Philadelphia, PA - Theatre Philadelphia is proud to announce hiring of Sabriaya Shipley (she/they) as their new Executive Director. Shipley brings a wealth of experience in theatre, education, and community organizing to the role.
Shipley is a Philadelphia-based playwright, poet, educator, storyteller, artist, and community ethnographer who has worked with many organizations and theatre companies in the city, including Theatre Exile, Power Street Theatre, Painted Bride Art Center, Colored Girls Museum, Mural Arts Philadelphia, Philadelphia Young Playwrights and more. They hold a BA in Theatre from Temple University and an MA in Social Justice and Community Organizing from Prescott College. In 2021, they were named an A+ Educator by Philadelphia Family Magazine and a Black Lives Matter Philly Educator /Fellow.
“As an LGBTQ Black artist, my journey in theatre in Philadelphia has met me with several opportunities to collaborate at the intersections of various communities," said Shipley. "I look forward to the opportunity my leadership at Theatre Philadelphia gives me to create archives honoring a thorough and inclusive history of theatre in Philadelphia."
Shipley is determined to cultivate performance art and archival spaces centered around the expressive freedom of Black, Brown, and Indigenous communities while also creating programming for youth engagement. They are also focused on fostering conversations that acknowledge problems with actions that meet solutions.
“On behalf of the board, I would like to let you know how thrilled we are to have Sabriaya helming Theatre Philadelphia," said Jason Linder, President of the Theatre Philadelphia Board of Directors. "Her skills and experience offer an embarrassment of riches in organizing production education and development."
With the hiring of its new Executive Director, Theatre Philadelphia looks forward to continuing its mission as it recovers from the pandemic while helping shape future generations of theater-makers.
