The School of Drama

Join us for a special panel discussion next Wednesday, April 24 at 6:30PM at Arnhold Hall: Art As Activism, presented by St. Ann's Warehouse.

This panel is led by award-winning verbatim theater artist Anna Deavere Smith (Twilight: Los Angeles; Fires in the Mirror; Notes from the Field).

Art as Activism explores the making of St. Ann's Warehouse's production of Grenfell: in the words of survivors in conversation with directors Phyllida Lloyd and Anthony Simpson-Pike, playwright Gillian Slovo, and Ed Daffarn, a Grenfell Tower survivor who contributed his true story to this play.

More info and RSVP: http://event.newschool.edu/stannsartasactivism

We are absolutely thrilled to announce the inaugural APEX Festival, presented by the School of Drama’s MFA Contemporary Theatre and Performance program at HERE Arts Center April 6-21!

Ten distinct projects presented over three weeks serve as each student’s capstone offering. We hope you’ll join us to experience a collection of performative artworks that push the boundaries of discipline and form.

Learn more about each project and reserve tickets!

https://event.newschool.edu/schoolofdramaapexfestival

We're thrilled to announce the expansion of our partnership with Naked Angels, a prominent figure in New York City's theater community. Now entering its tenth year, this collaboration underscores our commitment to nurturing creativity, collaboration, and professional growth among emerging artists.

"Our partnership with Naked Angels is the embodiment of many of our core values and goals," said Jermaine Hill, Dean of the School of Drama at The New School. "We are committed to being a preeminent destination for new work development and production. Our students are able to work alongside and network with a diverse array of emerging and established professional playwrights, actors, directors, and theater-makers who represent the best and brightest in the industry. I am thrilled that we are able to open our doors to friends and family of The New School and Naked Angels, and to the community of artists in New York City in this deeply meaningful and important way."

The School Of Drama At The New School Expands Longstanding Partnership With Naked Angels The School of Drama at The New School expands its decade-long partnership with Naked Angels, fostering creativity and professional growth among emerging artists. The partnership includes the esteemed '1st Mondays at The New School' series, providing a platform for emerging playwrights.

The School of Drama at The New School College of Performing Arts is proud to present GLASS ~n~ MIRRORS, commissioned and written by alumni Jonathan Buckingham and Kenya Lewis, as part of the BFA production season.

Jonathan and Kenya join on their first professional collaboration to adapt Lewis Carroll’s THROUGH THE LOOKING GLASS. This world premiere is a modern spin on the classic tale that embodies the School of Drama's ongoing efforts toward inclusive and transparent season planning.

Open to the public and free with registration.

April 11, 12: 7:30pm
April 13: 2pm & 7:30pm
Bank Street Theater

RSVP: https://event.newschool.edu/glassandmirrors

Student Spotlight ✨ Bin Bin Kuo, MFA Contemporary Theatre and Performance, Class of 2024

Memorable experience: Last year, I was part of 'To All The Ways We Say Goodbye' from the New Play Workshop, presented at the Bank Street Theater. I played the role of Ben alongside Shonari James, who played Ginny. This project was particularly memorable because it was a collective effort from our cohort—everyone, from the playwright, Zandra Paxton, to the director, Zinc Tong, and the actors, brought their unique expertise and creativity to the table. Since it was a new play, we had the opportunity to shape and experience the narrative in various ways during rehearsals, which was challenging and thrilling. Working so closely with my cohort, each of us bringing our 'A game,' resulted in a performance we were proud of and left a lasting impact on me. It enriched my understanding of the power of collective creativity in bringing stories to life.

Impactful class: The Solo Performance class, taught by Nora Woolley, has significantly influenced my artistic journey and inspired me to pursue my thesis project. In this class, I delved into solo performance, exploring everything from texts, voice, and gestures to physicality. It’s been an intriguing journey learning how to perform solo, relying solely on one actor’s performance, and figuring out how to create a theatrical world with just my body and voice. Professor Woolley has been incredibly patient, guiding me to explore the vast possibilities within solo performance pieces. I am working on a solo performance for my thesis project, which I look forward to presenting to audiences on April 6-7 at the HERE Arts Center.

📸 Nathaniel Johnston

We're thrilled to share that Chaelon Bennett has received a two-year appointment as an Assistant Professor in the School of Drama!

Chaelon Bennett is an accomplished actor, writer, educator, and an alumnus of the School of Drama graduate program. Their extensive teaching experience and dedication to social justice education have earned them multiple nominations for teaching awards. They have taught in Residence at the Williamstown Theatre Festival, Bethel Woods Center for the Performing Arts, and South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities. Chaelon has been invited to work at BAM, The Old Vic, The WP Theatre, and with Frantic Assembly. Their work as a movement director and actor and a rich background in devised theatre enrich our students' learning experiences. Chaelon's TV project, Altered, co-created with wife and collaborator Liza Bennett is currently in development with Echo Lake Entertainment.

This Friday at 7:30pm, MFA Contemporary Theatre and Performance students present Droplet, a radio-play facilitated by Guest Artists Domino Sound: Alexandra DiPalma and Kenya Denise. Attendees are invited to stay for a short Q&A following the performance.

Featuring: Lars Montenaro, Augustin Groz, Moira Zhang, Alina Burke, Shonari James

This performance was devised in the Guest Artist Studio: Resonating Voices course, an immersive, in-depth look into contemporary audio storytelling.

https://event.newschool.edu/dropletaradioplayscho

We're thrilled to announce our partnership with New Victory Theater, New York City's premier theater for young audiences! This innovative collaboration aims to provide new opportunities for students, foster the growth of talent in the performing arts, and pave the way for inspiring new work development and directing opportunities.

The partnership kicks off with two family-friendly workshop productions that explore and embody the power and importance of a child’s imagination: Sindy Isabel Castro’s un lugar imaginario to meet a loved one, directed by José Noel and developed in New Victory’s Labworks program; and Hit The Lights Theater Co.’s Taste The Clouds, adapted from the book by Rita Marshall and commissioned by New York City Children's Theater

The events will take place from Thursday, November 9 through Sunday, November 12 at the Bank Street Theater and are free with registration.

https://event.newschool.edu/inauguratepartnershipwithnewvictory

The BFA mainstage season will begin with Sometimes the Rain, Sometimes the Sea, written by Julia Izumi and directed by Miranda Cornell. We were thrilled to bring Julia Izumi to Bank Street to meet the cast of our production! ☁️

Jermaine Hill was appointed the new Dean of the School of Drama in Spring, 2023, and officially joined the university in late June. New School News sat down to interview him about his excitement about moving back to New York City, what drew him to The New School, and more.

https://blogs.newschool.edu/news/2023/08/an-interview-with-jermaine-hill-school-of-dramas-new-dean/

Alum Jordan E. Cooper was interviewed by CBS News about his Broadway debut “Ain’t No Mo’” which received Tony award nominations in six categories, including Best New Play and Best Featured Actor in a Play for Cooper, and why he believes it closed so early, despite critical acclaim.

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Jordan E. Cooper discusses the Tony-nominated Broadway play "Ain't No Mo'" "Ain't No Mo'" is nominated for six Tony awards. Playwright Jordan E. Cooper discusses the play and its short run despite its critical success. Michelle Miller has his story.

Join us for the Beyond the Stage Workshop on Monday, June 26, at 6:00 p.m. ET!

This free workshop is an exciting professional development opportunity for early-career performing artists, producers, organizers, and administrators. Led by award-winning artist and educator Pablo Helguera and our MA Arts Management and Entrepreneurship program director, the workshop will provide a project-based introduction to the creative economies of New York City and the skills that individual artists and entrepreneurs need to empower themselves and take control of their creative careers. You'll learn how to think “outside the box” and creatively solve problems with limited resources.

Learn more and RSVP: https://apply.newschool.edu/register/?id=0a266f81-e738-4c59-b9cc-bc5fa21011ac

This week we are celebrating the College of Performing Arts Class of 2023! 🎓

The College of Performing Arts recognition ceremony will begin tonight at 6:30 pm EDT and is available via a livestream at https://event.newschool.edu/CoPArecognition2023. Join us as we celebrate our incredible graduating students!

We're thrilled to present this special performance tonight with Lucille Lortel Theatre, featuring songs by graduate students Giancarlo Abrahan, Xiaokang Deng, Chicahua Zipactonal Martínez, Manel Paret, Cassie Shao, Carrie Shao & Anamaria Willars Vargas!

For free tickets: https://forms.gle/zz2E6UohgGqy3Mfx5

Lucille Lortel Theatre Announces New Musical Development Program Immigrant Experiences will culminate in a free concert May 15 with Broadway alums attached to perform.

Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Harry Belafonte—a groundbreaking singer and actor who became a significant figure in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Belafonte attended the Dramatic Workshop before it became known as the School of Drama and received an honorary degree from The New School in 1968.

Learn more about his life and work: https://blogs.newschool.edu/news/2023/04/in-memoriam-harry-belafonte-groundbreaking-singer-actor-and-activist-and-school-of-drama-alum/

Photo courtesy of The New School Libraries & Archives

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The School of Drama BFA Class of 2023 will present their acting showcase on April 27th at 2pm & 7pm!

RSVP: http://event.newschool.edu/bfa2023showcase

Directed by ChiChi Anyanwu

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Contemporary Theatre and Performance students present New Play Workshop at the Bank Street Theater until April 1 ✨

For more info and free tickets: http://event.newschool.edu/mfactpnewplayworkshop1

We are thrilled to announce that Jermaine Hill has been appointed Dean of the School of Drama at the College of Performing Arts. He will join the college in late June.

“The global search for this position attracted an extraordinary number of exemplary candidates and Jermaine Hill emerged as the leading candidate, someone we are very excited about,” said Richard Kessler, Executive Dean of the College of Performing Arts. “Jermaine is an inspired leader with an impressive background as an educator, artist, and changemaker – qualities central to the college’s educational mission and approach to training multihyphenate artists. Jermaine’s experience will add greatly to the college’s vision and mission rooted in experiment, quality, and social consciousness.”

Jermaine Hill’s resume is highlighted by an extensive background as an artist-educator-administrator. Before serving as Interim Dean of Theater at the Boston Conservatory at Berklee, Jermaine was Assistant Professor and Program Coordinator of the musical theater program at Columbia College Chicago, where he instituted a national search for new musicals written by historically marginalized writers and composers. In February 2023, American Theatre Magazine featured Jermaine in an article, “6 Theatre Workers You Should Know.”

Read the full announcement: https://www.newschool.edu/pressroom/pressreleases/2023/JermaineHillAppointedDeanSchoolOfDrama.htm

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Second-year Contemporary Theatre and Performance students present New Play Workshop: Monica, Richie, & Angel: A One-Act Traumatic Comedy and To All the Ways We Say Goodbye at the Bank Street Theater. These two new one-act plays were developed in the New Play Workshop work-in-progress course led by facilitators Tea Alagic and Pippin Parker.

Performances:
Thursday, March 30 at 7:30pm
Friday, March 31 at 7:30pm
Saturday, April 1 at 2:00pm
Saturday, April 1 at 7:00pm

Free, RSVP: https://event.newschool.edu/mfactpnewplayworkshop1

School of Drama alum Lamin Leroy Gibba (BFA '18) is on the 2023 Forbes 30 under 30 Europe list in the entertainment category! 🤩

Lamin Leroy Gibba's award-winning short film "Dogfriend," which he co-produced, wrote and starred in, received critical acclaim with screenings across the globe, including at the Tribeca Film Festival.

https://www.forbes.com/profile/lamin-leroy-gibba/?list=30under30-europe-entertainment/&sh=1d257dd5adc9

Lamin Leroy Gibba Lamin Leroy Gibba on the 2023 30 Under 30 - Europe - Entertainment - Actor Lamin Leroy Gibba's award-winning 2022 short film Dogfriend, which he co-produced,

The spring mainstage season opened with WHILE WE WAIT, written by Charly Evon Simpson and directed by Jordana De La Cruz. Performances continue 3/10-11 at the Bank Street Theater.

RSVP for free tickets: http://event.newschool.edu/whilewewait

WHILE WE WAIT, 2023, School of Drama, The New School, Jordana De La Cruz (Director), Danielle De La Fuente (Scenic Designer), Somie Pak (Costume Designer), Colleen Doherty (Lighting Designer), Elliot Yokum (Sound Designer), Michi Zaya (Projections Designer), Anais J. McCaskie (Hair & Makeup Designer), Lauren DeLeon (Fight/Intimacy Choreographer), Sarah Samonte (Production Stage Manager), Francisco Rivera Rodriguez (Assistant Stage Manager)

📸 by Nathaniel Johnston

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We're proud to present WHILE WE WAIT, written by Charly Evon Simpson and directed by Jordana De La Cruz, on March 9-11 at the Bank Street Theater as part of the BFA mainstage production season.

Free, RSVP: https://event.newschool.edu/whilewewait

Letters and airplane tickets fall from the sky. Memories, like snowflakes, float in on a breeze. Grace waits for an email to come. James waits to send it. And as they wait, they replay memories, imagine futures, and deal with an uncomfortable present.

Director: Jordana De La Cruz
Scenic Designer: Danielle De La Fuente
Costume Designer: Somie Pak
Projection Designer: Michi Zaya
Lighting Designer: Colleen Doherty
Sound Designer: Elliot Yokum
Hair & Makeup Designer: Anais J. McCaskie
Fight/Intimacy Choreographer: Lauren DeLeon
Student Assistant Director: Sienna Johnson
Production Stage Manager: Sarah Samonte
Assistant Stage Manager: Francisco Rivera Rodriguez

Ensemble: Baylee Berkley, Naomie Ondekane, Niranjani Reddi, David Zhenqian Li, Sariya Sealey, Lydia Garcia, Annabelle Daniel

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Join us this weekend for Real People, Real Lives, Real Theater: Celebrating 30 Years of Ping Chong and Company’s Undesirable Elements!

The College of Performing Arts will be hosting this inspiring and eye-opening two-day symposium in partnership with Eugene Lang College and Ping Chong and Company on February 3 and 4. Ping Chong and Company has been a national leader in creating innovative, socially engaged multidisciplinary theater and dance for five decades.

All events are free with registration: https://event.newschool.edu/pingchongsymposium

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We're thrilled to present the Bill Chats series in partnership with New York Live Arts!

Join us on January 30 at 7pm for The New School’s Presidential Visiting Scholar Bill T. Jones in conversation with Bessie Award-winning theater director and performance artist Niegel Smith and curator, producer, and director, Kamilah Forbes.

Learn more and RSVP: http://event.newschool.edu/billchats130

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Congratulations to School of Drama Faculty member, Tea Alagic, for the great work directing the ‘Little Amal’ performance at Lincoln Center!

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Tea Alagic, School of Drama Faculty Member, Directs ‘Little Amal’ Performance at Lincoln Center The refugee crisis encompasses different time periods, different wars, different nationalities, and has been dramatized by documentaries, movies, televisions shows, and more. Starting in July, 2021, the refugee crisis received […]

Our BFA mainstage production of Caridad Svich's RED BIKE directed by Kathleen Capdesuñer runs November 3-5 at the Bank Street Theater.

We are also excited to offer an opportunity to stream the production on-demand on November 11!

RSVP for free tickets: https://event.newschool.edu/redbike

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Join us on October 6 for a very special event with Lynn Nottage, two-time Pulitzer-prize winning playwright and Tony Ge**er, PGA and Emmy Award-winning film director as they discuss their lives together: making a home, making art, and making history. This event will be moderated by College of Performing Arts faculty member and Director of Equity Inclusion and Social Justice, Dennis Hilton-Reid.

RSVP at https://event.newschool.edu/lynnnottageandtonygerber

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We are excited to announce the first mainstage production of the season!

Join us for María Irene Fornés' FEFU AND HER FRIENDS directed by Ana Margineanu this October 13-15 at the Bank Street Theater.

We are also pleased to offer an opportunity to stream the production on-demand on October 21.

Learn more and RSVP for free tickets: https://event.newschool.edu/fefuandherfriends

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