than 100 performers in Dischord and Penn Yo a capella, Onda Latina and Penn Dhamaka dance, Bloomers and Mask and Wig comedy troupes, and the spoken-word Excelano Project.
‘Ten Thousand Birds’ merges nature with classical music
Penn Live Arts kicks off its fall season with the local premiere of “Ten Thousand Birds” given by modern chamber music ensemble Alarm Will Sound in an outdoor performance at Morris Arboretum’s Bloomberg Farm
ICA debuts first major retrospective of pioneering video artist
In ‘Without Your Interpretation,’ the Institute of Contemporary Art showcases the work of Ulysses Jenkins, a pivotal influence on contemporary art for more than 50 years.
The Sachs Program debuts whimsical art exhibit in new Arts Lounge
Recalling “purse hoagies” and other encountered utterances, Martha Rich’s “It goes by fast” exhibit showcases the sillier side of the arts.
Penn announces plans for new student performing arts center
The University has begun the planning process to build a new student performing arts center, with Platt Student Performing Arts House providing leadership in the creation and implementation of arts programming for students at Penn.
The Sachs Program announces winners of AAPI grants
Fourteen projects will be funded as part of the program’s responsive call for proposals in support of Asian-American and Pacific Islander artists at Penn.
In the News
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 →
An Expert's Take on the Symbolism in Childish Gambino’s Viral ‘This Is America’ Video
Guthrie Ramsey of the School of Arts and Sciences provided an in-depth analysis of the provocative music video. “Even though we think of popular culture as a space where we escape, [Childish Gambino’s] forcing us to understand that there’s actually nowhere to run,” Ramsey said. “We have to deal with the cultural violence that we have created and continue to sustain.”
FULL STORY →
Trigger Warning: John Waters to Get ‘Filthy’ on Penn Campus
Iconoclast John Waters will be commemorating the creation of the Sachs Program for Arts Innovation at the Annenberg Center’s Zellerbach Theater tonight with a one-man show.
FULL STORY →
Penn Choral Director William Parberry Retires After 45 Years
After more than four decades in Penn’s Music Department, University Choir director William Parberry has retired. Parberry marked the occasion on Sunday with a final concert, featuring Handel’s “Messiah.”
FULL STORY →