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.
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...
Every so often, a movie ensemble absolutely blows audiences away and makes us ask ourselves, “How can one movie could contain so much talent and power?”
Every so often, a movie ensemble absolutely blows audiences away and makes us ask ourselves, “How can one movie could contain so much talent and power?”
“Lush” by Snail Mail
Ryan Mikel, Arts Editor
I am not going to lie: I fell in love with the album “Lush” when I discovered Snail Mail early last spring. I was lucky...
The spookiest day of the year is upon us: Halloween. All the ghosts and goblins come to play on this night of tricks and treats. Halloween is a pop culture phenomenon — the basis...
The release of "Mid90s" has reminded audiences of the importance of a great soundtrack. Check out WSN's top picks for best movie soundtracks and scores.
The 20th century birthed a plethora of renowned authors, some overrated and some underrated. This week, the Arts Desk tackles Unpopular Opinions: 20th Century Authors.
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...
Lady Gaga received career-worst reviews for her role in "Machete Kills." Now, she is receiving acclaim for her performance in the Bradley Cooper-helmed fifth revival of "A Star Is Born."
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 Brooklyn International Film Festival held its kidsfilmfest this past weekend, where 15 films tackled prevalent themes in today's political landscape.
In honor of "A Quiet Place" getting a sequel and "Get Out" winning an Oscar, WSN has compiled a list of the most intelligent horror films for your viewing pleasure.
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...
Porches returned to New York with "The House" tour on Friday night. WSN caught up with frontman Aaron Maine at SXSW earlier this month to talk home and "The House."
Whether summer lethargy or winter blizzards are responsible for your next binge-watching stint, WSN is here with a few of our favorite television shows to get the job done.
Emma Seligman's senior thesis "Shiva Baby" premiered at SXSW last week. WSN sat down with the student filmmaker to discuss shivas, sugar babies and the acclaimed Texas festival.
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...
Clockwise starting top left: Ethan Uno (City College ‘21), Adrien Calvet (Gallatin ‘20), Jack Laboz (Clive Davis ‘20) and Manny Pinkins (Clive Davis ‘20)
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....
Address: 33 Third Ave., New York, NY 10003
Cost per semester: $10,714
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Rooms available: Singles
Nearby subways: R, W, 6
NYU Shuttles:...
From Sean Baker’s indie darling “The Florida Project” to Margaret Betts’ widely unseen “Novitiate,” here are WSN's picks for movies you might have missed in 2017.
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.
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...
There is no denying social media has transcended the intentions of its forefathers and impacted past, present and future generations alike in unprecedented ways.
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.
Ryan Mikel, Entertainment Editor
• October 5, 2017
From Meryl Streep fiery Golden Globes speech to Marlon Brando's 1973 Oscars boycott, WSN explores the lively, and mostly recent, history of celebrity political demonstrations made on television.
Ryan Mikel, Entertainment Editor
• October 5, 2017
Whitewashing is a casting practice in film in which white actors are cast in historically non-white character roles. Explore WSN's picks for the Top 10, or in this case, Bottom 10 incidents of whitewashing in film.
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...
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.
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.
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...
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.
The Strand Bookstore's recent panel on LGBTQ representation in comics was not only riveting, but sorely needed in an industry that continues to prioritize white, straight, cisgender men over practically any other sort of heroes.
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.
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.
Ryan Mikel, Contributing Writer
• February 17, 2017
Last weekend, the Skirball Center hosted the American Ballet Theatre Studio Company and the Royal Ballet School in an awe-inspiring and "en pointe" night of grace and precision.
Ryan Mikel, Contributing Writer
• February 9, 2017
Vim Vigor Dance Company creates a beautifully ambiguous, painstakingly detailed performance about four campers the not-so-dead body they happen upon in the woods.
Ryan Mikel, Contributing Writer
• January 27, 2017
In a worthy tribute to their founding artistic director George Balanchine, the latest New York City Ballet showcase "All Balanchine" stuns and awes audiences with its dancers' skill and precision.
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.