PAC Con is an annual gathering for performing arts groups to learn, share, and build community.
Save the Date!
This year’s Performing Arts Council Conference will take place on Thursday, September 26th through Sunday, September 29th. Remember: groups in the Performing Arts Council have attendance quotas and some sessions will be mandatory.
Now accepting presenters and proposals
We are excited to once again offer a Call for Proposals for anyone who wishes to participate. This means we would love to hear your suggestion for a session topic – or even better, your proposal to lead your own PAC Con session. Students, faculty, staff, and community partners are welcomed to propose content! Please submit proposals by Sunday, 9/1.
Register now for the October sessions of PAC Con 2024!
This year’s PAC Conference begins on Thursday, September 26th and runs through October and November.
PAC Con is open to all students with an involvement in the performing arts. Check the session listing and RSVP to let us know you’re coming!
For PAC Groups, mandatory attendance is as follows:
- Pre-Prod Form Review
Thursday 9/26 @ 6pm-6:50pm, Zoom
Producer must attend if group is producing a Fall Semester show - Intro to Penn Live Arts and IGT
Thursday, 9/26 @ 7pm-7:50pm, Platt House
Groups producing shows in Prince, Zell, and IGT must attend - Saw and Order
Thursday, 9/36 @ 7:00-7:50pm and Friday, 9/27 @ 3pm-3:50pm, PAC Shop
Groups planning to build in the PAC Shop must attend - Shop Hours, Load-ins, and Strikes (Oh, My!)
Friday, 9/29 @ 5pm-5:50pm, PAC Shop
Mandatory for Technical Directors in TAC-e, Singers, Bloomers, Mask & Wig, and the Glee Club.
- ADDITIONALLY, 20% OF YOUR MEMBERSHIP MUST ATTEND ANY OTHER SESSION(S) OF THEIR CHOICE
- For example, if you have 20 members and 3 members have to attend some mandatory sessions, then 1 more member has to choose a different session to attend.
Contact the PAC Exec Board if you have questions or conflicts that prevent you from meeting your attendance quotas.
Extra Extra…
Arrive early or stick around after your sessions to pick up a meal, available on Thursday 9/26 in the Platt House lobby!
After each session in Platt House, fill out a Review Card to choose a prize out of our PAC Con Treasure chest!
Thanks for a great PAC Con 2024!
This year’s Performing Arts Council Conference has been a blast! We loved seeing you throughout the Fall responding to the great session content, digging into the Pattaya dinner, and finding unexpected swag in the post-session treasure chest.
We want to hear from as many people as possible about their experience. What did you like, and what could be better? Let us know on the PAC Con 2023 Survey.
PAC Con 2024 Materials:
Review recordings, slides, and resources from our PAC Con sessions so far!
Intro to Penn Live Arts and IGT
Take a scroll through PAC Con History...
PAC Con 2023:
Our conference on September 28 – October 1, 2023 featured content from our partners across campus, including the Office of Student Affairs, Penn Live Arts, Penn Violence Prevention, Restorative Practices @ Penn, Student Activities Council, Theatre Arts Program, and Wellness @ Penn.
Thursday, 9/28
Presented by Michael Lentskevich and Juliet Dempsey.
Want to learn to use the light board for your show? Want to get paid for doing tech gigs? Join us for a hands-on introduction to the ETC Element Light Board, used in Class of ’49, the Prince Theatre, and Iron Gate Theatre.
Friday, 9/29
Presented by Amanda Labonte (PAC Shop) and Liam Hoare.
Presented by Imani Hester and Jenn Mirel (Restorative Practices @ Penn).
For training on the shop saws, attend Saw and Order on Saturday or throughout the semester.
Saturday, 9/30
Presented by Amanda Labonte (PAC Shop), Liam Hoare, and Walli Chen.
Presented by Julie Millisky (Penn Violence Prevention).
Presented by Megan Higgins.
Sunday, 10/1
Presented by Michael Lentskevich and Juliet Dempsey.
Want to learn to use the light board for your show? Want to get paid for doing tech gigs? Join us for a hands-on introduction to the ETC Element Light Board, used in Class of ’49, the Prince Theatre, and Iron Gate Theatre.
PAC Con 2022:
The fifth annual PAC Conference on September 29 – October 2, 2022 was organized in partnership with the 22-23 PAC Exec Board, Career Services, the LGBT Center, the Office of Social Equity and Community, the Office of Student Affairs, the Penn Museum, Penn Live Arts, the Student Activities Council, the Theatre Arts Program, the Weingarten Center, and Wellness at Penn.
Thursday, 9/29
Presented by Amanda Labonte, Adam Riggar, and Chris Kessler.
Face time with your show venue managers to review venue rules, and develop a checklist for the work leading up to your show.
THIS SESSION IS MANDATORY FOR FALL SHOW PRODUCERS OF PAC ORGANIZATIONS.
Presented by Danielle Fike, Laurie McCall, and Evan Bean.
We’ll run through all the rules and best practices for your groups expenses, sales, and documentation.
THIS SESSION IS MANDATORY FOR TREASURERS OF SAC-FUNDED PAC ORGANIZATIONS.
Presented by Tommy Christaldi
Join Platt House’s After School program to mentor local kids in dance, singing, instruments, and theatre! At ASAP orientation you’ll learn best practices and mandatory guidelines for working with young artists.
Please fill out the ASAP Interest Form in advance of this session if you are interested in becoming a mentor.
Pick up a meal to go in the Platt House Lobby or at the PAC Shop.
Presented by Amanda Labonte and Megan Edelman.
We’ll run through all the information needed to put on a production – from where you start to how you end, and all the forms in between!
THIS SESSION IS MANDATORY FOR PRODUCERS AND/OR TECHNICAL DIRECTORS OF FALL SHOWS.
Presented by Amanda Labonte and Devi Bass.
Not sure how to talk to your audio engineer to get ‘the perfect’ sound? Don’t have a sound person in your company? Find out all the information someone needs to make you sound good!
THIS SESSION IS MANDATORY FOR GROUPS PERFORMING WITH MULTIPLE MICROPHONES.
Presented by Michelle Moller and Will Brooks.
This session provides training and certification required to use the PAC Shop saws.
LIMITED CAPACITY.
THIS SESSION IS MANDATORY FOR ANYONE PLANNING TO BUILD IN THE PAC SHOP. IT WILL BE REPEATED THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER.
Presented by Amanda Labonte.
Do you like cake? Do you like props that don’t melt under the hot stage lights, and won’t attract ants? Come ‘bake’ a piece of cake with us.
Presented by Michael Lentskevich.
Want to learn to use the light board for your show? Want to get paid for doing tech gigs? Join us for a hands-on introduction to the ETC Element Light Board, used in the Prince Theatre and in Iron Gate Theatre.
Presented by Michelle Moller.
What’s a Cricut Maker and how can it help us? Come get hands on experience using the maker software and find out what it can do!
Friday, 9/30
Presented by Malik Muhammad, Megan Edelman, Nicole Maloy, and Sara Outing.
This session is specifically for groups who have already created positions specific to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Access initiatives, like DEI Chairs, etc.
DEI Chair and at least one other board member must attend if group has a DEI-related position.
Presented by Cat Johnson.
Learn the tricks of how scrim works, paint your own small panel, and test its effects on a miniature lighting rig.
Presented by Amanda Labonte, Ellie McKeown, and Kaitlin Molloy
What does Accessibility look like in relation to the performing arts? How do you navigate requests for accessibility and accomodations for your crew, production staff, cast, and audience?
Presented by Amanda Labonte, Dana Cohen, and Will Brooks.
We’ll run through all the information needed to put on a production – from where you start to how you end, and all the forms in between!
THIS SESSION IS MANDATORY FOR THEATRICALLY STAGED PRODUCING GROUPS, INCLUDING: TAC-e, Singers, Bloomers, Mask & Wig, and Glee
Pick up a meal catered by University City favorite, Pattaya Thai Cuisine!
Presented by Amanda Labonte.
This session provides hands on training with the sound board, and is intented for anyone interested in running sound this semester.
THIS SESSION IS LIMITED CAPACITY, BUT WILL BE REPEATED ON THURSDAYS THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER.
Saturday, 10/1
Pick up lunch catered by our upstairs neighbor on Spruce Street, El Taco!
Presented by Adam Riggar.
Learn the basics of paint itself, how to use it and misuse it to make scenery and props magic. Learn what binder, pigment, and vehicle have in common and how to manipulate them into show-stopping* textures and finishes! *An expression: properly applied textures and finishes should not stop an actual performance.
Presented by the 2022-23 PAC-Exec Board: Devi Bass, Jack Franklin, Jess Lin, John Fath, Julia Lottman, and Tommy Christaldi.
New to PAC, or just trying to get your bearings? This session is for anyone who needs an intro to Platt House and PAC, a face for the names in your inbox, or a glossary for the avalanche of acronyms that comes along with Penn’s performing arts scene.
On Saturday we hand it over to the independent performing arts groups for an afternoon takeover in the Platt House lobby! We invite all performing arts groups working outside of the Performing Arts Council to get on the mic, share a video, or give a demo to represent your group! Snack, sip, and commune with other groups to learn what they do, how they work, and how you might band together to support your peers.
Bonus: this event will have a videographer onsite to capture photos and video for your future promotions.
Presented by Amanda Labonte, Dana Cohen, and Will Brooks.
What is the PAC Shop and what do we do? Come for a tour of the PAC Shop, and get your questions answered. This session is intended for new students.
Presented by Breyasia Scott and Niara Urquhart.
Are you the Historian for your group – or, more likely, does your group have no Historian at all? In this session we’ll hear about best practices for documenting and storing records of the life of the group; how to share and engage with your past; how to use Anniversary years as an opportunity to connect with alumni, fans, and audiences; and how to use The Penn Museum as a resource for all of the above!
Presented by Amanda Labonte, Dana Cohen, and Will Brooks.
This session will explore the various methods of rigging microphones to actors when they need to dance and sing. Topics include: hiding mics in hairlines or wigs, how to attach mics to various hairlengths, and how to keep the mic on someone’s head!
Presented by Dr. Bess Rowen
Need to talk about personal space – but not sure how? Dr. Bess Rowen joins us on screen to explain her methods of theatrical Intimacy Choreography, highlighting the tools that artists of all genres can use to navigate personal space and touch – as dance partners, costumers, dueting performers, and fellow actors. This session is equally helpful for performers identifying their boundaries and for stage managers, directors, and choreographers looking for ways to invite and empower bodily agency in rehearsal and on stage. Topics will include Buttons, Boundary Work, and Levels of Touch.
Presented by Amanda Labonte.
How do you get costumes from the PAC Shop, and what does the PAC Shop have? This session will go over all of the logistics surrounding the costume shop and how to use it.
Presented by Amanda Labonte.
This session provides training and certification required to use the PAC Shop saws.
THIS SESSION IS MANDATORY FOR ANYONE PLANNING TO BUILD IN THE PAC SHOP. IT WILL BE REPEATED THROUGHOUT THE SEMESTER
We’ll have an assortment of games, including Jackbox packs, board games, and more at the PAC Shop!
Sunday, 10/2
Presented by Michael Lentskevich.
Want to learn to use the light board for your show? Want to get paid for doing tech gigs? Join us for a hands-on introduction to the ETC Element Light Board, used in the Prince Theatre and in Iron Gate Theatre.
PAC Con 2021: Reorienting, Resetting, Reuniting
The fourth annual PAC Conference on September 23-36, 2021 was organized in partnership with the 21-22 PAC Exec Board, the Office of Student Affairs, Venue Partners, and Philly Asian Performing Artists.
Thursday, 9/23
Best practices on how to work with your organization’s alumni! Learn more about Penn Alumni Relations and the resources available to students and student organizations.
Review venue rules, learn backstage COVID policies, and develop a checklist for the work leading up to your show. Watch a recording of the session here and video from the PAC Shop here. Also review:
– Slide Deck
– Handout from PAC Shop
– Handout from Penn Museum
– Handout from Visual Sound
– Steps for A Cappella & Other Productions
– Steps for Dance Productions
– Steps for Theatre Productions
A multidisciplinary panel about tactics that incorporate a culture of care.
Learn the ins and outs of navigating backstage during COVID.
Pick up your gourmet popsicle from this West Philly favorite!
Friday, 9/24
This event is specially designed for first- and second- year students to help you get familiar with campus arts centers!
Brainstorm, catch up on news, or just say hi! Peers and Staff can help you work through ideas about your group’s new initiatives, contingency planning, or whatever else is on your mind.
Improvisational techniques and games to learn how to get out of our heads and respond honestly in interviews.
Learn basic sound setup including how to set up microphones for your productions.
Learn proper care and sanitization techniques for the different styles of microphones. Watch a recording here.
Best practices for group purchasing, sales, and documentation.
– Watch a recording
– OSA Treasurer Training Document
Explore the PAC Shop to learn how we can help with technical elements for your productions.
RSVP to reserve a personal pizza for the road.
West African and Afro-Cuban dance and percussion taught by professionals, for all levels!
Saturday, 9/25
Penn Live Arts presents this experiential, open-ended collection of pieces is based on native birdsong.
Come get certified to use the PAC Shop saws. This session is for anyone planning to build in the shop.
Hazing prevention, intervention, reporting, and reorienting our understanding of hazing as a spectrum of problematic behaviors.
How do we pass on institutional knowledge about operations and traditions to future boards?
Find ways to engage and interact with the West Philadelphia and University City neighborhoods though our service and mentoring initiatives.
What can we do to dismantle and re-envision the structures of artmaking with a new focus on wellness, equity, and trust?
We missed Taco Tuesday, so how about Burrito Saturday?
Sunday, 9/26
Welcome back – or in this case, welcome! PAC-Exec board will help you get the lay of the land, including spaces, events, and all those acronyms.
Stretch out with friends after a long week!
PAC Con 2020: Virtual Edition
The third annual PAC Con was held on October 9-11 with sessions contributed by the 20-21 PAC Exec Board, University Life, The Annenberg Center, and the Office for Social Equity and Community. This weekend of virtual programming included online rooms for conversation over meal breaks, and a Tech Hour meet-and-greet to address tech roles, production management, and design for the virtual semester.
Writing a Land Acknowledgement
How to develop, and present Land Acknowledgement statements for in-person and virtual events
Keynote: Racial Justice & Art Making
A space for reflection, resolution-making, and community healing.
Marketing & Social Media
Tips from staff and students on how to make your online presence engaging, inviting, and inclusive.
Virtual Pre-Production (Video Production & Editing)
Technical resources for recording, streaming, or collaborating online.
Untangling Rights
How to request rights for the use of copyrighted music, text, or choreography on different platforms.
New to PAC
An intro to the Performing Arts Council’s governing body, PAC-Exec, and the compacts that PAC follows.
Connecting Virtually
Soft skills, strategies, and social considerations to make Zooming more fun and more effective.
Hazing Prevention
What constitutes hazing, how to address it, and how to devise inclusive practices for member engagement.
PAC Con 2019: Keep Calm & PAC Con
PAC Conference 2018: Building A Stronger Community
