Program Spotlight: Accelerator Program
Accelerator Program U.S. Premiere World Premieres
For instance, we first introduced Philadelphia audiences to August Wilson’s Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom and presented world premieres of Paul Taylor’s Speaking in Tongues and PHILADANCO’s Xmas Philes. More recently, we have presented and commissioned countless world premieres with The Crossing, Dance Theatre of Harlem, the Negro Ensemble Company, Pam Tanowitz and many more.
This season, we supported Minty Fresh Circus in their world premiere and championed the Negro Ensemble Company’s new production of Day of Absence with the added world premiere of Remaining Absent, a short epilogue by Cris Eli Blak. Over the weekend, we presented the U.S. premiere of Dentro (Inside): A True Story, If You Think So from one of Italy’s most compelling voices in contemporary theatre and the world premiere of Rennie Harris’s new work, American Street Dancer.
These works benefit from the Accelerator Program through extra rehearsal time in the theatre, enhanced production support and enhanced audience engagement initiatives. With resources to help finish and bring these new works to the stage, we foster the creative process and then get to share exciting premieres with Philadelphia audiences before the works go on to tour the world.
Here’s what some members of our team have to say about investing in these artists:
Minty Fresh Circus
Accelerator, one of the most artist-forward programs in the United States, leverages Penn Live Arts’ time and expertise to propel new work across the finish line. At the end of January, following a week of intensive rehearsals on site, we hosted the world premiere of Minty Fresh Circus. Created by Monique Martin to showcase the healing power of Black music and movement, Minty Fresh was a wonderful opportunity for us to support the creation of new cirque and celebrate Black joy.
Marc Baylin, Artistic Advisor
Negro Ensemble Company
Our multi-year support of the Negro Ensemble Company, which has been the proving ground for some of the most important works of Black American theatre, enables historical plays like Day of Absence and Zooman and the Sign to speak to a contemporary audience and modern political moment. In the company's hands, these works feel unsettlingly timeless. Philadelphia audiences have picked up on that resonance and been moved to speak back to it.
The Accelerator Program, through which we have the opportunity to build real relationships with the company leadership, performers and crew, enables us to gracefully receive and shape audiences' desire to be in conversation with the works on stage.
Leah Falk, Director of Education & Engagement
Dentro (Inside): A True Story, If You Think So
The ability to invest in artists locally and abroad is an honor and privilege that we do not take lightly. When the opportunity presented itself to include Giuliana Musso’s Dentro as part of the 24/25 Accelerator Program, it was a welcomed opportunity to embrace an acclaimed voice of contemporary Italian theatre.
Musso’s play invites the audience to consider their own relationship with the truth when confronted with some of their gravest fears. In this piece of “investigative theatre,” Musso’s words are harsh and fragile at the same time, written and performed with empathy.
Beth Jamieson, Director of Events & Guest Services
Rennie harris puremovement
Rennie Harris is a true innovator, and we are honored that Penn Live Arts serves as his artistic home. Between support from the Accelerator Program and his three-year residency, we’ve provided the platform for Rennie to create exciting new work. Last weekend, we share our commissioned work, American Street Dancer, with Philadelphia audiences first, further connecting Rennie with the hometown community that helped shape his great talent.
Christopher Gruits, Executive & Artistic Director
Photos by Mark Garvin