Onward & UPward! Gala 2026

UPtown's Party of the Year Meets UPtown's Newest Theater Space!

One of our most successful (and most fun!) fundraising campaigns is about to get even more exciting. UP is thrilled to announce that our annual gala "Onward & UPward!" will take place at The People's Theatre's brand-spanking new space.

It is also the time when we honor our UPstanding Person of the Year. And for 2026, UP Theater Company is proud to honor Bob Braswell of The People’s Theatre.

As Co-Founder and Managing Director, Bob has spent nearly two decades helping build The People’s Theatre alongside Mino Lora, culminating in the opening of The People’s Theatre: Centro Cultural Inmigrante, New York City’s first cultural center dedicated to the immigrant experience.

From his early work as an actor to the countless behind-the-scenes roles that helped make this dream a reality, Bob’s dedication to Uptown arts and culture has made a lasting impact on our community.