PAPAYA Announces Change in Leadership

After the completion of a successful 2015 International Family Series at the Painted Bride Art Center, PA Performing Arts for Young Audience (PAPAYA) Founder and Executive Director W. Courtenay Wilson announces his decision to transition from Executive Director to board member. He expresses his confidence in colleague and performing arts professional Susan Crofton, who joins PAPAYA as its new Executive Director.

For two decades Susan Crofton has provided visionary leadership for performing arts organizations with an emphasis on arts programming and management, community engagement and collaboration. She is especially committed to presenting performing arts for youth and family audiences. "I am delighted to support the leadership transition to my long-time colleague Susan Crofton and to continue my commitment to PAPAYA by serving on the board," states Courtenay Wilson. "I had the great opportunity to pursue a personal dream, the development of a unique organization focused on raising the bar for performing arts experiences for families and youth," Wilson explains. "I have decided that now is the time for me to look for a new career challenge - one that endeavors to have a positive impact and make Philly shine."

"After nurturing PAPAYA for the last ten years, we applaud Courtenay for bringing this important organization to life in Philadelphia," says Chairman of the Board John Rollins. "PAPAYA is building an exceptional leadership team to move the organization forward. Susan will work closely with the board and Artistic Directors, Jeremy "Boomer" Stacey, Whit MacLaughlin and Sebastienne Mundheim, to expand our programs and partnerships."

Susan Crofton has degrees in fine arts and business and has built her career in working in performing arts organizations, much of which has been in the field of performing arts for youth. She recently joined International Performing Arts for Youth (IPAY) to help lead the organization from its transition from a volunteer board organization to an organization managed by a staff. Previously, Crofton spent 17 years at the Overture Center in Madison, Wisconsin; first as the Education and Community Engagement director where she developed and programmed a school family series for youth. Later her responsibilities grew as she was promoted to Vice President of Marketing and Programming for the whole center. Throughout her work, the commitment to excellence in programming, diversity and community engagement remain constant. Earlier experience includes general management in theatrical and documentary production.

Crofton's addition to PAPAYA's leadership will set the stage for the organization to move forward with existing programs and new projects in the works. PAPAYA is developing several new plays for young audiences, through partnerships with InterAct Theatre Company, among others. The first draft of a play co-commissioned from internationally renowned playwright Jen Silverman was just completed. PAPAYA's Artistic Director for Producing, Whit MacLaughlin, who will direct the work at Interact, finds it "very, very fresh, current, and fun" and looks forward to gearing up for this project. The new play, set to premiere in 2017 at InterAct's new home at The Drake, is an adaptation of Ubu Roi, a play originally written by a teenaged Alfred Jarry. "People have been hankering for a reappraisal of Jarry's work," says MacLaughlin. "I am delighted that we are going to do this by creating a new piece for teenaged audiences."

PAPAYA is pleased continue its partnership with the Painted Bride Art Center for the PAPAYA at the Bride International Family Series, which is curated by Jeremy "Boomer" Stacey. Next season PAPAYA will build on the highly successful audience engagement programs in the PAPAYA Lab, which were introduced last spring. Under the Artistic Direction of performance-maker and educator Sebastienne Mundheim, the PAPAYA Lab brings in Philadelphia-based artists to animate the theater space, inviting audiences to create their own response to the work on stage. PAPAYA's engagement programs foster vital collaboration between Philadelphia and international artists, while enriching the PAPAYA Experience for youth, families, artist and community members. The 2016 season of PAPAYA at the Bride will be announced in the coming weeks.

PAPAYA, or PA Performing Arts for Young Audiences, is a partnering organization that produces and presents performing arts programs for families and youth that is accessible to all ages, and especially designed to enrich the lives of children by stimulating their imaginations, challenging their minds and touching their deepest emotions. For more information about PAPAYA, visit www.PAPAYAlive.org.