Past Gala Events

Past Events

2021 Virtual Gala

ART AGAINST THE ODDS!
April 28, 2021

 

Hosted by Aja Naomi King, with special musical performance by Alice Smith, and featuring Odley Jean, Kamilah Forbes, Tony Goldwyn, Bryonn Bain, Brittany Adebumola, Christopher Jackson, and more, this live-streamed, family-friendly event highlighted our unwavering commitment to supporting the hundreds of young people who call Opening Act their home.

Watch clips from the event HERE!

2020 Virtual Gala

SHOW UP TO YES, AND!
Wednesday, March 25, 2020

 

In March 2020 at the onset of the COVID-19 crisis, Opening Act had to cancel our 20th Anniversary Play Reading Gala and quickly pivot to an online event. A robust community of supporters, including Billy Porter, Anthony Ramos, Aja Naomi King, Kenny Leon, and James Monroe Iglehart rallied around our students and alumni to create a virtual production that inspired, entertained, and raised critical funds to sustain and support young people living in New York City during this difficult time. 

WATCH more clips HERE!

2019 Play Reading Gala

IN THEIR OWN WORDS
April 2, 2019
New World Stages NYC

 

Check out more photos from the magical and star-filled night!

Past Galas have featured the talents of such actors as Uzo Aduba, Anthony Ramos, Tony Goldwyn, Asia Kate Dillon, Joe Morton, Cynthia Nixon, Aja Naomi King, Billy Porter, Auli’i Cravalho, John Slattery, Edie Falco, Anika Noni Rose, Loretta Devine, Jasmine Cephas Jones, Beau Bridges, Bernadette Peters, Dominique Fishback, and Courtney B. Vance, to name a few. Featured playwrights have included Lynn Nottage, Katori Hall, Donald Margulies, Tracey Scott Wilson, Christopher Oscar Peña, Ike Holter, and Marcus Gardley.