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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

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...

(Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

A first look at a new concert by Tisch Dance students

Second Avenue Dance Company’s October concert will run Oct. 7-9 at the Jack Crystal Theater. Managing Editor Alexandra Chan brings you these photos from the dress rehearsal.
Alexandra Chan, Managing Editor October 8, 2021

Tisch Dance’s Second Avenue Dance Company will premiere its October concert this weekend. It will feature nine pieces, with guest choreographers Yin Yue and Dwight Roden each...

On Sept. 22, University officials made the decision to ban NYU’s performing arts clubs from meeting in person for the time being. This decision creates confusion when considering that most of NYU’s activities take place in person. (Photo by Nika Woodfill)

NYU, reverse the ban on in-person performing arts clubs

On Sept. 22, university senior leadership prohibited performing arts clubs from meeting in-person until further notice. But with a majority of university activity in person, this decision is unfair.
Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor October 4, 2021

Put yourself in an NYU student’s shoes.  You love choreographing with Pulse Dance Project, singing an alto harmony for the N’Harmonics, performing sketches for Friends...

The world is full of critics and people wanting to shut you out. That’s all the more reason to make your art. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Dear Artist: Risks have rewards

In a world filled with criticism, some artists feel pressured to conform to what is considered mainstream. However, now is the time for artists to reclaim what is truly theirs: art itself.
Sasha Cohen, Arts Editor August 30, 2021

Let’s face it: people are insecure. Between balancing the desire for social acceptance and putting forth our most authentic selves, we feel as if every decision we make puts...

Despite not looking or behaving similarly, Asian actress students are constantly mixed up by their NYU professors. U.S. media perpetuates racial microaggressions by either having stereotypical Asian characters or having white-washed characters played by white women. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

We are both Asian, but we look nothing alike

It’s not too late to recognize your subconscious microaggressions and how they induce anxiety and doubt.
Jennifer Ren, Performing Arts Editor August 25, 2021

It’s almost the year-and-a-half anniversary of the last time I performed for a live audience, and let me tell you: this has been the most maddening, daunting and self-doubting...

When the pandemic hit, the drag culture was hit just as hard. Many queens, such as Honey Davenport, turned to the internet and social media, attempting to translate the extravagance of a live performance to a camera. (Staff Illustration by Arnav Binaykia)

New York drag queens share struggles and successes of online performance

Drag queens speak on the drastic changes that New York City’s drag culture experienced during the pandemic.
Valentina Arrieta, Staff Writer May 6, 2021

Drag is a performance of gender expression, most commonly seen when someone performs femininity, or personifies a female character, as a drag queen. Regardless of gender identity,...

NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts is located at 566 Laguardia Pl. In March 2018, the center hosted performances of Gob Squad's 'War and Peace.' (Staff Photo by Alexandra Chan)

Revisiting Gob Squad’s performance techniques in a time of remote theater

While it’s been more than a year without live theater, the enlivening experience of Gob Squad lives on.
Perry Gregory, Contributing Writer May 6, 2021

On a Thursday night in 2018, I felt emotionally stagnant. I decided to see Gob Squad's rendition of "War and Peace" at NYU's Skirball Center. I left the theater in tears and came...

A comprehensive guide on how to alleviate those pre-show jitters and nail your Tisch Drama audition from a Tisch insider. (Photo by Sirui Wu)

An insider’s guide to Tisch Drama auditions

Don’t view your audition as a stressor. Enjoying yourself on that stage is often the best way to break a leg.
Jennifer Ren, Performing Arts Editor May 5, 2021

Legs trembling and hands sweating, I paced back and forth on the second floor of 721 Broadway, waiting for my turn to audition for Tisch Drama. I couldn’t hear anything else...

Bo Burnham concluded his last comedy special, “Make Happy,” in 2016. Burnham will be returning with a brand new special that he filmed alone over the course of the past year. (Staff Photo by Alex Tran)

Bo Burnham surprises fans with upcoming Netflix special

After a five-year comedy hiatus, Bo Burnham’s teaser for his new Netflix special, “Inside” picks up where he left off in 2016’s “Make Happy.”
Caitlin Hsu, Under the Arch Managing Editor April 29, 2021

Bo Burnham concluded his last comedy special, 2016’s “Make Happy,” by walking out the door of his dimly lit guest house into a blindingly bright sunlit backyard as a chorus...

Taylor McBride '22 performing "Here We Stay" for Tisch Offstage. Tisch New Theatre will present narratives about identities that are traditionally left offstage at 8 p.m. from April 30 to May 2. (Photo by Adam Olkin, Courtesy of Tisch Offstage)

Tisch New Theatre’s ‘Offstage’ shines a spotlight on stories often left untold

"Offstage" will present narratives about identities traditionally left outside of theater, with the hopes of creating a more inclusive theater industry.
Jennifer Ren, Performing Arts Editor April 16, 2021

Whether it's auditions, interviews or classes, there are moments that ask us to tell the narratives of our lives. However, when the world is full of judgment and prejudices, certain...

Performance artists are finding innovative ways to continue connecting with their audiences during the pandemic. Marina Abramović, a New York-based Serbian performance artist, partnered with a file sharing service, WeTransfer, to release a digital work and promote rising performance artists. (Staff Illustration by Susan Behrends Valenzuela)

Making performance art possible online: Marina Abramović collaborates with WeTransfer

This summer, performance artist Marina Abramović partners with a file sharing service to release a digital work and promote rising performance artists.
Jennifer Ren, Performing Arts Editor April 12, 2021

If you missed the legendary performance art star Marina Abramović who moved many to tears through “The Artist Is Present” at the Museum of Modern Art in New York in 2010,...