“This is an important play”
-Nancy Hopkins, Amgen Professor of Biology Emerita, M.I.T., in The Boston Globe
“[M.I.T. Biologist Nancy] Hopkins says she did not enjoy the tumult surrounding the Summers controversy, ‘but if it had the effect of bringing this issue forward and inspiring this young woman to write this fabulous play . . . I’d say it was worth it, because this is an important play.’”
-The Boston Globe
“Fantastic monologue with moments of pure humor, sadness, intelligence and struggle”
–Gigliola Staffilani, Professor of Mathematics, MIT, Member, National Academy of Sciences
“I bought a ticket for one of the first performances ... I just wanted to get it over with after so much talking about it in our department. I was expecting 90 minutes of complaints and instead I enjoyed a fantastic monologue with moments of pure humor, sadness, intelligence and struggle. Gioia has the brain of a mathematician and the heart of an artist, and she combined them in a wonderful performance.”
–Gigliola Staffilani, professor of Mathematics, M.I.T., Member, National Academy of Sciences
“Entirely wonderful…funny, moving, and perspective-changing”
-David Vogan, Professor of Mathematics, MIT
“The play is entirely wonderful: very funny, and very moving, and perspective-changing. It was a particular pleasure to see a friend doing so extremely well at work that is so worthwhile. But I would have loved the play even if I'd never heard of the author.”
–David Vogan, M.I.T. math professor
“The entire play is at heart a reflection on truth – especially truths which many people would rather ignore than recognize…”
-K.C. Cole, Science Writer
“The entire play is at heart a reflection on truth – especially truths which many people would rather ignore than recognize… The play addresses issues of diversity head on, as well as caring and respect for those who are different from ourselves.”
-K.C. Cole, long-time science writer for The Los Angeles Times, Professor, University of Southern California Annenberg School of Journalism, and author of The Universe and the Teacup: The Mathematics of Truth and Beauty
“Message extends much more widely… a terrific catalyst for discussion”
-Abigail Stewart, Director of University of Michigan's NSF ADVANCE Program
“Truth Values is first and foremost a powerful performance, raising issues about how talented young people find their vocation, and the host of factors that play a role in that process – including joy in work. At the same time, it illustrates through one example what it is like to be ignored, dismissed, invisible, and devalued as a scholar while working these personal questions out. The example is about being a woman in a male dominated field, but the message extends much more widely. It provides a great opportunity for reflection – both by people who have experienced similar treatment at some time and those who haven't – on the impact of ‘small’ experiences when people are at vulnerable moments in their development. The play is both funny and moving, and a terrific catalyst for discussion.”
-Abigail Stewart, Director of University of Michigan's NSF ADVANCE Program
“It’s a play you want to debate: about joy in math, about being yourself, and about your impact on others.”
-Monica Nevins, Professor of Mathematics, University of Ottawa
-Monica Nevins, Professor of Mathematics, University of Ottawa
“Especially useful to those who teach and mentor…instant community-building”
-Jennifer Sheridan, Executive Director, WISELI, University of Wisconsin-Madison
"Bringing Truth Values to our campus was hands-down the most popular and well-attended event we've ever hosted! The event was attended by a great variety of people – both men and women faculty attended and enjoyed it; graduate students were captivated and eager to compare Gioia's experiences to their own; and it was especially gratifying when members of the surrounding community came out, many of them women in science who found a kindred spirit in Gioia. We found Truth Values to be especially useful to those who teach and mentor women in STEM. It was an instant community-building event that gave our program high visibility."
-Jennifer Sheridan, Executive Director, WISELI, University of Wisconsin-Madison
“Never seen our auditorium so full or an audience so engaged”
-Doug Ensley, Ph.D., Chair of Mathematics, Shippensburg University
"I've never seen our auditorium so full or an audience so engaged ... Truth Values was riveting: touching and personal, yet universally relatable."
-Doug Ensley, Ph.D., Chair of Mathematics, Shippensburg University
“I left the theatre shaken… reminds us why we do what we do”
-Sarah Bryant, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President of Programs, American Mathematical Society
“I left the theatre shaken, wondering how one woman — during one performance — could remind me of the legions of people I have known during my own mathematical romp. Gioia's performance was riveting, and by sharing her story she gave permission for many of us in the audience to share ours. The fact that there are still so many stories reminds us why we do what we do…”
-Sarah Bryant, Ph.D., Assistant Vice President of Programs, American Mathematical Society
“The show is fabulous…more than just a performance, it's a dialogue about some important issues.”
-Paula Olsiewski, Program Director, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
“The show is fabulous: it's funny, it's engaging, it's filled with passion. I loved it. It brought me back to my days as a graduate student in a male-dominated department trying to find my way. As an advocate for women and minorities in the STEM fields, I also recognized that Truth Values was a one-hour showcase of the issues of retention – the challenging and sometimes absurd and unfair things that drive students out of the STEM fields.… Truth Values is more than just a performance, it's a dialogue about some important issues.”
-Paula Olsiewski, Program Director, Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
“★★★★… no fewer than 30 roles with gusto”
-TimeOut New York
“De Cari is animated onstage, and inhabits no fewer than 30 roles with gusto. She bounds from moments of depression to those of elation and triumph, each rendered on an empty stage that hints at the countless stories similar to hers but untold.”
-TimeOut New York
“Appealing and nimble-witted performer”
-Boston Globe
“De Cari is an appealing and nimble-witted performer… a kind of wide-eyed Alice-in-Numberland”
-Boston Globe
“Wonderful way to raise awareness and elevate the dialogue”
-Chris Kaunas, Director, ADVANCE Center, Texas A & M University
“Truth Values was a wonderful way to raise awareness and elevate the dialogue around women in academia.
-Chris Kaunas, Director, ADVANCE Center, Texas A & M University
“If you see only one play... about reflexive non-binary relations, make it this one”
-Los Angeles Times
“If you see only one play this year about reflexive nonbinary relations, make it this one.”
-Los Angeles Times
“I loved the show…since then I have looked for ways to be an ally”
-Matthew Leingang, Clinical Professor of Mathematics, New York University
“On an artistic level, I loved the show, but on a professional level, it's stuck with me, and since then, I have looked for ways that I can be an ally for women in STEM.”
-Matthew Leingang, Clinical Professor of Mathematics, New York University
“Snappy writer… sincere and entertaining”
-Boston Herald
“De Cari is an earnest performer and a snappy writer … sincere and entertaining … quick and passionate … she’s an ace at taking on the story’s 30-odd characters.”
-Boston Herald
“Funny and insightful…hilarious characters…riveting… go see this show!”
-Curtain Up
“Funny and insightful one-woman show … replete with hilarious characters … The story is riveting … she can make a reading of her math thesis compelling! Kudos to Gioia, and go see this show!”
-Curtain Up
“Most moving and memorable account of what it means to be a woman in mathematics”
-Margaret Murray, Author of Women Becoming Mathematicians
“Truth Values is the most moving and memorable account of what it means to be a woman in mathematics that I have ever encountered.”