International Performing Arts for Youth is thrilled to launch IPAY Kindling at FringeArts, a brand new extension of their yearly Kindling programming in their home city of Philadelphia. Join us for a full day of free conversations and a discounted performance of A Billion Nights on Earth, as we challenge the assumption that professional performing arts for young people is not as sophisticated, intelligent and provocative as it can be for other audiences (those we call adults).

Saturday, September 16

Welcome / Introduction & Provocation
10:30am–11am, FringeArts Theater

We envision a world in which artistic excellence and innovation in performing arts for young audiences are nurtured, supported and expanded. We are especially excited to be working within the Philadelphia community to develop this vision. Partnering with FringeArts, we challenge the assumption that professional performing arts for young people is not as sophisticated, intelligent and provocative as it can be for all other audiences (those we call adults).

Prepare to be surprised!

In Critical Conversation with Thaddeus Phillips & Other Guests
11am–12pm, FringeArts Theater

A facilitated critical response conversation with respected artists that have created artistic experiences for and accessible to young audiences. This conversation will explore the creative process of these artists specific to considering young people as an important audience and responder to their work and how it may differ (or not) to work created for adult consumption.

Facilitated by Boomer Stacey (IPAY) with Thaddeus Phillips (A Billion Nights on Earth), Whit MacLaughlin (New Paradise Laboratories), Ty Defoe (co-writer of CRANE with Heather Henson) Wendy Bable (Freelance Director and Creative Consultant) and other guests to be announced.

12:00 – 1:45 pm
Lunch break

Performance: A BILLION NIGHTS ON EARTH: Thaddeus Phillips + Steven Dufala
2:00pm – 3:00pm, FringeArts Theater
Use the discount code “IPAY” to get 30% off tickets to this showing when you have another IPAY event in your cart!

A late-night trip to the refrigerator for a glass of milk opens a door to another dimension in this theatrical epic inspired by pop-up books, Kabuki stagecraft, and parent-child relationships. Eschewing the shoulds and should-nots of adulthood for the anarchic laws of play, visionary director Thaddeus Phillips (17 Border Crossings, Red-Eye to Havre de Grace, 2017 Next Wave) and Obie Award-winning installation artist Steven Dufala (The Object Lesson, HOME) conjure a spectacular quest through space and time, guided by sleight-of-hand stagecraft, a cinematic score by Juan Gabriel Turbay, and the limitless possibilities of the imagination. When a treasured object goes missing, real-life father and son actors Michael and Winslow Fegley must rely on their own creativity, and each other, to survive a world of wild landscapes-and still make it back home.

Kitchen Table – Challenging Conventions and Exploring New Ways of Thinking
4pm–5:30pm, United by Blue Coffee Shop
144 North 2nd Street, Philadelphia, PA

The Kitchen Table is an open format environment in which every opinion and perspective is valued and encouraged. Pass the gravy and engage in the conversation! Imagine dinner with your entire extended family. We’re not looking for agreement or consensus. We do want to hear about what you think and how your experience work for young people.