Sharing Talents Through Technology

“I joined The Inspiration because the music appealed to me,” says Rahul Naidoo, C’22, Director of the a capella group that celebrates the legacy of the African Diaspora. “Beyond that, the group has become a second family.”

When the COVID-19 pandemic devastated live arts, many student groups found clever ways to adapt, including creative YouTube performances devised while distancing.

Returning to the stage has reinvigorated both the sense of community and the pride of performing.

“We livestreamed our fall show in the Harold Prince Theater at the Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts,“ says Naidoo. “To be able to perform at such a renowned facility elevates how we can express ourselves and shows that Penn truly values students having high-caliber experiences in the arts.”

Thanks to a gift from Jeff Smith, W’94, PAR’22, PAR’25, and Marnie Naiburg-Smith, PAR’22, PAR’25, Penn Live Arts will be able to amplify these student experiences. By equipping theaters in the Annenberg Center and the Iron Gate Theater with state-of-the-art PTZ (Pan, Tilt, Zoom) 4K high-definition cameras, student performers will be able to reach a wider audience and archive high-quality recordings.

“Our daughters are involved in the arts, but we cannot always see them perform live,” says Smith. “Even when we can, we often want a recording to share with family. We knew that when Penn students came back to the stage, it would be a great benefit for them to have the ability to stream and preserve their outstanding performances.”

“Penn students get an incredible academic experience,” says Naiburg-Smith, “and having creative outlets—and opportunities to enjoy each other as well as world-class artists visiting campus—makes for a truly well-rounded education. We joke that our daughters found buildings at Penn that Jeff didn’t, including the Annenberg Center.”

The new cameras can be controlled remotely and affixed to discreet locations around the theater without affecting seating capacity. The technology helps ensure an exceptional in-person experience while creating stronger connections to the global community of Penn friends and family.

“Many Penn students in the performing arts come from all over the world,” says Naidoo, a Delaware resident who has family in South Africa. “Now, everybody we care about will be able to see our performances.”

During the pandemic, when these young people lost so much, the ability to share their art is more important than ever.”Marnie Naiburg-Smith, PAR’22, PAR’25

Smith and Naiburg-Smith have long supported Penn and Wharton students in many ways, including establishing a scholarship and the Jeffrey Smith Alternative Investment Term Fund to provide support for the Harris Family Alternative Investment Program. They also contributed to the Wharton Undergraduate Vice Dean’s new initiatives for student wellness, which will expand access to health and wellness resources on campus. Jeff serves as a member of the Wharton Undergraduate Board and frequently returns to campus as a guest speaker.

“Marnie and I want to help Penn continue to provide life-changing events for as many students as we can, whether through philanthropy or volunteering,” says Smith. ”I constantly hear from students how much it means to have active alumni and family involvement.

“Attending Penn was the first choice I really made for myself,” he continues. “I fell in love when I visited it, and that love continues today.”

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