As the University of Pennsylvania’s home for the performing arts, Penn Live Arts connects diverse audiences with visionary artists and innovative ideas, engaging both the University and the greater Philadelphia community in transformative artistic experiences.
For over 50 years, the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts has been a leading presenter of innovative and transformative performing arts experiences in the Philadelphia region and a vital resource for the performing arts at the University of Pennsylvania. In June 2021, the Annenberg Center launched a new brand identity, Penn Live Arts, to reflect a deeper integration with the University and an expanded canvas for presenting performances. Penn Live Arts, headquartered at the Annenberg Center, is an artistic crossroads joining Penn and the greater Philadelphia region through world-class music, dance, theatre and film on campus and at venues throughout the city.
In fulfillment of its mission, Penn Live Arts engages world-renowned and emerging artists who express adventuresome perspectives on contemporary issues and who further Penn Live Arts’ commitment to artistic and intellectual excellence and arts education for adult, student and family audiences. Penn Live Arts’ extensive history of commissioning and championing artists has fostered important creative work by theatre legend Hal Prince, new music composers Philip Glass and Steve Reich, boundary-pushing choreographers Paul Taylor, David Parsons and Moses Pendleton, jazz greats Hugh Masekela, Terrence Blanchard and Branford Marsalis, and so many more. Annual programming features numerous world, national and local premieres and debuts by dance, jazz, world music, theatre, new music, film and family artists. Originally a 32-year-long partnership with NextMove Dance, Penn Live Arts presents one of the premier contemporary dance series in the country.
Penn Live Arts serves as a key asset for the University’s students and faculty by enhancing curriculum through artist residencies and masterclasses, supporting student performing arts and providing career development opportunities. For younger audiences, Penn Live Arts’ Student Discovery series offers weekday matinees and the annual Philadelphia Children's Festival, established in 1985 as the first event of its kind in the nation, serves children and families in the region with a range of interactive arts experiences.
Penn Live Arts is dedicated to cultivating an environment that is both accessible and welcoming to all. Through a broad array of performances, events and outreach across Penn and the greater Philadelphia region, we strive to encourage thought-provoking dialogue and foster cross-cultural understanding. Connecting authentically with our community is central to our mission, and we are committed to ensuring that everyone, regardless of background, ability or means, has the opportunity to attend and engage with Penn Live Arts programming. We will continuously work to create positive and inspiring experiences where all individuals belong and are valued.
As part of Penn, we share in these overarching values established for our campus:
The University of Pennsylvania is a scholarly community that advances discovery and opportunity toward a better future for all. We embrace excellence, freedom of inquiry and expression, and respect. Penn’s culture is inspired by its founder, Benjamin Franklin—open-minded and curious, inventive and practical, exhibiting brilliance across fields, imperfect but self-improving, and relentlessly focused on enhancing social good. These values are enduring and inspire us to be a positive force for the world, while remaining anchored and committed to our Philadelphia home. » Learn more
We recognize and acknowledge that the Annenberg Center, as part of the University of Pennsylvania, stands on the Indigenous territory known as Lenapehoking, the traditional homelands of the Lenape, also called Lenni-Lenape or Delaware Indians. These are the people who, during the 1680s, negotiated with William Penn to facilitate the founding of the colony of Pennsylvania. Their descendants today include the Delaware Tribe and Delaware Nation of Oklahoma; the Nanticoke Lenni-Lenape, Ramapough Lenape, and Powhatan Renape of New Jersey; and the Munsee Delaware of Ontario.
See PDF schedules from past seasons.
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