(RED BANK, NJ) -- The Count Basie Center for the Arts welcomes Tony Award-winning actor, author and advocate Ali Stroker for a Community Conversation exploring mental health, well-being and the power of the arts on Tuesday, October 6, 2026 at The Vogel. The event begins at 7:00pm.
Stroker won a Tony Award for her performance as Ado Annie in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Oklahoma! and made history as the first actor in a wheelchair to appear on Broadway in Deaf West’s acclaimed 2015 revival of Spring Awakening. Her television credits include Netflix’s Echoes and Ozark, Hulu’s Only Murders in the Building and the Lifetime film Christmas Ever After. She also appeared as Lady Anne in Shakespeare in the Park’s production of Richard III.
A New Jersey native, Stroker has spoken extensively about disability, independence, resilience and the role the arts have played in her own life. After sustaining a spinal cord injury in a car accident at age two, she received treatment at Children’s Specialized Hospital in New Jersey. Stroker has described the arts as a place where she discovered her potential and found freedom through her voice.
“Ali’s story speaks so powerfully to what can happen when people are given the opportunity to find their voice, express themselves and see possibility where others may see limitations,” said Adam Philipson, President and CEO, Count Basie Center for the Arts. “The arts can be an extraordinary source of connection, confidence and healing, and this Community Conversation gives us an opportunity to bring people together for an open discussion about mental health and well-being while also connecting them with resources that can make a difference in their lives.”
In addition to her work on stage and screen, Stroker is the co-author of the novels The Chance to Fly and Cut Loose! and author of the children’s book Ali and the Sea Stars. She has performed her one-woman show at venues across the country, including the Kennedy Center, Town Hall, Lincoln Center and Carnegie Hall. Her mission to improve the lives of others through the arts is captured in her personal motto, “Turning Your Limitations Into Your Opportunities.”
Joining Stroker on stage for the Community Conversation will be Achille Dejean (Executive Director of Mental Health Association of Monmouth County) and Dr. Louis Parrott (Senior Medical Director, Behavioral Health & Pharmacy UM at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey). The discussion will explore the connection between creativity and well-being.
Community organizations and mental health service providers will be on site from 6-7 p.m. and again following the conversation, giving attendees an opportunity to connect directly with resources and services available in the community.
The Basie Center’s Community Conversations series continues the organization’s commitment to creating opportunities for dialogue around issues that impact people throughout the community. Previous conversations have addressed censorship and freedom of expression, racism, mental health and the challenges surrounding depression and anxiety. The program is made possible, in part, by a grant from the Horizon Foundation for New Jersey.
"Mental health is essential to overall well-being, and meaningful conversations can help reduce stigma, foster understanding and encourage people to seek support when they need it,” said Jonathan Pearson, Executive Director, The Horizon Foundation for New Jersey. “Through our partnership with the Basie Center, we are proud to help create spaces where community members can come together, learn from one another and explore how the arts can support communities achieving their best health."
Tickets to A Community Conversation with Ali Stroker are $10 and are available for purchase online, through the Basie Center box office and by phone at 732-842-9000. A limited number of complimentary tickets will be distributed through community organizations to help ensure the conversation is accessible to members of the community.
The Count Basie Center for the Arts creates shared educational, artistic, and community experiences that ignite curiosity, understanding, and joy. As a nonprofit organization, the Basie Center is committed to its responsive and inclusive programming, which reflects the diverse spirit and aspirations of its patrons, students, artists, and staff. The Basie Center has hosted an array of world-class artists, including Bruce Springsteen & the E-Street Band, Jon Bon Jovi, John Legend, Brandi Carlile, Crosby Stills & Nash, Tony Bennett, Diana Ross and Ringo Starr. Count Basie Center programming is made possible in part by funds from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts.
Keitaro Harada conductor
New Jersey Symphony
Eric Jacobsen conductor
Christian McBride double bass
Chris Komer horn
New Jersey Symphony
