1834. A 14 year old Afong Moy brought to New York Harbor from Guangdong Province. Immediately, she is put on display for the American public as “The Chinese Lady. ” For the next half century, believing herself an ambassador to life in her native China, she performs under the gaze of curious white people. Lloyd Suh’s poetic and subversively comedic tale offers a portrait of the United States, giving voice to our country’s hidden history.
The Chinese Lady will include brief use of herbal cigarettes during the performance. As sensitivities vary from person to person, please call 617-576-9278 x1 or email us at tickets@centralsquaretheater.org if you have specific questions.
On Thursday, June 2, 2022, Central Square Theater launched The Debra Wise Legacy Fund for Radical Hope. This Fund will be used to help Central Square Theater continue to take a visionary approach to social change through theater – supporting projects rooted in this vision from main stage productions to developing stage readings to community-centric projects. All in the spirit and legacy of Debra Wise.
Thursday, June 2, 2022
(rain or shine)
University Park Commons
65 Sidney Street, Cambridge, MA 02139
The Host Committee invites you to a Joyous Celebration.
The Host Committee has generously contributed to reduce the cost of the Gala tickets so that we can provide inclusive ticketing access and celebrate the spirit and legacy of our Honorees.
5:30pm
Registration & Cocktails
6:30pm
Seated Dinner
7:30pm
Performances, Honorees, Paddle Raise for The Debra Wise Legacy Fund for Radical Hope
Please consider a gift above and beyond your Gala Ticket. Any contribution amount above the $75 Gala Ticket price directly supports Central Square Theater and is 100% tax deductible.
The Gala is SOLD OUT! However, you can join the waiting list in the case when a ticket becomes available.
$2,500 | $5000 | $10,000 Sponsor Levels include Reserved Seating, Social Media Spotlights, Gala Program Ad; and exclusive benefits commensurate with the sponsorship level.Â
To learn more, please contact Maggie Moore Abdow, Director of Development, mma@centralsquaretheater.org, 617-576-9278 ext. 208.
Honorees
Celebrating the Creative Leadership and Artistry of:
The Margret and H.A. Rey Curiosity Award Recipient
Debra Wise
Natalie Kuldell, PhD
Artistic Director,
Underground Railway Theater
Actor, Director, Educator
Founder and Executive Director,
The BioBuilder Educational Foundation Affiliate, Department of Biological Engineering, MIT
Featuring Valerie Stephens & her band
Host Committee (as of  May 5, 2022)
Betsy & Joel Bard
Elizabeth Baldwin
Mary Dill
Allison Coleman & Lisa Bosley
Subrata & Janique Das
Betsy Groban
Kimberly Holliday & Greg Netland
Nagesh Mahanthappa & Valentine Talland
Jane Minasian & J. Grant Monahon
Carolyn Mugar
Lay Lee Ong
Laura B. Roberts & Ed Belove
Simar Singh & Timothy Williams
Jeff Song
Melanie Wallace
Gala Sponsors (as of May 5, 2022)
Downing Cless & Alice Trexler
Jim Kaufman & Anna Swan
Philip Khoury & Beth Raffeld
Ellen Semonoff
Steve Wishengrad
Catalyst Collaborative @ MIT Sponsor
Philip Khoury, Chair, Advisory Committee Ford International Professor of History, Associate Provost, MITÂ
Gala Libations and Dinner Provided by
Thank you to our Gala Sponsors
Central Square Theater Gala FAQ
Where is the Gala?
The Gala is at University Park Commons, 65 Sydney Street, Cambridge MA 02139. This is the same neighborhood as Central Square Theater.
What is included with my Gala ticket?
All Gala Tickets include libations and a three-course gourmet meal provided from Viale. Gala Tickets are general admission seating. Sponsorship levels received reserved seating.
What is the recommended attire?
Festive! As this is an outdoor event, please note that the ground is grassy and exposed to the elements.
What if there is inclement weather?
This outdoor event is designed to be a safe and fun celebration. The event is rain or shine and the tent will include walls if needed. Outdoor heaters will be provided if needed.
Where can I park? Parking is available for $5.00 at University Park Garage, a block away from the Gala. Upon registration, please request a $5.00 validation ticket. All Sponsorship Levels are provided complimentary parking.
What if I need accessible seating?
All seating is table seating. Please contact Maggie Moore Abdow, mma@centralsquaretheater.org, or 617-576-9278, ext. 208. We are more than happy to
accommodate your needs.
I have a food allergy. How do I let you know?
Please email Maggie Moore Abdow, mma@centralsquaretheater.org or 617-576-9278 ext. 208. The Gala Dinner will provide vegetarian and gluten-free options.
What about restroom facilities?
This event will provide access to standard and ADA compliant portable toilet units and handwashing stations.
What are your COVID policies? To date, Central Square Theater requires proof of vaccination to attend all events. The Spring Gala is an outdoor event, masking not required but welcomed. Policies are subject to change. We do maintain COVID policies for all productions at Central Square Theater. Â For more information, please visit our website.
COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS: For the safety and comfort of all who attend our shows, all audience members must present either proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test in order to enter Central Square Theater. Learn more.
This Motown-infused story of Jacqueline Marie Butler, a Black teenager coming of age in the 1960s. Her joys, challenges, and heartbreak play out against the backdrop of the civil rights movement as she journeys from her familiar Queens neighborhood to a progressive, predominantly-Jewish private school in Greenwich Village. Queens Girl in the World is a funny, heartfelt tour de force solo show with one actor portraying over a dozen characters!
Co-produced by The Nora@Central Square Theater, The Front Porch Arts Collective, and The Hangar Theater
All tickets come with Digital Insurance! If you ever feel as if you would rather not attend Queens Girl in the World in person — for any reason — you can easily exchange your tickets into a specially recorded version of the play. Just call us at 617-576-9278 or email tickets@centralsquaretheater.org. OR, you can purchase tickets to the digital version of Queens Girl in the World now and you’ll receive your unique streaming link.
COVID SAFETY PROTOCOLS: For the safety and comfort of all who attend our shows, all audience members must present either proof of vaccination or negative COVID-19 test in order to enter Central Square Theater. Learn more.
Summer, 1912. Two-time Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie takes refuge with her friend Hertha Aryton, renowned mechanical engineer, after the outing of Marie’s scandalous affair with the married Paul Langevin. With humor and grace, this 90 minute play evokes their deep friendship, their struggles with double standards, the danger of discoveries, and their passion for science and family. The powerhouse casting of The Nora’s Lee Mikeska Gardner and Underground Railway’s Debra Wise will light up the stage like radioactive isotopes in this two-hander.
Produced by The Nora@Central Square Theater
A Catalyst Collaborative@MIT Production.
All tickets come with Digital Insurance! If you ever feel as if you would rather not attend The Half-Life of Marie Curie in person — for any reason — you can easily exchange your tickets into a specially recorded version of the play. Just call us at 617-576-9278 or email tickets@centralsquaretheater.org. OR, you can purchase tickets to the digital version of The Half-Life of Marie Curie now and you’ll receive your unique streaming link. The digital stream is available from November 28 to December 26, 2021.
Hiding in plain sight in the science labs, grappling over civilization’s greatest challenges are Young Nerds of Color. Some speak with the poetry of wise sages, others subvert the establishment with renegade ways, and, finally, there are rock stars whose ideas flow like jazz improvisation – all changing the world like a bolt of lightning illuminating the night sky. If knowledge is power, their powers make them superheroes. Playwright Melinda Lopez weaves together over 60 interviews with scientists from the most underrepresented backgrounds – with original music by Nona Hendryx – amplifying the rich harmonies, breaking down boundaries and showing us what is possible.
The Brit d’Arbeloff Catalyst Collaborative@MIT Production
Produced by Underground Railway@Central Square Theater
All tickets come with Digital Insurance! If you ever feel as if you would rather not attend Young Nerds of Color in person — for any reason — you can easily exchange your tickets into a specially recorded version of the play. Just call us at 617-576-9278 or email tickets@centralsquaretheater.org. OR, you can purchase tickets to the digital version of Young Nerds of Color now and you’ll receive your unique streaming link when it becomes available. The digital stream is available from March 7 to April 3, 2022.
Lee Mikeska Gardner & Debra Wise. Photo: Nile Scott Studios. Imagery Design: Nina Groom
Image Design by Joseph Quisol.
