Harvard event with Colbert and Ma halted by fire alarm

A public conversation featuring comedian Stephen Colbert and cellist Yo-Yo Ma at Harvard University’s Sanders Theatre was abruptly ended Thursday night after a fire alarm triggered an evacuation of the venue. The event, titled "Arts for Life's Sake," was approximately 40 minutes into its scheduled 90-minute program when the alarm sounded at roughly 7:35 p.m.

Members of the Harvard Graduate Students Union-United Auto Workers (HGSU-UAW) were picketing outside the theater during the event. The union, which has been on strike since Oct. 27, 2026, had previously requested that both performers cancel or move their appearance in solidarity with their labor action. Union representatives accused the guests of crossing their picket line by attending the event.

Evan Lemire, vice president of the HGSU-UAW, stated that the union was surprised by the alarm and denied any involvement in its activation. The union released a statement confirming they had no knowledge of the cause of the alarm and expressed relief that those inside the venue were not at risk.

The Cambridge Fire Department responded to the scene and conducted an investigation. Assistant Fire Chief Scott Volz reported that no cause for the alarm was found. Harvard staff subsequently reset the system, and the event did not resume. There have been no announcements regarding a potential rescheduling of the program.