The New Platt Student Performing Arts Center: Meeting the Demand for Creativity and Community
The opening of our
Platt Student Performing Arts Center represents a significant advancement for the University of Pennsylvania and the cultural landscape of Philadelphia. As one of the first theatres constructed in the city in more than a decade, and the first new venue at Penn in over fifty years, the Platt Center is a direct response to the university’s longstanding need for dedicated performing arts spaces. For years, the demand for performance and rehearsal venues has far exceeded available resources, reflecting the remarkable growth and passion within Penn’s student arts community.
Read more...MOMIX returns with Alice, a feast for the eyes and ears
Dance
Expect the unexpected when MOMIX returns to Penn Live Arts with its triumphant touring production
Alice, Dec 12-14. Adored by millions across 55 countries and a Philadelphia favorite, MOMIX enchants us with its magical performances filled with stunning imagery, eye-popping visuals, outrageous props and costumes, riveting music and over-the-top content performed by Olympian-caliber dancer-illusionists.
Read more...Announcing the Platt Student Performing Arts Center
A landmark gift from Julie Beren Platt and Marc E. Platt will name our Platt Student Performing Arts Center. Both graduates of Penn, Julie serves on our Board of Advisors while Marc is a member of our Director’s Advisory Council. Thanks to the Platts’ generous support, the Center will meet a critical need in performance and rehearsal space for students on campus and offer us additional venues to present more of the music, theatre and dance artists you love. We can’t wait to welcome you into these new spaces.
Read more...Trust, Care, Creativity, and Confidence: Takeaways from Summer 2025 Internships
Most Penn students eye summer internships from the moment they step on campus. These early professional experiences can help students enter a specific industry, get to know a new city, find out what people
really do all day and make essential connections for after graduation.
But internships also play a pivotal role in students’ education. Five interns supported this past summer by our Arts & Entertainment Career Connections program found that their internships introduced them to new applications of their studies, spurred them to deepen creative practices, taught them new skills and sharpened their focus and confidence as they imagined their futures. Read more...
Don’t Be Afraid to Pivot: An Interview with Evan Golinsky
Evan Golinsky (SAS ’24) doesn’t see a contradiction between having a detailed plan and being ready to make enormous changes at the drop of a hat. That’s just the entertainment business, as he’s learned between courses at Penn and a junior year internship at the Creative Artists Agency (CAA), supported by Penn Live Arts and Platt Student Performing Arts House. Golinsky’s drive to succeed in an unpredictable, energetic industry is matched by his passion for helping clear a path for other students excited about storytelling and making big projects come to life.
Read more...Our Sensory Friendly Certification in Action
We're excited to enter our fourth year of certification by KultureCity as a
sensory friendly venue! In the past few years, we’ve grown the use of tools and training by our guest services staff as more patrons take advantage of the resources we have available. We also participate in new trainings each year as well as in the Accessible Insights Consortium to stay up to date on how to best support our patrons. After all, this certification was not a one-and-done deal but an ongoing commitment to build access for those with sensory differences.
Read more...Mark Morris: A Choreographer’s Take on American Music
Posted September 29, 2025
Dance Philadelphia Premieres
Renowned choreographer Mark Morris brought his acclaimed company to Philadelphia with Dances to American Music, a program celebrating the richness and diversity of American composers. Known for his unmatched musicality and inventive choreography, Morris shared his insights into the creation of the work and his connection to music.
Read more...The music of our 25/26 season
Posted September 11, 2025
Early Music Jazz Music Penn Live Arts Debuts World Music
Our 25/26 season brings an exciting array of acclaimed musical acts that span multiple genres. We’re thrilled to bring audience favorites back to our stage, from jazz greats
Branford Marsalis and
Cécile McLorin Salvant, to world music icons
Soweto Gospel Choir and
DakhaBrakha.
Read more...2025 Summer Hiatus
Thank you to the incredible artists, dedicated patrons and generous supporters who joined us for our 24/25 season, Beyond Boundaries. Throughout the season, we amplified diverse artistry that transcends geographical and cultural boundaries. Read more...
Recent Highlights: Jan–Jun 2025
The second half of our 24/25 season was a veritable feast, replete with dance, music and theatre, and the press was right there with us! Here are some of the highlights.
Read more...
