DRAG ARTS ORAL HISTORY PROJECT (DAOHP)

Founded in 2021 with lead support and funding from the Independence Public Media Foundation, The Drag Arts Oral History Project we aims to get back down to the roots of “drag” and explore the genre as a unique and distinct art form in its own right. Through the use of oral history methods and social impact strategies, we respectfully offer up narrative power to the form’s community of practitioners, help to build connections and resources for drag artists, and explore the genre through an artistic and activist lens.  

Our initial release of our beginning archive of in-depth interviews with over 17 of Philadelphia’s most dynamic drag artists/producers begins Spring 2024!

Learn more at www.dragartsohp.com

THE PEGAO PROJECT (TPP)

Pegao - that incredibly flavorful and distinctly textured layer of burnt and crunchy rice at the bottom of any well worn caldero - provides our inspirational departure point as we use food, memory, and story to build community and vision together. The cultural significance of pegao extends beyond its culinary appeal, symbolizing a connection to heritage and the ability to transform. While the meaning of the word has its roots in the Spanish verb “pegar”, which means “to stick,” our take on the word “pegao” provides frames for us to explore in that are both literal and metaphorical.

TPP’s inspiration is a testament to the resourcefulness and creativity of ancestral and contemporary cooks who learned to make the most of their cooking methods, tools and ingredients. Today, pegao (while it may go by different names outside of Puerto Rico) is an integral part of many Latin American cuisines, adding distinctive touches to dishes such as arroz con pollo, arroz con gandules, paella, and other rice-based recipes.

By weaving together the threads of food, memory, and story, The Pegao Project aspires to illuminate the multifaceted nature of Latinidades and the Latine diaspora, fostering appreciation, empathy, and connection across diverse communities. This project serves as a testament to the power of interdisciplinary exploration in promoting cultural understanding, documenting personal and public histories, and celebrating the vibrant contributions of Caribbean and Latin American communities to the American and global cultural mosaic.

THEATER OF WITNESS: The CLEAN Project//Cleaning in the House of Healing

Wilfredo Hernandez, CAC Founder + CEO, is proud to be serving as Senior Producer of this work supporting Theater of Witness and its Founder + Artistic Director, Teya Sepinuck.

The CLEAN Project is an original Theatre of Witness storytelling project created and directed by Teya Sepinuck in partnership with Constance Turner, Jerome Smith, Shamona Jones, Gloria Monson, Nicole Champlan, and El-Shara Scott, six Environmental Service Associates (EVS), or ‘cleaners,’ who clean hospital trauma bays, operating rooms, emergency departments and patient rooms. The project explores their personal and collective stories about the experiences and emotional effects of cleaning in a hospital setting following trauma, violence, illness, and care. This ambitious project, spanning two years, is a unique partnership between Theater of Witness, Penn Medicine, and Public Trust, and is supported by lead funding from the William Penn Foundation. 

"Cleaning in the House of Healing" is written and directed by Artistic Director, Teya Sepinuck, directly from the words and stories of the performers. It also includes original music by Niyonu Spann and cinematic imagery by Dax Roggio. Cleaning in the House of Healing is a collaboration between Theater of Witness, Penn Medicine and Public Trust.

The first year culminates in public performances of Cleaning in the House of Healing at the Penn Live Arts - Harold Prince Theatre on June 13th and 14th, 2024. You can learn more and follow the project here: THEATER OF WITNESS