Student Performing Arts and Platt Student Performing Arts House Director	Print Issue
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Laurie McCall has been named Director of Student Performing Arts and The Platt Student Performing Arts House. Ms. McCall had been interim director since 2012 and associate director since 2007. Her appointment was announced by the Vice Provost for University Life, Dr. Valarie Swain-Cade McCoullum.

 “I’d like to thank the extraordinary students, faculty and staff who assisted me in this national search,” Dr. McCoullum said. “It is a testament to Laurie’s effective leadership and collaborative partnership with Penn’s student-led performing arts community that she has been chosen as our new director.”

 “I am grateful for this opportunity,” Ms. McCall added, “and excited to move forward in supporting the creative goals of our students.”

Student Performing Arts advises and supports student-led Penn performing artists. Its programs offer leadership development and career training that nurtures students’ creativity, management and oversight of their performing arts organizations.

In her new position, Ms. McCall will support 43 organizations in the Performing Arts Council and oversee events in The Platt Performing Arts House, named for 1979 graduates Marc E. and Julie Beren Platt. As director, Ms. McCall also will coordinate local engagement efforts supporting the Penn Compact, such as the Platt After School Performing Arts at Penn Program.
As associate director, Ms. McCall expanded Platt’s after-school arts program (from 16 to 38 children each semester) and more than tripled the number of performance tickets (from 180 to 600 a year) donated by PAC groups committed to providing free performances for community audiences. Ms. McCall has also served as chair of the Penn Professional Staff Assembly.

Ms. McCall came to Penn in 1992 as assistant director of Academic Support Programs. In that role, she coordinated all undergraduate, graduate and professional student orientation programs.

Ms. McCall previously served as director of Student Activities and Orientation at York College. She earned a BS in education from Kutztown University and a MA in communication studies from Bloomsburg University.