Program Spotlight: Student Discovery
“I think the physicality of the RUBBERBAND show is what attracted me to it all those years ago,” Sell reflected recently. “I remember being fascinated by their non-balletic vocabulary; it made me realize that there don't have to be rules to dance. At its core, it is just about the movement.”
Sure enough, Sell joined the company as an apprentice this year. In February, he returned to Penn Live Arts to perform on the very stage that inspired him in RUBBERBAND’s Reckless Underdog.
We are so proud to have supported Sell’s journey and others like him who found inspiration in our theatres throughout the years.
ABOUT STUDENT DISCOVERY
Our weekday Student Discovery series provides Philadelphia-area students with the opportunity to see professional dance, theatre and music artists, helping them make connections across life, curriculum and the arts. With a focus on serving Title I schools in underserved neighborhoods, local youth can enjoy a range of celebrated artists at significantly subsidized prices.
“Almost all of the dance shows I saw as a kid were through Penn Live Arts,” Sell shared. “They brought world-renowned dance companies from many different genres. Those shows opened my eyes to the vastness of the dance world and how unlimited the possibilities are.”
Last year, we expanded this longtime series to include pre-performance classroom visits. Local teaching artists and professional performers visit some of the schools prior to their trip to the theatre, encouraging a deeper foundation for students’ experience.
THIS SEASON’S OFFERINGS
This season, we featured Student Discovery performances by Limón Dance Company, Minty Fresh Circus and Rennie Harris Puremovement. Our student audiences received these performances with boisterous applause. Chaperones and teachers noted what a treat it was for the kids to experience such amazing companies and to learn about different backgrounds through the performing arts.
In just a few weeks, we will celebrate more performing arts for young audiences with our 40th annual Philadelphia Children’s Festival. Established in 1985 as the first event of its kind in the nation, the Children’s Festival serves kids and families in the region with a range of arts experiences.
While weekday Children’s Festival performances are dedicated to school groups, everyone is invited to join the fun on Sunday, May 4. In addition to hands-on activities and a free concert from the Dirty Sock Funtime Band, audiences can look forward to:
- The Latehomecomer by Literature to Life
- The Paper Escaper by Terrapin Puppet Theatre
- 360 ALLSTARS
WHY IT MATTERS
The impact of these performances on the artists of tomorrow is undeniable. It can be one of the first steps in their journey, showing them the diverse styles, voices and art forms that come alive on stage. Like Sell, a student aspiring to be a professional dancer was captivated by a recent Student Discovery performance and asked about the performers’ career paths during a post-show Q&A.
We are honored to play a role in fostering such meaningful experiences outside the classroom to complement children’s education. The arts are proven to engage all children in creative and critical thinking—skills that enhance academic performance and enrich their overall quality of life.