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Lola Tung smiling on stage at a theater event.
TV & Film

Lola Tung And Daniel Bravo Hernández To Headline 'Sanctuary City' NYC Benefit Reading

The Summer I Turned Pretty star and the Romeo + Juliet actor team up for a one-night theatrical benefit supporting RAICES.

By Nina BrooksPublished Updated 2 min read

Lola Tung is bringing her major star power back to the stage for a vital cause. The breakout actress, best known as the central lead of the hit drama series *The Summer I Turned Pretty*, is set to headline a special one-night-only benefit reading of the acclaimed play *Sanctuary City*. Tung will share the spotlight alongside rising actor Daniel Bravo Hernández, who has earned attention for his work in *Romeo + Juliet*. The highly anticipated presentation is scheduled to take place on October 9 at the New York Theatre Workshop, bringing together two of entertainment's most exciting young stage and screen performers.

Lola tung sanctuary city benefit reading details

The upcoming staged reading is being brought to life by Level Forward alongside producer Colt Coeur. Together, the creative teams are presenting *Sanctuary City*, a lauded theatrical work written by a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright. The narrative focuses on the complex lives of young people grappling with legal status, loyalty, and personal identity in America. For Tung, taking on this dramatic material represents another key milestone in her rapidly expanding career. After becoming an international fan favorite as Belly Conklin in television, she stepped onto Broadway with a praised run as Eurydice in the hit musical *Hadestown*. Her return to live theater highlights her dedication to balancing major screen roles with meaningful stage projects.

What is raices benefit performance ny theatre workshop

Co-star Daniel Bravo Hernández brings his own impressive stage experience to the production. Having recently appeared in *Romeo + Juliet*, the actor continues to build a standout profile across modern and classical theater productions. His partnership with Tung for this presentation makes the upcoming event one of the fall season's most compelling theatrical benefit announcements. Beyond delivering a top-tier reading for audience members, the primary mission of the October 9 event is philanthropic. Ticket sales and donations from the presentation will directly support RAICES, a prominent nonprofit organization that delivers vital legal services, social support, and advocacy efforts to immigrant families and refugees across the country. With production support from Level Forward and Colt Coeur, the one-night reading offers theatrical fans a rare opportunity to see two rising stars collaborate on an important play while generating essential funding for community advocacy.

The backstory

Verified moments, in order.

Lola Tung: From Drama School to Belly to Broadway

A breakout television role puts Tung on screen. A Broadway debut brings her back to the stage. These are the documented steps behind her rise.

  1. The training starts before the television break

    Lola Tung — The training starts before the television break

    Tung graduates from New York’s Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts and begins studying acting at Carnegie Mellon University. Her route into the business starts in performing-arts classrooms.

  2. Belly changes the plan

    Lola Tung — Belly changes the plan

    While a first-year Carnegie Mellon student, Tung lands the lead role of Isabel “Belly” Conklin in The Summer I Turned Pretty. The adaptation of Jenny Han’s novels gives her a first professional screen role; she takes time away from college to film it.

  3. 2022-06-17

    The breakout reaches viewers

    Lola Tung — The breakout reaches viewers

    The Summer I Turned Pretty premieres with Tung at the center of its coming-of-age story. Belly’s relationships with brothers Conrad and Jeremiah Fisher, played by Christopher Briney and Gavin Casalegno, become the love triangle that defines her screen breakthrough.

  4. 2023-07-14

    Belly returns under pressure

    Lola Tung — Belly returns under pressure

    The second season of The Summer I Turned Pretty begins. Tung returns as Belly as the story tackles grief alongside the romantic conflict, following the death of the Fisher brothers’ mother, Susannah.

  5. 2024-02-09

    Broadway becomes the next test

    Lola Tung — Broadway becomes the next test

    Tung makes her Broadway debut as Eurydice in Hadestown, opposite Jordan Fisher’s Orpheus. Her limited engagement runs through March 17, adding a professional musical-theater.

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People also ask

When is Lola Tung's benefit reading of Sanctuary City?
The one-night-only benefit reading is scheduled for October 9 at the New York Theatre Workshop.
What charity does the Sanctuary City reading support?
Proceeds from the reading will benefit RAICES, a nonprofit providing legal aid and support services to immigrants and refugees.