Congratulations to the Class of 2024!
Please join us at the
Student Performing Arts Awards Celebration
and Alumni Reception
Friday, May 16th @ 3pm – 5pm,
Platt House Lobby
Accessibility
Platt House’s main entrance uses a staircase. An ADA accessible entry pathway is available through the Stouffer Commons entrance, located nearby. Please reach out to our staff at platthouse@pobox.upenn.edu for help with these or any other accommodations!
Meet the 2025 Award Winners
Announcing the winner of the Stephen Goff Award:
Vivek Nair, VIPER’25
Penn Dhamaka, CityStep Penn
The Stephen Goff Award for Student Performing Arts, presented by the Mask and Wig Club, is awarded to a graduating senior demonstrating commitment and leadership in the student performing arts. The 2025 Award goes to Vivek Nair for outstanding service, commitment, and care poured into the student performing arts community.
Vivek’s four years at Penn are marked by enthusiastic involvement, leadership, and service in all things dance-related.
Holding stellar leadership positions in Dhamaka while volunteering his time as a set builder, workshop leader, and CityStep teacher, Vivek’s overall willingness to lend a hand wherever it’s needed makes him stand out as true leader in the student performing arts. Between hours dedicated to choreography, youth mentorship, and hammering away in the PAC Shop, he shows the utmost care for his fellow students and has left an indelible mark on the dance community at Penn.
Announcing the winner of the Möller Fresnel Award:
Eug Xu, C’25
iNtuitons, TAC-e, Assistant TAC-e Chair
The Möller Fresnel Award for Outstanding Contributions to the Tech Community is awarded to highlight and elevate the contributions of a technician in the senior class who selflessly supports, builds, and elevates the tech community. The 2025 Award goes to Eug Xu, in recognition of their untiring commitment and effort towards building art, stories, and community.
Eug has been the go-to person for all things fabric during their time at Penn. From creating the huge fabric drop named Harold, to tech directing, makeup designing, textile dramaturging, Eug has been an instrumental member for all groups they’ve interacted with. We are excited to honor Eug with this award!
Announcing the winner of the Francis Johnson Baton Award:
The Quaker Girls Dance Team
Paul Robeson High School Coaching, Young Quakers Clinic
The Francis Johnson Baton Award recognizes a student performing arts group demonstrating meaningful and consistent community service. The 2025 Award goes to the Quaker Girls Dance Team, whose “belief in the transformative power of dance and mentorship” touched the lives of young participants in their workshops and dance clinics. Partnering with the Netter Center for Community Partnerships, their work to develop inclusive, creative spaces for children in the Philadelphia area took the form of large public events and consistent, direct coaching. Thank you to Quaker Girls for their work uplifting and empowering the next generation!
Announcing the winners of the Wallace and Whinnery Summer Internship Awards:
Elliot Ross-Dick, C’27
Theatre Arts Program, Mask and Wig, Quadramics, TAC-e
The George & Jane Wallace Summer Performing Arts Internship Award provides Penn undergraduates with funds to support a summer internship in a professional performing arts or related entertainment organization. The 2025 Award goes to Sophomore Elliot Ross-Dick, who will gain first-hand experience this summer working with 1812 Productions here in Philadelphia!
Riley Eastham, C’27
UME, SPEC
The George & Jane Wallace Summer Performing Arts Internship Award provides Penn undergraduates with funds to support a summer internship in a professional performing arts or related entertainment organization. The 2025 Runner-up Award goes to Sophomore Riley Eastham, who will gain first-hand experience this summer working with PBS Kids.
Anushka Kulkarni, C’26
Theatre Arts Council student groups, Penn Live Arts Advisory Council
The Peter Whinnery Summer Arts Internship Award provides one Penn undergraduate with funds to support a summer internship in a professional performing arts or related entertainment field. The 2025 Award goes to Junior Anushka Kulkarni, who will pursue opportunities to work in development with performing arts presenting organizations this summer.
Congratulations to our graduating seniors!
The Senior Spotlight Awards
These Seniors are awarded a Spotlight Award by their peers, in gratitude for their vision, creative excellence, and impact on the performing arts community. You inspire us. We can’t wait to see you shining your light out in the world beyond Penn!
Click on each image below to read testimonies from the peers who nominated these seniors.
