WORLD PREMIERE May 13 - 31 2026, A.R.T./New York, Jeffrey and Paula Gural Theatre
by Dana Leslie Goldstein
Directed by Brandon Weber

It’s 1985. Ethics professor Philip Hoffman and newly appointed Dean of Students Albert Becker already have a long history: they marched side by side for civil rights, registered voters together during Freedom Summer, and have maintained a friendship that crosses boundaries of race, religion, and country of birth.

Now, they work at a small, liberal university, where part of the job is shaping a new generation of activists. But when a star student from the South Bronx challenges the administration and invites a controversial speaker to campus, free speech becomes a battle cry. Long‑festering inequities rise to the surface, and old friends are forced to see each other—and themselves—more clearly.

Although set nearly forty years ago, the play speaks directly to the challenges facing communities and college campuses today. The conflicts at its center—who gets a platform, how institutions navigate political extremism, and what safety and inclusion truly mean—mirror ongoing debates about freedom of speech, identity, and power in our current climate. Go Down, Moses explores how people respond when their values collide with fear, when alliances shift under pressure, and when communities must choose between maintaining harmony and taking a stand. It is a timely, resonant piece about responsibility, courage, and the cost of both action and silence.

Meet Playwright Dana Leslie Goldstein:
Dana Leslie Goldstein is a playwright, lyricist and librettist who has won the New England New Play Competition, Harold and Mimi Steinberg Playwriting Prize, Different Voices New Play Award, ACTF New Play Award, Henry Hoyns Poetry Fellowship, AWP Intro Award, an Academy of American Poets Prize and numerous development grants. Her work has been seen at Manhattan Theatre Club, Symphony Space, Cherry Lane, Culture Project, Women’s Project, The York, Theatre80, Theater for the New City, New Dramatists, Center Stage, BMI, Vineyard Playhouse... the New York Musical Theatre Festival, on Ellis and Liberty Islands, at the U.N. and on Equity TYA tours. Dana’s plays are published by Next Stage Press, Smith & Kraus, Applause Books and Palmetto Press. Dana is a librettist and lyricist in the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop, a playwright member of PlayGround-NY, Brave New World Rep and The Workshop Theater, and an alum of the Playwrights Lab at Women’s Project, NewShoe and DVRF. Dana holds MFAs in Playwriting and Poetry, both funded by full writing fellowships. Dana is a proud member of the Dramatists Guild. For more information, visit www.danalesliegoldstein.com.
Agent: Michael Moore, Michael@MichaelMooreAgency.com

Meet Director Brandon M. Weber:
New Orleans native Brandon M. Weber is a distinguished theatre and film curator who has experienced every facet of the industry. From performing Off-Broadway and on national tours to directing regional theatre and short films, Weber's extensive background includes casting for Broadway with Telsey & Co and coordinating major events such as the VMAs and the Global Citizen Music Festival. Over the past five years, he has produced a variety of innovative projects in New York. Weber is dedicated to breaking barriers for the African Diaspora by presenting narratives that defy the status quo and incorporating unique storytelling methods that challenge audiences.

Meet Executive Producer Unlimited Stages:
Unlimited Stages is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization co-founded in 2018 by Eric Berkeley to challenge the exclusivity of the theater industry and create opportunities for emerging artists. We believe in the infinite power of storytelling to bridge gaps, break barriers, and unite communities. Our mission is to champion diversity, equity, and inclusion on and off the stage, providing a platform for diverse voices to shine.

BUDGET:

GO DOWN, MOSES is a highly coveted script that has been a finalist or semi-finalist for various festivals and professional development - including the Eugene O'Neill National Play Conference! This budget will enable us to fund the World Premiere (aka first official production EVER) at the 53rd Street A.R.T./New York venue. The production will feature a professional cast and crew (both equity and non-equity) while emphasizing the importance of educating and engaging community partners, including local high schools and universities, through workshops. If you would like to explore partnership opportunities such as workshops, Q&A’s, masterclasses, etc. please reach out to production@unlimitedstages.com

Our first priority and the majority of our budget goes directly to paying our fellow artists. While art may feed the soul, we want to make sure our artists can feed their bodies as well! More precise budget details are available below, or feel free to email production@unlimitedstages.com with any further questions.

71% = $98k for PEOPLE (Payment for actors, directors, designers, etc.)
16% = $22k for PRODUCTION (Scenery, costumes, rehearsals, etc.)
13% = $20k for OPERATIONS & VENUE (Administration & theatre rental)
= $140k TOTAL, seeking $100k from your support!

PARTNERSHIP TIERS

Your generous donation not only directly supports dozens of artists, but your kindness will also be returned with additional perks! Every donation no matter how small is welcome, but the more you give the more you will receive: from ads to opening night tickets and signed posters - we're partners through and through!

BOOTS ON THE GROUND - $500 - <$1,000
Tax-deductible donation & a shout-out in our program
BRIDGE BUILDER - $1,000 - <$2,500
+ Ad in the program & on our social media
FREEDOM RIDER - $2,500 - <$5,000
+ Two (2) tickets to opening night show & reception
JUSTICE CIRCLE - $5,000 - <$10,000
+ 2 add'l, four (4) total ticket to opening night show & reception
+ Exclusive access to album of original music by John Bronston
+ A signed & framed poster
+ Rehearsal access & meet the creative team
LIBERATION PARTNER - $10,000 - <$20,000*
+ A collab event (workshop, masterclass, Q&A, talkback, etc.)
*Contributions of over $20,000 earn all of the above in addition to an official PRODUCER title!

ANONYMOUS DONORS FORGO PUBLIC APPRECIATION BUT MAY STILL BE CONTACTED FOR QUALIFYING PARTNERSHIP TIER BENEFITS WHICH MAY BE ACCEPTED OR DECLINED AT YOUR DISCRETION.

We will reach out ASAP for any required information such as ad dimensions/deadlines, contact info for tickets, and collaborative opportunities. If are you interested in furnishing a donation another way or have further questions, don't hesitate to reach out to production@unlimitedstages.com

Go Down, Moses - WORLD PREMIERE

by Dana Leslie Goldstein, directed by Brandon M. Weber

Team Members