Experience the Art of Women in Science and on Broadway
Attend a virtual STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, Mathematics) series

Enjoy a unique Broadway experience exploring the intersection of science and art. This 3-part series is different than our usual WEST events in that we will watch Broadway stars perform and explore the parallels between artistic and scientific processes of creation and innovation. We have an opportunity to explore the challenges women face in their fields through the lens of Broadway performances. True to our mission to inspire, we will hear from compelling keynote speakers during each session.

The Writer's Lab
Exploring the Similarities in Processes for Art and Science

In this first of three events, we will explore the rehearsal studio as a scientific laboratory by analyzing the parallels, opportunities, and challenges that come with the creation of new art and the development of new technology, engineering, and science. The keynote speaker will share her story and address the challenges and opportunities that come with being a female-identifying leader. There will also be short solo performances from Broadway performers.

Additionally, one lucky attendee drawn at random will win tickets to an arts organization in their town.

Register Here

Keynote Speaker/Fireside Chat:

Molly Smith has been a leader in new play development for over 30 years. She has been Artistic Director of Arena Stage since 1998. Her more than 30 directing credits at Arena Stage include large-scale musicals, new plays, and classics; most recently Celia and Fidel and Newsies. Her directorial work has also been seen around the country and Canada, including on Broadway (2014, The Velocity ofAutumn) and off-Broadway (2018, The Originalist), and Perseverance Theater in Juneau, Alaska, which she founded and ran from 1979-1998. She is a great champion of new work. She led the re-invention of Arena Stage through the creation of the Mead Center for American Theater and positioning Arena Stage as a national center for American artists. Arena’s Power Plays Cycle will commission 25 writers over 10 years on stories of American politics and power from 1776 to the present decade. During the COVID-19 pandemic, she developed the concept for two online films, May 22, 2020, and The 51^st State, overseeing the production direction as well as directing pieces within the films. She also spearheaded a variety of other new online content, including a weekly talk show Molly’s Salon, during the live performance hiatus.

Solo Broadway Performers:

Nikki Renée Daniels
Performing “The Spark of Creation” from Children of Eden
Music & Lyrics by Stephen Schwartz

She recently played Angelica Schuyler in Hamilton at the CIBC Theater in Chicago. Broadway: Company (Jenny), The Book of Mormon (Nabulungi), The Gershwins' Porgy and Bess (Clara), Les Miserables (Fantine), Anything Goes, Promises, Promises, Aida, Nine, Little Shop of Horrors, Lestat, and The Look of Love. Other New York credits include Martha Jefferson in 1776 at City Center Encores, Rose Lennox in The Secret Garden at David Geffen Hall and Tracy in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. On television, Nikki has appeared on "Chappelle's Show," "Madam Secretary," and "The Sound of Music: Live." She has performed as a soloist with numerous symphony orchestras across the country and in Canada, and at Carnegie Hall. She holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from the University of Cincinnati, College-Conservatory of Music.

Pearl Sun
Performing “I Miss The Mountains” from Next To Normal
Music by Tom Kitt
Lyrics by Brian Yorkie

Broadway: Come From Away, If/Then, Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!; Off-Broadway: Assassins (City Center Off-Center), Merrily We Roll Along (City Center Encores!), The Seven (New York Theatre Workshop), Happiness (Lincoln CenterTheatre). Notable National Tours/Regional credits include: The Price (Arena Stage), Next to Normal (First National), Bernstein’s Mass (Philadelphia Orchestra), Yoshimi Battles the Pink Robots & The Seven (La Jolla Playhouse), and tick, tick... Boom! (Westport Country Playhouse). TV: New Amsterdam (NBC), The Blacklist (NBC), Orange is the New Black (Netflix), Gotham(FOX), and The Good Wife (CBS). Instagram: @pearlraysun

Download the Series Flyer
Download the Event Flyer

Date and Time:
March 10, 2022
5:00-6:00 PM EST

Location:
Zoom

Cost:
Pay what you think is fair, 50% of registration income will be donated to two groups

25% will go to Latino STEM Alliance
25% will go to Black Theatre United

Given our mission is to promote women's development in STEM we would like to offer a free spot in our events to those in transition between jobs or who cannot afford the ticket price. Please contact [email protected] if you qualify.