White Snake Projects Presents

To The People Like Us

A timely exploration of gentrification and its impacts on climate.

June 28, 2025 | 2pm & 7pm
Strand Theatre

To The People Like Us

Composer: Jorge Sosa | Librettists: Students of 826 Boston

Commissioned by White Snake Projects

Run Time: Approx. 70 minutes without intermission; Performed in English with subtitles in English and Spanish

Saturday, June 28, 2025 | 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM

Strand Theatre (543 Columbia Rd, Boston, MA 02125)

SYNOPSIS

To the People Like Us is an original story exploring issues of gentrification and its impacts on climate in Boston. Teens activist Costanza organizes her neighborhood against the Sirleaf Corporation, who intends to build a new development by razing their apartments and bodega, aided by her vacillating friend Malakai. Indigo, a newcomer to the neighborhood, attempts to make friends with them and joins their protest group. Sparks fly when Costanza makes a discovery about Indigo that changes all of their relationships with each other.

Created by young writers at 826 Boston’s Youth Literary Advisory Board in collaboration with White Snake Projects, this work of music theater marks White Snake Projects’ inaugural Community Opera.

Press

“Watkins has melded these many strands into a seamless and compelling score that cries out for a recording so that it can be heard many times over.”
The Boston Musical Intelligencer
“Hamer’s words, her belief in the power of democratic action could not come at a more pivotal time.”
The New England Theater Geek
“As music, the piece dazzles. As biography, it feels swift, even cinematic.”
The Arts Fuse

Photo Gallery

CREATIVES

Opera Maker + Dramaturg

Music Director

Rehearsal Pianist

Set Designer

Amanda Fallon

Lighting Designer

Projection Designer

Costume Designer

SUPPORT

White Snake Projects’ 2025-2026 programming is supported by a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation. Our programming is also supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Mass Cultural Council, the Boston Cultural Council, Reopen Creative Boston Fund, administered by the Mayor’s Office of Arts and Culture and the Ditson Fund.

The Strand Theatre is owned by the City of Boston and managed by the Mayor’s Office of Arts & Culture