The Delaware Arts Alliance released a long-awaited, 213-page plan Tuesday that highlights the benefits of the creative economy and its effects on attracting tourism that ultimately generate $3.7 billion. “This will be the first plan of its type in the nation,” said Neil Kirschling, executive director of the alliance in a press conference last week. “No other state has attempted …
5 named young playwrights by Delaware Theatre Co.
Five Delaware high schoolers have been honored by the Delaware Theatre Company as 2023-2024 Delaware Young Playwrights winners. This year’s winners are: Amara Harrison (Charter School of Wilmington): “You Remind Me” Emily Howard (Charter School of Wilmington): “Splinter” Valentine Logan (William Penn High School): “Hatshepsuts Djed” Darby Ann Tisdel (MOT Charter High School): “Best Friends” Mia Trotter (Appoquinimink High School): …
Children’s Theatre seeks its tribe to help mark 50 years
If you ever performed with Delaware Children’s Theatre, helped get shows on to the boards or brought grandkids to enjoy a performance in the historic Victorian building, your tribe is hunting for you. On Jan. 27, the theater will celebrate its 50th season, the stewardship of John and Marie Swajeski and decades of bringing theater to families with the 50th …
DSO guest conductor chose a life of the baton in high school
The guest conductor who will lead the Delaware Symphony Orchestra Friday plunged into music after a grammar school test showed he had an aptitude for it. A native of Durham, North Carolina, André Raphel said the schools then gave students a test to determine if they had a musical aptitude and an aptitude for playing a musical instrument. “It was …
‘Pretty Woman’ actress says characters ‘pop’ more on stage
Rae Davenport’s favorite scene in “Pretty Woman: The Musical,” playing this weekend at The Playhouse on Rodney Square, involves her walking into a scene that shocks her into exclaiming “Oh, my God.” She won’t give away which scene, but hints that the audience really enjoys the moment. In a musical based on a 1990 movie about the romance between a …
Brandywine Festival of Arts adds holiday sale on Riverfront
Delaware event impressario Barry Schlecker, who organizes September’s popular Brandywine Festival of the Arts, has always wanted to do an indoor arts show. Urged by painter friends who won’t do outdoor shows and inspired by their studio tours, Schlecker decided this year to approach the Chase Center on the Riverfront about a holiday event. Artists had told him they’d participate …
DelShakes director David Stradley to leave at end of 2023
David Stradley, who helped Delaware Shakespeare evolve from a one-trick pony to a multifaceted year-round organization with multiple programs, will leave at the end of 2023. The 21-year-old arts organization will start a search for two new leaders — a managing director and an artistic director — to replace Stradley, who led Delaware’s only professional Shakespeare organization as producing artistic …
Plein air artists descend on Hagley for a day of painting
On Thursday morning, plein air artist Denise McDaniel was scoping out just the right setting for her work at Hagley Museum and Library. Location is key, said McDaniel, a Columbus, New Jersey, resident who was part of 50 artists with the American Impressionist Society visiting Hagley and Winterthur Museum, Gardens and Library this week as part of their 24th Annual …
Arts leaders to gather Wednesday to talk about growing sector
Arts, business and political leaders will gather Wednesday, Aug. 2, at the Milford Public Library Amphitheater to talk about the creative economy. The meeting at 10 a.m. will focus on the “Creative Economy and Cultural Tourism Recovery and Growth Plan” that’s been put together by the Delaware Arts Alliance and is expected to include government agencies at local, state and …
DSO’s 23-24 season: guest conductors, John Williams salute
The Delaware Symphony Orchestra’s 2023-24 season will feature traditional classical programs interspersed with Hispanic and Latin-inspired works, a celebration of the music of John Williams and a chamber concert devoted to African music. Along the way, three guest conductors will handle baton duties when Music Director Laureate David Amado isn’t on the podium to open and close the season. “It’s …