Contact us
Platt Student Performing Arts House160 Stouffer Commons3702 Spruce St.Philadelphia, PA 19104-6026215.898.2312 P215.575.8056 FPlatthouseATpobox.upenn.eduStaff
Director – 215-898-2312
Ty A. Furman has been advising and facilitating Arts organizations and programs at Penn Since 1997. He holds a Doctorate in Education from Penn's Graduate School of Education and a Masters in Theatre from Villanova University. He is a founding member of Arts Administrators in Higher Education, the Arts Markeing Committee at Penn and the Arts Development Group at Penn. Ty currently serves on the Board of Directors of Brat Productions in Philadelphia and as the President of the Juniata College Delaware Valley Regional Club. From 1997 to 2003 he served as the Executive Director of the Barrymore Award winning Vagabond Acting Troupe.
Associate Director - 215-898-7038
Laurie McCall has been working in the Division of University of Life at Penn since 1992 where she started as Assistant Director of New Student Orientation for the Department of Academic Support Programs. After starting a family in 1999, she remained on a part time basis to run the PennQuest Pre-Orientation Program. In 2007, she returned to full time to work for the Platt Student Performing Arts House and Pre-Orientation Programs. Laurie was just recently elected as the Chair-Elect for the Penn Professional Staff Assembly. She holds a B.S. in Education from Kutztown University and a M.A. in Communication Studies from Bloomsburg University.
Technical Supervisor – 4100 Walnut, 215-898-5823
Peter Whinnery has been serving the technical needs of performing arts groups and supervising the tech shop at Penn since 1982. Peter holds an MA in Theatre from the University of Michigan and a BA in Mathematics from Albion College. Peter also teaches design through the Theatre arts program and is the resident designer for the Barrymore Award winning Interact Theatre Company in Philadelphia.
Assistant to the Director
Maria Fumai Dietrich
New to University Life Arts Initiatives, Maria Fumai Dietrich is excited to learn more about Penn and its students. Maria holds a Master of Science degree in arts administration from Drexel University, a Bachelor of Arts degree in vocal performance from Concordia College and a professional certificate in performing arts administration from New York University. Currently, she is working towards a Master of Arts in Public Leadership (MAPL) from The Lutheran Theological Seminary at Philadelphia. As part of this program, Maria is studying at Temple University's Fox School of Business. In addition, she works part-time as a survey assistant for the Philadelphia Museum of Art. From 2007 through 2009, Maria served as an administrative assistant for Settlement Music School, the largest and one of the oldest community schools of the arts in the United States. Since moving to Philadelphia in 2007, it has been Maria's pleasure to explore the city's tremendous arts and culture scene, which she is always eager to talk about.
Additional Staff:
Michelle Moller - Technical Assistant, 215-573-8647
C. Erik Nordgren, Ph.D – Glee Club Director, 215-898-4533
Greer Cheeseman – Penn Band Director, 215-898-8719
Ed Wise – Penn Jazz Ensemble Director
Nancy Kantra – Penn Dance Director