Julia del Palacio Takes the Helm at Queens Theatre

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Queens Theatre has named cultural leader, educator and arts strategist Julia del Palacio, Ph.D., as its new executive director, marking a new chapter for one of the borough’s most recognizable performing arts institutions.

Del Palacio, who has spent more than 15 years working in arts administration, higher education and community cultural development, succeeds longtime leader Taryn Sacramone. Sacramone, who served in the role since 2013, helped expand Queens Theatre’s accessibility and program development, including the nationally recognized Theatre For All initiative, which supports the inclusion of artists with disabilities.

For del Palacio, the new role reflects a continuation of a life and career dedicated to the arts. Born and raised in Mexico City, she moved to New York in 2005 to pursue graduate study and ultimately earned her Ph.D. in Latin American History from Columbia University. Throughout her academic career, she continued dancing, performing, and working within artistic communities.

“I’m actually a historian by training, but I’ve also been a dancer my whole life,” she said. “When I graduated with my Ph.D., I decided I wanted a career in arts administration that would let me combine the strategic thinking and writing skills I developed as a historian with the artistry side of my life, which is a huge passion of mine.”

She joined the Kupferberg Center for the Arts at Queens College, where she most recently served as Associate Dean of the School of Arts and Director of Strategic Partnerships and Development. In that role, she helped design educational and professional development programs, grew global partnerships, expanded student pipelines and helped secure more than $1.4 million in annual contributed income.

Now, as she transitions into leading Queens Theatre, del Palacio says the move “just felt natural.”

“I love Queens so much, and I think Queens Theatre is such an important institution for the borough,” she said.

Del Palacio’s connection to Queens Theatre goes back almost two decades, when she first performed there as a Mexican folk dancer with her ensemble Radio Jarocho. The memory resurfaced during her job interview.

“They asked if I had ever been in the theater, and I said, ‘Are you kidding me?’ I’ve been backstage, I’ve been in the green room, I’ve been on the stage, and I’ve been there as an audience member,” she said. “It was a full-circle moment.”

Founded in its current form in 1989 and located on the grounds of the World’s Fair in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park, Queens Theatre presents dance, theater, family programming and community engagement events, as well as educational programs across schools and senior centers. Its mission centers on accessibility and serving Queens, one of the most diverse counties in the nation.

Del Palacio says her first responsibility as executive director is ensuring stability and sustainability, starting with funding.

“Expectation number one is to have a fiscally sustainable organization,” she said. “Fundraising is number one, and I love being out there meeting new potential funders, creating new networks, and building collaborations.”

She praised her predecessor Sacramone’s work to expand accessibility, including services such as ASL interpretation, audio description and training opportunities for artists with disabilities.

“She really made the theater more inclusive of everyone who wants to participate in the arts,” del Palacio said. Her goal is not just to maintain that work, but to widen the theater’s reach—literally.

“If you can’t come to Queens Theatre, we’ll take Queens Theatre to you,” she said, describing her desire to partner with neighborhood organizations and bring programming directly into Queens communities.

Del Palacio believes her dual identity as artist and administrator will shape her leadership.

“I have a unique set of skills,” she said. “I know how artists think. I’ve worked with so many of them. One of the tenets of the theater has been artist advocacy, supporting emerging artists and giving them the space and resources to create new works.”

Queens Theatre’s upcoming seasons reflect that philosophy. The organization is preparing a “homegrown and worldwide” 2025–26 slate that highlights artists who developed work locally and have gone on to national platforms. One example is Chicken and Biscuits, a production that began at Queens Theatre before ultimately reaching Broadway. The original cast returns this month for a staged reading paired with a VIP event featuring soul food.

Also on the calendar is a December holiday program from the renowned Parsons Dance company.

Del Palacio says she believes this is a significant moment not just for the theater, but for Queens more broadly.

“Queens is having a moment,” she said. “People are more and more interested in Queens—Queens food, visiting Queens. I think a great new year of Queens Theatre is coming up, and I’m excited about that.”

Mike DenDekker, the Jackson Heights, East Elmhurst Assembly representative from 2009 through 2021, went back to his Msgr. McClancy High School roots Thursday for what had to be described as a ‘roasting’ retirement send-off. “Public service is his life,” said McClancy president Mick Melito, who was also a student when DenDekker was there.

Sixty-five year old Dendekker worked for the department of sanitation, OEM, the city council and then was elected to the State Assembly. Known as one of the most ‘down to earth guys’ the Assembly has ever seen, DenDekker was surrounded by nearly 100 colleagues Thursday night at the Brother Robert Connolly Patio at Msgr. McClancy High School.

 “A great public servant goes into work every day for his constituents. That’s Michael,” said State Senator Jessica Ramos.

It’s rare that emotions about a subject in history can swing so wildly during a theatre production. Maspeth’s own Richard Vetere’s off-Broadway play Zaglada tugged on heart strings to sold-out audiences, gasping in deep thought throughout the play. The production ended its two-week run last week at the American Actors Theatre on West 54^th Street.

Going into the play, we’ve all had opinions after all we have heard about the concentration camps and those who guarded and/or lived with those imprisoned. A complicated issue for sure, but Vetere is no stranger when it comes to his courage in writing of such issues. Vetere and his cast, which included veteran 86-year-old Len Cariou, Salvatore Inzerillo, Maja Wampuszyc and Jes Washington put on inspiring performances. Pictured here is Maspeth’s own playwright Richard Vetere with Cariou.

MOHAMED FARGHALY

mfarghaly@queensledger.com

Residents of Middle Village gathered at Trinity Lutheran Church on November 20 for the monthly meeting of the Middle Village Residents Association, discussing local concerns ranging from flood mitigation to proposed IBX transit stops in the area.

Paul Pogozelski, president of the association, opened the meeting by welcoming residents and updating the community on proposed improvements to Juniper Valley Park. He introduced plans for new pickleball courts, explaining that the additions would provide more recreational opportunities for residents of all ages while ensuring the park’s summer concert series remains intact. Pogozelski emphasized the community-focused approach, saying the courts would complement, not replace, existing activities. He also encouraged residents to participate in ongoing discussions about park development and other local initiatives.

Councilman Robert Holden followed with remarks on the IBX transit project and its potential impact on Middle Village. He expressed strong concerns about the expedited land use process, which he said relies on a three-person board making housing decisions without broader community input. “We’re like a small town in a big city,” Holden said. “The process is bypassing us, and the neighborhood doesn’t get a real voice in these decisions.” He warned that the IBX stop could strain local infrastructure, increase traffic, and fundamentally alter the character of the area. Holden called for more careful planning and greater resident involvement before any project moves forward.

Newly elected Councilman Phil Wong took the stage later in the meeting, thanking residents who supported his campaign and pledging continuity in city services. Wong invited current council office staff members to remain on board and said training for council staff would begin soon.

Adam, a representative from Congresswoman Grace Meng’s office, updated residents on upcoming events and congressional work in Washington. He addressed community concerns about flood mitigation, noise pollution, and aircraft noise. Meng’s office plans to send a letter to the IBX team requesting attention to environmental and safety concerns.

John, from the office of Senator Joseph Addabbo, discussed the state’s ongoing IBX survey, encouraging residents to submit responses online or in person. “If Everyone’s against it, let them know, and hopefully that will carry some weight,” John said.

Pogozelski emphasized that residents needed to complete the survey and reach out to their elected officials, warning that about 250 homes could theoretically be removed from Maspeth under the current IBX proposal. John also highlighted available rain barrels at Addabbo’s office for residents seeking flood mitigation assistance and reminded the community about the Self Help service, which provides medical transportation for those in need at 718-429-3636.

During the meeting, a community member raised concerns about ongoing fraud affecting elderly residents in the neighborhood, particularly involving stolen or “washed” checks from local post office mailboxes. The issue, which has persisted for years, includes mail being intercepted and altered before reaching recipients, leaving victims without their expected funds. A representative from Congresswoman Grace Meng’s office was mentioned as having limited involvement, often referring complaints to other agencies, leaving residents feeling the issue is largely unaddressed. Meeting participants highlighted that the problem extends beyond the elderly, affecting residents broadly, and stressed the need for federal action and accountability to prevent further financial harm.

The meeting also touched on staffing changes in the council office. Pogozelski asked whether Alicia Vaichunas, a former council opponent, would join Wong’s team, though Vaichunas said the decision would be announced soon.

Closing the meeting, Walter Sanchez, chairman of Community Board 5, announced that applications for board membership would be available in the first week of December. Sanchez encouraged residents to get involved in local decision-making, noting the importance of community participation in shaping neighborhood priorities.