Dear Friend,
One of my favorite bell hooks quotes is, “Rarely, if ever, are any of us healed in isolation. Healing is an act of communion.”
This past year has been a powerful reminder of the truth in those words. 2024 has brought its share of challenges, but it has also shown us the incredible strength and resilience that come from connection and community.
Like many arts organizations, we’ve faced difficult news—tight funding, organizational shifts, and the realities of working in a world that feels sharply divided.
Yet through it all, what has kept us moving forward is the belief that, when we come together, we can create spaces of dialogue, hope, and healing. This belief drives us to keep creating and building community, even in uncertain times.
At DNAWORKS, we know that art has the power to unite us—to remind us of our shared humanity and inspire us to imagine new possibilities together. This spirit of collaboration and resilience is reflected in both the art we create and the people who make it possible. Artists, collaborators, audiences, and supporters like you—this community is the reason we have been able to navigate challenges and continue to dream big.
And thanks to your unwavering support, DNAWORKS is about to embark on its 20th year!
This milestone is a testament to the community we’ve built together—a network of people who believe in the power of the arts to bring people together and catalyze dialogue and healing.
As we prepare for 2025, we are deeply grateful for everyone who has helped us reach this point and excited about what’s ahead.
Here is a look at what we have planned for the coming year:
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In January, we will present We The Messiah and The Secret Sharer—two of our current works in development—at the APAP Conference Work-in-Progress Pitch Session in New York City.
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Also in January, we will begin rehearsals for The Real James Bond… Was Dominican at City Theatre, with 30 performances happening from January 18th to February 16th, the longest run of the production to date.
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As part of this production at City Theatre, we will collaborate with more than 15 community partners and community producers.
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We will screen HaMapah/The Map Dance-on-Film in partnership with ReelQ, Pittsburgh’s LGBTQ Film Festival. The film will also be featured at the Keystone QTBIPOC Short Film Festival in May.
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We will enter the final phase of development for The Secret Sharer with a design residency, leading up to the world premiere in the 2025–26 season.
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We will partner with several organizations to present the world premiere of We The Messiah, a Hip Hop reimagining of Handel’s Messiah.
None of this would be possible without your support. We are sustained by you—our grassroots network of friends, artists, and supporters. Your belief in the power of the arts to bring people together, spark dialogue, and foster healing empowers us to continue our mission.
Acknowledging how critical your support is to our future, the DuBose Family Foundation has offered a $10,000 match. Any donation you make before December 31st can be matched 100%, doubling the impact of your contribution.
As we begin our 20th year, I want to thank you for being an integral part of this journey. I invite you to continue your invaluable support and help us expand our work by making a donation today.
With gratitude,
Andrés Franco
Executive Director
P.S. DNAWORKS will begin its 20th year in January 2025! Acknowledging how critical your support is to our future, the DuBose Family Foundation has offered a $10,000 match. You can double the impact of your contribution by making a donation before December 31st, 2024.
