The School of Drama

10/28/2024

The School of Drama’s production season opens with THE RUMINANTS written by Dipti Bramhandkar and directed by Ana Margineanu. This world premiere production explores protest, privilege, and the lasting effects of one’s actions. Join us October 31-November 2 at the Bank Street Theater!

Featuring: Oriana Daniella Hurley, Ella Kahan, Amari Figueras, Sadie Redmond, Elena Hollenbeak, Sophia Tarantelli, Lily James Roberts.

Running Time: 80 minutes, no intermission
https://event.newschool.edu/theruminantsworldpremiere

04/17/2024

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

03/29/2024

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

03/18/2024

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 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.

03/14/2024

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

03/05/2024

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

11/28/2023

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.

11/14/2023

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

10/26/2023

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

09/19/2023

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! ☁️

09/05/2023

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/

06/30/2023

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.

Mannes School of Music The School of Jazz and Contemporary Music The School of Drama The New School

"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.