Spring 2016 Tisch Drama FollowSpot

SPRING 2016

TISCH DRAMA

FOLLOWSPOT

INSIDE !

ALUMNI BREAKING BARRIERS

A Well-trod World Stage

Tisch Drama students are trained to be global artists and citizens, inspired by many cultures as they create and innovate. To expose them to worlds beyond their own, Drama offers professional training in London, Florence, Amsterdam, and Berlin. To complement studio classes, academic courses are available at these and other sites on several continents. “Students travel, create global partnerships, and continue their degree academically and artistically,” says Katrina Denney, Academic Advisor/Special Programs Liaison. Here are postcards from some of Tisch Drama’s traveling players:

NYU’s Villa La Pietra will never give you a moment that’s less than artistically fulfilling. At the Villa, we ran through olive groves devising ways to tell stories with physical theatre. The rich culture, food, and art of Italy gave us a taste of a wholly other world. The teachers will fuel your unrelenting spirit of creativity and curiosity through beautiful South African music, epic devised work, and ancient exploration of the human personality — Kira Kull, Florence

Our campus and dorms are in Berlin’s coolest neighborhood. Academic classes are held in a repurposed brewery close to a farmers market. In the acting program, we spend our days playing and creating. At night, we gather to share our work. We have already shown two scenes from classic German and Austrian plays and a personal storytelling performance. I am blown away by the creativity and passion of this ensemble. —Isabel Langen, Berlin

I have made artistic and academic pit stops to three NYU study away sites. In Madrid, my classes focused on human rights and the challenges facing European cities. In Accra, Ghana, I researched human suffering and let go of stereotypes about Africa. My time in Amsterdam was full of devised and experimental theatre. I have become a stronger actor, activist, and world citizen. — Robert Jackson, Globe-trotter

Fo r t h e c l a ss i c a l actor, there is no place like London.

Beyond the worldclass faculty at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, is the city itself. It’s impossible not to learn and grow. NYU London can lead to great things. I am particularly grateful for “Studies in Shakespeare.” This academic course inspired me to explore a career as a director, and take the initiative to begin my very own theatre company. — Max Meyers, London

AT THE

A MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

SQUARE:

HAMILTON AT

RENT On February 17th, NYU’s new President, Andy Hamilton, his wife, Jennie, and Tisch Dean Allyson Green attended a performance of RENT and met with members of the cast after the show. As the musical celebrated it’s 20th anniversary, Tisch Drama StageWorks’ production was the first time RENT was presented at the university.

NYU Photo Bureau: Hollenshead

Edward Ziter Chair, Department of Drama

There are many exciting events I could highlight for this issue of FollowSpot—multiple panels and discussions on the performing arts i n d u st r y, a s co re o f exc i t i n g productions, including one of Hamlet in Original Pronunciation, and many master classes with leading professionals. However, I am most pleased to report on what we’re doing to better hear and respond to student ideas.

Introducing the Drama Student Council (DSC). The proposal for this council, and its structure, came entirely from the students, who called an open meeting to discuss student representation in the Department of Drama. Their efforts produced a council with representatives from across the Drama student body. As these students explained, the DSC is dedicated to improving "communication between administration and students, and between our training studios and Tisch Drama as a whole.”

Every semester the faculty make important decisions about how we will develop and refine our curriculum, what plays we will produce, and how we can best help students transition into the industry.

Going forward, students will be more connected to that conversation, participating through t h ei r elected repre s e n t at i ve s .

Together we will shape a course of professional and academic study that challenges the mind, body, voice, and spirit of the emerging theatre artist.

AT TISCH:

SINGING

A NEW SCHOOL

SONG At a recent Dean’s Hangout, Dean Allyson Green announced the results of the special 50th Anniversary School Song contest. The winning entry, Community, by Tisch Drama student Joseph ZaslawAltamirano, was performed with his brother, Bryce, also a student in the department.

"If I had to choose one word to describe Tisch, I would call us a community,” said Joseph. “After consulting with my brother and family, I wrote around that word, hoping to convey that, as a team, we at Tisch are on our way to becoming the future of the arts."

Community Chorus: Some say the worst is yet to be seen Some block the road that leads to our dream When the works all you can see I got you yeah you got me Like a team stand strong together we're a community If you get lost then we’ll light the way And if you fall then you’ll hear me say When the works all you can see I got you yeah you got me Like a team stand strong together we're a community

ADMISSIONS

CONGRATULATIONS

OUR WORLD TOUR

I am happy to have met most of you at your artistic review either in New York or on the road. We had a successful tour of the United States—stopping in Chicago, Los Angeles, Dallas, Atlanta, and Miami—and went to London for the first time!

It was a joy to meet aspiring theatre artists from all over Europe during their artistic reviews in London. We held the auditions at NYU’s global site.

It’s comprised of a few adjoining townhouses on Bedford Square, right next to the British Museum in the Bloomsbury neighborhood.

The delightful and erudite Mary Jane Walsh, director of the NYU study away program at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, served as my host for the weekend. Mary Jane and I toured around the school, and I was able to peek into a couple of studio classes to wave hello to our NYU students studying abroad for the semester.

SATURDAY

What a wonderful world!

The stories we will tell!

Chris Andersson Director of Admissions

WORDS OF ADVICE

APRIL 16

supposed to be and you will learn and grow as an artist and as a person.

ADMITTED STUDENTS DAY WHERE DO YOU BELONG?

We hope you can join us for Weekend on the Square—a day of fun to get to know Tisch Drama, NYU, and NYC!

International students applied to Tisch Drama from all over the world! Actors, directors, designers and stage managers from…

As you face one of the most exciting and challenging decisions in your life, thus far, hold in your soul that there are no wrong choices. Your journey in life will take you where you are

If you decide to join us next year, remember that we saw many applicants. When you start training in a new environment, know that you were invited to study at the Tisch School of the Arts because we saw—in you— something unique and inspiring.

Always hold your image of magnificence in your heart and share that with the world.

Kenneth Noel Mitchell Associate Chair, External Outreach and Administration

ALUMNI BREAKING BARRIERS

Thais Francis, Drama ‘12, recently won Essence Magazine’s short-film contest.

During the recent revival of Spring Awakening, Ali Stroker, Drama ‘09, became the first actor in a wheelchair to perform on Broadway.

What was it like to achieve personal and history-making milestones during Spring Awakening?

The show changed my life. It was a dream come true to make my Broadway debut. I have wanted to be on Broadway since I was seven years old and it was definitely worth the wait. When I first heard that I would be the first person in a wheelchair to perform on Broadway, I couldn't believe it. It was 2015! I hope this is just the beginning, and that many more performers with disabilities will get the opportunity to be on Broadway.

Do you feel your achievements build on each other?

I always feel like each opportunity informs the next. Each experience teaches me new things, especially when I am challenged. Every job has helped me become a better person and performer. For example, Spring Awakening inspired me to become an advocate for my community.

While you were at Tisch Drama, did you learn particular skills that prepared you for success?

My time at NYU taught me how important it is to be an artist, not just a performer. I learned how to collaborate and be part of a creative community that taught me patience and perseverance.

What advice would you offer the incoming class?

I recommend they immerse themselves in the Tisch Community. Make friends. Experience New York City. See theatre. Go to museums. Listen to new music. Say "YES!"

The idea of breaking barriers, as a filmmaker is new to me. However, overcoming obstacles is something I’ve always done. The mere assertion of self as a young black woman from the Caribbean, navigating whitedominated spaces is barrier breaking.

As a result, the fruit of my work inherently sheds light on a different type of narrative, as exemplified through my award-winning film Late Expectations. This film was borne out of necessity and is an example of what ambition, reckless determination, and resourcefulness can do. Creating my own film was the only way to be seen on a larger platform During my years at Tisch Drama, I learned how to act and I built a strong network. Studying in New York City, I learned how to hustle. You see, there are a million people like me, doing what I do, but only a few learn how to work intelligently.

Had it not been for the resources afforded to me in the Department of Drama and the observations I made in the city, I wouldn’t be in the position to establish a future platform for myself in Hollywood.

STAGEWORKS 2015-2016

s

STAGEWORKS 2015-16

PlayGround: A Festival of New Plays April 28 - May 1

THE GOLEM: A HORROR OPERA

BLUE STOCKINGS

WHO’S CRAZY NOW?

WHO’S CRAZY NOW?

RENT

PUTTING IT TOGETHER “I find myself learning continuously. How best to communicate; how best to problem-solve; how best to give a note to a collaborator who is also learning.

That's what makes directing so exciting, the fact that all of these artists—who are still evolving—have agreed to make a play together and there is no set way.”

- Ana Verde, Director “Blue Stockings was an incredible experience.

Being able to create a variety of worlds and locations solely with light was a challenge, but amazing nonetheless.”

BLUE STOCKINGS

THE GOLEM: A HORROR OPERA

- Kris Opperman, Lighting Designer “Facilitating the creation of a completely new piece was an amazing experience. There were so many challenging aspects to The Golem: A Horror Opera but learning how to work through them with the cast and creative team was such an exciting journey.”

- Stephanie Kay Garcia, Production Stage Manager “My aesthetic meshed well with Who's Crazy Now? and I was happy to express my creativity with this story. It was the first play I costume designed and I couldn’t have asked for a better project. Seeing my costumes realized on stage assured me that I'm not only a ‘paper’ designer but an actual designer.”

- Jahise Lebouef, Costume Designer

RENT

STUDIOS

HAMLET

THE FEVER

The Classical Studio

Experimental Theatre Wing

1776 New Studio On Broadway CORIOLANUS Stella Adler Studio of Acting

DESPITE THE MESS Filming at Stonestreet Studios

Atlantic Acting School

RENT DESIGN PANEL Production & Design Studio

THE ROMANTICS

MIDDLETOWN

Playwrights Horizon Theater School

The Meisner Studio

THE WILD PARTY Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute

Department of Drama Tisch School of the Arts New York University 721 Broadway, 3rd Floor South New York, NY 10003

FollowSpot is published two times a year, Fall and Spring by the Department of Drama of NYU/Tisch School of Arts. The newsletter is edited by Joe McGowan and designed by Gregory D. Chan. We welcome your comments and suggestions at tisch.drama.ug@nyu.edu