Engagement Through the Arts

Penn Alumni Board attends world premiere by Dance Theatre of Harlem

Published: March 25, 2019
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Penn alumni leaders attend debut performance from Annenberg’s second-ever artist-in residence.

Celebrating the Penn Alumni Board’s work on behalf of Penn, the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts and Penn Alumni Relations hosted the group for a reception and world-premiere performance by the Dance Theatre of Harlem (DTH) on March 1. As the University seeks to increase alumni engagement through The Power of Penn Campaign, Penn Alumni Board members play a crucial role as ambassadors, engaging fellow alumni as well as Penn friends across the country and the world—and returning to campus to renew their connections with the University at least three times per year.

three ballet dancers on stage during a performance
Photo Credit: Rachel Neville
three ballet dancers on stage during a performance
Photo Credit: Rachel Neville
ballet dancer on stage doing a pose
Photo Credit: Jeff Cravotta
two ballet dancers man in second position pleae with woman laying across his legs doing a back bend
Photo Credit: François Rousseau
two ballet dancers doing a lift
Photo Credit: François Rousseau
ballet dancer in mid air doing an attitude jump
Photo Credit: Kent Becker
three ballet dancers in mid air during a performance
Photo Credit: Rachel Neville
two ballet dancers on stage performing
Photo Credit: Matthew Murphy
ballet dancer in mid air doing a split
Photo Credit: Rachel Neville
two ballet dancers in motion
Photo Credit: François Rousseau
three people at an event
Christopher A. Gruits, Executive & Artistic Director, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts; Virginia Johnson, Artistic Director, Dance Theatre of Harlem; and Trustee, and Overseer at the Annenberg Center for Performing Arts, Lynn Jerath, W'95 (Photo Credit: Eddy Marenco)
Virginia Johnson, Artistic Director, Dance Theatre of Harlem giving a speech
Virginia Johnson, Artistic Director, Dance Theatre of Harlem (Photo Credit: Eddy Marenco)
two ballet dancers on stage in performance
Photo Credit: Kent Becker
two men about to shake hands
Stuart Jasper, General Manager, Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (seated) shakes hands with Representative James R. Roebuck, Jr., Overseer at Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts (Photo Credit: Eddy Marenco)
three people playing instruments at an event
(from left) Guitarist Deniz Beser, ENG’19, GEN’19; Bassist Will Miller, C’20; Saxophonist Justin Mignatti, C’20 (Photo Credit: Eddy Marenco)

More than 100 Penn Alumni Board members were treated to “Nyman String Quartet #2,” a debut work from the DTH’s resident choreographer and native Philadelphian Robert Garland. The piece honored the legacy of the company’s founder, Arthur Mitchell, on the group’s 50th anniversary. The evening’s performance also included “Change” by Dianne McIntyre and “Harlem On My Mind” by Darrell Grand Moultrie.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem is the Annenberg Center’s second-ever artist-in-residence. Along with their scheduled performances, the company conducted master classes at the Annenberg Center’s dance studio for students from Penn and nearby universities and two master classes for Philadelphia high school students at West Philadelphia High School and the Philadelphia High School for Creative & Performing Arts.

To learn more about the theatre, music, and dance performances featured in the Annenberg Center’s 2018-2019 season, visit AnnenbergCenter.org.

Annenberg Center for THE Performing Arts