Teatro Grattacielo (TG) is dedicated to fostering artistic and cultural engagement that extends beyond the concert stage, creating spaces where diverse communities can connect through the arts. In collaboration with Gotham Park (GP), a grassroots nonprofit revitalizing underutilized spaces beneath the Manhattan side of the Brooklyn Bridge, TG is developing multidisciplinary initiatives for Summer 2025. This partnership with GP’s female-led leadership and skateboarding community explores the intersection of opera, movement, and storytelling in unexpected public spaces. Through free, accessible programming, TG aims to bring together residents, families, and young artists from public arts schools, building lasting relationships through shared creative experiences.
To find out more about Gotham Park click HERE
Our Goals
Bring Opera to New Audiences
Our primary goal is to introduce and present opera in an interactive, community-focused format in Chinatown, The Bowery, and downtown Manhattan—areas where access to this art form has historically been limited. We aim to demystify opera and make it accessible to communities that may not have experienced it before, creating meaningful cultural connections.
Foster Community Engagement and Collaboration
We strive to create a platform for open dialogue and collaboration with the park’s surrounding communities, including residents from diverse cultural and economic backgrounds, older adults, and the park’s vibrant skateboarding community. Through joint activities, brainstorming sessions, and programming shaped by creative input from all involved, we hope to become a cultural asset that reflects the unique spirit of the neighborhood.
Expand Educational and Cultural Opportunities for Youth
Building on Teatro Grattacielo’s Creative Tableaux initiative, we plan to form a young chorus in collaboration with our partner schools, The High School for Fashion Industries and The Frank Sinatra High School for the Arts. This program will provide students from a wide range of backgrounds the opportunity to explore collaboration, creativity, and the arts. The chorus will perform at events such as skateboarding competitions in Gotham Park, merging arts and sports into an inclusive, dynamic experience.
Spark Conversations about Immigration and Cultural Identity
Using opera as a lens, we aim to explore and reflect on the immigrant experience in New York City. Through performances of short operatic works like Generation Perdida by Jorge Sosa and The Tin Angel by Daniel Asia, we will create spaces for dialogue about cultural identity and community integration. Each performance will include discussions with panels of community leaders, artists, and cultural advocates, fostering meaningful conversations about the diverse stories that shape our city.
Build Lasting Connections and Measure Impact
By participating in community events and gathering feedback through attendance data, questionnaires, and interactive meetings, we will ensure our programming resonates with the community. These efforts will guide our future initiatives, ensuring that the project provides lasting value during and beyond Gotham Park’s renovation.
Our Latest Events...
All events are free, community-centric, intergenerational, and open to all. We aim to connect with New Yorkers from every path.
October 18th: The Longest Table at Gotham Park
On Saturday, October 18th, 2025, Teatro Grattacielo joined forces with Gotham Park and The Longest Table to create an afternoon of community and music: a potluck organized through The Longest Table, followed by an abbreviated performance of Jorge Sosa’s Generación Perdida, sung by mezzo-soprano Eugenia Forteza, played by Eric Juneau, and introduced/MC’d by Teatro Grattacielo board member David Santiago. Mr. Sosa spoke movingly about the pieces, sharing the translations of each poem before they were performed. In speaking with our attendees, we heard about listeners’ connections to the music, regardless of their relationship to the language and the subject matter, with particular mentions of the strength of the poetry. Our audience also admired the visceral experience of hearing such powerful music “up close and personal,” and the quintessential “New York-ness” of being in a park and hearing an extraordinary performance, in some cases purely by chance.
We are deeply grateful for our collaboration with these two wonderful community organizations and we look forward to future events together!
The Longest Table at Gotham Park is a free gathering designed to spark joy and strengthen neighborhood connections through the simple act of sharing a meal. Bring a dish, drink, or even a centerpiece to share, and enjoy an afternoon of food, conversation, and community. We’ll provide the tables and chairs—you bring friends, neighbors, and something to add to the table. Whether you’re a longtime supporter, a local foodie, or simply curious, this event is for you!
The development of Generación Perdida received funding from OPERA America’s IDEA Opera Grantsprogram, supported by the Charles and Cerise Jacobs Charitable Foundation and New York City Council Member Eric Bottcher, Cultural Immigrant Initiative.
July 12th, 12 PM - 1PM: Community Yogalizing with Gina Poulou
Opera at Gotham Park broughtYogaYourVoice, a unique practice that combines yoga with vocal techniques to reduce stress and anxiety, to Gotham Park. Led by Gina Poulou, this session helps participants discover their true voice linked to the body’s seven energy centers, the chakras. Whether you’re a performer, professional, or someone seeking personal growth, this practice offers emotional and mental development. Participants brought their yoga mats and joined us for a session that harmonized body and voice. For more information, visit YogaYourVoice.
May 3rd, 1:30 PM: Gotham Park Block Party
The community joined us for a vibrant block party featuring opera performances in Chinese, Korean, Spanish, English, and Italian. Teatro Grattacielo’s young, upcoming artists, accompanied by pianist Francisco Miranda, showcased their talents. This event celebrated community engagement, aligning with Gotham Park’s mission to foster unity and cultural appreciation. Our attendees enjoyed diverse musical expressions in a lively atmosphere that brought neighbors together.
3 de mayo: Block Party en Gotham Park
Hora: 1:30 PM
Únete a nosotros para una animada fiesta comunitaria con presentaciones de ópera en chino, coreano, español, inglés e italiano. Los jóvenes artistas emergentes de Teatro Grattacielo, acompañados por el pianista Francisco Miranda, demostrarán su talento. Este evento celebra el compromiso con la comunidad, en línea con la misión de Gotham Park de fomentar la unidad y la apreciación cultural. Disfruta de expresiones musicales diversas en un ambiente vibrante que reúne a vecinos y vecinas.
5月3日：Gotham 公园街区派对
时间：下午1:30
加入我们，参加一场充满活力的街区派对，欣赏中文、韩文、西班牙文、英文和意大利文的歌剧表演。Teatro Grattacielo 的年轻新秀艺术家将在钢琴家 Francisco Miranda 的伴奏下展现他们的才华。
本次活动旨在庆祝社区参与，与 Gotham 公园促进团结与文化欣赏的使命高度契合。欢迎大家在热闹欢快的氛围中，一起感受多样的音乐魅力！
Cast and Team
FRANCISCO MIRANDA - Pianist
MAIA GONZALEZ - Soprano
JONGWON CHOI - Bass
SARAH ROSE JOHNSON - Soprano
ZILIANG HAO - Bass Baritone
LU HUANG - Soprano
KRYSTEL JUVET - Project Manager
DAVID SANTIAGO - Presenter
