New Paradise Laboratories (NPL) is a 501(c)(3) experimental theater ensemble based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, NPL collaborates with artists from a variety of disciplines, including web designers, visual artists, writers, philosophers, composers, and architects, as well as performers who work together to create interactive theater works and immersive experiences.
 | |
| Founded | 1996 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Whit MacLaughlin |
| Type | 501(c)(3) non-profit |
| Location | |
| Method | experimental theater, experience design ensemble |
Members | 20+ |
| Website | newparadiselaboratories |
History
editFounded in 1996 by Whit MacLaughlin, New Paradise Laboratories (NPL) has created an average of one original performance work each year since its founding. Their work has been presented as part of the FringeArts Festival (formerly Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe), the Humana Festival of New American Plays, Children's Theatre Company, and in residencies with universities all over the United States.
Grants and recognition
edit- 2002: Pew Charitable Trusts Fellowship in Performance Art Grant to Whit MacLaughlin
- 2003: National Endowment for the Arts Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Artistic Advancement Grant
- 2003: Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour artist[1]
- 2004: Creative Capital MAP Fund grant recipient[2]
- 2006: "Best of Philly: Theater Company" by Philadelphia Magazine[3]
- 2007: F. Otto Haas Emerging Artist Award recipient Matt Saunders. Among the nominees were also Lee Ann Etzold and Jeb Kreager.[4]
- 2010: MAP Fund grant recipient[5]
- 2010: Jorge Cousineau named "Artist of the Year" by Philadelphia Weekly[6]
Company members
edit
- Whit MacLaughlin (Artistic Director) - he has conceived, directed, and designed 20 original performance works with the company since its inception in 1996. Since 1978, he has acted in, directed, or written over 100 theatre productions.[7]
- KC Chun-Manning (Managing Director) - served from 2015 to 2020 and remains active on Board of Directors.[8]
Productions
edit| Year | Production | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | "Stupor" | Philadelphia, PA | Barrymore Award nominee for Outstanding Choreography[9] |
| 2000 | "The Fab 4 Reach the Pearly Gates" | New York City, NY | Obie Award winner[10] |
| 2001 | "This Mansion is a Hole" | Philadelphia, PA | Barrymore Award nominee for Outstanding Sound Design (Whit MacLaughlin)[11] |
| 2003 | "Rrose Selavy Takes a Lover in Philadelphia" | Philadelphia, PA | Barrymore Award nominee for Outstanding Ensemble in a Play[12] |
| 2004 | "Prom" | Minneapolis, MN | Children's Theatre Company |
| 2005 | "Planetary Enzyme Blues" | Philadelphia, PA | PECO Energy Award nominee for Outstanding Lighting Design (Mark O'Maley)[13] |
| 2006 | "Prom" | Minneapolis, MN | Children's Theatre Company (second production), deemed Best Stage Production 2004. |
| 2007 | "Batch: An American Bachelor/Ette Party Spectacle" | Louisville, KY | World premiere: Humana Festival of New American Plays (Louisville, February 2007). Regional premiere: Philadelphia Live Arts Festival (Philadelphia, September 2007) |
| 2008 | "Prom" | Philadelphia, PA | Residency at Drexel University. Barrymore Award nominee for Outstanding Choreography/Movement (Lee Ann Etzold and Whit MacLaughlin)[14] |
| 2010 | "Freedom Club" | Philadelphia, PA | With the Riot Group & Adriano Shaplin[15] |
| 2011 | "Freedom Club" | New York, NY | Off-off Broadway[16] |
| 2013 | "Prom" | Wilmington, NC | Professional Partnership with the University of North Carolina at Wilmington Department of Theatre |
References
edit- ^ "Artist Roster: New Paradise Laboratories". Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour. Archived from the original on 28 March 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "MAP Fund". Multi-Arts Production Fund. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "Best of Philly 2006 Theater Company". Philadelphia Magazine. Archived from the original on 24 March 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "2007 Nominees and Recipients". Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "MAP Fund". Multi-Arts Production Fund. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "PW's Artist of the Year: Jorge Cousineau". Philadelphia Weekly. Archived from the original on 8 September 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "Ensemble Members". New Paradise Laboratories. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
- ^ "NPL Story: Company Staff". New Paradise Laboratories. Archived from the original on March 28, 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "2000 Nominees and Recipients". Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ Miriam Seidel. "At Obie Awards, A Philadelphia Winner". Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on June 12, 2012. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "2002 Nominees and Recipients". Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "2004 Nominees and Recipients". Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "2006 Nominees and Recipients". Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "2008 Nominees and Recipients". Theatre Alliance of Greater Philadelphia. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "Adriano Shaplin, Whit MacLaughlin: Freedom Club". The New York Theatre Experience, Inc. Archived from the original on March 23, 2011. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
- ^ "New York Times: Theater". The New York Times. Retrieved 26 July 2011.
External links
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to New Paradise Laboratories.