It goes without saying that this is a challenging time for those of dedicated to the live performing arts. At People’s Light, a professional Regional Theatre located in Malvern, PA, their hearts are missing that frisson of live connection. However, they continue to be driven by their commitment to make theatre in a larger sense.  In their mission, People’s Light identifies itself as a cultural and civic center with theatre at its core. Positioned in this way, theatre is the stuff we can create, but also a way of generating space for ongoing civic engagement and dialogue with and for our communities. So while they can’t safely produce plays in this moment, their charge to use artistry and creativity for ongoing civic and community engagement remains. In this article, they offer ways that they have continued to make theatre at People’s Light since the pandemic has taken hold. 

Standing on the shoulders of elders who fought for women’s rights, ANNA Crusis is furthering feminism and music to incite social change into the future. The longest-running feminist women’s choir in the United States, founded in 1975, ANNA’s current membership embraces diversity of age, ethnicity and gender identity. Their musical repertoire reflects the rich spectrum of human lives and struggles, shedding light on issues facing immigrants and refugees, young people, women, the LGBTQ+ community, and others. ANNA self-produces two major concerts each year and performs many community outreach programs throughout the season such as benefits, rallies, LGBTQ+ community events, prisons and shelters — anywhere that music can bring a sense of hope and empowerment. ANNA is also a founding member of Gay and Lesbian Association of Choruses (GALA) and a member of Sister Singers Network, a cooperative web of feminist ensembles and musicians working together to support and enrich the women’s choral movement.

The Delaware County Symphony (DCS) is the official Symphony-In-Residence at Neumann University in Aston PA (Delaware County) since 1986. Each season it performs four full symphonic concerts and four intimate chamber concerts including three solo piano recitals in the beautiful 300 seat Meagher Theater. Since its inception the DCS has performed over 264 concerts and brought the joy and beauty of the classical tradition to over 79,000 plus patrons in our region. They have now expanded their perspective about new audience members and we have widened it in a furry unique way. 

Historic Germantown is a consortium of 18 cultural, historic and green sites located in Philadelphia’s “Old German Township,” now the neighborhoods of Chestnut Hill, Mt. Airy and Germantown. They work collaboratively to share knowledge and resources to help sustain these places, and promote diverse stories and histories that inspire and educate residents, students and visitors, all contributing to the cultural and economic development of the community. For more information, visit the Cultural Alliance blog.

For 26 years, Asian Arts Initiative has served as an important community anchor providing artists and community members both the physical and creative space to explore complex and topical issues through art. Since their founding in 1993 to address rising racial tensions following the wake of the Rodney King trial verdict and the Los Angeles uprisings, Asian Arts Initiative continues to service their mission to create community through the power of art. Over the years, they have experienced and witnessed the transformative power of art to not only bring diverse groups together, but to bring healing, dialogue, and inspire action towards a more just and equitable society. Today, Asian Arts Initiative provides a wide array of programming to serve artists, youth, and our broader community of Asian/Americans to advance racial equity using art as the driving force of change. To learn more, check out our blog or visit their website and follow them on Instagram/Facebook (@asianartsphilly)!

Theatre Horizon is a professional theatre located in Norristown, PA - it was founded in 2005 and has become a lauded and award-winning leader in Montgomery County.  Each year they offer a full season of professional productions and reach over 1,000 students through their Theatre School and outreach programs, as well as their pioneering Autism Drama Program. Combined, these programs are the building blocks of the Theatre Horizon community in which all participants are encouraged to grow. They have spent the last 13 years - through education programs, community forums, post-show discussions, and productions of the highest artistic caliber designed to engage audiences and create conversation - building a space where their audiences can come together to understand unfamiliar perspectives, discuss common struggles, and simply enjoy a good story side by side. Learn more in their blog post!

PhillyCAM is a community media center that operates the City of Philadelphia’s public access cable television channel and is the license holder of the low power FM radio station WPPM 106.5 FM.  PhillyCAM is a facilitator, creator, aggregator, and distributor of hyper local media that reflects Philadelphia’s cultural diversity.  We are the only regional non-commercial media outlet devoted entirely to the teaching, creation and distribution of locally-produced media content on cable television, online and on FM radio.  

Our mission is to bring together the people of Philadelphia to make and share media that promotes creative expression, democratic values and civic participation. Anyone who lives or works in the greater Philadelphia region can become a PhillyCAM member and receive free to low cost access to video and audio production training and distribute non-commercial content on our platforms.

The National Museum of American Jewish History, located on historic Independence Mall in Philadelphia, brings to life the more than 360-year history of Jews in America. Tracing the stories of how Jewish immigrants became Jewish Americans, the Museum invites visitors of all backgrounds to share their own stories and reflect on how their histories and identities shape and are shaped by the American experience. An open door for all, NMAJH honors the past and contributes to a better future by sharing the power of imagination and ideas, culture and community, leadership and service, in ways that turn inspiration into action.