New Paradise Laboratories (NPL) is a 501(c)(3) experimental theater ensemble based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1996, NPL collaborates with artists from a variety of disciplines, including web designers, visual artists, writers, philosophers, composers, and architects, as well as performers who work together to create interactive theater works.
Founded in 1996 by Whit MacLaughlin, New Paradise Laboratories (NPL) has created an average of one original performance work each year since its founding. Their work has been presented as part of the FringeArts Festival (formerly Philadelphia Live Arts Festival and Philly Fringe), the Humana Festival of New American Plays, Children's Theatre Company, and in residencies with universities all over the United States.
Grants and recognition
2000: Obie Award for "The Fab 4 Reach the Pearly Gates"
2002: Pew Charitable Trusts Fellowship in Performance Art Grant to Whit MacLaughlin
2003: National Endowment for the Arts Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Artistic Advancement Grant
2003: Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour artist
2004: Creative Capital MAP Fund grant recipient
2006: "Best of Philly: Theater Company" by Philadelphia Magazine
2007: F. Otto Haas Emerging Artist Award recipient Matt Saunders. Among the nominees were also Lee Ann Etzold and Jeb Kreager.
2010: MAP Fund grant recipient
2010: Jorge Cousineau named "Artist of the Year" by Philadelphia Weekly
Whit MacLaughlin (Artistic Director) - he has conceived, directed, and designed 20 original performance works with the company since its inception in 1996. Since 1978, he has acted in, directed, or written over 100 theatre productions.
KC Chun-Manning (Managing Director) - has been with NPL since August 2015.
Emilie Krause (Performer) - has worked with NPL since 2011
Kevin Meehan (Performer) - has worked with NPL since 2011
Matteo Jones Scammell (Performer) - has worked with NPL since 2011
Julia Frey (Performer) - has worked with NPL since 2011
Lee Ann Etzold (Performer) - a founding member
McKenna Kerrigan (Performer) - has worked with NPL since 1999
Jeb Kreager (Performer) - a founding member, he has performed and co-created 13 shows
Mary McCool (Performer) - a founding member
Aaron Mumaw (Performer) - a founding member
René Ligon Hartl (Performer) - a founding member
Matt Saunders (Designer/Performer)
Jorge Cousineau (Video and Sound Design)
