Political Energy and Civil Urgency Return to Bearsville Theater

Writers Resist, the literary activism initiative founded in response to the 2016 presidential election, returns to the Bearsville Theater in Woodstock, New York, for a special evening of readings and performances on May 10, 2026. The event, titled “Writers Resist: A Night of Words and Resistance,” features a star-studded lineup of authors, poets, and performers dedicated to defending civil liberties, immigrant rights, reproductive freedom, and press freedom through the power of spoken word.

The revival comes amid renewed national attention on issues central to the movement’s founding principles, including ongoing debates over immigration policy, reproductive rights, and the role of the press in democratic society. Organizers say the Bearsville Theater, a historic venue known for its intimate acoustics and cultural significance in the Hudson Valley arts scene, provides a fitting space for the gathering.

According to event promotional materials shared by the Hudson Valley Writers Guild and confirmed through the theater’s official website, the program includes readings by Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jennifer Egan, poet and MacArthur Fellow Natalie Diaz, and playwright Tony Kushner. Musical interludes are scheduled to be performed by singer-songwriter Anaïs Mitchell and the folk duo The Indigo Girls, both of whom have longstanding ties to social justice causes through their art.

Writers Resist was originally launched in January 2017 as a series of simultaneous readings across the United States, held in response to the inauguration of Donald Trump. The initiative quickly expanded to include events in over 100 cities, with participants gathering in bookstores, theaters, and community centers to read works addressing civil liberties, equity, and democratic norms. The Bearsville Theater hosted one of the earliest and most well-attended gatherings in the Hudson Valley during that initial wave.

In a statement provided to The River Newsroom, which first reported the event’s return, co-founder and poet Maya Shanbhag Lang said, “We’re bringing Writers Resist back not because the threats have diminished, but because they’ve evolved. The need for writers to bear witness, to speak truth to power, and to imagine freer futures has never been more urgent.” Lang emphasized that the 2026 iteration will focus specifically on the intersection of literature and advocacy, highlighting how storytelling can serve as a tool for community organizing and policy change.

The Bearsville Theater, located in the hamlet of Bearsville within the town of Woodstock, has operated as a cultural hub since the 1970s, hosting performances ranging from rock concerts to spoken word events. Its recent programming has increasingly included community-driven forums and activist-aligned arts initiatives, aligning with its mission to foster dialogue through creative expression.

Tickets for the May 10 event are available through the theater’s box office and official website, with proceeds supporting local literacy programs and immigrant legal defense funds in Ulster County. Organizers confirmed that the event will be livestreamed for those unable to attend in person, though no details were provided regarding platform or accessibility features.

As of the date of this report, no additional dates or national satellite events have been announced in conjunction with the Bearsville gathering. Writers Resist organizers noted that future programming will depend on audience response and the availability of participating artists, many of whom maintain active touring and publishing schedules.