“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

“Thank you for your courage…”

“Thank you for your courage to tell your personal story to the world, and to give others a chance to share their stories.”

-Maryam Haghighi, Director, Data Science, Bank of Canada

“I loved the show…since then I have looked for ways to be an ally for women in STEM”

“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

“Master thesis wrapped into great theatre“

“This is an incredible success story, after all. Gioia’s master thesis (wrapped into great theatre) received more public exposure than any Ph.D. thesis ever will – let alone the attention of a departmental meeting 20 years after graduation.”

-Katrin Wehrheim, Professor of Mathematics, University of California, Berkeley

“Fantastic monologue with moments of pure humor, sadness, intelligence and struggle”

“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

“This is an important play”

“[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

“Addresses issues of diversity head on… respect for those who are different”

“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

“Advocate for women and minorities in the STEM fields… more than just a performance”

“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

“Message extends much more widely… a terrific catalyst for discussion”

“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

“I left the theatre shaken… reminds us why we do what we do”

“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 at STEM-UP PA.”

-Sarah Bryant, Ph.D., Project Manager, STEM-UP PA

“Especially useful to those who teach and mentor women in STEM... instant community-building”

"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

“Most moving and memorable account of what it means to be a woman in mathematics”

“Truth Values is the most moving and memorable account of what it means to be a woman in mathematics that I have ever encountered.”

-Margaret Murray, Author of Women Becoming Mathematicians

“Never seen our auditorium so full or an audience so engaged”

"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 

“Wonderful way to raise awareness and elevate the dialogue”

“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