The bright lights of New York City — darkened by the pandemic — will be felt on 内布拉斯加州卫斯理大学’s O’Donnell Auditorium stage when the 剧院部门 opens its first musical cabaret, “新鲜的声音.”
With much attention aimed at safe and socially distant live performances, the 剧院部门 turned to its New York City connections to help inspire “新鲜的声音,” which will feature unproduced works by composers from the Big Apple.
安妮McAlexander, 音乐剧客座助理教授, utilized her connections to pair composers with NWU theatre students. Students participated in six zoom workshops that were led by artists including American playwright Laura Gunderson, America’s most produced living playwright; singer composer Ari Afsar who is best known for her starring role in “Hamilton,爵士和摇滚音乐家Todd Sickafoose说, 托尼奖和格莱美奖得主, 等.
“One of the most exciting things about this project is how our students are getting to interact with the composers and writers,麦克亚历山大说, a graduate of SUNY Fredoria who has directed and choreographed for several schools and festivals in New York, 新泽西州和宾夕法尼亚州. “除非演员们正在排练一部新的音乐剧, 这是个难得的好机会.”
“新鲜的声音” showcases NWU students as emerging artists as they will be singing new and unproduced works. The title also gives a nod to the different perspectives on current challenges in society that will be featured in the music. 受政治启发, 社会动荡, 还有其他主题, the cabaret will feature works inspired by the late Ruth Bader Ginsberg, 心理健康, 同情和团结的需要, 投票和代表权. The production will also include speaking roles written by Gunderson that were inspired by the NWU students’ personal stories.
Not only does this show amplify traditionally underrepresented voices in society, but the collaboration helps students recognize the vast possibilities of using their art for change,麦克亚历山大说.
“Several of the composers wrote pieces specifically for our students and their interests,” she said. “I think it is incredibly important for young actors to know that their voice matters and that when they have the chance, 他们应该抓住机会.”
来自奥马哈的表演系大四学生雷米·华盛顿(Raimy Washington)对此表示赞同.
“It is an artist’s responsibility to represent the times and these are quite the times to represent,华盛顿说。. “There is a lot going on in our world and who better to tell this story than artists who will put it in a format that makes it timeless.”
While COVID-19 has led the 剧院部门 to adapt to new ways of performing, students recognize that the opportunity to collaborate with New York City composers likely would not have happened in this way without the pandemic.
“COVID-19 has helped us be able to work with so many different new artists that are so diverse in life experiences and identities,约翰·奥尔登说, 奥拉西大学音乐剧专业大三学生, 菅直人.
“Not only is this experience desperately needed right now during a global pandemic when so many theatre artists are out of work,麦克亚历山大补充道, “but this experience is valuable in teaching our students how they can use their art to amplify their voices and bring attention to topics that are important to them.”
The 剧院部门 continues to follow all directed health measures: audience members will be socially distanced and seated 15 feet away from the stage. All performances will be held in O’Donnell Auditorium — the university’s largest performance venue; masks are required for all audience members, 而且不会有中场休息.
Even though they’re not performing for sold-out crowds or utilizing large casts, students said the current circumstances are a lesson in adaptation.
“It is a crazy time for the arts,华盛顿说。 who will graduate in December. “But I’m certain I will be doing something wherever I go even if that means I have to create my own opportunities.”
“新鲜的声音: Spotlighting the Future” will be performed October 23-24 and October 30-31 at 7:30 p.m. 10月25日和11月1日下午2点有日场演出.m. 票价为7美元.50英镑，必须提前预订 在线 或者拨打售票处402.465.2384.
The collaborations and interactions with the New York City composers have been made possible through a generous grant from the Pace Woods Foundation. 自2012年以来, 该基金会资助了11部音乐剧的制作, 14 guest artist engagements and the New York City excursion typically taken during spring break.
——学生作家丹妮尔·安德森的故事