Name: Rachel Laibson 
Career: arts administrator
Home: Philadelphia
Hails from: Haverford, PA
Relationship Status: Single
Spotted on a typical Philadelphia Saturday night: Dancing to funk music in West Philly
Next Project: An Evening of Shadow Dancing (Dancers perform behind a screen with a back light.)
Tell us about PIFA
The Philadelphia International Festival of the Arts (PIFA) is one of the most dynamic projects I have had the pleasure to work on. For more than two years, I have watched its progression from the genesis of an idea to a full-blown Festival.
PIFA’s programming pays homage to the artistic energy of Paris from 1910-1920.
Artists flocked to Paris during that time because of the freedom the city provided artistically. When artists were not given a voice in other parts of the world, Paris would accept them with open arms. I wish I could have been there, but we are trying to recreate that kind of electric energy in Philadelphia this April.
How did you guys come up with the idea to base the festival around this theme?
The Festival began as a celebration of the work of Igor Stravinsky, a Russian composer who lived in Paris at the turn of the 20th Century. As the artistic producer and others discussed this idea, we decided to expand the theme to include all artists who were finding their way in Paris during that time. Eventually the theme took on a life of its own, and the Festival grew to include exploring artistic themes from Philadelphia 2011 inspired by those of Paris 1911.
You’re from Philadelphia
I’m Philly proud! I grew up experiencing concerts of The Philadelphia Orchestra, Pennsylvania Ballet and the Opera Company of Philadelphia.
I hear you used to perform with the Pennsylvania Ballet Company
I studied at the School of the Pennsylvania Ballet and performed in numerous productions including the Nutcracker, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
And you were a founding member of Philadelphia Queer Playback. What was that like?
This was one of my most favorite artistic endeavors. We were a small troupe of gays, lesbians, and bis performing a form of improvisational theater called Playback Theater. The premise is that the audiences’ stories are retold or played back through dance, theater, movement, music, singing, etc. This was particularly important to focus on queer stories since those tend to be ignored or marginalized in our society. My favorite role was the sparkly diamond ring I got to play that a lesbian give to her girlfriend!
If we’re coming in for the last weekend, where should we stay?
I would stay right in the heart of the gayborhood around 12th and Locust, which is also very close to the Avenue of the Arts.
If someone’s in Philadelphia for only 24 hours, what should they do?
The Barnes Museum has one of the world’s most significant collections of impressionist paintings. When you’re done at the Barnes, you can get lost in the 9,200 acres of Fairmount Park, or stroll along both sides of the Schuylkill River. At night come to the Kimmel Center for a show of dance, music or theater. When your performance is done, head to South Philly for a mouth watering cheese steak.
