We are so excited to be performing at Gallery Night Pensacola on July 19th 2019! Catch us on the Artel Gallery steps at 6:30 and then come visit us at our booth to learn more about what PenArts does!
Blues & Jazz Gallery Night
TICKETS
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/woody-guthries-american-song-tickets-55788092687?
UPDATE
Watch for WOODY GUTHRIE’S AMERICAN SONG tickets to go on sale later this week!
And we’re pleased to introduce yet another new actor for her first time on stage!
PRESENTING
Very happy to have these six actors returning to the PenArts team! Stay tuned for the two more young actors who will be joining us!
PRESENTING
ANNOUNCING…
COMING NOVEMBER 7th – 10th, PenArts presents Michael LaChiusa’s SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE. The cast is set and names will soon be revealed. We are incredibly proud to put forth this wonderful project and tickets will go on sale soon. Fun pre-show events vary each night so be on the lookout! We hope to see and connect with you all there!
Back to School – A Message from our Board Member
As kids return back to school, our Board Member, Unissa Cruse-Ferguson, shares a message of her experience with the arts, the value it has had in her life, and why she is working with us to bring the arts to youth. Check out what she has to say:
I’ve always enjoyed dancing. When I was little, I never would’ve guessed that my devotion to flailing my arms, jumping high, and playfully kicking imaginary objects would evolve into a budding professional career in entertainment.
At first, I planned to attend either criminal law school or study marriage and family therapy in graduate school. But, towards the end of undergrad at the University of Maryland, my plan shifted. I had always dreamed of performing on a huge stage or making my debut on the big screen. But, I never knew how to begin. Finally, I found my way and am overjoyed with what I’ve had the privilege of accomplishing in such a short time.
A large part of why I perform is to give back to communities. I get to do what I love and still make a difference. The arts really brings people together from all backgrounds. Dancing, acting, singing, and more are positive forms of self-expression, which is very pertinent to our youth. Everything they experience affects their growth and development. Offering them a positive outlet to look forward to tells them that we care and that they matter. I don’t know what I would’ve done without the arts growing up. But, I do know that I will continue to transform the lives of our next generation, “one step at at time.”
See What I Wanna See – Coming November 2018!
SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE, by Michael John LaChiusa, is a musical about murder, faith, lust, and redemption. It is based on three short stories by Ryunosuke Akutagawa, who is regarded as the “Father of the Japanese short story” and Japan’s premier literary award, the Akutagawa Prize, is named after him.
The musical unfolds like a Japanese screen painting into three distinct tales that challenge the meaning of the truth and the contradictions of individual interpretation.
The tales include “Kesa and Morito”, which is the story of two lovers with secret plans for each other; “R Shomon” follows the investigation after a 1951 murder in Central Park; and “Gloryday” looks at the hoax a disillusioned priest concocts after 9/11 and the ramifications of that lie.
Coming in November 2018
Following last year’s successful production of SHINING LIVES: A MUSICAL by Jessica Thebus and Andre Pluess, we are excited to present the second offering from PenArts. Bringing back many of the talented people who helped make our first show a success, this November, we will be presenting Michael John LaChiusa’s SEE WHAT I WANNA SEE. We will be adding even more Pensacola talent with this production and will be holding auditions in September. In a few weeks, please, check Backstage for updates on audition date/times.
Further Gratitude
We were honored to present the first ever licensed production of SHINING LIVES: A MUSICAL by Jessica Thebus and Andre Pluess. We were pleased that we could share the story of these brave women and bring their names and stories to light again. May they never be forgotten.
Our production was a success due in great part to so many people and so with much gratitude, we would like to thank:
Aragon Wine Market
Coastal Art Center of Orange Beach
CMQ Contractors
Nicole Dickson
Escape Zone 60
First City Art Center
Asher Garcia
Joshua Heming
Gordon and Irene Kellogg
Edgar Martinez
Pensacola Little Theatre
Pensacola Opera Center
Remember When Sweet Shop
Ross, Rhonda, and Arianna Robins
Scott, Barbara, Gordie, and Annalisa Smith
Stacy Stieffel
Triggers Seafood Restaurant
University of West Florida Center for Fine and Performing Arts
Warrington Jewelers
And last, but far from least (!), our wonderful cast and crew: Tom Baroco, Chantelle Cognevich, Marshall Corzette, Unissa Cruse-Ferguson, Jennifer Cullen, Jesse Draughon, Harper Garcia, Christine Kellogg, Brittney Lester, Denley Messery, and Josh Thomas