The AACHS is excited to present our virtual Alumni Speaker Series, which will feature alumni thought-leaders who will discuss their work and lives since graduating from Central High School. The series will kick off with playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes (254) on Tuesday, May 4, 2021 from 7 p.m. until 8 p.m. Eastern. Poet Cristin O’Keefe Aptowicz (255) will serve as the moderator and Carole Nehez, Hudes’ and Aptowicz’s creative writing teacher at Central, will also join the discussion.

“At Central my love for literature really began. And my understanding of how to gather in community with my Philadelphia neighbors – i.e. my classmates – in the name of activism and civic engagement soared,” said Ms. Hudes.

There will be time reserved during the event for a question-and-answer session.

A member of the Central High School Alumni Hall of Fame, Ms. Hudes is the winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for Water by the Spoonful. Ms. Hudes wrote the book for the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical In the Heights along with other plays and musicals that have been produced around the world. Ms. Hudes also wrote the screenplay adaptation for In the Heights, which is set to debut in movie theaters and stream simultaneously on HBO Max in June 2021. Ms. Hudes also has a new memoir, My Broken Language, which will be published in April. Join us for this thrilling evening when Quiara Hudes shares stories from Central High and behind-the-scenes conversations about Broadway!

“Programs provided by the AACHS support the Leading the Way Capital Campaign project, a multi-phased master plan to renovate and create world class facilities that our students deserve at Central High,” said Central President Timothy J. McKenna.

This Zoom event is free and open to all members of the Central High School community. Advance registration is required by Friday, April 30, 2021. Please register here. The Zoom link will be emailed to registered participants prior to the event.

Stay well, stay safe, stay connected!