Ciera-Sadé Wade

Shay McQueenie

The Lift Every Voice: BIPOC Play Festival returns to the Multicultural Arts Center in Cambridge in early October with six new plays by local writers.

One of the six debut productions is “Love & Hair” by actor and writer Ciera-Sadé Wade. Based on her own experiences, the piece centers a mother-daughter relationship. When the young daughter is taunted for her hair at school and goes to the mother for comfort, it leads to a complex conversation about identity, society and self-love.

“I went to majority-white schools and I would try to style my hair and do my hair like the white girls,” said Wade. “To this day I still get my hair relaxed, but I know that at any moment I could do a big chop and go natural. I consciously make the choice to get it relaxed. So, for me, it’s about what I want to do vs. what I feel like I should be doing.”

Wade has worked with the Multicultural Arts Center on performances and videos that discussed colorism, the educational system and other topics. This is her first time participating in the BIPOC Play Festival, which is one of the center’s signature annual programs.

Other plays in the festival include “Sibling Rivalry” by Jamie Lin, “Conditions of Readiness” by Hortense Gerardo, “In the Aftermath” by Michelle M. Aguillon, “Peace Plan” by Shay McQueenie and “Sunflowers and George” by Kori Alston.

The festival runs Oct. 1-2 at the Multicultural Arts Center. Tickets start at $35.

The BIPOC Play Festival is part of the 2026-2027 season themed “The World We Share.” The season focuses on presenting a diverse selection of artistic media and artists to foster connections among artists and art lovers of all backgrounds.

“At a time when so many forces pull people apart, the arts give us opportunities to come together,” said Najee Brown, artistic director of the Multicultural Arts Center. “‘The World We Share’ reflects our belief that culture, creativity and storytelling can help us better understand one another. This season celebrates the voices, traditions and experiences that shape our communities while inviting audiences into meaningful shared experiences that inspire connection and belonging.”

The season includes programming like a Dia de los Muertos celebration, a Black History Month fashion show and a contemporary dance festival.

Wade hopes the festival reminds local theater lovers to be open to different perspectives and experiences.

“Diversity is our strength,” she said.

“I hope people of color see themselves reflected, but I also hope that everyone takes away that we have a shared humanity.”

ON THE WEB

Learn more at multiculturalartscenter.org/lift-every-voice26