Event Program
All Write!
ALL WRITE!
THURSDAY, MAY 22, 2025 | 7PM
EVERYONE HAS A STORY TO TELL
Hosted by Madeline Cohen
STORIES BY STUDENTS FROM COMMUNITY-BASED LITERACY PROGRAMS
READINGS BY
Krystina Alabado, Crystal Dickinson, Philip Estrera, and Khris Lewin
PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS
Brooklyn Public Library
Bedford Adult Learning Center
Eastern Parkway Adult Learning Center
Flatbush Adult Learning Center
New Lots Avenue Adult Learning Center
Pacific Avenue Adult Learning Center
CommonPoint - The Hub
City University of New York
Borough of Manhattan Community College Center for Continuing Education and Workforce Development
Bronx Community College CLIP (CUNY Language Immersion Program)
Bronx Community College Adult Education and Training Program
Brooklyn College Adult Literacy Program
Hunter College SPELL Program
LaGuardia Community College Center for Immigrant Education and Training
Lehman College Adult Learning Center
New York City College of Technology
Family Health Centers and NYU Langone
Family Support Center
Project Reach Youth
Jacob A. Riis Neighborhood Settlement
New York City Department of Education Office of Adult and Continuing Education
Mid-Manhattan Adult Learning Center
Queens Adult Learning Center
New York Public Library
Washington Heights Adult Learning Center
Queens Public Library
Elmhurst Adult Learning Center
Peninsula Adult Learning Center
Shorefront YM-YWHA
SUNY Syracuse Economic Opportunity Center
Union College of Union County Foreign Student Voice
THE READINGS
My First NYC Winter by Mya Phoo
Queens Public Library Elmhurst Adult Learning Center
Performed by Crystal Dickinson
Coming to America by Hamade Ouédraogo
Brooklyn Public Library New Lots Adult Learning Center
Performed by Philip Estrera
The Sun by Que Yates
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Performed by Krystina Alabado
My favorite things by Elizabeth Infante
Bronx Community College, CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP)
Performed by The Company
Inhale & Exhale by Jamie Munroe
Brooklyn Public Library Eastern Parkway Adult Learning Center
Performed by Khris Lewin
A Cat in Hometown by Junjie Zhang
Queens Public Library Elmhurst Adult Learning Center
Performed by Crystal Dickinson
I Want a Husband by Hilary Garcia
Bronx Community College, CUNY Language Immersion Program (CLIP)
Performed by Krystina Alabado, Madeline Cohen, and Crystal Dickinson
It’s All Good by Ashkan Nayyeri
New York Public Library Washington Heights Adult Learning Center
Performed by Krystina Alabado
Julissa by Diana Moreira
NYC Department of Education Queens Adult Learning Center
Performed by Crystal Dickinson
Love by Diego Coseres Escobar
NYC Department of Education Queens Adult Learning Center
Performed by Philip Estrera
The Seasons of My Life: 18 + 25 + 30 + Infinity by Ryoko Sugiyama
Queens Public Library Elmhurst Adult Learning Center
Performed by Crystal Dickinson
MoMa Museum Scene, New York City by Leidy Gallo
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Performed by Madeline Cohen, Philip Estrera, and Khris Lewin
My friends, my eyes by Miguel Ruiz
NYC Department of Education Queens Adult Learning Center
Performed by Philip Estrera
My Hands by Aicha Bartas
NYC Department of Education Queens Adult Learning Center
Performed by Krystina Alabado
Child of War by Suzet Jervis
Brooklyn Public Library Eastern Parkway Adult Learning Center
Performed by Crystal Dickinson
Soldier by Latif Mason
Brooklyn Public Library New Lots Adult Learning Center
Performed by Khris Lewin
All the Way From by Thiha Kyaw
Queens Public Library Elmhurst Adult Learning Center
Performed by Philip Estrera
The Light of Freedom by Taikyoung Bae
New York Public Library Washington Heights Adult Learning Center
Performed by The Company
Spring Critter by Lyn Blair
Brooklyn Public Library New Lots Adult Learning Center
Performed by Krystina Alabado
The Whispers of the Wind by Kailynn Watson
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Performed by Philip Estrera
It’s Wonderful Being the Last Fallen Leaf by Mary Cockfield
Brooklyn Public Library Eastern Parkway Adult Learning Center
Performed by Crystal Dickinson
The Ritual of Earth and Wind by Jaden John
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Performed by Khris Lewin
Astor and Lenox Night Talk (The library lions) by Romeo Rivas
Borough of Manhattan Community College
Performed by The Company
My Crazy Belly by Jenny Lozano
NYC Department of Education Queens Adult Learning Center
Performed by Krystina Alabado
My Summer as a Child by Nocketa Bennett
Brooklyn Public Library Eastern Parkway Adult Learning Center
Performed by Crystal Dickinson
Finding My Voice in a New Language by Anastasiia Kern
New York Public Library Washington Heights Adult Learning Center
Performed by Krystina Alabado
My Greatest Accomplishment by Suzette Satchell
Brooklyn Public Library Eastern Parkway Adult Learning Center
Performed by Crystal Dickinson
The Performers (in alphabetical order)
Krystina Alabado
Krystina Alabado was last seen starring in Regency Girls at The Old Globe, in Mystic Pizza at Papermill Playhouse, and as Dot in Sunday in the Park with George at the Pasadena Playhouse. Her Broadway credits include the role of Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls, as well as roles in American Psycho and Green Day’s American Idiot. She has performed in the national tours of Evita, American Idiot, and Spring Awakening, and off-Broadway in The Mad Ones, This Ain’t No Disco, David Bowie's Lazarus, and Camp Wanatachi. Her film and television credits include If You See Something, Disney’s Better Nate Than Ever, A Killer Party, Sunny Day, God Friended Me, First Reformed, FX’s Tyrant, Mecha Builders on Max, Voltron Legendary Defender on Netflix, and most notably the voice of Cherri Bomb on Amazon Prime's hit animated series Hazbin Hotel. Alabado can be heard on the cast albums of The Mad Ones, A Killer Party, Goosebumps The Musical, Star Crossed, and more.
Krystina Alabado was last seen starring in Regency Girls at The Old Globe, in Mystic Pizza at Papermill Playhouse, and as Dot in Sunday in the Park with George at the Pasadena Playhouse. Her Broadway credits include the role of Gretchen Wieners in Mean Girls, as well as roles in American Psycho and Green Day’s American Idiot. She has performed in the national tours of Evita, American Idiot, and Spring Awakening, and off-Broadway in The Mad Ones, This Ain’t No Disco, David Bowie's Lazarus, and Camp Wanatachi. Her film and television credits include If You See Something, Disney’s Better Nate Than Ever, A Killer Party, Sunny Day, God Friended Me, First Reformed, FX’s Tyrant, Mecha Builders on Max, Voltron Legendary Defender on Netflix, and most notably the voice of Cherri Bomb on Amazon Prime's hit animated series Hazbin Hotel. Alabado can be heard on the cast albums of The Mad Ones, A Killer Party, Goosebumps The Musical, Star Crossed, and more.
Crystal Dickinson
Crystal Dickinson recently starred in The Blood Quilt and Broke-ology at Lincoln Center. She won the Theatre World Award for her Broadway debut in the 2012 production of Clybourne Park and subsequently appeared in You Can’t Take It With You on Broadway in 2014. Her additional theater credits include A Raisin in the Sun, Seven Guitars, Wine in the Wilderness, and Gem of the Ocean at Two River Theater, Lessons in Survival at the Vineyard, The Low Road and Cullud Wattah at The Public, Covenant at the Roundabout, The Trees at Playwright’s Horizons, and Blues for an Alabama Sky at the McCarter. Her film and television credits include The Accidental Wolf, I Origins, The Good Wife, Feed the Beast, New Amsterdam, and recurring roles on The CHI and For Life. Dickinson has taught at Stella Adler Studio, Spelman College, Pace University, Princeton University, the Juilliard School, NYU, University of Illinois, and Seton Hall.
Crystal Dickinson recently starred in The Blood Quilt and Broke-ology at Lincoln Center. She won the Theatre World Award for her Broadway debut in the 2012 production of Clybourne Park and subsequently appeared in You Can’t Take It With You on Broadway in 2014. Her additional theater credits include A Raisin in the Sun, Seven Guitars, Wine in the Wilderness, and Gem of the Ocean at Two River Theater, Lessons in Survival at the Vineyard, The Low Road and Cullud Wattah at The Public, Covenant at the Roundabout, The Trees at Playwright’s Horizons, and Blues for an Alabama Sky at the McCarter. Her film and television credits include The Accidental Wolf, I Origins, The Good Wife, Feed the Beast, New Amsterdam, and recurring roles on The CHI and For Life. Dickinson has taught at Stella Adler Studio, Spelman College, Pace University, Princeton University, the Juilliard School, NYU, University of Illinois, and Seton Hall.
Philip Estrera
Philip Estrera is a NYC-based actor whose theater credits include Orphan of Zhao at La Jolla Playhouse and Monstress at the American Conservatory Theater. He appeared in the Sesame Street Thanksgiving special as Anton the bus driver, which introduced the first Asian American puppet to the series. He can be seen in episodes of Blue Bloods and New Amsterdam, and is active in the New York indie film community. Estrera is a graduate of the American Conservatory Theater’s MFA program.
Philip Estrera is a NYC-based actor whose theater credits include Orphan of Zhao at La Jolla Playhouse and Monstress at the American Conservatory Theater. He appeared in the Sesame Street Thanksgiving special as Anton the bus driver, which introduced the first Asian American puppet to the series. He can be seen in episodes of Blue Bloods and New Amsterdam, and is active in the New York indie film community. Estrera is a graduate of the American Conservatory Theater’s MFA program.
Khris Lewin
Khris Lewin is thrilled to return to Symphony Space, where he has enjoyed performing in Selected Shorts and as part of many Bloomsday celebrations. NYC theatre credits include Richard II with Fight or Flight Theatre Company, Extreme Whether at La Mama ETC, Personnel Best at the Secret Theatre, Horatio in the world premiere of Boris Akunin’s Hamlet. A Version, Oliver! at Harbor Lights, Fêtes de la Nuit at the Ohio Theatre, and a new translation of Brecht's Private Life of the Master Race at Walkerspace.
Khris Lewin is thrilled to return to Symphony Space, where he has enjoyed performing in Selected Shorts and as part of many Bloomsday celebrations. NYC theatre credits include Richard II with Fight or Flight Theatre Company, Extreme Whether at La Mama ETC, Personnel Best at the Secret Theatre, Horatio in the world premiere of Boris Akunin’s Hamlet. A Version, Oliver! at Harbor Lights, Fêtes de la Nuit at the Ohio Theatre, and a new translation of Brecht's Private Life of the Master Race at Walkerspace.
Madeline Cohen
Madeline Cohen is the Director of Symphony Space’s adult literacy program, All Write! She held the position of Education Director at Symphony Space from 1989 - 2022, and has been working in arts education for 48 years as a teaching artist, staff development leader, administrator, and consultant at Lincoln Center Institute, United Federation of Teachers, and Teachers College, among others. In addition, she is a costume designer.
Madeline Cohen is the Director of Symphony Space’s adult literacy program, All Write! She held the position of Education Director at Symphony Space from 1989 - 2022, and has been working in arts education for 48 years as a teaching artist, staff development leader, administrator, and consultant at Lincoln Center Institute, United Federation of Teachers, and Teachers College, among others. In addition, she is a costume designer.
MORE INFORMATION
The All Write! adult literacy program is generously supported by the Seedlings Foundation, Howard Gilman Foundation, The Shubert Foundation, Blanchette Hooker Rockefeller Fund, Cornelia T. Bailey Foundation, The New York Community Trust Judith and Stanley Zabar Fund, Charina Endowment Fund, Charles D. Fleischman Charitable Trust, Consolidated Edison Company of New York, PECO Foundation, Coastal Community Foundation of South Carolina, Michael Tuch Foundation, Vidda Foundation, Jody and John Arnhold and the Arnhold Foundation, The Grodzins Fund, and The Isambard Kingdom Brunel Society of North America.
This program is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.
All Write! also receives support from an endowment established by the Steven Aresty Foundation.
Symphony Space thanks our generous supporters, including our Board of Directors, Producers Circle, and members, who make our programs possible with their annual support.
Kathy Landau Executive Director
Peg Wreen Managing Director
Isaiah Sheffer*
Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director (1978-1990)
Artistic Director (1990-2010)
Founding Artistic Director (2010-2012)
Allan Miller
Co-Founder and Co-Artistic Director (1978-1990)
Lulu Fogarty Director of Education
Regina Larkin Manager of Education Programs
Madeline Cohen Director of All Write!
Jennifer Brennan Director of Literary Programs
Drew Richardson Lead Producer of Literary Programs
Vivienne Woodward Producer of Literary Programs
Mary Shimkin Director of Broadcast & Literary Initiatives
Matthew Love Consultant for Literary Programs
Magdalene Wrobleski Literary Assistant
Leigh Reid Literary Intern
Mia Testa Literary Intern
LITERACY ADVISORY COMMITTEE
Teresa Bell NYC Department of Education–Mid-Manhattan Adult Learning Center
Madeline Cohen Symphony Space
Solange Farina City University of New York–Borough of Manhattan Community College
Mary Esther Malloy Consultant
*in memoriam
