Every October, Tisch Drama—comprised of over 1,700 members, including faculty, students, and staff from the department's ten training studios and Theatre Studies program—unites to celebrate connections with new and established communities during the Tisch School's annual Community Week. This year, from October 23-27, Community Week promises a dynamic array of events across the department.
In honor of Community Week 2023, the department is presenting The Role of Theatre in Addressing Climate Change: A Tisch Drama Community Week Collaboration. The event is scheduled for October 26, 2023, from 7:00 to 8:30 pm in Studio 3, 2nd Floor, 721 Broadway. It’s a collaborative effort between the Department of Drama and Artists in Action (AIA), a student organization at NYU whose mission is to unite the Tisch community and empower students to use their artistic skills for social impact.
Attendees will immerse themselves in an evening of staged readings from plays featured in the 2023 Climate Change Theater Action Festival (CCTA). CCTA, a collaboration with the Arts & Climate Initiative and the Centre for Sustainable Practice in the Arts, showcases short plays addressing the climate crisis, intending to encourage community engagement and inspire action on both local and global levels. The Community Week event will also feature enriching dialogue from a panel of student and professional speakers; panelists will offer diverse perspectives, delving into the crucial role of theater in addressing climate change and sparking meaningful dialogue. Make sure to join us for an inspiring event filled with an evening of performances and discussion—with snacks provided.
Additionally, throughout the week, the department's training studios will host an exciting array of activities and discussions reflective of the topic of community. Here's a sample of what's in store:
IN THE STUDIOS
Atlantic Acting Studio
At the Atlantic Acting Studio, upper-level students will present their works-in-progress to first-years during All Studio Day on Friday, November 3. The event is an opportunity for first-year students to engage with the advanced curriculum and application of the technique; it consists of two sessions, from 1:45-3:00 pm and 3:30-4:45 pm.
The Classical Studio
The Classical Studio is providing an opportunity for students to reconnect with those who have walked the same path at different junctures. The studio will host an alumni event throughout the week, bringing alums from various periods together with current students—serving as a warm reminder of the studio’s expansive community.
The Experimental Theatre Wing
The Experimental Theatre Wing (ETW) will hold a special gathering on October 27 from 10 am to 4 pm. This event will unite the entire ETW community for small group discussions and a sharing of class projects, fostering dialogue and collaboration among faculty, staff, and students.
The Meisner Studio
The Meisner Studio (MSNR) has a variety of exciting activities planned throughout the week. Students and faculty will participate in various events, including MSNR Spirit Day/Violet Pride, Artist Celebration, Throwback Thursday, and Costume Day. Everyone is encouraged to bring relevant photographs, writings, and works for each theme. These contributions will become part of the MSNR Community Wall—a lasting display in the hallway showcasing the spirit of Community Week.
New Studio on Broadway (NSB)
With a dedication to community wellness and cohesion, New Studio on Broadway (NSB) extends a warm invitation to all NSB students, faculty, and staff for a communal gathering to participate in a session of sun salutations—a series of yoga postures traditionally performed to greet the sun in the morning. This event will take place in Studio C of the John A. Paulson Center on October 27th at 8:30 am.
The Production & Design Studio
The Production & Design Studio (P&D) will host a town hall meeting on October 23 from 7:00-8:30 pm, providing a platform for a community-wide discussion on current issues and concerns. Additionally, there will be a Stone Soup event on October 26 from 12:00-1 pm, where participants contribute to a “community soup pot” with a non-perishable item, followed by a group lunch.
Playwrights Horizons Theater School
Playwrights Horizons Theater School (PHTS) presents From Page to Stage: Wet Brain on October 27 from 1:00-2:00 pm at 440 Lafayette St., 3rd Fl, Moss Theater. During this event, attendees will have the opportunity to delve into the process of bringing a play from script to production, guided by PHTS' Associate Artistic Director Natasha Sinha. Attendees are welcome to bring their packed lunch and gain valuable insights into how a play is brought to life on stage at one of Off-Broadway's leading theaters.
Stonestreet Studios Conservatory for Screen Acting and Production
Stonestreet Studios Conservatory for Screen Acting and Production (Stonestreet Studios) presents an exciting in-house event on October 25 from 2-3 pm. Participants will witness a behind-the-scenes screening and an insightful talkback session with screen acting and production professionals.
Stella Adler Studio of Acting
The Stella Adler Studio of Acting presents its 4th-Year Company Tour production of Twelfth Night, or What You Will, in collaboration with their Arts Justice Division. During Community Week, this production will begin touring NYC schools, community centers, rehabilitation centers, prisons, and jails, where the student actors will engage in talkbacks and workshops with audiences.
The Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute
Throughout the week, the Lee Strasberg Theatre & Film Institute (Strasberg) will actively promote dialogue and engagement on a range of subjects related to Community Week.