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New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

New York University's independent student newspaper, established in 1973.

Washington Square News

Ryan Mikel

Ryan Mikel, Arts Editor

Ryan is the Arts Editor and a culture reporter at Salon. He studies Journalism and Cinema Studies in CAS, with hopes of owning A24 or Penske Media Corporation some day. A native of Kentucky, Ryan was drawn to art for its exposure of the world around him. He has previously written for Out Magazine and interviewed the likes of Sean Baker (“The Florida Project”) and Greta Gerwig (“Lady Bird”). Follow him on Instagram and Twitter at @are_why_ayy_in.

All content by Ryan Mikel
Ryan Mikel

Ryan Mikel

Ryan Mikel May 8, 2020

My time at Washington Square News started off as an experiment of sorts: I had never written an “article” before in my life. All I knew was that I liked dance — specifically...

Barry Jenkins won an Oscar just last year for "Moonlight." Now, he is gearing up to release his latest project "If Beale Street Could Talk."(Photo by Ryan Mikel)

Barry Jenkins Talks ‘Beale Street,’ Baldwin and #MeToo

The “Moonlight” director warns to never adapt your heroes, but finds “If Beale Street Could Talk” to be a pretty fruitful attempt.
Ryan Mikel, Arts Editor December 3, 2018
The “Moonlight” director warns to never adapt your heroes, but finds “If Beale Street Could Talk” to be a pretty fruitful attempt.
(photo courtesy Umi Akiyoshi)

Aliza Russell

From Kansas City to Princess Grace
Ryan Mikel, Arts Editor October 10, 2018

Dancing in front of mirrors for 15 years is a taxing yet admirable feat. Ask Aliza Russell, a 20-year-old dancer in the Tisch School of the Arts and recipient of the Princess Grace...

A scene from "The Milk of Sorrow."

Film Series Spotlights Women Behind the Camera

Ryan Mikel, Arts Editor August 1, 2018
Uptown, the Film Society of Lincoln Center is hosting "The Female Gaze," a two-week survey of films shot by women cinematographers. WSN sat down with curators Madeline Whittle and Tyler Wilson to discuss the films that are on display.
The Arts Issue 2018: Movements

The Arts Issue 2018: Movements

Ryan Mikel, Arts Editor April 5, 2018

movement (ˈmo͞ovmənt/) a group of people working together to advance their shared political, social, or artistic ideas. In my journalism class sophomore year, my professor...

Jon Michael Hill and Blake DeLong in “Pass Over.”

What You Missed at SXSW

Ryan Mikel, Arts Editor March 19, 2018
Politics surrounding race, class and gender were at the center of this year’s South by Southwest Conference & Festivals in Austin, Texas.

Alexia Salingaros

Directing Change One Movie at a Time
Ryan Mikel, Arts Editor March 8, 2018

For Tisch sophomore Alexia Salingaros, the magic of filmmaking began with summer lethargy and the absence of cable television in her San Antonio home. “The summer after seventh...

The Awards Feature

The Awards Feature

We all dream in violet.
Ryan Mikel and Molly Dolan March 5, 2018

Let’s face it: the Academy Awards is not the end-all, be-all for measuring aptitude and success in the film industry. Every year there are snubs. Every year there is controversy....

Alumni Hall

Alumni Hall

Ryan Mikel, Arts Editor February 22, 2018

Address: 33 Third Ave., New York, NY 10003 Cost per semester: $10,714 Low cost: Not available Rooms available: Singles Nearby subways: R, W, 6 NYU Shuttles:...

‘The Post’ stars Meryl Streep and Tom Hanks. The film tells the story of the Pentagon Papers scandal, and the journalists who challenged the Nixon administration in order to expose government corruption.

A Tale of Two Administrations

Ryan Mikel, Arts Editor January 22, 2018
The Golden Globe-nominated biopic "The Post" reveals unsettling parallels between the political administrations of then and now.
Greta Gerwig’s film “Lady Bird” is her directorial debut and is the best reviewed film of all time on Rotten Tomatoes with a rating of 100%.

Greta Gerwig and the Indie That Could

Ryan Mikel, Entertainment Editor December 4, 2017
Greta Gerwig, director of this year's smash hit "Lady Bird," spoke with college newspapers about mothers and daughters, women in film and coming of age.

Cats vs. Dogs: The Debate

Ryan Mikel and Emily Conklin December 4, 2017

We’re all familiar with debates over this vs. that, from favorite soda brand — Coke or Pepsi? — to the perceived colors of that optically confusing dress. But no feud has...

The Social Media Issue

The Social Media Issue

Ryan Mikel and Molly Dolan November 13, 2017
There is no denying social media has transcended the intentions of its forefathers and impacted past, present and future generations alike in unprecedented ways.
Ai Weiwei’s new installation artwork “Good Fences Make Good Neighbors” under the Washington Square Arch comments on the increasing hostility towards immigrants and the rise of nationalism.

Ai Weiwei Challenges Trump’s Wall, DACA Repeal

Ryan Mikel, Entertainment Editor October 23, 2017
You might have noticed Ai Weiwei's installation underneath the Arch in WSP. "Good Fences Make Good Neighbors" was created in order to draw attention to the rising levels of nationalism and animosity towards immigrants around the world.

The Rainbow Arch

Ryan Mikel, Entertainment Editor October 2, 2017

Coming to NYU was a daunting move. We’re talking 6,000 plus incoming freshman in the class of 2020 — the largest to date in NYU history. Living in New York City was even more...

“Swan Lake” ballerina from the New York City Ballet dances on the opening night at the David H. Koch Theatre.

Opening Night at City Ballet

Ryan Mikel, Entertainment Editor September 22, 2017
The New York City Ballet kicked off its 17/18 Season with "Swan Lake," featuring reimagined and mesmerizing choreography by Ballet Master in Chief, Peter Martins. This revival brings new life to the classic ballet.
In Bed With Lady Gaga

In Bed With Lady Gaga

Ryan Mikel, Entertainment Editor September 20, 2017
Lady Gaga's new Netflix documentary "Gaga: Five Foot Two" gives an intimate look into the NYU alum's life.

BIRDMAN

Ryan Mikel, Entertainment Editor September 11, 2017
Paul the Pigeon Man has been part of Washington Square Park for 16 years.
Brandon Stanton, the man behind the portraits on Humans of New York, is setting his sights on turning HONY into a docuseries.

‘Humans of New York’ in Motion

Ryan Mikel, Entertainment Editor September 5, 2017
The Humans of New York Instagram page is known around the world -- now, Brandon Stanton is taking his concept to a docuseries, premiering on Sept. 5 on Watch on Facebook.
The Latin American ballet company, Ballet Hispanico, returned to New York City on April 18 to perform a culturally rich and innovative triple bill.

Ballet Hispanico Examines Dance and Politics

Ballet Hispanico's New York run at the Joyce Theater was a success, examining politics through dance.
Ryan Mikel, Staff Writer April 26, 2017

Exuding Latin American pride and a wealth of artistry, athleticism and heritage, Ballet Hispanico made its celebrated return to New York City last Tuesday, April 18 at the Joyce...

Ailey 2 is composed of multiple choreographed works that serve to connect to the community. It played at Skirball Center for the Performing Arts from March 29 to April 2.

NYU Grad Takes Professional Stage

Ryan Mikel, Staff Writer April 3, 2017
The Ailey 2 New York season premiere featured Tisch alum Jacoby Pruitt in its New Works program, which presented a musically complex and choreographically collective show.
NYU faculty member Lyle Ashton Harris is featured in this year’s Whitney Biennial, the longest-running survey of contemporary American art. The goal of his archive is to create an intersection between the personal and the political.

NYU Professor Featured in Whitney Biennial

Ryan Mikel, Staff Writer March 24, 2017
This year the prestigious Whitney Biennial, the longest-running survey of contemporary American art, features Steinhardt professor Lyle Ashton Harris' "Ektachrome Archive." His interview explores his probing of both the personal and political in his art and the world at large.
This past weekend’s Tisch Dance MFA 1 Concert, a program of original works both choreographed and performed by students, introduces many artistics and political themes, such as gender roles and domestic abuse. The first-year graduate MFA 1 students spent a semester choreographing the works.

Tisch Grads Collab for Evocative Dance

Ryan Mikel, Contributing Writer February 27, 2017
Tisch's MFA1 dance showcase this past weekend elevated dance from mere entertainment to a form of communication and education that only the most precise of artists can manage.

BalletCollective pushed the boundaries of the classical art form in its dynamic and atmospheric performance on the 27th of October.

BalletCollective Goes Bigger, Better

Ryan Mikel, Contributing Writer October 31, 2016
BalletCollective's recent show at NYU's Skirball Center was an exciting development within ballet, using principal ballerinas that both grew and honored the tradition of the style.