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

The American Airlines Theatre. Roundabout Theatre Company is one of the places where students can submit their own place. (Photo by Andrew McGibbon. Via Facebook)

Aspiring Playwrights, Submit Your Work Here

Have a potential Pulitzer winner tucked away in a drawer somewhere? These New York City theater companies accept play submissions, sans entry fee, from unpublished writers.
Destine Manson, Staff Writer November 17, 2019

Playwrights Horizons This acclaimed “writer’s theater” is looking for “idiosyncratic, accomplished, original theatrical voices.” They accept unsolicited full-length...

Playwright William Electric Black, also known as Ian Ellis James, is a professor at NYU Tisch and seven-time Emmy winner for his work on “Sesame Street.” The writer reviews his recent work, “The Whites,” which switches the races of black and white people. (via NYU)

‘It’s Okay to Feel Angry About This Play’

Tisch professor William Electric Black’s new play, “The Whites,” is controversial and loaded. But what should audiences take away from it?
Julie Goldberg, Books & Theater Editor November 15, 2019

“The Whites” is a play that rests on a controversial premise: what if black people had enslaved white people? What if black cops were shooting white people at an alarming rate?...

Madama Butterfly, a classic Italian opera, is remade into a contemporary production presented at the Met Opera from October to April 2020. (Via Wikimedia)

‘Madama Butterfly’: New Staging Injects Life Into Age-Old Opera

Producer Anthony Minghella tackles this century-old opera in a visually stunning revival that merges theatre magic from old and new, east and west.
Megan Chew, Staff Writer October 23, 2019

“Madama Butterfly” is not timeless. Unlike Mozart’s “Magic Flute” or Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice,” the cultural context of Giacomo Puccini’s 1904 opera...

The Yondr phone case locks your phone inside until you can tap it on an unlocking base. (Via Yondr)

Please Silence your Cellphones: Tisch Students Weigh in on Self-Silencing Phone Case

WSN talked to a number of Tisch students about a new phone case that helps to keep theater-goers engaged. While some praise the device’s merits, others see it as a pardoning of personal responsibility.
Julie Goldberg, Books & Theater Editor October 22, 2019

Asking politely, it seems, is no longer enough. At least not when it comes to silencing cell phones during performances.  This is where the Yondr phone case comes in. In 2014,...

alexandra chan

Instead of Demonizing Bootlegs, Make Professional Recordings Available

Bootlegs of musicals are a temporary fix for the problem of accessibility in the theater community, which would be solved by professionally recorded shows.
Alexandra Chan, Staff Writer October 21, 2019

As a fan of Broadway musicals, it was fantastic to come to New York for college. I watched a matinee of “Beetlejuice” with my dad before I started school and fell in love with...

For their latest show, NYU Lamplighters is putting on a production of Beauty and the Beast on November 8th and 9th. (Via NYU Lamplighters)

NYU Lamplighters Lights the Way for Children’s Theater

The members of the student-run club share their passion for theater through free performances for children of all ages.
Dani Herrera, Staff Writer October 21, 2019

While student theater groups abound at NYU, only one group caters specifically to young audiences. This group calls itself NYU Lamplighters. According to Emily Carpenter, Gallatin...

Rachel Sennott, an NYU Tisch alumna, is an actress known for her appearance in High Maintenance, Shiva Baby and Hostess. (Photo Courtesy of Jenny Wong)

Tisch Alumna Talks ‘Shiva Baby,’ Goal-Setting and Twitter

Rachel Sennott discusses her time at Tisch and her upcoming projects.
Julie Goldberg, Books and Theater Editor October 14, 2019

“I never made any of the, like, cool comedy groups,” says Rachel Sennott, looking back on her first year at NYU Tisch. “I auditioned a bunch of times, never got in. But I...

Sami Staitman, Corbin Williams, Ariana Valdes, and Eli LaCroix act in The Green Room, a musical at the American Theatre of Actors. (Photo Courtesy of S. Scott Miller)

‘The Green Room’ Is a Love Letter to Thespians That Falls Short of Its Premise

While the play promises a story of a group of actors’ struggle to make it Off-Broadway, “The Green Room” delivers a high school drama instead.
Megan Chew, Staff Writer October 11, 2019

“The Green Room,” which made its New York premiere Off-Broadway on Sept. 27, tackles the gravity of our choices — in our relationships, careers and education — and how...

Tisch students will receive a metrocard scholarship, but there are drawbacks as well. (Illustration by Jorene He)

Tisch Students Demand NYU Fund Commute to Far-Away Studios

Students are petitioning the university for MetroCards to make long commutes to their studios more affordable.
Lisa Cochran, Deputy News Editor October 3, 2019

Tisch School of the Arts students started a petition last week calling upon the Drama department to subsidize MetroCards for acting students who commute to studio classes. The...

A theatrical rendition of Byrne’s world tour of the same name, the performance features Byrne and 11 other artists from a host of countries. (Via Playbill)

Coming to Broadway in Fall 2019

A rundown of Broadway and Off-Broadway shows opening this fall.
Dani Herrera, Staff Writer October 1, 2019

Summer has finally come to a close, and that means it’s time for sweaters, pumpkins and Broadway previews. This fall, there are dozens of new shows coming to Broadway and off-Broadway...

(via Facebook)

Dining With Ploetz: Food For Thought

Richard Ploetz’s dark comedy, which just completed its run at Theatre for the New City, is comprised of three one-acts centered around hunger, both literally and metaphorically.
Julianna Bjorksten, Contributing Writer September 24, 2019

Written and directed by Richard Ploetz, “Dining With Ploetz” presents three one-act plays tied together by a common theme: food.  A contender for this year’s New York...

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 9, 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!...