For over 85 years, the Pennsylvania Players have been bringing theater to the University of Pennsylvania. Since 1936, Penn Players has offered a creative outlet to a wide variety of students, including actors, singers, dancers, musicians, designers (scenic, lighting, costumes, properties), producers, stage managers, and others. With the guidance of professional directors (and musical directors for our musicals), Penn Players produces two major shows each year, a musical in the fall and a drama in the spring. Additionally, Players co-produces (with the other organizations of the Penn Theatre Arts Council) the student-directed One Acts festival in the winter to give student directors and playwrights a chance to gain experience.
Involvement with Penn Players is open to the entire University student community. All students (undergraduate, graduate, and LPS) are invited to audition, interview for staff/design positions, and participate in any of the production crews (sets, lights, costumes, running crews, etc.). All Penn students who have worked/are working on two Penn Players productions (or 1 + One Acts) are eligible to vote and run for the Penn Players Board of Governors during the next election. The Board is responsible for soliciting show proposals, choosing shows, hiring directors, and interviewing and selecting production staffs for all Penn Players productions. The Board also stays in contact with the Penn Players Alumni Club, keeps track of Penn Players membership, and creates and manages an annual budget.
Penn Players is a SAC (Student Activities Council) Funded Organization. We are a member of PAC (Performing Arts Council), and part of the TAC~E (Theater) division. SAC is part of OSL.