Kimmel Center's 2015 Theater Residency Underway; Public Readings Set for This Week

The Kimmel Center partnered with Joe's Pub, one of New York City's premiere live showcase venues and launching pad for many artists' careers, for the 2015 Theater Residency. The Theater Residency provides guidance and dramaturgy to five selected artists in the creation of their work, with additional opportunity for further development on the Joe's Pub stage at the Public Theater.

Under the leadership of Director of Joe's Pub Shanta Thake and the Kimmel Center Artistic Director Jay Wahl, the two-week Theater Residency will guide five world-class theater artists through the creative process of five new compositions. The Kimmel Center will serve as a creative incubator space supporting these artists as a producer of new works. A public performance of their works-in-progress is scheduled to take place today and tomorrow, July 1-2.

"It is such an honor to bring such talented artists to Philadelphia to create new work alongside local artists. Joe's Pub helped us identify talent whose creative careers would benefit from such an opportunity," said Kimmel Center Artistic Director Jay Wahl. "The Kimmel Center is becoming a hot spot for artists to experience the creative energy and synergy within our great city as they develop work with and for local audiences."

The 2015 Theater Residency follows last season's successful inaugural program with celebrated poet and performance artist Dael Orlandersmith, which produced Deb Margolin's 8 Stops, that went on to make its world premiere in Philadelphia before debuting at New York City's Cherry Lane Theater to rave reviews from the New York Times, The Public Review and NY Theater Review in March 2015. The recent SEI Innovation Studio performance of Hello! Sadness! (June 11-13) by Mary Tuomanen was also created during the 2014 residency and produced by the Kimmel Center.

The 2015 Theater Residency is being held in SEI Innovation Studio (June 21-July 2) with FREE public readings (July 1-July 2, reservations required). Tickets can be secured by calling 215-893-1999, online at kimmelcenter.org, at the Kimmel Center box office at Broad & Spruce Streets (open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.).

Located in the heart of Center City, Philadelphia, The Kimmel Center's mission is to operate a world-class performing arts center that engages and serves a broad audience through diverse programming, arts education, and community outreach. The Kimmel Center campus is comprised of the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts (Verizon Hall, Perelman Theater, SEI Innovation Studio, and the Merck Arts Education Center), the Academy of Music (owned by the Philadelphia Orchestra Association), and the University of the Arts Merriam Theater. TD Bank, America's Most Convenient Bank, is the season sponsor of The Kimmel Center's 2014-2015 Season. American Airlines is the official airline of Broadway Philadelphia. For additional information, visit kimmelcenter.org.