Women & Science are focus of festival
Art and science intersect in many ways at the upcoming, monthlong Brit d’arbeloff 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 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 playscience wright 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.