The works of Brooklyn-born author and historian Howard Zinn (1922–2010), particularly the classic bestsellers continue to shine a light on the extraordinary history of those engaged in struggles for freedom and justice in America. DIFF has found a meaningful partner in Voices of a People's History, a non-profit organization of artists and educators who seek to keep Zinn's message of grassroots egalitarianism alive.

• Performers: Daphne Rubin-Vega (Only Murders in the Building, In the Heights), Alysia Reiner (The Diplomat, Ms. Marvel), Elizabeth Pan (Slanted, Reasonable Doubt), Christopher Rivas (Call Me Kat, Chicago PD), Cassie Bradley (Coronation Street, Casualty), Christine Bruno (God Friended Me, Flatbush Luck), Kim Kalesti (I love Today, Strike up the Band), Sola Fasehun (Founder, DIFF), Leta Levy (Request For Consultation, Invisible), Ann Flanigan (Brecht. On Brecht Off-Broadway), Niveka Hobaichan (Unlovable, Bittersweet), Mahima Saigal (Novel Romance, Evening Commute) and Haskiri Velazquez (Saved By the Bell, The Forty Year Old Version)

Performed for the Global Nurses Solidarity Assembly at The Curran Theatre in San Fransisco on October 8, 2025

Produced with Voices of a People’s History of the United States, a legacy organization of the renowned historian Howard Zinn, and Ken Zinn

Co-edited, directed, and narrated by Anthony Arnove and Haley Pessin

Featuring Ato Blankson-Wood, Celia Keenan-Bolger, BD Wong, Daphne Ruben-Vega, Amber Gray, David Strathairn, Benjamin Bratt, Jessica Hecht, and Sweet Honey In the Rock

Portraits: Where Social Change Meets the Stage

NYU Portraits is an annual, performance-based event featuring a dynamic cast of student and celebrity performance artists, speakers, and trailblazers. This NYU tradition is a vibrant and exciting showcase where historical and contemporary movements for social change come together on stage.

✨ Celebrity Cast: 

➡ Tituss Burgess, Actor and Singer
➡ Bonnie Milligan, Actor and Singer
➡ Alex Newell, Actor and Singer
➡ Krysta Rodriguez, Actor and Singer

✨ Student Cast

➡ Tyra Hughes (Tisch ’25) 
➡ Leilani Patao (Tisch ’26) 
➡ Saima (Steinhardt ’27) 

✨ Narrators! 

Narrators:
​​➡ Daniel Choi, Associate Dean, Steinhardt 
​​➡ Teagan Rabuano, Director, LGBTQ+ Center