APR 24 – MAY 03, 2026
Jackie Liebergott Black Box Theatre,
Emerson Paramount Center
559 Washington St, Boston, MA 02111
In an effort to reduce paper waste, we have stopped printing full show programs. Instead, we’ve created a small printed piece with the essentials that all audiences receive which then links to a complete digital program.
Dearest ArtsEmerson Friends,
When Joseph Conrad’s short story “The Secret Sharer” first appeared in Harper’s Magazine in 1910, it kicked off decades of readers and scholars debating the meaning of the story of a ship captain and a fugitive stowaway who form an unlikely bond.
When Daniel Banks read Joseph Conrad’s The Secret Sharer as a high school student in Boston, he felt hope. Before Daniel even fully understood his queerness, this story of intimacy between two men was powerful; years later, he realized it was the first time he saw himself represented on the page. Now, we are thrilled to welcome Daniel home to share his and the DNAWORKS team’s rendition of this work with the world – one that is a radical celebration of queer joy.
In 2023, ArtsEmerson was privileged to host the DNAWORKS team for The Real James Bond… Was Dominican – a joyous piece of re-storying that resonated with many who rarely get to see their stories reflected on stage. During their time here, Daniel Banks and his team took such great care to be in community and engage with our audiences on the subject matter that we knew it was only a matter of time before we had them back.
With The Secret Sharer, the DNAWORKS team has once again developed a meaningful piece of re-storying – this time, focusing on queer joy. The stories told about LGBTQIA+ people, particularly in the news, often focus on trauma and violence. Here, Conrad’s story provides the prompt for a communal exchange of special shared positive experiences. In this way, The Secret Sharer goes to a new level in activating our often-shared belief that ‘the art is the prompt, and the conversation is the point.’
Like many works from the early twentieth century, the novella and its author leave behind a complicated legacy. Yet it is a testament to the creative team, cast, and crew at DNAWORKS that they tackle this legacy head on, while uplifting the message of queer love, resilience, and dignity that they have found at the center.
When I think about ArtsEmerson’s impact over the last fifteen years in Boston, it all comes back to relationships. The trust we have built and the bonds we have nurtured with everyone who enters our theater – artists, students, faculty, audiences, and staff.
So whether our relationship is new or evergreen, welcome to the theater. We’re so glad you’re here.
Sincerely,
Ronee Penoi
Interim Executive Director of the Office of the Arts and ArtsEmerson
Director of Artistic Programming
