826 Boston and White Snake Projects’ joint production of To The People Like Us premiered on Saturday, June 28 at the Strand Theatre to rapturous applause!
Created by young writers at 826 Boston’s Youth Literary Advisory Board (YLAB) in collaboration with White Snake Projects, this work of music theater marks White Snake Projects’ inaugural community opera.
To The People Like Us is a timely exploration of gentrification and its impacts on our climate. In the opera, teen 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.
Commissioned by White Snake Projects, the composer is Jorge Sosa and librettists are the students of 826 Boston’s YLAB program.
“All of the students, myself included, had never written for an opera before,” said YLAB student Daniela. “We are so grateful to have had this unique experience collaborating with White Snake Projects. This is such an incredible opportunity to have professional artists perform our thoughts, dreams, and concerns on a grand stage.”
The libretto for To The People Like Us can be purchased from 826 Boston through our online shop.
White Snake Projects is an activist opera company that unites artmaking with civic practice. They envision a world where the power of opera expands our collective understanding of community and transforms lives through creative storytelling. Their mission is to use opera not just as performance, but as performance with purpose, a vibrant and vital art form that is also a champion of change.
White Snake Projects’ 2025-2026 programming is supported by a generous grant from the Mellon Foundation. Its 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.
Photos by Mike Mejia.
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