J. Kyle Manzay
This fall, Tisch Drama is proud to welcome renowned actor, writer and producer J. Kyle Manzay ‘02, a Tisch alumnus, as the department’s artist in residence.
Over the past several months, the Obie Award-winner has collaborated with students, faculty and staff to direct and present the new musical Once Upon a Rhyme as the first production in the Fall 2018 TISCH DRAMA STAGE season.
The project, which opens September 27, boasts music by Jevares Myrick and Ronvé O’ Daniel, who also wrote the book and lyrics; and choreography by Stephanie Klemons, associate choreogrhapher of Hamilton.
Tisch Drama Chair Rubén Polendo said that Mr. Manzay has been at the helm of the work for a number of years as “a driving force throughout the development of the musical,” including award-winning staged readings at the 2015 and 2016 New York Musical Festivals.
Manzay noted that the TISCH DRAMA STAGE production will be the first time the musical has been fully mounted and staged. “We’ve put about five years’ worth of work into developing the musical, and now it’s time for it to be on its feet,” he said.
Set in suburban Clifftown during the 2008 global financial crisis, Once Upon a Rhyme chronicles the story of Prince, a classically trained dancer who dreams of becoming a hip-hop star. With the help of friends and family, he is able to push beyond societal pressures and find his authentic voice.
Manzay said the work explores issues related to identity and truth—particularly how we perceive others.
“The show flips a lot of things on their head to show our biases in how we see identity, race, gender, etc., but in a classic good vs. evil theme of being true to yourself,” he said. “I’m hoping audiences take away the themes that we find impactful—the importance of being authentic to oneself, and the importance of finding your voice.”
On that note, Manzay said he enjoys working with Tisch Drama students, and watching them “lend themselves to a new work.”
“It’s great to collaborate with young artists,” he said, “and doing it at my alma mater is even better.”
Polendo said the collaboration is an extension of the department’s commitment to highlight a diverse, inclusive range of artistic works.
“My intent is to program TISCH DRAMA STAGE with a range of important artists in the field that present a wide spectrum of views and processes—theatre artists committed to investigation, interrogation, and innovation,” he said. “We’re delighted to have J. Kyle join us for the fall 2018 season.”
In addition to Manzay’s residency, the department has launched several initiatives to foster collaborations between students and leading artists. Theatre Studies will host a hip-hop workshop with Tisch faculty member and global hip-hop ARTivist Fabian “Farbeon" Saucedo, dramaturg for Once Upon a Rhyme. And next up on the TD STAGE lineup, the department will present a Festival of Voices curated by Mia Katigbak, founding artistic producing director of the National Asian American Theatre Company (NAATCO)—this festival highlights a diverse range of potent and underrepresented voices, aesthetics, and points of view.
In the spring, the department will welcome the acclaimed 600 Highwaymen to workshop a new production with students. Stay tuned for details.