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 MacLaughlin2003: National Endowment for the Arts Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Artistic Advancement Grant2003: Pennsylvania Performing Arts on Tour artist2004: Creative Capital MAP Fund grant recipient2006: "Best of Philly: Theater Company" by Philadelphia Magazine2007: F. Otto Haas Emerging Artist Award recipient Matt Saunders. Among the nominees were also Lee Ann Etzold and Jeb Kreager.2010: MAP Fund grant recipient2010: Jorge Cousineau named "Artist of the Year" by Philadelphia WeeklyWhit 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 2011Kevin Meehan (Performer) - has worked with NPL since 2011Matteo Jones Scammell (Performer) - has worked with NPL since 2011Julia Frey (Performer) - has worked with NPL since 2011Lee Ann Etzold (Performer) - a founding memberMcKenna Kerrigan (Performer) - has worked with NPL since 1999Jeb Kreager (Performer) - a founding member, he has performed and co-created 13 showsMary McCool (Performer) - a founding memberAaron Mumaw (Performer) - a founding memberRené Ligon Hartl (Performer) - a founding memberMatt Saunders (Designer/Performer)Jorge Cousineau (Video and Sound Design)
