Theater arts council (tac-e)

What is TAC-e?

TAC-e is one of four subcommittees under the Performing Arts Council (PAC). PAC is a kind of union of approximately 45 different student performing groups, and PAC groups get priority performance and rehearsal spaces among other benefits. There are also non-PAC groups, including a theatre group focused solely on works by Shakespeare. TAC-e consists of seven theatre groups, each of which is made up of an all-student administrative board that runs auditions, organizes production staffs, and generally manages every show that the group produces (normally between one and three each school year). Each TAC-e show has a unique cast and production staff, which contribute to the culture of each TAC-e group and to the TAC-e community at large.

All seven groups have a unique mission, though their styles or genres do overlap sometimes. Missions are based on cultural and ethnic relevance, social relevance, dedication to community service, experimental forms of expression, student vs. professional direction, Penn traditions and history, target audience, religious relevance, and more. These missions guide show choice and the overall culture of each group and are not meant as exclusionary boundaries. Visit each group's website (available on the Theatre Arts Council's homepage) in order to learn more about each group's mission and culture as well as what shows and events they will be producing this year.

All seven TAC-e groups participate in two collaborative productions each school year: Small Fall and the One Acts Festival. Small Fall is a full length production organized over the summer and performed in early September, while One Acts is a collection of short one act plays organized in between fall and spring semesters and performed in late January or early February. Both productions provide great opportunities to experience Penn student theatre as an audience member or for any student to try a new aspect of theatre themselves, either in the spotlight or behind the scenes. There are also TAC-e wide social events throughout the year, including a theatre community-wide scavenger hunt in September and a pizza party in April.

Please contact Gisela Garrett, the TAC-e chair, at giselatg@sas.upenn.edu for more information about TAC-e as a whole, about any of the seven individual groups, or for specific details about upcoming shows and events.