A Traveling Celebration of Art & Community

One of the core tenets of our mission at Theatre Exile is to raise the social well-being of our community by creating a supportive and creative environment where artists, audiences, and our entire community can experiment, grow, and find their voices. In support of this, Exile has from time to time honored members of our community that take our mission in stride and serve as ambassadors for our work as it reflects the grit and passion of our city.

Continuing this tradition into 2024, we are excited to honor Brett T. Mapp with this award. Brett is a mainstay of the Philly Theatre Community, and the regional arts scene. He’s had numerous articles written about his enthusiasm, dedication, and support of artistic and non profit work in the area. He has served on multiple boards, including ours, to not only talk the talk, but walk the walk of making the community that you live in a better place.

Brett at Theatre Exile’s Fundraiser

PC: Paola Nogueras

The Theatre Exile Team sat down with Brett to chat about what makes him so passionate,

and what it means to be our 2024 Art and Community Honoree. Read on!

Who is Brett T. Mapp? Tell us a little about who you are and what you do!

Brett T. Mapp is the Director of Operations of the Old City District, a Business Improvement District (BID) encompassing 22 square blocks in Philadelphia's historic Old City, often known as the nation's birthplace. In his role, Brett functions akin to a deputy mayor for the district, overseeing various operational aspects to ensure the area's vitality and success.

Additionally, Brett is known for his alter ego as a "Cultural Connector." This title reflects his role in the cultural landscape of Philadelphia, where he serves as a bridge between diverse creative communities.

Brett has cultivated an extensive network across various artistic fields, earning him recognition as a connector as noted by author Malcolm Gladwell in his book The Tipping Point. Through his extensive engagement with cultural events, Brett has developed a deep understanding of Philadelphia's creative scene, making him a central figure in the city's cultural fabric. Despite attending fewer events due to the pandemic, Brett's passion for connecting people and fostering creativity remains undiminished.

How long have you been in Philly? Did you grow up here?

I didn’t realize it until you asked me this question, but I have been in Philly for 40 years.

I grew up in the Brooklyn Heights section of Brooklyn. I went to St. Joe's University and was only going to stay in Philly for four years, I guess I was a little off with my math.

What’s something that might surprise folks about you?

I have a full Star Wars back piece that took over 100 hours and almost a year to complete.

What excites you about Philadelphia?

The People: Philly is the dirtiest city I have ever lived in. The schools are a mess and public transportation….Well, I can’t use that language in this setting.

I love the people, I love how we are Four Degrees of Separation not Six from everyone and everybody. I love how we love this city no matter how much we know we deserve better and will defend its reputation against any outsider who speaks ill of our city.

The arts are a huge part of our city. How did you find yourself so embedded in the Philly arts scene?

Upon my arrival in Philly, I was admittedly a bit of a New York City theatre snob. Having grown up amidst the grandeur of Broadway productions and frequently attending shows at venues like St. Ann’s Warehouse and BAM in Brooklyn, my expectations were high. However, my first exposure to the local arts scene wasn't in Philly, but at People’s Light in nearby Paoli, PA. Attending a production there was a departure from my usual theatrical experiences.

During my time as the Community Liaison at Whole Foods Market South Street, I began to be a part of the local arts community. I started by donating coffee and desserts to InterAct Theater Company's talkbacks, and later, contributed to Mum’s Puppet Theater's Opening Night with food donations. Quickly, I became recognized as a reliable supporter within the theatre community, eventually earning invitations to Opening Nights as a sponsor. Even after leaving Whole Foods fifteen years ago, I continue to receive invitations to approximately half a dozen Opening Nights each year.

As my involvement in the cultural landscape of Philadelphia expanded, I was called upon to serve on panels and boards, transitioning from merely donating food to offering my time and connections to further support the arts.

Which local orgs have you had your hands in, or are there too many to count?

• Theater Exile, Present

• The Brothers Network, Founding Member

• Flashpoint Theater Company

• Local Good, Founding Member

• Cultureworks

• Mural Arts, Board Member 10+ years

  • Even though I’m no longer a board member, I still provide insight to Jane Golden and her team as a community member and Director of Operations at Old City District.

• Barrymore Awards, Judge and Adjudicator

• Philadelphia Social Insight Award, Panelist

• Philadelphia Leadership, Emerging Connector

• Philadelphia Leadership, Creative Connector

• FringeArts, Advisory Committee

• Dance USA Philadelphia

• Greater Philadelphia Theater Alliance

Why have you chosen to support the arts?

My mother wanted to be a ballet dancer, but she never received support from her mother, and though she never danced, she loved dance and the theater. I spent most of my life in boarding school, and when I came home, she would take me to some type of performing arts event, or we would watch Channel 13, our local PBS channel. I can't remember a time when I didn’t appreciate the arts. To me, it’s as natural as wearing glasses; it’s in my nature.

What dreams or goals do you have for our community?

I wish the community weren’t so segregated, and I don’t mean just the drama kids vs. the musical kids, but I am talking about the dance kids, the improv kids, the fine painting kids, and all the other Freaks and Geeks, if I can borrow from a great television show. To earn and get the respect we deserve from the city, we need to work together and show how much good the arts and cultural community does and brings to this city. I know this is a sports city, but growing up in NYC, you loved your sports team, but you also loved Broadway, and we were equally proud of both. I wish this were also true of Philly.

What does receiving the arts and community award mean to you?

I am truly humbled to receive this award. I feel unworthy of it, as others have been with Exile longer, worked harder, donated more time, and certainly contributed more financially. However, I was eager to share this honor with my wife, Morgan, who has been my plus-one for over a decade. While I may not believe I deserve it, I am deeply touched and flattered by this recognition.