The Cannonball festival has become a vital part of Philadelphia’s experimental theater scene since its inception in 2021, emerging from the shadows of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Founded by Nick Jonczak and a group of ambitious theater and circus artists, the festival quickly gained momentum, showcasing 28 performances in its first year.
By 2022, Cannonball’s offerings doubled to 65 shows, and in 2023, it exploded to 154 performances across four venue hubs, further cementing its significance in the artistic community.
However, the whirlwind success brought overwhelming responsibility for the organizers, particularly for Jonczak, who felt the pressures of managing numerous shows and producing a smooth audience experience.
Faced with burnout, the founders recognized the need for a break after a relentless three years and decided to implement a four-year rotation plan aimed at preventing future fatigue among their team.
This plan not only provides rest but also allows newcomers to participate actively in the festival’s production, enabling a fresh pool of ideas and artistic decisions while ensuring that the original team could recover from the strains of leadership.
Jonczak chose to embrace this restorative phase by reducing his hours at his IT day job and dedicating his newfound time to playwrighting, which he regards as his true passion.
The 2024 Cannonball festival marks Jonczak’s return, but with a more measured approach as he takes on a hybrid role, stepping back to allow others the opportunity to make decisions in line with the festival’s vision.
In an interview, co-founder Ben Grinberg emphasized the importance of diversifying decision-making to prevent artistic stagnation, which can occur when the same group consistently influences the direction of the festival.
Their time away granted the duo fresh perspectives, helping them recognize the intrinsic value of rest, and they viewed it as essential for personal and artistic growth moving forward.
The Cannonball festival is set to run from September 1 to 28, featuring approximately 140 shows and 400 performances across several venues including the Drake, the Icebox Project Space, and the Asian Arts Initiative.
In support of independent artists, Cannonball has distributed $40,000 in grants for diverse works, promoting initiatives for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color artists, along with support for immersive performances and children’s programming.
With so much talent on display, Jonczak shared a few highlights to look out for in this year’s festival.
One notable piece, “Reminiscenia,” features Chilean artist Malicho Vaca Valenzuela, who recounts his family’s experiences using digital storytelling, with a poignant backdrop relating to love and dementia.
Another exciting performance is “Ethiopian Dreams” by Circus Abyssinia, a vibrant circus exploration of two boys’ hopes of joining the circus, filled with dazzling acts of juggling and acrobatics.
John Michael Play’s one-man show, “Spank Bank Time Machine,” aims to blend the dramatic with the comedic while addressing important issues, capturing audiences with a theatrical tutorial on the life-saving drug NARCAN.
In addition, Anna Snapp presents “I Found That The Sun Will Rise Tomorrow,” sharing her personal journey through sexual trauma with a fresh and insightful perspective.
“An Evening With Complicity Huffman” brings a unique voice to the stage as Fargo Nissim Tbakhi intertwines critical themes of literary capitalism and social injustice.
Finally, the detective murder mystery “Zap,” performed entirely in American Sign Language, reflects Cannonball’s commitment to accessibility and inclusion in the arts scene.
This year, audiences can also look forward to “Americannibal,” a dark musical comedy that builds on a previous success from the festival’s inaugural year.
The Cannonball festival’s resilience and adaptability showcase the vibrancy and tenacity of the Philadelphia arts community as they continue to forge ahead, embracing rest as an integral part of growth.
As much as it’s about the performances, it’s also about the collective journey of artists seeking both a platform and a sustainable way to create art in the aftermath of a challenging few years.
Through mindful planning and a focus on community, Cannonball not only offers a stage for new voices but also sets an example for other festivals to foster a healthier creative environment.
image source from：billypenn
