Giving@First 2020

Giving@First is a one-night-only festival of short plays that will be created from page to stage within a 24-hour period. Our talented crew of more than 30 writers, directors, and actors will scramble overnight and all day long to create a full festival from scratch! This play-in-a-day event will be a unique experience to see live theatre that is fun, frantic, unforgettable, and for an important cause!

All proceeds collected at this event will be given to ALS ONE, a local foundation dedicated to funding the research and treatment of the devastating and incurable disease, ALS. 

About ALS

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a group of rare neurological diseases that mainly involve the nerve cells (neurons) responsible for controlling voluntary muscle movement. Voluntary muscles produce movements like chewing, walking, and talking. The disease is progressive, meaning the symptoms get worse over time. Currently, there is no cure for ALS and no effective treatment to halt, or reverse, the progression of the disease. 

About ALS ONE

ALS ONE is an unprecedented partnership bringing together world-leading ALS researchers, doctors, and care practitioners who are focused on expediting treatments for ALS and improving the care for those battling the disease now. The unprecedented linking of minds and resources from Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH), University of Massachusetts Medical Center, ALS Therapy Development Institute (ALS TDI), and Compassionate Care ALS (CCALS) is unique for its leadership in efficiency, dedication to innovative research, and commitment to increasing access to care and treatment. Learn more about the ALS ONE's Founder and their history.

Donate to ALS ONE here.

Press

Giving@First was reviewed by The Somerville Times

Performance

ONE NIGHT ONLY! Saturday, January 11, 2020, at 8pm

Suggested Donation - $20

With an additional $20 donation, we'll include a space for a loved one on a special dedication page of the program.

All proceeds from the evening ($1,172) went to ALS ONE.

Location

Giving@First was presented at Unity Somerville, 6 William Street, Somerville, MA 02144

The performance space is not wheelchair-accessible.

Parking on William St is by permit only. General parking is available on College Ave. Please read signs carefully to avoid ticketing.

Raising the Stakes

by Naomi Hinchen

directed by Shelley MacAskill

Vanessa

Malvolia

Damien

Betty

Evelyne Cardella

Elizabeth Leonard

Brian Hasbrouck

Alice Merrill Hunter

Interview with a Gorgon

by Greg Lam

directed by Katie Carroll

Ovid

Medusa

Marcellus

Carol Sutherland

Katelyn Tustin

Jason Merrill

Episode 47: The Haunted Mirror

by Amanda Owens and Steve R. Owens

directed by Santiago Rivas

Jim

Mike

Hank

Andy Lebrun

Eric Roberts

Nathan Johnson

Three and a Mirror

by Mack Carroll

directed by Ben Cordes

Mary

Sarah

Winnie

Mary Parker

Megan Hennessey

Jaryn Wilcox

When Stars Align

by Tofer Carlson

directed by Jess Viator

Trevor St. Pierre

Elizabeth McIntyre

Rebecca Greene

Jasmine Hall

Auld Lang Syne

by Michael Sáenz

directed by Lucas Brooks

Hannah Baker

Kathy Bedard

Eric Cheung

Who Killed Mike Haddad?

by Elizabeth Hunter and Hatem Adell

directed by Meg Boeni

Beatrice 1

Beatrice 2

Beatrice 3

Gumshoe

Shannon Keane

Jackie Freyman

Richie DeJesus

Adam Schofield-Bodt

Production Team

Festival Director

Producer

Technical Director

Rehearsal Assistant

Stage Manager

Stagehand

Sound Design

Mike Haddad

Stephanie Haddad

Shazza Gilbert

Desirée Dugas

Sam Moniz

Keith Dugas

Delphine Kaiser