Women & Science are focus of festival
Art and science intersect in many ways at the upcoming, monthlong Brit d’Arbel off Women & Science Theater Festival.
Featuring a bevy of virtual performances, panel discussions and special events, the festival runs April 7-27. It is the brainchild of Catalyst Collaborative@MIT at Central Square Theater in Cambridge, the nation’s oldest ongoing partnership between a professional theater company and a worldclass research institution.
Among its goals are amplifying voices under- represented in science, including women and Indigenous, Black and people of color.
Organizers also hope to promote mentoring opportunities, encourage engagement in science for audiences and artists, and form a national network of theaters engaged in science.
The Women & Science Theater Festival launches with a Science on Stage Mixer on Wednesday, April 7 at 7:30 p.m. The virtual gathering of scientists, artists and audiences will include a panel conversation with nationally known professionals, followed by breakout rooms that participants can join for smaller conversations, all from the comfort of home.
Bring your beverage of choice to enjoy during the spirited conversations. And who knows? Maybe a play or three will be born from these virtual conversations.
Panelists include playwright Lauren Gunderson (whose plays have been produced at Lowell’s Merrimack Repertory Theatre), plus MIT and Yale scientist-researchers and science writers.
“Young Nerds of Color (working title),” a new play in process by Melinda Lopez, an acclaimed Bostonbased playwright who grew up in Bedford and has acted at MRT, will stream April 8-11. Several panels are planned in conjunction with the play, which will premiere in 2022.
In the Play Lab, “Original 10-Minute Plays” will stream April 15- 18. Two panel conversations are planned in conjunction with the performances.
Other events include a streaming of Kia Corthron’s “Splash Hatch on the E Going Down,” April 19-25: a panel on “Environmental Racism and Justice,” April 22; and another on “Starting a Movement: Creating a National Network of Theaters Engaged with Science,” April 27.
Central Square Theater believes price shouldn’t be a barrier for those who want to attend the festival or view the streaming productions. A sliding-scale price system is available for each event, and patrons who can afford full price are encouraged to make a donation through Pay It Forward ticket pricing. Passes are available at WSFest2021.CentralSquareTheater.org or by calling 617-576-9278, ext. 1.
In the wings
: NEARlY NEARY: Lowell-born-and-bred playwright Jack Neary got word this week that his new play, “Moonglow,” will close the upcoming 30th Anniversary Season at Players’ Ring Theatre in Portsmouth, N.H. “The play, which was read not long ago before a very enthusiastic audience at Lowell’s Whistler House, is inspired by my recollection of Ray Greeley, director of Lowell’s Sacred Heart Band, which was very active from the late ’50s through the ’ 70s,” Neary recounts in a Facebook post. You’ll have to wait a while to see it, since it won’t be produced until June 2022. Dates and times will hopefully be available soon. Stay tuned.
: IDES OF MARCH AT HANOVER: There’s still time to donate to the Ides of March matching gift campaign launched by Hanover Theatre Repertory ( THT Rep) to support its upcoming production of Shakespeare’s “Julius Caesar,” presented in partnership with the city of Worcester in free performances in August. THT Rep supporters Veronica and Howard Wiseman will match contributions, dollar for dollar, up to a total of $30,000, made through March 30. For details and to donate, visit www.TheHanoverTheatre.org/idesofmarch.
: SUMMER FUN: Indian Hill Music will be welcoming folks back to in-person summer programming at 36 King St., Littleton. The target date is June 28 and programs include Summer Music Explorers, Summer Jams, Summer Chamber Music Summit and Summer Night Music. Plus, there will be a limited number of in-person private lessons, as well as continuing online private lessons in instruments and voice. Visit www.indianhillmusic.org or call 978486-9524.
: ON POINTE: Boston Ballet presents “BB@yourhome: The Art of Classical Ballet,” an hourlong program featuring a curated look at ballet’s foundations, with excerpts from classical ballet favorites, including “Swan Lake” and “The Sleeping Beauty,” newly filmed in the studio. It premieres March 25 and is available until April 4 to subscribers. Access information and subscribe at www. b o s t o n b a l l e t . o r g . “The audience will experience a breadth of classical ballet excerpts and see the dancers excel and shine in this challenging choreography,” said Artistic Director Mikko Nissinen.
BRUSH BACK: Brush Art Gallery and Studios hosts a reception for “Graditude & Solace” on Saturday, March 27, from 2 to 4 p.m. The show, which runs through April 18, features paintings by Laurie Simko inspired by nurses at a small community hospital during the pandemic. Each painting is accompanied by a brief story. Simko recently received a Juror’s Prize from Concord Art for two of the portraits in the Heroes series that were exhibited there.