GALA Theatre is a premier National Center for Latino Performing Arts located in the heart of the nation’s capital. Since 1976, GALA has been a vibrant platform for promoting and celebrating Latino arts and cultures, reaching diverse audiences with compelling works that reflect contemporary issues while preserving Latino heritage for future generations. GALA empowers Latino artists, inspires and educates youth, and fosters meaningful community engagement through an exchange of ideas and perspectives.

Thank you for supporting GALA!

As the holidays approach, we’re working to raise $50,000 by December 31 to sustain our bold programming and the free Paso Nuevo after-school program for low-income Latino youth. Your year-end gift can help bridge a critical funding gap and bring the magic of theatre to life for our community.

This holiday season, your generosity supports:

$250–$500: Teaching artist fees and supplies, including instruments for Paso Nuevo.

$501–$1,000: Professional development and staff salary increases.

$1,001–$2,000: Commissioning new works by Latino writers, including an exciting musical.

$2,001–$5,000: Building our legacy reserve for GALA’s 50th Anniversary.

Thanks to you, we’ve already celebrated a groundbreaking season with productions like The 22+ Weddings of Hugo, which premiered in DC and earned acclaim at the Encuentros Latino Theatre Festival in Los Angleles, CA. Your support will keep our main stage, children’s theatre, and presenting programs thriving into the new year and beyond.

This season of giving is the perfect time to help sustain spaces for our youth to create, connect, and celebrate their identities. Let’s continue uplifting Latinx voices and fostering community resilience.

This Award was established by GALA Theatre in response to the need of recognizing unsung Latinx leaders and tell their stories. The purpose of the award is to encourage leadership in the arts as distinguished by those qualities exhibited by Abel López over his career and service to the arts. The award will be presented to a Latinx individual or organization that has made or is making a significant impact in the Latinx arts community, whether they are just beginning their career or are well established. Each awardee will receive an honorarium averaging $2,000.