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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

Performing Arts

An illustration of a human-form collage of arboreal textures and human-figure illustrations.

NYU’s ‘Here Lies Love’ syllabus dives deep into the controversial musical

Two NYC-based professors, one from NYU, collaborated to compile a selection of resources that contextualize David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s musical.
Ella Sabrina Malabanan, Contributing Writer September 28, 2023

An NYU professor contributed to a public syllabus analyzing David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s “Here Lies Love,” a controversial disco-pop musical about former First Lady of the...

A group of people wearing black formalwear stands on an opera stage holding bouquets of flowers and clapping around a man wearing a blue suit with his hand over his heart looking up at the audience.

‘Furiosus’: NYU Casa Italiana opera tells a story of love, despair and madness

NYU’s Casa Italiana and its in-house composer, Roberto Scarcella Perino, present the daring opera “Furiosus.”
Samantha Burge, Contributing Writer April 5, 2023

Within the halls of the Kaufman Music Center, professors Flora Gagliardi and Roberto Scarcella Perino came together to present the North American premiere of a historic opera,...

A Playbill with an image of corn on the cover is placed on top of a fabric bag. A button is pictured, with an image of corn and the text, “I got shucked on Broadway!”

Review: ‘Shucked’: How Broadway’s newest comedy subverts theater tropes

The new musical comedy follows a woman investigating the abrupt disappearance of corn from a rural American town. When an entire audience cheers for a plant growing, you know you’re doing something right.
Gillian Blum, Deputy Managing Editor April 3, 2023

In an era of Broadway defined primarily by adaptations and revivals, any wholly original show is bound to stand out. Add to that originality a hilarious storyline and score, a...

An illustration of a person with a blank face, wearing a black turtleneck sweater against a yellow background. There is a red question mark on the person’s face and text “hanksy” next to it. Several abstract patterns are drawn around the person.

The unexpected connection between Adam Himebauch, Adam Lucas and Hanksy

The mysterious Adam Lucas Himebauch might seem like a 1970s visionary and prolific artist from the early ’70s, but he turns out to be much more.
Alia Arafeh, Contributing Writer December 12, 2022

Within the lower level of the Essex Market, there is a display of photographs of Adam Himebauch that explain his history as a prolific artist who lived and worked in the 1970s....

A woman wearing an orange dress sits in a sofa chair on stage in front of a gray backdrop with smudged square patterns on it.

Q&A: Marjan Neshat on ‘Sandra’ and her Iranian identity

The Iranian actress discusses preparing for the one-woman play, and channeling her heritage while performing.
Roksaneh Salartash, Staff Writer December 12, 2022

A spotlight illuminated the Union Square’s Vineyard Theatre stage, revealing only an actress and a single chair. Marjan Neshat is the star of “Sandra,” a one-woman thriller...

A collage of four photos. The top right features a man wearing a mask with kiwis covering the mouth region and a cracker with kiwis covering the eye region. The top left features a man wearing a food mask with multiple slices or bread surrounding the head, leaving the eyes visible. The bottom right features a man wearing a food mask with multiple tomatoes and basil leaves near the head and mouth regions. The bottom left features a man wearing a food mask with a giant cracker topped with strawberries, a leafy green and green paste on top.

Q&A: Foodmasku on channeling emotions into food mask art

Instagram artist Foodmasku on turning isolation into funny food masks, gun violence in America, and his plans for the future.
Alisha Goel, Contributing Writer December 9, 2022

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of gun violence. I first saw Antonius Wiriadjaja, better known as Foodmasku, at The Invisible Dog Art Center located in Downtown...

Two oil paintings on canvas depicting Asian American portraits are hung against a white wall.

Review: Oscar yi Hou’s ‘East of sun, west of moon’ celebrates artistic autonomy

Oscar yi Hou’s debut exhibition at the Brooklyn Museum confronts generalized notions of the global East and West in a celebration of queerness and Asian American communities.
Natalia Palacino Carmago, Books & Theater Editor December 6, 2022

The complexities and intersections of social identities are something that artists often try to explore in their visual work. The viewer's perception of artwork has much to do...

Three women stand on stage with a wooden stool in the middle of them. On the left is a woman wearing a blue tank top and black yoga pants holding up both of her fists; on the right is a woman wearing a blue t-shirt and blue jeans holding her right fist over her head; in the middle of them is a woman wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans trying to stop the other two women from fighting.

Review: ‘FUKT’ reminds us that it’s never too late to redefine ourselves

Emma Goldman-Sherman’s ‘FUKT’ is an uplifting tale that shows how childhood trauma doesn’t ultimately define us.
Sydni Johnson, Contributing Writer November 29, 2022

Disclaimer: This article mentions abuse and sexual assault. As I walked into The Tank’s black box theater, I came across a vivid set. A plethora of old letters and photos...

Actress Sophie Zucker wearing a black vest looking into a mirror inside a dressing room with red walls and a clothing rack with many hangers on it.

Review: ‘Sophie Sucks Face’ is the celebration of Jewish culture we need right now

This hilarious one-woman show incorporates Jewish culture, sexuality and even kissing a cousin.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor November 18, 2022

Inside of the SoHo Playhouse, the Huron Club houses a small stage and an array of tables with one main centerpiece: bagels. I’ve learned in my Jews of New York class at NYU that...

An illustration of a theater with red curtains drawn and a pair of two white actors on stage. Silhouettes of figures seated in the audience are in the foreground.

Flipping the script: Diversifying American show business

Racism in the theater industry propelled these NYU professors and students to find their footing in the field.
Nandini Gupta, Contributing Writer October 24, 2022

Institutional racism sits at every level of American theater, with limited opportunities for people of color to flourish in the industry and make their mark. Moreover, as a massive...

Two twins wear dresses, one black dress and the other white, while standing on stage basking in a purplish spotlight against a dark background. Each holds a microphone and sings.

Q&A: Twin comedians Annabel and Sabina Meschke on NYU and the future of alt-comedy

I watched NYU alumni Annabel and Sabina Meschke on stage and in conversation, and you have to, too.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor October 21, 2022

I first saw comedians Annabel and Sabina Meschke at Catherine Cohen’s weekly Cabernet Cabaret at Club Cumming. While many of the comedians Cohen has on her shows are young, none...

The silhouettes of three people standing on a hill with seagulls flying in the background.

Review: ‘Drive the Speed Limit’ laughs through the pain of a girl’s discomfort with her body

In an intimate play by NYU students Penelope Gould and Marina Carlstroem, “Drive the Speed Limit” takes on weight and sickness through the eyes of three generations of women.
Malia Lee, Contributing Writer October 12, 2022

“Drive the Speed Limit” is an independently produced show by Gallatin seniors Penelope Gould and Marina Carlstroem. They tell the story of three generations of women: Marnie...