In the Wings: Ethan Lipton, Jamie Leonhart, and Migguel Anggelo

Our special series featuring the talented theatre residency artists at the Kimmel Center.

The Kimmel Center’s Theatre Residency Program features five talented artists who have collaborated with both the Center and New York City’s famed Joe’s Pub for a summer workshop. The goal: develop new works in the heart of the Kimmel’s creative incubator, the SEI Studio. We had a chance to chat with the artists, and this week, we’ll be sharing their answers to our rapid-fire Q&A. Today, we’re featuring artists Ethan Lipton, Jamie Leonhart, and Migguel Anggelo. See part one of 0ur feature here.

My name is… Ethan Lipton

I am a… Capricorn and a lover of long waks, and I just released my fourth studio album (Raw Milk) with my band (Ethan Lipton & his Orchestra), and I just started this interview with a plug, which is pretty tricky.

When I get to opening night for this residency, I will… Be missing my bandmates, Eben Levy, Ian Riggs and Vito Dieterle. They were here developing this new piece with me last week, but they’ve since dispersed to the four corners of the world, so I’ll have no one to give me a massage before the show. Also, I’m imagining my performance will be fairly short without them.

My favorite part of developing this show is… Time and space, otherwise known as artist caviar.

My first stage kiss… Was lippy.

The first play I was in was… A pantomime I wrote with my friends Krista and Emily. I got hit in the nuts. It was a big hit with the other 6-year-olds.

My dream role is… Brioche.

The worst costume I ever wore was… I don’t think of it as a costume. I think of it as the uniform I wear to work. Whether or not the cape is comfortable is not the issue.

My surprising celebrity crush is… Idris Elba. I mean, I don’t know if that’s surprising. Like most people, there just aren’t too many days in this life when I don’t think about Stringer Bell.

The most famous person I’ve ever met… My dog Harold. Everybody loves this dog, it’s kind of annoying.

The last thing I binge-watched… The NBA draft.

To stay in shape I… A push-up a day, baby.

The last time I dined out in Philadelphia, I ate… Schelsingers hit me with a high-quality tuna sandwich yesterday. Is it the bread? Do they put extra salt in the rye bread? Mm-mm-mm, that was good.

The best show I saw in Philly recently… This lady on South Broad was doing a sort of Kung Fu Fosse thing that I really enjoyed.

The best thing about this theatre residency project is… Friends.


My name is… Jamie Leonhart. My parents decided to keep things simple and not give middle names to their children. In grade school I lived in a predominately Italian and Irish Catholic town and all my friends had middle names. I petitioned to add “Ann” as my middle name, but was denied.

I am a… lefty. I have the ability to hyper-extend my left elbow, which is a very good party trick. I am a songwriter and lyricist. I am a mother and wife. I am an educator.

When I get to the work in progress showing for this residency, I will… be in the moment. Part of the beauty of this residency is that we have been given time and space to work without expectation of a finished product. So all I can do is be present and see what wants to unfold that day.

My favorite part of developing this show is… the time afforded. The opportunity to work with director Joanna Settle. The pleasure of checking-in every morning with four other artists and their teams.

To get into character, I… well, my character is essentially me. So I get grounded and present. (And make sure that I’ve emptied my bladder.)

My first stage kiss… I’m not an actor, so any kiss I have on stage is real.

The first play I was in was… Marat Sade. Performing arts camp when I was 11 years old.

My dream role is… collaborating with Elvis Costello.

The worst costume I ever wore was… anything terrible I’ve ever worn was completely self-inflicted…and I don’t realize it until years later. The best/worst/most questionable outfit I’ve ever worn on stage was at the same performing arts camp. Same year. My friend Samara Teitelbaum and I did a strip-tease while singing Big Spender from Sweet Charity. We positioned the head of the camp, Al Appel, in a chair on the stage and used him as our focus. We stripped down to bikinis and very high-heeled Candies. Pre- pubescent bodies in the moth-flickered spotlights.

My surprising celebrity crush is… why surprising? I have a few, but I guess if it had to be a little off the “expected” (who for me would be Gregory Peck and Hugh Jackman as Wolverine, among others) I would say Dr. Sanjay Gupta.

The most famous person I’ve ever met… I was and continue to be most tongue-tied and sweaty when anywhere near Elvis Costello.

The last thing I binge-watched… Season Two of Orange is the New Black.

To stay in shape I… walk with purpose. And practice yoga.

The last time I dined out in Philadelphia, I ate… avocado toast at Pain Quotidien. Just finished it a moment ago.

The best show I saw in Philly recently… Hands Up, Flashpoint Theater.

The best thing about this theatre residency project is… same as my favorite thing about the residency. Time, inspiration, freedom to create…


My name is… Migguel Anggelo

I am a…  a free spirit who loves to sing, dance, and dream for a better world.

When I get to opening night for this residency, I will… be grateful to share my new material.

My favorite part of developing this show is… waiting to see how the audience will react!

To get into character, I… Breathe.

The first play I was in was Pinocchio: “The Musical.”

My dream role is… the MC in Cabaret.

The worst costume I ever wore was… A tree in a play in Venezuela.

My surprising celebrity crush is…  Salvador Dalí

The most famous person that I ever met was… Glenn Close

The last thing I binge-watched… Golden Girls

To stay in shape I… go to the gym and eat Nutella.

The last time I dined out in Philadelphia, I ate… Pizza.

The best thing about this theatre residency project is… meeting super talented artists and being creative every second.