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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 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...

A large wooden puppet named Little Amal with brown skin, long brown hair and clothes with red accents stands in front of the New York Public Library with skyscrapers and street signs in the background. There is a male operating the puppet from inside and a crowd looking at and taking photos of the puppet.

Little Amal captures the heart of NYC during first US visit

After traveling 6,000 miles across 12 countries, puppet Little Amal — an international symbol for human rights — will visit Washington Square Park on Wednesday, Sept. 28.
Yezen Saadah, Staff Writer September 28, 2022

Created by the Handspring Puppet Company in Cape Town, South Africa, Little Amal is a 12-foot puppet of a 10-year-old Syrian refugee girl. Since July 2021, Amal has traveled across...

Five people standing in shallow water in the East River, with midtown Manhattan skyline in the background. From the left: a person with short blonde hair wearing a red coat; a person wearing a black coat; a person with a hat, a red shirt with white dots and a black skirt; a person wearing white hat, blue jersey and beige shorts; a person with black t-shirt and beige shorts.

Performance art in New York waters raises awareness about rising sea levels

Sarah Cameron Sunde’s “36.5 / A Durational Performance with the Sea” is a contemplative observation of climate change.
Polina Belova, Contributing Writer September 26, 2022

One of the goals of performance arts has always been to communicate truths through direct interaction with the audience. However, when it comes to ecological topics, a performer...

Kate Berlant dressed in all black stands on stage facing two bright stage lights with a projection of her face enlarged in the background.

Review: ‘KATE’ is an immersive theatrical experience like nothing you’ve seen before

Kate Berlant stamped her name onto an annoyingly entertaining alt-comedy show that revives live theater.
Alexandra Cohen, Opinion Editor September 23, 2022

You don’t already have to love Kate Berlant to love “KATE.” But we have a kinship — we both followed the all-girls school in Los Angeles to NYU pipeline — a common trend...

A crowd of concert attendees stands in the foreground with a stage and a male performer singing on stage in the background.

The pop-punk revival: Not so simply planned

Just as people thought punk was dead, we entered three years of turmoil which brought it back to life.
Clara Scholl, Arts Editor September 12, 2022

After three years of social and political upheaval, it’s no wonder that our popular music has a bit more angst in it. Artists such as Olivia Rodrigo, Willow Smith and Hayley...

On a theater stage, there is a girl wearing a yellow dress looking toward and talking to a guy wearing a red shirt and blue pants. Behind them is a backdrop with tepees.

Review: ‘The Trojan Women’ is a Native American Greek tragedy

AMERINDA’s adaptation of Euripides’ classic play centers the strength and resilience of Indigenous women in the face of colonization. Performances run until May 15 at Theater for the New City.
Sabrina Choudhary, Deputy Managing Editor May 5, 2022

I first saw “The Trojan Women” during a rehearsal in a dance studio at Abrons Arts Center, a few days before opening night. Even without the sets, lighting, music or costumes...

Multiple “Newsies” cast members stand behind microphones on a small stage surrounded by an applauding crowd.

Review: The ‘Newsies’ anniversary celebration reminded me of why I love NYC

The “Newsies” reunion at 54 Below brought the magic back for a longtime theater fan.
Caitlin Hsu, UTA Publishing Editor March 31, 2022

Anyone who knew me in 2014 could probably tell you that I was absolutely obsessed with the musical “Newsies.” Even though it’s now been years since I donned a newsboy cap...

Paul Lazar walks barefoot across a stage. He is wearing a black blazer, royal blue T-shirt and denim jeans that are cuffed at the ankle.

Structured theatrical chaos in ‘Cage Shuffle Marathon’

Paul Lazar’s latest performance is a joyous celebration of losing control.
Holden Lay, Staff Writer February 28, 2022

Paul Lazar’s “Cage Shuffle Marathon” began and concluded its sold-out limited run at the experimental theater La MaMa this week.  “The Cage Shuffle” is one of actor...

Stephen Sondheim, an American composer and lyricist, started his theater career by writing the lyrics for “West Side Story” in 1957. The eight-time Tony Award winner died on Nov. 26, 2021, at age 91. (Image via Wikimedia Commons)

Stephen Sondheim: a legend who lives on

Eight-time Tony Award and eight-time Grammy Award winning composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim died on Nov. 26, 2021, at age 91.
Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor November 30, 2021

A few days have passed since composer and lyricist Stephen Sondheim's sudden death at age 91, and I am still struggling to make sense of my grief. I grew up with Sondheim. I sang...

Anna Deveare Smith’s play “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992,” first premiered on Broadway in 1994. Now running at the Signature Theatre, the story of the Rodney King uprising is as relevant as ever. (Photo by Joan Marcus, Image courtesy of Signature Theatre)

Review: ‘Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992’ calls out America’s racial hypocrisy

Playing at The Signature Theatre, Anna Deveare Smith’s play about the Rodney King uprising is still tragically relevant.
Katie Brown, Contributing Writer November 2, 2021

In March 1991, officers from the Los Angeles Police Department kicked, manhandled and beat Black motorcyclist Rodney King on Interstate 210, sparking protests in which shops and...