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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

Jennifer Ren

Jennifer Ren, Video Director

Jennifer (Jingxuan) Ren is a senior double-majoring in drama and journalism with a minor in the Business of Media, Entertainment, and Technology. She loves producing video journalism stories and is passionate about featuring minority voices, especially students of color and women of color. You can contact her at [email protected] or on Instagram @jiingxn

All content by Jennifer Ren

Video: An inside look at the art and design process of behind-the-scenes artists

In media coverage, the achievements of directors, actors and producers are always featured most prominently. This video takes you through the process of designing sets and makeup, which are just as crucial when bringing a story to life.
Xiyi Li May 5, 2023

WSN: With the winnings of the 2023 Oscars and the upcoming Tony Awards, the press and media have mainly covered the achievements of outstanding directors, actors and producers....

Tisch Drama students call for cooling off exercises in acting classes

Jennifer Ren, Wendy Li and Whitney Hughes April 19, 2023
When performing an emotionally difficult character, Tisch Drama students suggest instructors teach exercises that help cool off.

Video: A taste of home: Reminiscing with Turkish chicken noodle soup

It’s never easy being far away from home, but my mom’s cold remedy dish, chicken noodle soup, gives me a sense of comfort when I need it most.
Doga Usanmaz, Contributing Writer April 12, 2023

Growing up in Istanbul, I never experienced a shortage of Turkish cuisine in my household. Thanks to my mom being an incredible cook, we ate Turkish dishes regularly, ranging from...

Video: Spaghetti for the soul

A classic spaghetti recipe that will have your inner child twirling faster than your fork.
Evan Watanabe, Contributing Writer April 4, 2023

Growing up, one of my favorite dishes was spaghetti. My mom used to make it for me all the time. She would bustle about the kitchen, carefully boiling the spaghetti noodles and...

NYU alum helps daughters become mothers

The finale in our series highlighting empowering NYU alumni in Women's History Month
Jennifer Ren, Video Director March 31, 2023

Jade Kearney: I felt like I couldn't really be too emotional, like I had to hold it together because my mom, I'm the oldest of eight kids, and so my mom didn't complain. Her mom...

Video: Beyond NYU: Redefining the bra industry with Pepper

Lia Winograd, the co-founder of size-inclusive bra brand Pepper, joins WSN for Women’s History Month.
Jennifer Ren and Jen Lee March 29, 2023

Winograd: Your network is your net worth, and I think what I really focused on in the MBA was talking to as many people as possible, and I think that NYU was the connector to all...

Video: Finding nostalgia through noodles

If you’re tired of cup noodles from Sidestein, try these homemade ramen recipes.
Kaisei Arai, Contributing Writer March 28, 2023

As a Japanese person, ramen holds a special place in my heart. While ramen is often consumed in the United States in the form of instant packets, it has a far richer, deeper history...

Video: Nighttime noodles, a midnight delicacy

Whisk up a bowl of bubbling delight with tomato and eggs in under 30 minutes to celebrate National Noodle Month.
Linsey Liao, Staff Writer March 22, 2023

In traditional Chinese culture, noodles represent longevity and happiness. In my family, noodles are the go-to dish for anyone craving a quick, steaming hot bowl of happiness....

Beyond NYU: Empowering young women with L.O.V.E.

This video celebrates International Women’s Day by highlighting L.O.V.E founder Claudia Espinosa’s journey.
Jennifer Ren, Video Director March 8, 2023

Espinosa: When you come from a different background, you have to assimilate into a new culture. So, if you think about the psychological development of an adolescent, all the other...

Chameleons, guinea pigs and ferrets, oh my! What it’s like to be a pet parent at NYU

Pets bring comfort and companionship — helping NYU students reduce the stress of managing a college workload and living in New York City.
Jennifer Ren, Video Director February 16, 2023

Ren: Living in a fast-paced city like New York can get a bit lonely and stressful sometimes. If you have wondered whether you should share your college experience with a furry...

The thrift party returns at 2023’s first Manhattan Vintage Show

Linsey Liao, Jennifer Ren and Jen Lee February 7, 2023

The Manhattan Vintage Show is the largest collection of vintage vendors in New York City. Its first show of 2023, on Feb. 3 at the Metropolitan Pavilion, featured over 90 dealers...

A hand holding a small, pink canister of pepper spray that shoots out liquid.

Photo: Opinion: Strike down pepper spray restrictions

November 29, 2022

Pepper sprays are a simple yet effective tool for self defense. (Jennifer Ren for WSN)

Are platform shoes still in style? The answer is definitely yes, and so are cargo pants and see-through knitwear. Pairing a couple of can't-go-wrong gold accessories, the cream-colored sweater achieves a vintage silhouette.

Subway stations: New Yorkers’ everyday runway

WSN photographers capture the creativity of subway passengers and their day-to-day commutes.
Jennifer Ren, Contributing Photographer November 25, 2022

A small christmas tree placed on top of a wooden shelf with two gift boxes wrapped with brown paper under it. The boxes are tied with red straps with text “FOR YOU” in all caps. In the background are shelves of indistinguishable goods.

Photo: The ultimate gift guide for the NYU student in your life

Alexa Donovan, Staff Writer November 23, 2022

(Jennifer Ren for WSN)

Five people sit on stage behind a black table with the text “N.Y.U. GALLATIN” written on it. Behind them is a projector screen displaying a checklist of three items: “Urban,” “Democracy” and “Lab.” The person sitting on the right holds a microphone and is speaking facing the other four people.

Photo: Union leaders from NYU and NYC look to the future of labor

November 16, 2022

Labor leaders talked about the future of organzing at panel hosted by NYU’s Urban Development Lab. (Jennifer Ren for WSN)

(Jennifer Ren for WSN)

Photo: Diners near campus that will fill your heart and your stomach

Sarah Whitacre, Contributing Writer September 30, 2022

(Jennifer Ren for WSN)

An illustration of a Black woman in a green shirt and a white woman in a yellow shirt listening to music through wired headphones. The cord of the headphones spells out “Listen to This.”

Listen to this: Singles from August

In case you missed it, here are new tracks by Kacey Musgraves, BTS and more.

August may have slipped away into a moment in time — and sipped away like a bottle of wine — but that doesn’t mean August releases have to! If you feel like refreshing your...

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...

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...

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,...

The Public Theater plans to reopen Shakespeare In The Park this summer in Central Park. This free production is returning with an adaptation of “Merry Wives of Windsor.” (Staff Photo by George Papazov)

Hark, Shakespeare fans! Shakespeare in the park plans to reopen in the summer

Public Theater’s free production in Central Park is ready to turn its lights back on with an adaption of “Merry Wives of Windsor.”
Jennifer Ren, Performing Arts Editor April 7, 2021

With the announcement of Broadway’s reopening in the fall and the approaching NY PopsUp program, many of New York City’s in-person performances are planning to return to the...

West 14th Theater Company presents Natalie Margolin’s new play, “The Party Hop.” The play ran twice in March and was written for digital performance. (Image courtesy of West 14th Theater Company)

NYU students tackle virtual theater with ‘The Party Hop’

West 14th Theater Company — an NYU student-created organization — presents Natalie Margolin’s “The Party Hop,” which couldn’t be more relevant today.
Jennifer Ren and Maya Mehrara March 31, 2021

Throughout the pandemic, theater fans had ample time to ponder what digital performances can offer over traditional in-person theater. For many virtual performances, the experience...

Seven NYU artists collaborated and choreographed six distinct pieces in the two-hour event, Tisch Dance Works IV: Dance & Technology Concert. While managing COVID-19 restrictions, these students merged the artistry of dance and technology to create this performance. (Photo by Owen Mosher Burnham)

Tisch dancers share personal narratives through dance

Seven multidisciplinary artists choreographed six distinctive pieces in Tisch Dance Works IV: Dance & Technology concert.
Jennifer Ren, Performing Arts Editor March 25, 2021

A lone dancer on stage bounces and sways her body rhythmically, wearing a white, breezy costume. Animations are projected onto her as she dances. The moment wouldn't be out of...

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, many NYU actors are completing their semester at home. NYU actors outside of the U.S. have found ways to adapt and stay positive, despite the lack of on-screen and on-stage productions. (Staff Illustration by Manasa Gudavalli)

NYU actors living abroad: the show must go on

On a wing and a prayer, NYU actors outside of the U.S. have found ways to stay positive.
Jennifer Ren, Performing Arts Editor March 15, 2021

Seren Jang was about to finish her first year in Tisch Drama at the Meisner Studio when COVID-19 moved her class to Zoom.  Jang flew back home to New Zealand. Due to the lack...