About Us

Platt Student Performing Arts House
160 Stouffer Commons
3702 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6026

Need an elevator?

Platt House Hours

Fall 2024 Finals Hours
Thursday, 12/19: 10am-midnight
Friday, 12/20: 10am-5pm
Saturday, 12/21 – Sunday, 12/22: CLOSED
Monday, 12/23: 10am-5pm
Tuesday, 12/24: 10am-2pm
Wednesday, 12/25 – Thursday, 1/2: CLOSED
Friday, 1/3: 10am-4pm

Spring 2025 Hours
Monday – Thursday: 9:00 AM – Midnight
Friday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM (10:00 PM, if no event)
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM (8:00 PM, if no event)
Sunday: 10:00 AM – Midnight

Platt House’s lounge and rehearsal rooms are accessible via reservations and walk-ups. An active PennCard is required for access, with exceptions for special public events. Please check our social media pages for holiday closures and special event hours.

Platt Student Performing Arts House
160 Stouffer Commons
3702 Spruce Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6026

Need an elevator?

Platt House Accessibility PDF ♿

Platt House Hours

PAC Shop
4100 Walnut Street
2nd Floor
Philadelphia, PA 19104-6026

If you are using a GPS (walking), follow directions for: 200 S 41st St, Philadelphia, PA 19104

The Entrance to the shop will be to the right, under the Restaurant Management Banner. There is a keypad on the black door, and a labeled doorbell to the left of the door.

♿ The shop is located on the second floor. The main access points involve a flight of twenty four stairs, or a steep (10 degree slope) ramp. For elevator access into the shop, please text or email us.

PAC Shop Hours

The PAC Shop is accessible via walk-ups (times are posted in the Request form) and reservations, which must be submitted at least 24 hours notice if you need access.

Stay up to date!

Subscribe to Platt House email communications below:

Platt House Newsletter (4 issues per year)
Student Performances Newsletter (Weekly)
Community Ticketing Program Listserv (Weekly, seasonal)
SPARep (Student Performing Arts Reps (for independent and PAC group representatives): email Platt House to be added
PAC-Rep (for PAC group representatives): email PAC-Exec to be added
Update our contacts for your performing arts group

Our Mission

Platt Student Performing Arts House provides leadership and support for the creation and implementation of arts programming for students at the University of Pennsylvania:

Supporting Penn’s 70+ student performing arts groups, which stage over 100 comedy, spoken word, dance, theatre, and music events each year

Committing to the learning and development of student artists through trainings, workshops, masterclasses, and career mentorship

Facilitating youth arts mentorship, community outreach, and engagement with the regional arts industry.

Our Values

Welcome!

You have a home at Platt House.We believe that our mission to support the student performing arts touches everyone at Penn. Artmaking is inherent to all of us, and Penn’s performing arts are instrumental in reducing the psychological size of the University, forming communities out of individuals, and helping students recognize and affirm our common humanity. Our aim is to help you build these affirming spaces, stitched together by creative passion and shared development. We seek to continuously amplify the joy, purpose, and artistry in your creative pursuits, inviting all of Penn to grow with you.

Community.

The value of any collective artwork comes from the strength of its community. Our student performing arts community is made up of over a thousand people with their own affinities and experiences, an array of media, forms, and practices, and a flow of impactful missions and ideas. Our goal is to display this community in all its diversity and inspire you to meaningful collaboration. We strive to support and uplift your presence here by fostering comfort, engaging earnestly with challenges, and nourishing your creativity.

Equity.

We believe that equity, access, and inclusion are the central tenets of just organizations, imaginative art, and meaningful programming. Building a thriving arts ecosystem requires us to recognize and repair the harm that artmaking structures can perpetuate. We share the responsibility to create an informed and empathetic space with the resolve to dismantle sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia, xenophobia, and all covert and overt forms of prejudice and discrimination. Through continuous learning and thoughtful, identity-conscious programming, we work towards building a generous and just performing arts infrastructure that will help all members flourish.

Empowerment.

The performing arts are an environment for experiential, tactile, and emotional learning that can empower its makers and audiences. Drawing from the resources of our city, campus, and experienced staff, Platt House acts as a scaffold and safe haven for creative students as you attempt, envision, and bring to life moments that will land among the most memorable chapters of your Penn adventure. We serve as collaborators, cheerleaders, and advisors, reminding you and ourselves of the importance of doing it for yourself, failing fantastically, and writing in pencil. And when stress inevitably comes, we give ourselves and each other grace, we rest, and we reflect, before diving back into the arts galvanized anew.

Respect.

Creativity thrives in an environment of reciprocal respect, and we want that affirmation to be palpable within Platt House and among all of Penn’s student performing artists. Our intersectional and inclusive ideas of community guide our actions. We celebrate the interplay of all our identities and seek spaces to share our personal experiences and truths. We believe that mutual, affirming respect allows tough conversations to happen while magnifying the goodwill necessary to actualize substantive, lasting change.

Wellness.

You are a human first. We prioritize wellness in all its spheres, and recognize our shared need to balance our creative passions and academic goals with health and safety in mind. We provide the tools and environment to assist you in managing stress for yourself and your artist community, while leaving space for the influx of effort and exertion that follows inspiration. We embrace failure and imperfection as part of the artistic journey. We encourage you to take the necessary time and space to set boundaries, build mindful practices, reflect, and evolve, so that all artists can feel supported in showing up, participating, and leaving enriched by art.

Our Team

Laurie McCall

(she/her/hers)

Director

Laurie McCall has been working in the Division of University of Life at Penn since 1992 where she started as Assistant Director of New Student Orientation for the Department of Academic Support Programs. After starting a family in 1999, she remained on a part time basis to run the PennQuest Pre-Orientation Program. In 2007, she returned to full time to work for the Platt Student Performing Arts House and Pre-Orientation Programs. Her role expanded in 2013 as she took on the Director position. She holds a B.S. in Education from Kutztown University and a M.A. in Communication Studies from Bloomsburg University.

Groups Laurie Advises

African Rhythms
After School Arts @ Penn
Counterparts
Dischord
DJ@P
Freaks of the Beat
Full Measure
Glee Club
Kapacity
New Spirit of Penn Gospel Choir
Penn Dhamaka
Penn Hype Dance Crew
Penn Improv Society
Penn k-Beats
Penn Singers
PenNaach

Megan Edelman

(she/her/hers)

Associate Director

Megan Edelman has been a part of the University of Pennsylvania since 2007. As an undergraduate student, she worked for the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. After graduating, she joined the alumni development and alumni relations team for the Perelman School of Medicine and later served as the Rodin College House Coordinator. Megan holds a BA in English Literature from Penn and a Master’s degree from Penn’s College of Liberal and Professional Studies. In addition to serving the students of Penn, she is an actor and performance artist, and she enjoys applying her passion for the arts to her work each day.

Groups Megan Advises

Atma
B&G (Bounce & Groove)
CityStep Penn
Excelano Project
Fuerza
MMDC (Miss May Dance Crew)
Pan-Asian Dance Troupe
Penn Art Club
Penn Chinese Dance Club
Penn Latin Ballroom Dance (PLBD)
Penn Masti
Penn Sargam and Alaap
Pennchants
Soundworks Tap Factory
Stimulus Children’s Theatre
Strictly Funk Dance Company
The Inspiration
Without a Net
The Menagerie
Monolith Black Arts Collective

Sara Outing

(she/her/hers)

Program Coordinator

Sara Outing is an arts administrator, advisor, and proud alum of the Theatre Arts Program. Moonlighting as a designer, deviser, and fabricator in the Philadelphia regional theatre industry, she serves Penn with a mission to empower young creatives as they claim artistic identities, encourage dialogue that untangles the relationship between artistic excellence and nourishing art practices, and to act as a liaison between students and the city’s performing arts communities. Stop by her office to peruse the Platt House tea expansion set!

Groups Sara Advises

African American Arts Alliance
Arts House Dance Company
iNtuitons Experimental Theatre
Keynotes A Cappella
Monolith Black Arts Collective
Penn Band
Penn Chinese Theatre
Penn Dance Company
Penn Dure
Penn Enchord A Cappella
Penn Lions
Penn Masala
Pennsylvania Players
Penn Records
Penn Yalla
Penn Six-5000
Sparks Dance Company
The Protagonists

Justin Gotzis

(he/him)

Administrative Coordinator

Justin Gotzis is an artist, writer, musician, and Bucks County native. He completed his degree in New Media Arts and Global Studies at Carnegie Mellon University in December 2022, and has enjoyed assisting organizations such as the Center for Emerging Visual Artists, Philadelphia, and the Chautauqua Institution School of Art.

Groups Justin Advises

Quaker Girls

Amanda Labonte

(she/her/hers)

Technical Advisor, PAC Shop

Contact Amanda for all things technical, video editing, and PAC Shop questions.

Groups Amanda Advises

Bloomers
Front Row Theatre Company
Off the Beat
Onda Latina
Penn Illusionist
Penn Jazz Ensemble
Quadramics Theatre Company
Simply Chaos
Upstage
West Philly Swingers
Penn Ballet
Penn Raas
Penn Thillana
WAVe (West African Vibe)

Stephen Peterson

(he/him/his)

Shop Supervisor, PAC Shop

Stephen (He/Him) has been living in Philadelphia and working at theatres around the city since 2018. When he isn’t at the shop, working in his other role at Penn as a Standardized Patient, or at one of his other jobs, he enjoys watching sports, playing games with his friends, and exploring new trails with his partner Mia!

Jordyn

(she/her/hers)

Student Assistant

Jordyn is a rising senior studying Bioengineering in SEAS and GSWS in the College. On campus, she is involved in iNtuitons, Onda Latina, NSBE, Alpha Omega Epsilon, and Osiris Senior Society. She also participates in research CHOP. If you see her around, definitely make sure to ask about her hair color and nailes, extensive Spotify playlist collection, and love of spreadsheets! Jordyn is excited to be back at Platt for her final year, and can’t wait to see you in the space

Liam

(he/him/his)

Student Assistant

Liam is a Miami native who is currently a senior studying PPE, Political Science and Mathematical Economics. When Liam is at Platt House he can either be found, brewing tea, fighting one of platts beloved printers or staging a heist of the candy in Laurie’s office. When Liam is not at Platt he can be found at home, in bed, sad he isn’t at Platt House.

NuAmen

(pronouns)

Student Assistant

NuAmen is a MEAM major in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. On campus, he is involved with the Inspiration Acapella, NSBE, and various community service clubs. In his free time, he likes to listen to music and solve crossword puzzles!

Victoria

(she/her/hers)

Student Assistant

Victoria is a sophomore in the College studying Health and Societies with a concentration in public health. On campus, she is the Chapter Recruitment and Retention Advisor for Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., is the Chair of External Affairs for the Latinx Coalition, and is a vocalist for Fuerza! She is always open to chat about anything, and is excited to welcome you into Platt for the year and support everyone in their performance endeavors

Affiliated Staff

Michelle Moller – PAC Shop Assistant

Nick Seymour – PAC Shop Assistant

Rachel Katra Beal – Artistic Director, Penn Dance Company

Ryan Tomski – Director, Penn Jazz Ensemble

Sam Scheibe – Director, Penn Glee Club