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!

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!
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!
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!
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:
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.
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.
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