Highmark Blue Shield market president Dan Tropeano, center, cuts the ribbon for the Highmark Mann's Golden Reveal ceremony. He is joined, left to right, by City of Philadelphia chief strategy and partnership officer Patricia Wellenbach, Councilmember Curtis Jones, commissioner of Philadelphia parks and recreation Susan Slawson, founder of Satell Institute Ed Satell, and TD Bank head of US corporate citizenship Shelley Sylva.
Monday, June 15, 2026
PHILADELPHIA (June 15, 2026) — Today, Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts officially unveiled its reimagined campus during its Golden Grand Reveal, marking one of the most significant milestones in the organization’s history as it launches its landmark 50th anniversary season.
Opening originally in 1976 during the nation’s Bicentennial celebrations, Highmark Mann now enters a new era as Philadelphia takes center stage once again during America’s Semiquincentennial year. The unveiling reintroduces the beloved cultural institution for a new generation through sweeping physical renovations, immersive storytelling experiences, expanded public spaces, artistic installations, and state-of-the-art performance enhancements designed to elevate every aspect of the audience and artist experience.
The transformation represents the largest infrastructure investment undertaken by Highmark Mann since the opening of its current venue 50 years ago. Funded through the organization’s $70 million 50th Anniversary Campaign, the multi-phase project reshapes the guest experience across the Center’s 21-acre campus in Fairmount Park while honoring the venue’s legacy as one of the nation’s foremost outdoor performing arts centers.
“We are not simply unveiling new buildings or amenities, but we are reintroducing Highmark Mann for its next 50 years,” said Catherine M. Cahill, president and CEO of Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts. “As Philadelphia welcomes the world during the Semiquincentennial, this campus transformation reflects the energy, creativity and ambition of our city itself. We wanted to create an experience that feels worthy of this historic moment while remaining deeply connected to the generations of Philadelphians who have made memories here for decades, and true to Freddy Mann’s original vision of the venue as a welcoming gathering place where world-class artistry and community come together. From the arrival experience to the artistry, technology and acoustics, every detail was designed to honor our history while boldly looking ahead to the future of live performance in Philadelphia.”
"As the world looks to Philadelphia in celebrating America’s 250th birthday, we are thrilled and proud to welcome visitors to discover the very best of our city,” said Mayor Cherelle Parker. “Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts has been a cornerstone of our cultural life for nearly a century, and this season’s world-class performances will add profoundly to the diverse experiences that make our city a premier global destination.”
"Strong, healthy communities are built on connection, opportunity, and whole-person wellness. Highmark is excited to celebrate this notable moment in the venue's history and in honor of its legacy of bringing people together through memorable shared experiences," said Dan Tropeano, market president of Highmark Blue Shield and Highmark Mann board member. "We look forward to our continued collaboration in harmonizing health with arts and culture for the well-being of our community."
In front of the Hollywood-style Highmark Mann sign is Highmark Blue Shield market president Dan Tropeano, director of communications Denee Crumrine, lead brand activation strategist Molly Fallone, executive vice president chief marketing officer Craig Riner, lead community affairs specialist Jane Brooks, and senior vice president of government affairs and SEPA corporate affairs Ken Lawrence.
A Reimagined Arrival Experience
At the heart of the transformation is the dramatically expanded plaza and entry experience, which triples the footprint of the former entry area to more than 62,000 square feet and establishes a new first impression for the venue.
Designed by EwingCole, the new plaza draws inspiration from the natural beauty of Fairmount Park and introduces a more open, intuitive and welcoming experience for concertgoers. The redesigned campus features a grand entry canopy, expanded concessions and gathering areas, additional restrooms, interactive digital installations, enhanced wayfinding, and new patron amenities intended to improve circulation and comfort throughout the venue.
The project also debuts Highmark Mann’s first-ever enclosed Welcome Center, featuring a new ticket office, retail space and the Music Hall of Fame, which showcases archival displays and an interactive touchscreen jukebox exploring the venue’s rich musical history and legendary performers.
Additional upgrades across the campus include a new gift shop, expanded concessions and points of sale, renovated seating and lighting throughout the TD Pavilion, and enhanced accessibility improvements designed to support the evolving needs of audiences for decades to come.
A New Canvas for Storytelling
A defining centerpiece of the reimagined campus is the Satell Centennial Wall East on the side of the TD Pavilion, a more than 4,600-square-foot light-and-sound digital wall transforming the exterior of the ampitheater into a large-scale storytelling canvas.
Developed in partnership with Crafted Action, the immersive installation blends technology, art, music and history into a dynamic public experience visible from the venue entrance and surrounding campus.
Debuting on the Satell Centennial Wall East is Proving Ground: The First 250 Years of the American Experiment, a grand-scale cinematic experience reflecting on the nation’s founding ideals and Philadelphia’s enduring role in shaping America – from the signing of the Declaration of Independence through the 1876 Centennial Exposition and America’s First World’s Fair in Fairmount Park and into the present day.
“The Satell Centennial Wall East allows Highmark Mann to tell stories at an entirely new scale, blending art, music, technology and history into a living experience that connects audiences to Philadelphia’s past, present and future,” said Brad Baer, CEO at Crafted Action
The installation transforms the arrival experience into a civic and cultural moment while reinforcing Highmark Mann’s role as both an artistic destination and a gathering place rooted in Philadelphia’s history.
Enhancing the Performance Experience
While many of the campus upgrades are visible upon arrival, the transformation also includes substantial investments in the live performance experience itself.
The TD Pavilion now features a best-in-class sound system from L-Acoustics, one of the world’s leading professional audio companies, delivering a dramatically enhanced listening experience throughout the venue. Additional upgrades include new jumbo screens for Great Lawn seating, upgraded power and audio infrastructure, a new fly system, renovated seating, updated lighting and improved sightlines.
The new branded entrance to the Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts.
Behind the scenes, Highmark Mann recently completed a full backstage renovation led by Gensler, transforming artist areas into a modern, talent-focused environment inspired by Philadelphia’s cultural identity and the surrounding landscape of Fairmount Park. Enhancements include new orchestra rooms, updated dressing rooms and offices, a new café space and an outdoor terrace designed to improve the artist experience and strengthen connections between performers and the venue. Key touches on the backstage include placemaking elements, immersing traveling talent in all things Philadelphia – even if they don’t leave the venue. Historic maps of the Centennial District, aerial photography of the venue and Philadelphia skyline, and green rooms clad with wallpaper of Benjamin Franklin blowing bubble gum welcome performers to the city.
Additional project partners include Pennoni, engineering partner; Hunter Roberts Construction Group, general contractor; and JLL Philadelphia, project management partner.
Art Rooted in History
The campus unveiling arrives during a major week for Highmark Mann’s 50th anniversary season, including the world premiere of A Hundred Years On, a newly commissioned oratorio inspired by the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Fairmount Park. The performance on June 17 with The Philadelphia Orchestra and The Crossing further connects Highmark Mann’s milestone season to Philadelphia’s central role in the nation’s history and cultural future. Acclaimed GRAMMY–nominated composer Peter Boyer and Pulitzer Prize– and GRAMMY Award–winning librettist Mark Campbell created the piece, which will be conducted by Anthony Parnther, directed by Tazewell Thompson, performed by The Philadelphia Orchestra and chamber choir The Crossing (led by Donald Nally), and feature five renowned vocal soloists: Mary Dunleavy, Meredith Lustig, Eve Gigliotti, David Portillo, and Malcolm J. Merriweather.
For more information about Highmark Mann’s 50th anniversary season and reimagined campus, visit HighmarkMann.org.
About Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts
As one of the foremost outdoor music centers in the country, Highmark Mann Center for the Performing Arts, a leading nonprofit organization, has a legacy of artistic excellence as a world-class entertainment destination presenting premier artists. Each summer season features renowned symphony orchestras, dance, comedy and, through its partnership with Live Nation Entertainment, leading and rising artists in rock, hip hop, R&B, jazz and pop.
Highmark Mann is the summer home of The Philadelphia Orchestra and has presented critically acclaimed performers every decade since the 1930s. Located in the heart of Fairmount Park, Highmark Mann hosts more than 400,000 visitors annually. Signature concert experiences are surrounded by Philadelphia’s skyline and include seats beneath the acoustically acclaimed TD Pavilion, picnics, blankets and music under the stars on its Great Lawn.
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield
Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield in Delaware serves approximately 500,000 members through the company’s health care benefits business. It is an influential company in the market generating an economic impact of $135 million and supporting more than 1,000 direct and indirect jobs across the state. Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmarkbcbsde.com.
For more information, contact
Denée Crumrine
Highmark Delaware
denee.crumrine@highmarkhealth.org
