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

Washington Square News
(Lauren Sanchez for WSN)
Former employee sues NYU for religious discrimination
(Ray Qian for WSN)
NYU Abu Dhabi partners with Emirati tech company to further 6G research
(Courtesy of Nicolas Manassi)
Wagner dean on stepping down, returning as a faculty member
NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering campus at Brooklyn Commons in 2022. (Samson Tu for WSN)
Faculty and staff talk merging computer science depts. in Tandon, CAS
NYU purchases Hebrew Union College building for over $75 million
A cardboard sign taped to a metal barricade with the words “WE DO NOT ENGAGE WITH ZIONISTS! WE KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE!”
‘A chilling effect’: Conduct guidelines cast shadow of concern over faculty
A person wearing a keffiyeh is zip tied by a cop in protective gear.
Inside NYU’s 180-plus disciplinary cases against pro-Palestinian students and faculty
Students walking on NYU’s Abu Dhabi campus. (Sam Klein for WSN)
‘Extremely disturbing’: Concerns over academic freedom at NYU Abu Dhabi surface following policies restricting attire at graduation
A purple N.Y.U. flag hangs on a building.
A search firm failed to find misconduct allegations against NYU’s former athletics director. Here’s why.
File Photo: NYU Tisch School of the Arts located at 721 Broadway. (Katie Peurrung for WSN)
A Tisch professor disappeared during a misconduct investigation. Two semesters later, he’s scheduled to teach again.
People rally in front of NYU Langone’s Tisch Hospital, Monday, Feb. 3, 2025, in New York. (Danny Arensberg for WSN)
Over 1,000 call on NYU Langone to continue providing gender-affirming care for children
People walking outside of a building that reads “STRAND BOOKS” while holding signs.
Strand Bookstore workers go on strike, demand higher wages
The front of a brick building with a white door. There is a sign to the right of the door that reads “SIGN OUR PETITION SAVE THE LANDMARK MERCHANT’S HOUSE”
A local museum’s campaign to keep its doors open
The exterior of the main entrance of N.Y.U. Langone Health center, located at 550 First Ave.
Researchers at NYU Langone deem kidney transplants between HIV-positive people safe
People stand in front steps lined with candles, while others light them.
NYU students join citywide youth to honor trans lives in Washington Square Park
(Lauren Sanchez for WSN)
Former employee sues NYU for religious discrimination
(Ray Qian for WSN)
NYU Abu Dhabi partners with Emirati tech company to further 6G research
(Courtesy of Nicolas Manassi)
Wagner dean on stepping down, returning as a faculty member
NYU’s Tandon School of Engineering campus at Brooklyn Commons in 2022. (Samson Tu for WSN)
Faculty and staff talk merging computer science depts. in Tandon, CAS
NYU purchases Hebrew Union College building for over $75 million
(Danny Arensberg for WSN)
Dozens protest onslaught of pro-Palestinian student suspensions
(Samson Tu for WSN)
Admin responds to nonprofit criticizing updated student conduct policy
(Danny Arensberg for WSN)
‘Collective punishment’: NYU suspends 13 students after pro-Palestinian sit-in
People picket in front of a red building with signs reading "DIVEST FROM GENOCIDE," "ARREST NYU TRUSTEES" and "CLASS OF 1972."
Protesters condemn NYU sanctions against students and faculty, demand divestment
A cardboard sign taped to a metal barricade with the words “WE DO NOT ENGAGE WITH ZIONISTS! WE KEEP EACH OTHER SAFE!”
‘A chilling effect’: Conduct guidelines cast shadow of concern over faculty
(Courtesy of Television Academy)
Beyond NYU: Shaping films and shows frame by frame
(Courtesy of Madi Kaplan)
Beyond NYU: Mixing acting with activism
(Courtesy of Chelsea Kyle)
Beyond NYU: Shaking up the restaurant industry one article at a time
A woman smiling against a black background with the words “N.Y.U. BEYOND” written to the left.
Beyond NYU: Opening doors to STEM for students of color nationwide
A close-up shot of a man wearing a blue-striped shirt and brown pants sitting in a floral-decorated staircase with big white words that say “BEYOND N.Y.U.”
Beyond NYU: From 8th-grade star to Broadway regular
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Opinion: Campus conversations must include all voices
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Editorial: NYU, step up
What to do if stopped by ICE
What to do if stopped by ICE
Editorial: NYU’s disciplinary measures against students are reckless and reactive
Editorial: NYU’s disciplinary measures against students are reckless and reactive
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Guest Essay: In protest of NYU Langone
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Editorial: NYU, step up
Editorial: NYU’s disciplinary measures against students are reckless and reactive
Editorial: NYU’s disciplinary measures against students are reckless and reactive
An illustration of a collage of different scenes, such as a war zone, the face of prime minister of Israel Benjamin Netanyahu and a person holding a sign that says "BANS OFF OUR BODIES."
Editorial: Reflect. Recharge. Then get to work.
An illustration of a balancing weight scale with a box on each side. One says “LOCAL VOTE” and the other says “FEDERAL VOTE.”
Editorial: Think globally, vote locally
NYU students gather for a vigil in Washington Square Park mourning the loss of life in Lebanon on Tuesday, Sept. 24, 2024 in New York.
Editorial: NYU needs to talk about Lebanon. Publicly.
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: Silver School dean on the case for a tuition-free social work education
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: Wasserman Center director on the Handshake job search platform
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: CWS director on suicide response and mental health resources
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: NYU remains committed to NYU Tel Aviv
An illustration of a white postcard with a red stamp in the top right corner. On the postcard are the words “letter to the editor” in a cursive style. Behind the postcard is a closed gray envelope.
Letter to the Editor: An open letter to President Hamilton
A four panel illustration of four different people drawn in a monochrome purple pallet.
Off-Third: NYU released their shortlist for consultants on ‘institutional restraint.’ You won’t believe who’s on it.
An illustration of a poster on a utility pole with a woman in the center with a question mark over her face. Above are the words “LINDA MILLS” and below are the words “Lookalike Contest.”
Off-Third: Linda Mills lookalike contest brings new crowd to Gould Plaza
A portrait of Eric Adams wearing a gray suit, white collared shirt and navy blue printed tie. He stands in front of a royal blue background and an American flag on a floor stand.
Off-Third: Eric Adams and Rudy Giuliani compete to be NYC’s most disgraced mayor
An illustration of a person with binoculars staring in awe at a woman wearing dark sunglasses and red lipstick.
Off-Third: How to stalk campus celebrities
An image of a N.Y.U. flag, with the color purple edited into pink.
Off-Third: NYU changes branding to save misled patients
An illustration of a woman screaming and text that reads “STAFF RANTS.”
Staff Rants: Post-election feelings
An illustration of a black megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in white letters. There are black and white lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is red.
Staff Rants: Springing in and out of spring
An illustration of a black megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in white letters. There are black and white lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is red.
Staff Rants: New beginnings or old complaints?
An illustration of a megaphone with the phrase “Staff Rants” written on it. The megaphone wears a red Santa hat and the background is white with blue snowflakes.
Staff Rants: Holiday Overload
An illustration of a purple and orange megaphone that reads ‘STAFF RANTS’ in green letters. There are purple and green lines coming out of the megaphone. The background is black.
Staff Rants: Spooky season
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
The architect of a dynasty: How the NYU women’s basketball coach built the team into a powerhouse
Staff Reacts: Super Bowl LIX
Staff Reacts: Super Bowl LIX
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Men’s basketball buzzer-beater win, women’s basketball 50th straight victory and other news
NYU ice hockey honors 2015 national championship team
NYU ice hockey honors 2015 national championship team
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of the UK, Washington, D.C. and Italy
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
Men’s basketball buzzer-beater win, women’s basketball 50th straight victory and other news
An illustration of bold white text that says “Weekly Sports Update” on a purple background with light purple flowers.
Soccer and volleyball begin UAA conference play, top finishes for both cross country teams and other news
Women’s tennis player wins championship, men’s soccer score double digits and other news
Women’s tennis player wins championship, men’s soccer score double digits and other news
An illustration of bold white text that says “Weekly Sports Update” on a purple background with light purple flowers.
Women’s golf places third, women’s soccer remains undefeated and other news
An illustration of bold white text that says “Weekly Sports Update” on a purple background with light purple flowers.
Golf and tennis kick off seasons, men’s soccer suffers first loss and other news
(Levi Langley for WSN)
In the Huddle: Janie Cooper on her yearlong racing season
(Sidney Snider for WSN)
In the Huddle: Connor Vincent on his collegiate swimming career
A man in a dark coat standing outside in a park and smiling at the camera.
In the Huddle: Zach Knudsen on his aspirations and optimism for the upcoming season
A woman in a white shirt stands in front of a dark background.
In the Huddle: Maria Stamos on fencing at NYU and competing at the international level
A medic applies a black bandage to an N.Y.U. wrestler crouched on the ground in a purple leotard that reads “VIOLETS.”
In the Huddle: Trent Furman on his 100th career win and experience as a Violet
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of the UK, Washington, D.C. and Italy
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of London, Washington, D.C. and Sydney
An illustration of an outline of a referee yelling “OUT OF BOUNDS” with three buildings behind him.
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of Accra, London and Madrid
A purple illustration of a referee yelling “OUT OF BOUNDS” in a speech bubble with the Big Ben tower, a tower from Madrid and the United States Capitol building behind him. The referee holds a purple whistle.
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of London, D.C. and Madrid
A purple illustration of a person shouting “OUT OF BOUNDS" while holding a big whistle. Behind the person is Big Ben, the Berlin TV Tower and Puerto Madero's Puente de la Mujer footbridge.
Out of Bounds: Major sports news out of Buenos Aires, London and Berlin
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Flying Solo’s 4th show at NYFW reinvents fashion basics
(Kiara Mujica and Kyra Reilley for WSN)
A guide to Valentine’s Day gifts by NYU school
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
Michael DePaulo returns to NYFW with an entourage of futuristic florals
How NYU students celebrated Lunar New Year
How NYU students celebrated Lunar New Year
For these fashion vendors, vintage never goes out of style
For these fashion vendors, vintage never goes out of style
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Flying Solo’s 4th show at NYFW reinvents fashion basics
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
Michael DePaulo returns to NYFW with an entourage of futuristic florals
For these fashion vendors, vintage never goes out of style
For these fashion vendors, vintage never goes out of style
(Andrea Lui for WSN)
Walter Van Beirendonck brings aliens to Earth at Paris Fashion Week
(Allina Xiao for WSN)
Kidill delivers drums, dance and brilliant punk chaos to Paris Fashion Week
Cooking up suburban escape
Cooking up suburban escape
(Suditi Sircar for WSN)
Love at first bite: The best recipes for Valentine’s Day
(Julia Smerling for WSN)
Ranked: Lunchly
(Mariana Arboleda for WSN)
Is reviving diner culture heroic or corrupt?
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
5 soups to help you combat the winter cold
How NYU students celebrated Lunar New Year
How NYU students celebrated Lunar New Year
(Mariana Arboleda for WSN)
This Stern club highlights minority voices in the world of finance
(Lianna O’Grady for WSN)
Welcoming Lunar New Year in a new home
An illustration of simplified drawings of various forms of self-care like tea, a person wearing a face mask, and a person doing yoga on a blue background.
What it means to take care of yourself across different cultures
On a light green background, four orange rectangles show hands making different signs in each one.
How multicultural sororities foster community at NYU
A collage of various N.Y.U.-specific illustrations in green and blue.
Ranked: NYU lore
An illustration of an oven roasted turkey against a light purple background.
Ranked: Thanksgiving foods
An illustration of a taco fighting french fries boxing in a ring.
Ranked: Fast food near campus
(Gia Sidhu for WSN)
Ranked: Microtrends
A collage of three photos. On the left, a model walks in a black, lace bodysuit with knee–length tassels hanging from the neckline. In the middle, a model stands in front of a flashlight, wearing a high khaki-beige collar with layered circular cut-out on two sides, with a side slit skirt and knee high boots. On the right, a model wears an oversized blue pinstripe suit and a beige hat. There is a red bandana tied around their neck and collection of small red knotted ropes attached to one breast of their jacket.
Ranked: The top 5 looks from WSN’s NYFW coverage
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Flying Solo’s 4th show at NYFW reinvents fashion basics
(Kiran Komanduri for WSN)
Michael DePaulo returns to NYFW with an entourage of futuristic florals
(Andrea Lui for WSN)
Walter Van Beirendonck brings aliens to Earth at Paris Fashion Week
(Allina Xiao for WSN)
Kidill delivers drums, dance and brilliant punk chaos to Paris Fashion Week
A model wearing a long light-blue spaghetti-strap dress walks in the middle of 10 other models standing in a circle.
WSN at New York Fashion Week
(Ivy Chan for WSN)
80WSE’s latest exhibition explores a better society through fashion
(Charlotte Nichols for WSN)
Review: From the battles to the bedroom, ‘Onyx Storm’ was rushed and unsatisfying
(Courtesy of Nick Mora)
Interview: Musician Brent de la Cruz on the importance of collaboration and inspiration
(Kiara Mujica for WSN)
Books beyond Bobst: Essays about the ’60s, stories about body horror and more
(Courtesy of IMDb)
Review: The future of dating is bleak in ‘Companion’
(Charlotte Nichols for WSN)
Review: From the battles to the bedroom, ‘Onyx Storm’ was rushed and unsatisfying
(Kiara Mujica for WSN)
Books beyond Bobst: Essays about the ’60s, stories about body horror and more
The 5 most anticipated reads of 2025
The 5 most anticipated reads of 2025
(Kyra Reilley for WSN)
5 budget-friendly ways to consume books
(Allina Xiao for WSN)
Books beyond Bobst: An Irish novella, a historical fantasy book and more
(Courtesy of IMDb)
Review: The future of dating is bleak in ‘Companion’
(Courtesy of Atlas Media Corp, A Zeitgeist Films Release in Association with Kino Lorber)
Review: ‘Liza: A Truly Terrific Absolutely True Story’ brings us the unseen stories of the showbiz icon
(Courtesy of IMDb)
10 movies to look out for in 2025
(Courtesy of IMDb)
The case for ‘The Brutalist’
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Remembering David Lynch: A legacy of dreams, oddities and love
(Courtesy of Nick Mora)
Interview: Musician Brent de la Cruz on the importance of collaboration and inspiration
10 guilty pleasure albums that we unapologetically love
(Courtesy of Dualtone Records)
Review: Flipturn’s ‘Burnout Days’ explores the tension between youth and stress
(Courtesy of Warner Records)
Review: ‘I’ve Tried Everything But Therapy (Part 2)’ falls saccharine and stale
(Courtesy of 88rising)
​​Review: Knock2’s ‘nolimit’ is a bright and boisterous collection of bangers
(Courtesy of Roundabout Theatre Company)
Review: In ‘English,’ the fight to learn a new language perseveres
An illustration of a hand holding a nutcracker on a blue background scattered with snowflakes.
Let out of the doll box: My retirement from ‘The Nutcracker’
Dancers dressed in soldier costumes lined up onstage.
The Rockettes don’t know when to tap out
Two people stand on a stage with their hands on a table, looking at each other.
Broke People Play Festival expands to uplift more student artists
A person wearing a blue suit with white sleeves holds the hand of a person wearing a pink dress while they sit on a beige couch in a set of a house.
Review: ‘The Great Gatsby’ disguises mediocrity with a star-studded cast
(Ivy Chan for WSN)
80WSE’s latest exhibition explores a better society through fashion
Three balconies spiraling up with various art pieces on the walls and people perusing them.
Review: The Guggenheim’s new exhibition teaches a history lesson about a fleeting art movement
Ten paintings are hung up in a large group on a light purple gallery wall.
Review: ‘Toward Joy’ builds new frameworks for American art
An illustration of an armed man with a redacted face in front of a collage of U.S. conspiracy imagery.
Review: ‘Call of Duty: Black Ops 6’ is annoyingly fun
A woman stands and looks up in front of abstract colors.
When I need to reconnect with myself, I go to museums
NYU Dining Halls: Farm-to-Table Eats!
NYU Dining Halls: Farm-to-Table Eats!
Cartoon: An ode to Albert
Cartoon: An ode to Albert
(Anna Baird-Hassell, Alex Woodworth, Isabel Albors, and Rachel Ning for WSN)
On the Street: Winter break
(Alex Woodworth for WSN)
Students protest Trump presidency with march on campus
In the panel titled Tisch, a girl with long braided hair, alternative clothing and round glasses types on a computer with sheets of paper flying around her. Her eyes are swirls and her expression is panicked as she says, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have a 73-page play due tomorrow!” In the panel titled Stern, a man with short dark hair and rectangular glasses wears a suit saying, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have 500+ LinkedIn connections due tomorrow…” He holds a phone with a symbol of people and the number 500 while people shake hands in the background. In the panel titled Gallatin, a boy with wavy brown hair and goggles holds ropes while saying, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have to weave a basket underwater tomorrow.” Another dialogue line reads “Yeah, that’s my concentration…” next to drawings of fish and baskets. In the panel titled Steinhardt, a girl with curly blonde hair and freckles stares at a phone while various electronic devices are scattered in the background including a phone with a caller ID saying “Kiara & Allina.” In a dialogue bubble she says, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have to communicate tomorrow.” In the panel titled Tandon a boy with round glasses, a puffer vest, a quarter-zip sweater and dyed purple hair says, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have a robot due tomorrow!” Behind him is a robot holding a sandwich on a plate saying “YUMMY,” a laptop on a desk displaying “Chat G.P.T.” and a blackboard with various diagrams in white chalk. In the panel titled C.A.S. is a girl wearing a white lab coat and goggles over a pink shirt and saying, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have to write an essay on bird migration in Ancient Greece due tomorrow!” She holds an open book while plucking a leaf off of an overhead branch with forceps, facing away from a desk where a beaker of green liquid overflows.
Cartoon: NYU during finals is just so … unique
NYU Dining Halls: Farm-to-Table Eats!
NYU Dining Halls: Farm-to-Table Eats!
Cartoon: An ode to Albert
Cartoon: An ode to Albert
In the panel titled Tisch, a girl with long braided hair, alternative clothing and round glasses types on a computer with sheets of paper flying around her. Her eyes are swirls and her expression is panicked as she says, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have a 73-page play due tomorrow!” In the panel titled Stern, a man with short dark hair and rectangular glasses wears a suit saying, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have 500+ LinkedIn connections due tomorrow…” He holds a phone with a symbol of people and the number 500 while people shake hands in the background. In the panel titled Gallatin, a boy with wavy brown hair and goggles holds ropes while saying, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have to weave a basket underwater tomorrow.” Another dialogue line reads “Yeah, that’s my concentration…” next to drawings of fish and baskets. In the panel titled Steinhardt, a girl with curly blonde hair and freckles stares at a phone while various electronic devices are scattered in the background including a phone with a caller ID saying “Kiara & Allina.” In a dialogue bubble she says, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have to communicate tomorrow.” In the panel titled Tandon a boy with round glasses, a puffer vest, a quarter-zip sweater and dyed purple hair says, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have a robot due tomorrow!” Behind him is a robot holding a sandwich on a plate saying “YUMMY,” a laptop on a desk displaying “Chat G.P.T.” and a blackboard with various diagrams in white chalk. In the panel titled C.A.S. is a girl wearing a white lab coat and goggles over a pink shirt and saying, “Sorry, I can't go out tonight, I have to write an essay on bird migration in Ancient Greece due tomorrow!” She holds an open book while plucking a leaf off of an overhead branch with forceps, facing away from a desk where a beaker of green liquid overflows.
Cartoon: NYU during finals is just so … unique
In a grayscale comic, a person works at a desk in front of a computer next to a window showing a city in ruins with a fallen sign saying “TECH INDUSTRY.” In the bottom right corner is a thought bubble that says, “Why can’t I find an internship?”
Cartoon: Your major in computer science has been declared
Cartoon: Time is Ticking
Cartoon: Time is Ticking
An aerial view of an autumn field with a runway and body of water, with factories and suburbs on the left.
How to legally fly a drone in NYC
A person stands on stage staring into the distance. They have dark hair and wear a black fur shawl.
For Hannah Weisz, performance is resistance
(Krish Dev for WSN)
Finding school spirit at NYU
Pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrate on Gould Plaza holding a Palestinian flag and a sign that reads “No more dollar sign for Israel’s crimes.”
Inside the Gaza Solidarity Encampment at NYU
(Krish Dev for WSN)
‘Gaza Solidarity Encampment’ becomes site of mass arrest at NYU
SLAM! at NYU celebrates the art of spoken word
SLAM! at NYU celebrates the art of spoken word
Mou Theatre brings together Mandarin-speaking theater enthusiasts at NYU
Mou Theatre brings together Mandarin-speaking theater enthusiasts at NYU
A woman hanging a Turkish flag on a curtain by a window at N.Y.U.'s Kimmel Center. Outside of the window is a red building.
Turkish NYU students commemorate 85 years since the death of republic founder
Barks in Tompkins Square Park: Annual Halloween Dog Parade returns
Barks in Tompkins Square Park: Annual Halloween Dog Parade returns
Rob Benevides applies a white wig to an actor wearing a prosthetic costume face.
An inside look at the art and design process of behind-the-scenes artists
The Sports Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
The Sports Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
An illustration of Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump, over a blue and red background.
The Election Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
Six models wearing all black, walking down a runway in a single-file line.
The Fashion Issue | Under the Arch Magazine
(Alisia Houghtaling for WSN)
Welcome home, class of 2028
The Housing Guide | Under the Arch Magazine
The Housing Guide | Under the Arch Magazine
SPONSORED: How to find your best college fit
SPONSORED: Navigating mental health as a student: How Mid City TMS can support you
SPONSORED: How do I sublet my apartment this summer?
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
Guru Ramanathan

Guru Ramanathan, Under the Arch Managing Editor

Guru Ramanathan is a senior in Tisch majoring in Dramatic Writing. Born in India, but living in Boston for most of his life, he was initially very confused by the lack of Dunkin’ Donuts in New York City but grew to love Starbucks’ hot chocolate. Guru lives and breathes film to the point where every other thing he says is probably a movie quote, and he was also a tennis and piano player for 10 years each. If you ever need to find him he will probably be writing something on the seventh floor of Bobst or the Dramatic Writing department’s half of the seventh floor in Tisch. Follow him on Instagram @i.am.gru and listen to his podcast, “The Passion Project.”

All content by Guru Ramanathan
Guru Ramanathan

Guru Ramanathan

Guru Ramanathan • May 7, 2020

I didn’t expect myself to spend my entire college career in the WSN basement, but perhaps that’s a virtue of choosing to graduate early. While I’ve been fortunate enough...

Housing Guide 2020

Housing Guide 2020

Guru Ramanathan, Under the Arch Managing Editor • February 20, 2020

Quantitative and Emotional: the Many Contradictions of Wayne Carino

Quantitative and Emotional: the Many Contradictions of Wayne Carino

The Wagner grad student and NYU Sustainability Fellow does what he calls “background work,” but has been instrumental in and out of NYU to provide environmental policy solutions for marginalized communities and developing countries.
Guru Ramanathan, Under the Arch Managing Editor • December 5, 2019

When Wayne Carino enters the NYU Office of Sustainability, he barely says a word to anyone before sitting down to work. Within minutes of coming into the office, he immediately...

Does My Breakdown Need a Doctor’s Note?

Does My Breakdown Need a Doctor’s Note?

At a school where absences are rarely excused, it becomes hard to know when we’ve reached our breaking point.
Claire Fishman, Arts Editor • November 18, 2019

One recent Sunday morning, I awoke to a queasiness in my stomach that, within minutes, prompted me to stumble out of bed and onto my knees in front of my toilet. I was violently...

The Scandinavian Scholar Fighting for Planet Earth

The Scandinavian Scholar Fighting for Planet Earth

From music festivals to museum to J-PopCon, Louise Lessél uses her creative technology expertise and numerous media degrees to create art and experiences. Now, as a master’s student at ITP, she reflects on her educational career and her aspirations to spread awareness of overlooked issues.
Claire Fishman, Arts Editor • October 14, 2019

Louise Lessél looks like she wandered off the page of a Scandinavian lifestyle magazine. Freckled and fair, she meets me in clean, white clothes. As we shake hands, I mention...

(via YouTube)

Staff Recs: Pretentious Films to Impress Your Fake Friends

Need to sound like you know about movies? Here are a few of our go-tos.
Claire Fishman, Fareid El Gafy, Ethan Zack and Julie Goldberg • September 11, 2019

Your friends told you to watch it. It was on your Amazon recommended list. And now the Arts Desk of WSN, a group of complete strangers, is going to reinforce everything that they’ve...

Larry David at a film festival in 2009. (Via Wikimedia)

Unpopular Opinions: Unconventionally Hot Girl Summer

The Arts Desk weighs in on some underrated hotties in the entertainment industry.
Kaylee DeFreitas, Ethan Zack, Fareid El Gafy, Claire Fishman and Julie Goldberg • September 9, 2019

Hot Girl Summer is ending and with so many unconventionally attractive additions to the Hot Girl Summer canon (Lizzo, Billie Eilish, Beto O’Rourke), we at the Arts Desk thought...

Tyler Cooperman sits on a custom painted Patrick Church couch in his exhibition at 117 Beekman. (Staff Photo by Claire Fishman)

Art Business ‘Takes a Village’; Meet its Mayor, Tyler Cooperman

A day in the life of 2018 grad Tyler Cooperman: artist representative, curator and secret finance bro.
Claire Fishman, Arts Editor • September 3, 2019

It is a Friday afternoon in the Financial District. The sun beats down at 86 degrees even though the forecast promised a more mild afternoon. On Beekman Street, Tyler Cooperman...

The facade of The Metropolitan Museum of Art, one of New York’s must-see art destinations. (Photo via Flickr)

The New York City Art Scene: An Introduction

With so much wonderful art in New York City at our fingertips, it’s hard to know where to start. Here are a few helpful suggestions.
Claire Fishman, Arts Editor • August 24, 2019

The New York City visual art scene is a daunting one. With so many distinguished museums, galleries and pop-up exhibits, it’s nearly impossible to decide how to spend your weekend....

Go Digital Or Go Home

Go Digital Or Go Home

As the presence of online journalism continues to grow, we must strive to use all forms of digital storytelling to our advantage.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • May 8, 2019

There is more than one way to tell a story. In the age of digital resources, social media and streaming, it is imperative that this notion is not just begrudgingly acknowledged...

PEN America, the free expression nonprofit, presents the 15th annual World Voices Festival through May 12. (via Wikimedia)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: May 10 to 12

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor • May 8, 2019

It’s the last week of class and my final column of the semester. To celebrate the end of the school year and/or Mother’s Day — this Sunday, don’t forget to call your mom!...

Niri (Lima Das) making her feature debut in “Aamis.” (via Metanormal Motion Pictures)

‘Aamis’ Team on Their Flesh-Eating Romance at Tribeca

WSN sat down with the director, lead actress, producer and composers of the Assamese film.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • May 6, 2019

For all the surprises it holds, “Aamis,” writer and director Bhaskar Hazarika’s latest film, looks regrettably generic at first glance. A married clinician named Nirmali...

Left to right: guitarist Brian Robert Jones, Ezra Koenig, Chris Baio and touring guitarist Greta Morgan, of Vampire Weekend. The band played an impromptu acoustic show in Washington Square Park on the release day of their new album "Father of the Bride." (Staff photo by Katie Peurrung)

Vampire Weekend Plays Surprise WSP Set

The Grammy-winning indie rock group played an acoustic set in Washington Square Park earlier today, the same day they released their first album in six years.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor • May 3, 2019

Indie rock royalty Vampire Weekend played an impromptu acoustic set this afternoon in Washington Square Park to a small, hushed crowd. The band played a mix of classics and...

Erturk graduated from Tisch in 2016 and premiered his feature film debut at Tribeca. (via Cenk Erturk)

Tisch MFA Alum Cenk Ertürk’s Journey to Tribeca

WSN sits down with Tisch MFA alum Cenk Ertürk to talk about “Noah Land,” his feature debut at Tribeca.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • May 2, 2019

When Turkish immigrant Cenk Ertürk first set foot in the United States, he came with a dream of being a filmmaker despite having no formal education in the craft. Little did he...

The Brooklyn Museum. (via Wikimedia)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: May 3 to 5

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor • May 1, 2019

The end of the semester — and finals season — is fast approaching. I’m sure many of us could use a little distraction from the stress of studying, so check out one of these...

Promotional poster for season eight of "Game of Thrones." (via Flickr)

Popularity, The Displeasing and ‘Game of Thrones’

“Game of Thrones” is both one of television’s most popular and least decent shows.
Dante Sacco, Deputy Arts Editor • May 1, 2019

Few elements of the American experience even approach ubiquity. The internet, thousands of TV channels and cultural polarization have led to a nation of enclaves and isolation,...

Stephen Curry (pictured) of the Warriors won his first Most Valuable Player Award in 2015. (via Wikimedia)

In Appreciation of the NBA’s Middle Class

How staying the course and refusing to tank paid off for a few non-contenders in the Western Conference.
Dante Sacco, Deputy Arts Editor • April 28, 2019

One looming, immutable fact weighs on the mind of every NBA fan at the beginning, middle and end of every season. There are 30 teams, and only one of them can end the season with...

The Tisch School of the Arts hosts many majors that require in person instruction. Students at Tisch and other schools have begun to worry about the possibility of a virtual fall semester. (Photo by Alina Patrick)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: April 26 to 28

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor • April 24, 2019

Finals are just around the corner, and I know y'all are stressing — use one of these arts and entertainment events to get your mind off of that test stress and enjoy the wonderful...

Sharpay had some valid points, OK? (via Disney)

Unpopular Opinions: When the Villain Was Right

Our staff gives you some of their best hot takes on some of pop culture’s most notorious bad guys.
Nicole Rosenthal, Dante Sacco, Alex Cullina and Sakshi Venkatraman • April 23, 2019

It’s one of the most fundamental, elemental tropes in storytelling — the good guy vs. the bad guy, light vs. darkness, good vs. evil. The examples are infinite — Harry Potter...

Student cinematographer, Jason S Lee is a junior at Tisch. (Staff Photo by Alina Patrick)

How a Tisch Junior Ended up Shooting for Chanel

Meet Jason Lee, the Korean international student who networked his way into shooting magazine editorials.
Claire Fishman, Film & TV Editor • April 22, 2019

Jason S. Lee likes to say that he’s lucky. After only a year of handling a camera, he won a Connecticut Regional Scholastic Art Award at 16. Only a few months later, Lee’s...

NYU’s Skirball Center of the Performing Arts (via NYU).

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: April 19 to 21

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Books & Theater Editor • April 18, 2019

With 4/20, Easter and Earth Day all approaching back-to-back, I’m sure everyone’s weekend schedules are packed. But on the off chance you have some free time in the next few...

A poster for the Lizzie McGuire Movie. (via wikimedia commons)

Staff Recs: Best Disney Channel Original Movies

We’ve talked about some of our favorite childhood Disney series, but let’s not forget how one of our favorite channels was churning out classic T.V. movies at this time as well.
Guru Ramanathan, Nicole Rosenthal, Claire Fishman and Melanie Pineda • April 18, 2019
We’ve talked about some of our favorite childhood Disney series, but let’s not forget how one of our favorite channels was churning out classic T.V. movies at this time as well.
Molly Shannon and Susan Ziegler in "Wild Nights with Emily." The new biographical comedy-drama depicts the love affair between poet Emily Dickinson and her sister-in-law and muse Susan Huntington Dickinson with warmth and humor. (via P2 Films)

Tisch Alum’s Film Shines New Light on Emily Dickinson

Writer and director Madeleine Olnek’s new dramedy “Wild Nights with Emily” uses relatively recent insights into the poet’s private life.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor • April 16, 2019

Everyone knows the story of the 19th-century American poet Emily Dickinson: she was a spinster and a recluse, and she wrote her poems without intending for them to ever be published. “People...

The movie poster for Moonlight, an A24 film. (via A24)

Unpopular Opinion: A24 Films

Before you watch “Under the Silver Lake,” let’s revisit past A24 films and break down if they’re really as good as Tisch kids say they are.
Nicole Rosenthal, Guru Ramanathan, Alex Cullina and Dante Sacco • April 16, 2019

Over the past few years, indie film studio A24 has taken over the independent movie zeitgeist, and certainly captured the love of the NYU community to the point where everyone...

“Turbulence" is a theater piece exploring the “experiences of Black and People of Color (BPOC) in clinical settings and society at large.” (via nyu.edu)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: April 12 to 14

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor • April 10, 2019

New York City is the cultural capital of the world, people! Go out! Explore! Do stuff! Like, for example, one of these arts and entertainment events? Steinhardt presents “Turbulence”...

Book cover of It's Kind of a Funny Story. (via Hyperion)

Unpopular Opinions: Young Adult Novels

The Arts Desk gives some fresh takes on novels for younger audiences.
Guru Ramanathan, Dante Sacco and Alex Cullina • April 9, 2019

A new young adult novel adaptation, “After,” hits theaters this weekend, and for once it’s not based on a book by John Green or Nicholas Sparks. But instead of needlessly...

The Gallatin Arts Festival runs April 8-12. The showcase of work by Gallatin undergraduates celebrates the school's unique interdisciplinary approach, focusing on work that straddles themes and media. (Staff Photo by Min Ji Kim)

Gallatin Arts Fest Embodies School’s Unique Spirit

The annual showcase of visual and performing arts work by Gallatin students celebrates the school’s interdisciplinary academics and community spirit.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor • April 8, 2019

The 26th annual Gallatin Arts Festival, a weeklong showcase of artwork and performances by students in the Gallatin School of Individualized Study, kicks off tonight with a gallery...

The Fusion Film Festival. (via Facebook)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: April 4 to 7

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor • April 4, 2019

Midterms are done with, and finals are still a ways away — or so I’d like to think. Why not enjoy the mid-semester lull — and the beautiful weather — by checking out one...

Arts Issue | Spring 2019

Arts Issue | Spring 2019

Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • April 3, 2019

(Photo by Katie Peurrung)

Danielle Braga Jones | A Brazilian Bostonian Photographs New York City

Dante Sacco, Deputy Arts Editor • April 3, 2019

(Photo by Katie Peurrung)

Alexandra Muhawi-Ho | Arab-Chinese Filmmaker Seizes Freedom of Choice

Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • April 3, 2019

(Photo by Katie Peurrung)

Luca Renzi Smith | From Bethlehem to Bleecker Street, It’s Queer Dance Jesus

Claire Fishman, Film Editor • April 3, 2019

(Photo by Katie Peurrung, Collage by Sophia Di Iorio, Additional Images via the New York Public Library)

Devanshi Khetarpal | An Indian Poet Finds the Sublime in the Everyday

Alex Cullina, Theatre & Books Editor • April 3, 2019

(On the left side, top to bottom) Fish Night, Beyond the Aquila Rift, Alternate Histories, (The right side, top to bottom), When the Yogurt Took Over, Three Robots, Zima Blue.(Courtesy of Netflix)

‘Love, Death & Robots’ Is Good, Great and Forgettable

From farmers fighting aliens in mech suits to a cup of yogurt taking over the world, the new Netflix anthology series can be an emotional rollercoaster.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • April 1, 2019

David Fincher helped bring Netflix’s popularity to new heights with the critically acclaimed “House of Cards,” one of the streaming service’s first big hits. He came back...

Activists Marcella Gilbert (Oohenumpa and Ihanktowan Bands of the Lakota and Dakota nations) and Madonna Thunder Hawk (Oohenumpa Lakota, enrolled citizen of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe), in the documentary "Warrior Women." (Photo by John G. Larson, courtesy of NMAI)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: March 28 to 31

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Books & Theater Editor • March 27, 2019

Spring has finally sprung, people! This is not a drill! Go outside and do stuff! Steinhardt’s “Opera Now: Three to See” at Provincetown Playhouse, March 28 - 31 Come...

(via 20th Century Fox)

Unpopular Opinions: Animal Characters

No animals were harmed in the making of this list.
Guru Ramanathan, Dante Sacco and Alex Cullina • March 26, 2019

The live-action “Dumbo” remake comes out this week, and it got the Arts Desk thinking about the countless animal characters that have graced the silver screen, especially in...

Aml Ameen plays a young courier named ‘D’ in 'Yardies'. (Courtesy of Rialto Pictures)

‘Yardie’ Is a Jamaican Throwback to Gang Dramas of Old

Idris Elba tries his hand at directing in “Yardie,” based on Victor Headley’s novel.
Dante Sacco, Deputy Arts Editor • March 25, 2019

They are the familial and relational conflicts that preface and define their violent stories: Grangerford or Shepherdson, Greaser or Soc, Shark or Jet, Native American or Dead...

Anupam Kher as "Oberoi" in director Anthony Maras' Hotel Mumbai, a Bleecker Street release. (Courtesy of Mark Rogers / Bleecker Street)

Anupam Kher on Tragedy and Compassion in ‘Hotel Mumbai’

The acclaimed Bollywood thespian spoke with WSN about playing a real-life character in his new film.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • March 25, 2019

Eleven years ago, the Indian metropolis of Mumbai was brought under siege by Pakistani terrorists in a deadly attack. A popular restaurant, two hospitals and the Taj Mahal Palace...

Poster for the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. (via Facebook)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: March 15 to 17

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Books and Theater Editor • March 14, 2019

St. Patrick’s Day is this Sunday — if you want to escape the inevitable onslaught of intoxicated revelers this weekend, check out one of these arts and entertainment events....

Movie poster for Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (2019). (via Warner Bros. Pictures)

Unpopular Opinions: Children’s Book Series

In honor of the new Nancy Drew movie coming out, the Arts Desk is giving its hot takes on children’s book series.
Nicole Rosenthal, Guru Ramanthan, Dante Sacco and Alex Cullina • March 12, 2019

If you weren’t already aware, “Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase” is coming out this week. Since it’s based on the popular children’s book series, the Arts Desk is...

The Outlying and Malicious Tuition Policy of NYU

The Outlying and Malicious Tuition Policy of NYU

How NYU’s per credit tuition policy lags behind its peers.
Dante Sacco, Deputy Arts Editor • March 11, 2019

You would be hard pressed to find an NYU student clamoring for more responsibilities in their schedule. But when it comes to academic classes, the responsibility required is remunerated...

NYU Professor’s ‘NYLON’ Makes a Complex Plot Work

NYU Professor’s ‘NYLON’ Makes a Complex Plot Work

The past is at the forefront in this new play by Tisch Dramatic Writing professor Sofia Alvarez.
Dante Sacco, Deputy Arts Editor • March 11, 2019

Nylon is a polymer plastic. It’s a long and durable molecule notable for its ability to hold things together, used in products like ropes, stockings and parachutes. In the new...

Promotional media for the Philip K. Dick Film Festival. (via Indiegogo)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: March 7 to 10

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor • March 7, 2019

This weekend is the famed Armory Show, a four-day modern and contemporary art fair in Hell’s Kitchen. The fine art extravaganza has inspired a full week of fairs and exhibitions...

A scene from "Dinner for Schmucks," a remake of the French comedy "Le Dîner de Cons." (via Paramount)

Unpopular Opinions: Remakes and Reboots

With A24’s “Gloria Bell,” the remake of the Chilean film “Gloria,” receiving a lot of early praise, the Arts Desk is looking at other remakes and reboots that are also up to par with, or better than, their predecessors.
Guru Ramanthan, Alex Cullina, Nicole Rosenthal and Dante Sacco • March 6, 2019

From “A Star Is Born” to the upcoming live-action “The Lion King,” remakes and reboots have been mainstays in Hollywood for decades. Though it is easy to immediately discredit...

How Football Is Keeping Women From the Boardroom

How Football Is Keeping Women From the Boardroom

Sorry, Sheryl Sandberg. I tried to lean in, but tipped over a goal post.
Claire Fishman, Film and TV Editor • March 6, 2019

There’s a very peculiar phenomenon in the American workplace. The movies brush over it and the employee handbooks never mention it, but somehow it always manifests itself in...

Sofia Alvarez, a playwright, screenwriter and professor in Tisch’s Department of Dramatic Writing. She co-founded the Blockchain Theater Project, a theater company that seeks to dismantle institutional barriers in theater. (Photo by Min Ji Kim)

Dramatic Writing Professor Brings Blockchain to Theater

Sofia Alvarez, a Tisch professor and the screenwriter of Netflix’s “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before,” is the co-founder of the Blockchain Theater Project, which draws on blockchain’s peer-to-peer model to dismantle the institutional barriers of the theater world.
Alex Cullina, Theater and Books Editor • March 4, 2019

It was late 2017, the height of the bitcoin boom, and Sofia Alvarez, playwright, screenwriter and professor in Tisch’s Department of Dramatic Writing, was looking for a way to...

Paula Beer and Franz Rogowski star in the German drama “Transit”. (Courtesy of Music Box Films)

‘Transit’ Is a Bumpy Ride That Still Bores

Officially selected for the New York Film Festival and the Toronto International Film Festival, the German film is a fascinating character drama that is let down by a poor script.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • March 4, 2019

Like its title suggests, “Transit” is mobile, unable to find solace in any one mood, setting or genre, oscillating back and forth between being an interesting character drama,...

A self portrait by photographer Diane Arbus. Her work is a partial inspiration for "Fiction," a new experimental theater piece written and directed by 600 Highwaymen that questions fundamental assumptions about theater and art. (via facebook.com)

Tisch’s ‘Fiction’ Asks, ‘What Does It Mean to Be a Spectator?’

The new performance piece, written and directed by theatermakers 600 Highwaymen, explores the nature of art and spectatorship through the work of photographer Diane Arbus.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor • February 28, 2019

What is theater? What is performance? What does it mean to watch? To be watched? Tisch Drama Stage’s “Fiction,” running through March 2 at Tisch’s Abe Burrows Theater,...

Acclaimed poet Claudia Rankine, who will be speaking with Layli Long Soldier at the New School on Friday. (via facebook.com)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: Mar. 1 to 3

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Books & Theater Editor • February 28, 2019

With Oscars season finally over and the first of the summer blockbusters still months away, we’re in a bit of an entertainment doldrums at the moment. If you want to keep yourself...

Unpopular Opinions: 2000s Disney Channel Shows

Unpopular Opinions: 2000s Disney Channel Shows

The Arts Desk is here with takes on some of your childhood faves.
Guru Ramanthan, Dante Sacco and Nicole Rosenthal • February 27, 2019

While we recover from the Oscars, it’s time to take another stroll down memory lane and revisit our childhoods. In the past, the Arts Desk has written about some of our favorite...

A view from the street of Steve Locke's “A Partial List of Unarmed African-Americans who were Killed By Police..." Locke's work examines the intersection of the personal and the political, addressing his own inescapable connection to oppressive power structures like racism and homophobia.(Staff Photo by Julia McNeill)

Gallatin Galleries Show Meditates on Sexuality, Masculinity, Race

In “Steve Locke: in the name of love,” the multimedia artist ponders what it means to be black and gay in America today.
Alex Cullina, Books & Theater Editor • February 25, 2019

Steve Locke isn’t just angry. The artist’s work, spanning painting, sculpture, prints and other media, foregrounds the connections between anger, power, shame, desire and love....

A still of Pete Holmes, from the HBO show Crashing. (Courtesy of Craig Blankenhorn)

Pete Holmes Talks ‘Crashing’ and Comedic Identity

Comedian, actor, writer, podcaster and producer Peter Holmes spoke with WSN about the new season of his HBO show “Crashing” and gave his thoughts on modern comedy.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • February 25, 2019

For Pete Holmes, the essence of comedy is truth. This is perhaps why he incorporated several real-life events, like how his ex-wife’s infidelity led him to pursue comedy, into...

Ellen DeGeneres hosted the 86th oscars. (via Youtube)

Unpopular Opinions: Oscar Hosts

The Arts Desk is tired of giving hot takes on snubs and surprises and have decided to critique a different aspect of awards shows: the hosts!
Guru Ramanathan, Claire Fishman, Alex Cullina, Nicole Rosenthal and Dante Sacco • February 20, 2019

Well, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences decided to forgo a host for this year’s Oscars, so what better way to ignore such a boring move than to celebrate the art...

New Netflix documentaries focus on Democrats Beto O'Rourke and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

Netflix Could Be Influencing the Next Election

Everyone complains when celebrities get political, but what happens when the line between entertainment and politics blurs beyond repair?
Dante Sacco, Deputy Arts Editor • February 19, 2019

Dating back to before his presidency, President Donald Trump has consistently crowned himself a master of ratings, possessing an undeniable talent for stoking interest in the American...

Arthur (Vincent Lacoste) dances with Jacques (Pierre Deladonchamps) after coming to Paris to comfort him during his treatment. (Courtesy of Plaire Aimer et Courir)

‘Sorry Angel’ Unveils the Highs and Lows of Queer Love

The French drama offers an unforgivably beautiful portrait of a gay love affair at the height of the AIDS epidemic.
Claire Fishman, Film and TV Editor • February 19, 2019

A young man from the Brittany region of France, Arthur (Vincent Lacoste), and a 40-something-year-old writer, Jacques (Pierre Deladonchamps), meet by chance in a cinema, sneaking...

Neshla Caplan and Adam Kashmiry in "ADAM," running at the Skirball Center for the Performing Arts Feb. 14 - 16. (Photo courtesy of the Skirball Center)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: Feb. 14 to 17

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Books & Theatre Editor • February 14, 2019

This Valentine’s Day weekend, whether you’re single and looking for something to take your mind off of romance or you’re having trouble thinking of a fun, outside-the-box...

Unpopular Opinions: Romantic Comedy Protagonists

Unpopular Opinions: Romantic Comedy Protagonists

Valentine's Day is coming up and the Arts Desk cannot wait! Thus, they’ve decided to critically analyze rom-coms in anticipation of the big day.
Guru Ramanathan, Claire Fishman, Alex Cullina and Nicole Rosenthal • February 13, 2019

People generally tend to fall on two extremes with romantic comedies: they either desperately want to love them or they consider the plots just too cheesy to be appreciated. A...

Students in the production of “Rags”. (Courtesy of NYU Steinhardt)

Steinhardt’s ‘Rags’: A Tale of Trump’s America, 100 Years Ago

Steinhardt presents the newest version of an emotionally stirring musical tale of Jewish immigrants in turn-of-the-century New York City.
Alex Cullina, Books & Theater Editor • February 11, 2019

Immigrants seek a better life for their children in the United States Unsympathetic government officials attempt to separate a mother and her child. Xenophobic nativists demand...

Cover art for "Fyre" on Netflix (Courtesy of Netflix).

Fyre Festival Scam Continues

The music festival scandal that led to a social media riot culminated in two competing documentaries, but even they were unable to escape ethical issues in their production.
Dante Sacco, Staff Writer • February 11, 2019

Fyre Festival, the brainchild of practiced millennial manipulator Billy McFarland, was a 2017 ultra-luxe music festival in the Bahamas imagined to appeal to the basest desires...

Attendees of last year's Black Comix Expo in cosplay. BAM is hosting the second annual expo this Sunday. (via Facebook)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events this Weekend: Feb. 8 to 10

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Alex Cullina, Theater & Books Editor • February 7, 2019

Rather not spend this unseasonably warm weather stuck inside but in a bit of a budget crunch? Here are six fun ways to spend your weekend without breaking the bank. Phantom...

Promotional poster for the Netflix series "Sex Education." (via Netflix)

‘Sex Education’ Should Replace Sex Education

Netflix’s “Sex Education” could be described as “The Inbetweeners” meets “Glee.”
Claire Fishman, Film & TV Editor • February 7, 2019

I am typically quite cautious about seeing television written by adults with the intention of teaching teenagers a lesson. Frankly, after I read the synopsis of “Sex Education,”...

Danny DeVito in M&M's Super Bowl commercial. (via Facebook)

Unpopular Opinions: Super Bowl Commercials

In which the Arts Desk gives hot takes on what is the most important of the big game, anyway.
Guru Ramanathan, Nicole Rosenthal, Claire Fishman and Alex Cullina • February 6, 2019

The Super Bowl is one of the most watched TV broadcasts every year, but there is more than one reason hordes of fans tune in to watch teams lose to the Patriots year after year....

Terrance Hayes, poet and NYU professor, gave a reading at the Lillian Vernon Creative Writing House last Thursday. (Courtesy of the MacArthur Foundation)

Terrance Hayes Talks Trump, Teaching at NYU

At the Lillian Vernon Creative Writing House, the award-winning poet and NYU professor read published and unpublished work from a series he started after the 2016 election.
Alex Cullina, Books & Theater Editor • February 4, 2019

Terrance Hayes, the acclaimed poet and NYU Creative Writing professor, came to NYU’s Lillian Vernon Creative Writing House on Thursday for a discussion and reading of some of...

Jefferson Mays as Dr. George Hodel in “I Am The Night.” (Photo by Clay Enos, Courtesy of TNT)

Tony Winner Talks ‘I Am The Night’

WSN sits down with actor Jefferson Mays to talk about his role in TNT’s new limited series “I Am the Night,” co-starring Chris Pine.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • February 4, 2019

Jefferson Mays has been a storyteller his whole life. In his childhood, his family did not have a television set, so he and his parents would read books out loud to each other...

Chris Pine as reporter Jay Singletary in I AM THE NIGHT. Photo courtesy of TNT

‘I Am The Night’ Is A Few Steps Short of Success

TNT’s new neo-noir limited series is based off a fascinating true story, but isn’t the home run many hoped it would be in its first episode.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • January 30, 2019

Murder, mystery and conspiracies — all juicy elements that are necessary to concoct a pulpy noir. From film classics like “Double Indemnity” to contemporary series such...

via flickr.com

Unpopular Opinions: ‘Black Mirror’

The first spring 2019 edition of one of the Arts Desk’s acclaimed weekly series deals out hot takes on Netflix’s Emmy-winning sci-fi series.
Alex Cullina, Guru Ramanathan and Nicole Rosenthal • January 30, 2019

Technology in the 21st century: what’s not to love? From smartphones and supercomputers to virtual reality and artificial intelligence, technology has radically altered our way...

Karen (Anne Hathaway) brings turbulent tides to Baker Dill (Matthew McConaughey) as his past resurfaces in "Serenity." (Courtesy of Aviron Pictures)

‘Serenity’ Sunk by a Ludicrous Script

The Matthew McConaughey-Anne Hathaway starrer starts off as a fishing neo-noir and derails halfway through into a clumsy, existential thriller.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • January 29, 2019

Oscar-nominated director Steven Knight’s new film “Serenity” is a confounding experience, but not because it challenges the viewer on some profound, artistic level. From...

Concept Art by Lee Milby from the advanced short film "Cow-Boy," a drama about fraternity hazing (Courtesy of Bronson Aznavorian).

Funding Your Cinematic Dream

Tisch Film & TV seniors discuss crowdfunding thousands of dollars for their advanced short films.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • January 28, 2019

“The very fact that a movie gets made is a miracle,” the Chief Operating Officer of FilmNation Entertainment said to Tisch Film & TV senior Bronson Aznavorian during his...

Still from "Gatz" the eight-hour-long theater adaptation of "The Great Gatsby" playing at Skirball until Feb. 3. (Photo courtesy of Elevator Repair Service)

‘Gatz’ at Skirball: ‘Gatsby’ Reimagined for the Stage

Elevator Repair Service’s staged reading of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel is a great work in its own right.
Alex Cullina, Books & Theater Editor • January 28, 2019

Everyone knows the story of “The Great Gatsby,” one of romantic obsession, obscene wealth, free-flowing booze despite Prohibition — and that iconic green light. But you’ve...

(Illustration by Sophia Di Iorio)

How to Win an Oscar in 2019

A satirical guide of how to potentially win big at the 91st Academy Awards.
Claire Fishman, Film Editor • January 28, 2019

Pick a subject. No, not that one. Pick a subject you’re not supposed to talk about at the Thanksgiving table. Think racism (“Blackkklansman”), politics (“Vice”) or gay...

Tom Schilling as painter Kurt Barnet. (Courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics)

‘Never Look Away’ Paints an Expansive Portrait of Germany’s Art History

The celebrated German film finally expands into wide release in the United States on the heels of being nominated for two Oscars at the 91st Academy Awards.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • January 24, 2019

After watching his 188-minute period epic “Never Look Away” — loosely based on the life of German artist Gerhard Richter — two things became clear about German filmmaker...

Yakuts carrying wooly mammoth tusks on the New Siberian Islands. Courtesy of KimStim.

Sundance Documentary Winner ‘Genesis 2.0’ Hits IFC Center

A look into the making of Christian Frei’s documentary, which follows hunters in their search for dead wooly mammoths and scientists working to clone them.
Guru Ramanathan, Arts Editor • January 3, 2019

Every summer dozens of Yakutian men leave their homes to trek the remote New Siberian Islands in search of a unique treasure: wooly mammoth tusks. They desperately hack at the...

Yalitza Aparicio and Marco Graf in a scene from "Roma." (Courtesy of Netflix)

‘Roma’ Is Human — Simultaneously Moving and Frustrating

The 2018 Mexican Oscar entry is Alfonso Cuarón’s first film since winning an Oscar for directing “Gravity.”
Guru Ramanathan, Film & TV Editor • December 3, 2018
The 2018 Mexican Oscar entry is Alfonso Cuarón’s first film since winning an Oscar for directing “Gravity.”
The poster for "We Need This Musical To Stop Us From Killing Ourselves: The Musical!" The show is a raunchy, comedic take on weighty issues like suicide, self-worth and failure. (via facebook.com)

Do We Need This Musical To Stop Us From Killing Ourselves?

Claire Fishman, Staff Writer • November 30, 2018
Writers Glasgow Lyman and Jeff Rosick debut their new musical “We Need This Musical to Stop Us From Killing Ourselves: The Musical!” at SoHo Playhouse.
Will Ferrell as Buddy in "Elf," a classic Christmas film that promises to deliver laughs and holiday spirit year after year. (via facebook.com)

Staff Recs: Best Holiday Films

Ali Zimmerman, Daniella Nichinson, Nicole Rosenthal, Guru Ramanathan and Alex Cullina • November 30, 2018

As November comes to an end and we recover from the pounds of turkey, stuffing and cranberry sauce consumed at Thanksgiving, the holiday season begins to close in. Whether...

Poster for the third annual Chanukahstravaganza: 'Twas the Night Before Chanukah.' The event will take place at Union Hall this Saturday. (via unionhallny.com)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events this Weekend: Nov. 30 to Dec. 2

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Ali Zimmerman and Alex Cullina • November 29, 2018

Temperatures are dropping and the New York City streets are getting less welcoming by the minute, but that doesn’t mean you should let the weekend pass you by. Whether you take...

Unpopular Opinions: Actors

Unpopular Opinions: Actors

Daniella Nichinson, Guru Ramanathan, Nicole Rosenthal and Alex Cullina • November 28, 2018
Hot takes on Hollywood Hall-of-Famers.
A scene from the play "Chasing the New White Whale". A local play drawing inspiration from Moby Dick. (Courtesy of La Mama Experimental Theater Club)

In ‘Chasing the New White Whale,’ Heroin Ravages a Working-Class Community

Alex Cullina, Books & Theater Editor • November 27, 2018
Mike Gorman’s new play uses “Moby-Dick” as a metaphor to examine the opioid crisis’ effects on a New England commercial fishing town.
A scene from the Palm d'Or-winning film "Shoplifters." (via facebook.com)

Cannes Favorite ‘Shoplifters’ Arrives at IFC Center

Hirokazu Kore-eda’s drama won the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, and should be your next stop at the IFC Center.
Guru Ramanathan, Film & TV Editor • November 26, 2018
Hirokazu Kore-eda’s drama won the Palme d’Or at Cannes Film Festival earlier this year, and should be your next stop at the IFC Center.
Viola Davis as the grieving Veronica Rawlings in heist thriller "Widows." (Courtesy of 20th Century Fox)

‘Widows’ Ranks Among the Best Heist Films

The follow up to his Oscar-winning “12 Years a Slave,” co-writer and director Steve McQueen returns with an arthouse heist thriller with the ensemble of the century
Guru Ramanathan, Film & TV Editor • November 18, 2018
The follow up to his Oscar-winning “12 Years a Slave,” co-writer and director Steve McQueen returns with an arthouse heist thriller with the ensemble of the century
The cast of "A Fish Called Wanda." (via flickr.com)

Staff Recs: Best Film Ensembles

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?”
Ryan Mikel, Daniella Nichinson, Guru Ramanathan and Alex Cullina • November 16, 2018
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?”
The poster for Tisch Festival of the Voices. (Courtesy of NYU Tisch Institute of Performing Arts)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events this Weekend: Nov. 16 to Nov. 18

How to experience arts if you're pinching pennies.
Ali Zimmerman and Alex Cullina • November 15, 2018
How to experience arts if you're pinching pennies.
Wyatt Russell in "Overlord." (via facebook.com)

‘Overlord’ Is an Amazing WWII B-Movie That Offers Zombies Too

Though advertised as a generic zombie flick, the J.J. Abrams-produced film is secretly a stellar World War II action-thriller flying under the radar.
Guru Ramanathan, Film & TV Editor • November 12, 2018
Though advertised as a generic zombie flick, the J.J. Abrams-produced film is secretly a stellar World War II action-thriller flying under the radar.
Photo via Facebook, Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez

To Boycott or Not to Boycott: Jan Fabre’s ‘Mount Olympus’

Is art made by bad people still worth our time?
Claire Fishman, Staff Writer • November 12, 2018
Is art made by bad people still worth our time?
From left to right, clockwise: “Lush” by Snail Mail, “Sounds of Silence” by Simon and Garfunkel, “Magic Potion” by The Black Keys and “Collection” by Soccer Mommy. (via spotify.com)

Staff Recs: Best Albums for Fall

Ryan Mikel, Daniella Nichinson, Nicole Rosenthal, Guru Ramanathan, Alex Cullina and Ali Zimmerman • November 9, 2018

“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...

Dennis Hopper in "Blue Velvet." (via twitter.com)

Staff Recs: Best Villains

Get your watch queue ready for the baddest villains of them all.
Ryan Mikel, Daniella Nichinson, Nicole Rosenthal, Ali Zimmerman, Guru Ramanathan and Alex Cullina • November 1, 2018
Get your watch queue ready for the baddest villains of them all.
A photo of "Canstruction" at Brookfield Place in 2014. (via artsbrookfield.com)

A Starving Artist’s Guide to Arts Events This Weekend: Nov. 2 to Nov. 4

Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
Ali Zimmerman and Alex Cullina • October 31, 2018
Stay entertained this weekend for $20 or less.
NYU Tisch School of the Arts.

The Realities Behind Working on Set in Tisch

First-hand accounts from Tisch Film & TV students about their experiences as production assistants on set and how they’re preparing for their future careers.
Claire Fishman, Contributing Writer • October 30, 2018

The Tisch School of the Arts is sometimes fascinating and sometimes bizarre. While the school is made up of a variety of majors covering different forms of art, one of its most...

Unpopular Opinions: Supernatural Villains

Unpopular Opinions: Supernatural Villains

This week we’re getting spooky niche with our unpopular opinions and taking a look at supernatural villains!
Daniella Nichinson, Ryan Mikel, Nicole Rosenthal, Alex Cullina and Guru Ramanathan • October 30, 2018

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...

A promotional poster for the third season of "Daredevil." (via Facebook.com)

‘Daredevil’ Season 3 Is the Perfect Action Noir

Guru Ramanathan, Film & TV Editor • October 29, 2018
The latest season of "Daredevil" provides more over-the-top action and subtle drama than fans could have hoped for.
Shevaun Mizrahi, an NYU Master of Fine Arts graduate, spent six years filming her upcoming documentary “Distant Constellation” at a retirement home in Istanbul. (Photo courtesy of Shevaun Mizrahi)

The Six Years Behind a Tisch Grad’s Debut Film

Over a six-year process, Shevaun Mizrahi crafted a continuing emotional narrative in her debut film.
Guru Ramanathan, Film & TV Editor • October 29, 2018
Over a six-year process, Shevaun Mizrahi crafted a continuing emotional narrative in her debut film.
John Travolta and Uma Thurman in a scene from "Pulp Fiction," which boasts one of the most iconic soundtracks in cinema history. (via facebook.com)

Staff Recs: Best Movie Soundtracks and Scores

Ryan Mikel, Nicole Rosenthal, Guru Ramanathan, Daniella Nichinson and Alex Cullina • October 25, 2018
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.
Illustration by Rachel Buigas-Lopez

Unpopular Opinions: Albums

Daniella Nichinson, Nicole Rosenthal, Guru Ramanathan and Ali Zimmerman • October 23, 2018
Think you have a hot take on an underrated or overrated record? See how it holds up against WSN's picks in Unpopular Opinions: Albums edition.
luciana achugar from the interactive dance performance "Brujx." (Courtesy of NYU Skirball)

‘Brujx’ and the Excruciating Monotony of Labor

Karl Marx Festival "Brujx" dance performance reflects on the labor that goes into theater from both the audience and performers.
Claire Fishman • October 22, 2018

Friday night, in the foyer of Skirball, Luciana Achugar greeted her audience nervously; Achugar doesn’t normally give speeches before her performances. “I went back and...

Faraday Okoro winning $1 million grant at Tribeca Film Festival. (via facebook.com)

The Million Dollar Story of Faraday Okoro

Guru Ramanathan, Film & TV Editor • October 22, 2018
WSN talks to NYU MFA grad Faraday Okoro, inaugural winner of the AT&T and Tribeca Film Institute's "Untold Stories" prize, about his debut film "Nigerian Prince."
Masked serial killer Michael Meyers in "Halloween." (via facebook.com)

Staff Recs: Scariest Horror Movies

Ryan Mikel, Nicole Rosenthal, Guru Ramanathan, Ali Zimmerman, Daniella Nichinson, Alex Cullina and Melanie Pineda • October 18, 2018
Halloween is creeping up, so here are our picks for Scariest Horror Movies to terrify you on a dark, lonely night.
Unpopular Opinions: 20th Century Authors

Unpopular Opinions: 20th Century Authors

Daniella Nichinson, Nicole Rosenthal, Guru Ramanathan, Ali Zimmerman, Alex Cullina and Ryan Mikel • October 16, 2018
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.
The South Park title-card since season 17. (Wikimedia)

‘South Park’ Takes Pride in Being Canceled for a 22nd Season

'South Park' is still the unabashedly raunchy and provocative series we all know and love (and fear).
Claire Fishman • October 15, 2018

Trey Parker and Matt Stone’s “South Park” comes back for a 22nd season this year after an ingenious ad campaign called #cancelsouthpark was made to mock organizations that...

The poster for the Karl Marx Festival. (Courtesy of Skirball Center)

A Karl Marx Festival in the Age of Late Capitalism

Alex Cullina, Books & Theater Editor • October 15, 2018
WSN talks to the director of Skirball and curator of the upcoming Karl Marx Festival.
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