5 Questions with David T. Little
“One of the most imaginative young composers,” (
The New Yorker) David T. Little is known for his “knack for overturning musical conventions.” (
The New York Times) His theatrical choral work,
SIN-EATER, a Penn Live Arts co-commission, will see its world premiere on Oct 14-15, performed by Philadelphia’s Grammy® Award-winning new music choir, The Crossing, and the Bergamot Quartet. Little is also featured as part of our
ListenHear series, showcasing significant contemporary musical voices. In today’s 5 Questions feature, we get to learn how early music memories and a wide breadth of influences have influenced Little’s work. Enjoy!
Read more...An extraordinary lineage, Havana’s Malpaso Dance Company makes its Penn Live Arts debut
Posted September 27, 2023
There’s a saying that everyone dances in Cuba. This dancing island boasts rich histories and colorful traditions from Africa, the Caribbean, the Americas, Asia and Europe. It is no wonder Cuba has spawned some of the greatest dancers of all time, including Alicia Alonso, superstar prima ballerina and founder of the National Ballet of Cuba, as well as the world’s most popular music styles such as the son (salsa), mambo, cha-cha-chá, merengue, guaguancó, bolero and Afro-Latin jazz. Hailing from this cultural hotspot, the technically gifted, versatile and strikingly gorgeous Malpaso Dance Company (MDC) makes its
Penn Live Arts debut October 6-7 with the world premiere of
A Dancing Island plus two Philadelphia premieres,
Indomitable Waltz and
La Última Canción.
Read more...Summer Internship Reflections: Ejun Hong
Posted September 13, 2023
Our Arts Career Connections initiative helped four Penn students pursue internships in the arts and entertainment field this summer. As these opportunities conclude, we were excited to hear this reflection from Ejun Hong, who spent time with Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco and All Ages Productions in Philadelphia:
During the first half of my summer, I worked as a Studio & Education intern at the Walt Disney Family Museum (WDFM). In this role, I was actively engaged in producing posters, storyboards and animatics for the upcoming animation film festival.
Read more...Summer Internship Reflections
This summer, Hollywood looked and felt a bit different as the SAG-AFTRA and WGA strikes continued, but that didn’t faze Penn summer interns Lucy Gale (SAS ‘25) and Evan Golinsky (SAS ’24), who both pursued talent management opportunities in Los Angeles with the help of our Arts Career Connections initiative. The program responds to an appetite on campus for enhanced support of career exploration in the arts and has provided summer funding support to students in a range of arts industries since 2022.
Read more...2023 Summer Hiatus
Our 50th anniversary season has come to a close. Thank you to our incredible artists and dedicated patrons and supporters. It’s been a truly spectacular year celebrating our legacy while looking to the next 50 years and beyond.
Read more...New Student Performing Arts Center Takes Shape
Recently, the Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania reviewed and advanced the design plans for a new
Student Performing Arts Center. The trapezoidal-shaped building will be located within a prominent triangular site at 33rd and Chestnut Streets.
The new center, along with the planned Stuart Weitzman Theatre, are the biggest investments in performing arts at Penn since the Annenberg Center opened its doors over 50 years ago. Read more...
Recent Highlights: Apr – Jun 2023
Spring came in like a lion for Penn Live Arts, blowing us all away with the incredible virtuosity of six-time Grammy® Award-winner Arturo O’Farrill and his Afro Latin Jazz Orchestra, dubbed “one of the best jazz orchestras in existence,” by
The New Yorker. It was a treat to learn about this Latin jazz visionary beforehand in the
5 Questions with Arturo O’Farrill feature on our blog.
In June, we were equally enthralled by jazz pianist Craig Taborn, who made his Philadelphia headline debut in a solo performance. Noted jazz writer Shaun Brady delved into Taborn’s process and interpretations in a post-performance Q&A session. While
The New York Times says Taborn is “one of the best jazz pianists alive,” we were particularly delighted when one Facebook fan raved “An extraordinary performance! Thanks for bringing this phenomenal artist to Philly.”
Read more...Make the Nevers Possible: Our Path to Sensory Inclusion
At the beginning of 2023, we partnered with
KultureCity to make the Annenberg Center the first performing arts venue in Philadelphia to be
sensory inclusive certified! With this certification, we join the ranks of Lincoln Financial Field, the Liacouras Center, Citizen’s Bank Park and hundreds of locations across the country. Through KultureCity, the nation’s leading non-profit in sensory accessibility, our team has committed to providing a more inclusive experience for all, with newfound training in assisting patrons with sensory processing needs.
After a chance encounter with KultureCity at an industry conference, we knew a partnership was in our future. Inclusion and belonging have been longtime priorities for Penn Live Arts (PLA). Obtaining this certification was a step closer to ensuring we are doing everything we can to provide an outstanding experience for all.
Read more...Tap wunderkind Caleb Teicher brings SW!NG OUT, a Lindy Hop big band sensation
Barely out of high school, Caleb Teicher burst onto the world stage thrilling audiences with their charismatic personality, youthful vitality and switchblade feet. In lieu of college, Teicher, who uses the gender-neutral pronouns they and them, followed their dream to “make it” as a jazz, tap and swing dancer in New York City. In 2011, as a teenager, Teicher performed in works by tap masters Michelle Dorrance (was a founding member of her company) and Dormeshia Sumbry-Edwards at their shared concert. This performance won Teicher their first Bessie Award for outstanding individual performance.
Read more...Announcing our summer internship funding awards
As another academic year draws to a close, we are delighted to announce four winners of our summer internship funding awards. Made possible by alumni support including gifts from the Class of ’93 and Class of ‘72, these awards will enable students to accept internships in talent management, film production and television, and will support their moving and living expenses during summer 2023. A record number of applicants with a wide range of arts and entertainment career interests made the decision process competitive and challenging.
Read more...
