James Mitchell, Sydney Crutcher, Alana Davenport & Christopher Ellis. Photos courtesy of John Bivens Photography.
Artists and arts groups enrich the community year-round—and are appreciated year-round.
But this appreciation reaches an apex each May when one person and one organization receive a special recognition—the “Arts Awards.”
For 29 years, Theatre Harrisburg has bestowed this prestigious honor, whose official title is the Award for Distinguished Service to the Arts in the Capital Region.
This year, the individual award actually goes to a couple—Ya-Ting Chang and Peter Sirotin, musicians, music educators and arts administrators. Sankofa African American Theatre Company will receive the organization award.
Sirotin, a violinist, and Chang, a pianist, are co-directors of Market Square Concerts. In addition, Sirotin has been concertmaster of the Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra since 2011, and the pair co-founded the Mendelssohn Piano Trio.
Ya-Ting Chang and Peter Sirotin
Sirotin said that he and Chang were “humbled and touched” by the Arts Award.
“Our association with the Harrisburg arts community has grown steadily over the last 25 years because of the many brilliant, talented and supportive people who make artistic life in central PA so robust and interesting,” he said. “It has been an honor and a privilege to contribute to the vitality of the arts in this region.”
Sankofa was incorporated in 2017. Its mission is to engage and enrich the Harrisburg region around African American history, culture and perspective on relevant issues through thought-provoking theater.
Sharia Benn, president and artistic director of Sankofa, said that she experienced “a mix” of emotions upon hearing of the honor.
“At first, I was shocked because we’re a young, small, BIPOC, grass-roots theater organization that doesn’t fit the mold of the legacy arts organizations in this area,” she said. “But the same reasons that caused me to feel shocked were the ones that made me feel honored and proud to be recognized by our peers for the work we are doing to build a more equitable arts community in and out of the theater.”
History, Accomplishments
The awards are presented under the auspices of Theatre Harrisburg, one of the oldest arts organizations in Harrisburg. Each year, a selection committee composed of past honorees or their representatives suggests the next possible recipients, who are then voted on.
The awards are then presented at a grand gala, which uniquely includes tributes and a full stage production created and performed specifically for the honorees.
“They never know ahead of time what will happen on stage,” said Mike Greenwald, who helped establish the Arts Awards. Mark Lingenfelter, performer, director, choreographer, teaching artist and area native, is responsible for production and staging.
The recipients both have a rich history and many accomplishments to draw on.
Now entering its fifth decade, Market Square Concerts is older than many similar organizations in the country.
“Chamber music offers a uniquely intimate artistic experience, which is particularly nourishing to our spirits in the increasingly fractured and chaotic world,” Sirotin said. “We believe that listening to Schubert’s immortal ‘Death and the Maiden’ quartet can connect people from all demographics, socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds to their shared humanity on a deeper level than their differences.”
In addition to these “powerful and deeply enriching” musical experiences, the couple sees Market Square Concerts as “uniquely positioned for community and educational outreach.”
“From special educational presentations to homeschoolers and K-12 students, to masterclasses and lecture series at higher-ed institutions, we reach thousands of young people every year, and hope to continue expanding that role,” Sirotin said. “We also look forward to continuing our many collaborations with Whitaker Center, Harrisburg Symphony Orchestra and Gamut Theatre, among others.”
Sankofa’s origins date to 2015, when the founders of Open Stage of Harrisburg and actors from the cast of several August Wilson productions began dialogue about the need for a local theater presence in which actors of color could take ownership of their own stories.
According to Benn, Sankofa aims to highlight African American history and culture to drive positive change, equity and healing for artists and the community at large.
“Sankofa’s impact over the six years of its existence includes 15 productions and programs and over 10,000 participant touchpoints,” she said. “Sankofa is bringing diversity to local theater in a way that challenges audiences and artists to see and hear each other in a new way and gives space for civic dialogue.”
The Arts Awards gala takes place May 20, 5:30 to 9 p.m., at Whitaker Center, 222 Market St., Harrisburg. For reservations and sponsorships, visit www.theatreharrisburg.com/artsawards.
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