Andrew Simonet is a choreographer and writer, and the founder of Artists U. He was, from 1993 to 2013, a founding co-director and choreographer of Philadelphia’s Headlong Dance Theater. His projects included CELL, a performance journey for one audience member at a time guided by your cell phone, and This Town is a Mystery, performances by four Philadelphia households in their homes, followed by a potluck dinner. Since leaving Headlong, Andrew has written fiction; his debut novel Wilder will be published in November 2018 by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. His work has been supported by The Creative Capital Foundation, The National Endowment for the Arts, The Pew Charitable Trusts, The Rockefeller Foundation, The Japan Foundation, and The New England Foundation for the Arts and by residencies at Yaddo, Ucross, Hambidge, and Marble House Project. His work has been produced by Dance Theater Workshop (NYC), The Kyoto Art Center, P.S. 122 (NYC), Central Park Summerstage, The Jade Festival (Tokyo), The Philadelphia Live Arts Festival, The Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, and the Portland Institute for Contemporary Art. In 2005, Andrew founded Artists U, an artist-run incubator for helping artists make sustainable lives. Artists U has programs in Philadelphia, Baltimore, and South Carolina, and does workshops and community building nationally. He is the author of Making Your Life as an Artist, published by the Ford Foundation. He is an artist leader of Creative Capital’s Professional Development Program.
With one of the tallest buildings – and most spectacular views – in town, the Hugh’s View rooftop terrace serves as The Studios’ creative space in the sky. The terrace sits four stories above street level and offers panoramic views of the island. The Kitwald Stage glows in the golden twilight of our sunset performances.
With original seating from its days as a Masonic temple, the Helmerich Theater has been updated to also include floor seating. As a black box theater, the set up is intimate but professional, and sets the stage for concerts and performances that leave guests feeling like they really got to know the performer.