News from New World School of the Arts

A Center of Excellence in the Visual and Performing Arts, at Miami Dade College - March 2011

RISING STARS SHOWCASE

ILLUMINATES MIAMI

One of the most exciting months for New World School of the Arts, March gives way to some of the most unforgettable events of the year. The Rising Stars showcase, which features an art exhibition, a performing arts showcase, and a VIP reception, highlights the exceptional talent that is nurtured and fostered at NWSA. We look forward to enjoying this remarkable artistic feast with you.

FLORIDA WATERWAYS DANCE PROJECT

Inspired by Florida's unique waterways, Florida Waterways Dance Project, a collaborative initiative between New World School of the Arts and nine other cities throughout the state celebrates Arts in Education. By uniting Florida's arts institutions in simultaneous site-specific performances, dancers, musicians and visual artists from 24 participating arts schools and dance companies, from Miami to the Panhandle and from Tampa to Jacksonville, will join together to bring attention to the power and fragility of Florida's waterways.

The performance by New World School of the Arts, Miami-Dade College, South Miami Middle School and Conchita Espinosa Academy will take place at Jose Marti Park on the Miami River. Directed by Dale Andree, 45 dancers will perform to the accompaniment of the New World School of the Arts' high school choir, singing Cloudburst by Eric Whitacre, under the direction of Albert Clark.

All performances throughout the state of Florida are scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm, Saturday, March 5.

All performances will be live streamed on floridawaterwaysdanceproject.com

More information about this performance Florida Waterways Dance Project

March 5; 4:00 pm

Jose Marti Park

351 SW 4th Street, Miami

Free and open to the public

MAKE ART WORK [MAW] EXPLORES THE WORLD OF LATIN MUSIC

In collaboration with the Art Schools Network and Entertainment Business Education, New World School of the Art's Make Art Work [MAW] series presents "How Do You Say 'Hit Song' In Spanish." A unique session focusing on the business of music, this panel features noted producers and songwriter from the world of Latin Music. The three-man panel includes Marlow Rosado, producer for El Gran Combo, La India and other prominent Latin singers; Immanuel Ramirez, studio engineer for Marc Anthony and Elvis Crespo; and Jorge Piloto, songwriter and producer for Victor Manuelle, and trumpet extraordinaire Gilberto Santarosa.

Make Art Work is designed to bring professionals in the art world together with students and the community for a dialogue on the business of art. The series will focus on providing tools, guidance and strategies for success to the next generation of artists and will expand understanding of what it takes to live as an artist in the twenty-first century. Each one-hour talk includes a question and answer session, allowing students and the public opportunities for direct communication with leaders in the art world.

March 9; 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm

Louise O. Gerrits Theater

25 NE 2nd Street, downtown Miami

NWSA ALUM BERT RODRIGUEZ TELLS ALL IN DOCUMENTARY FILM TO PREMIERE AT MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

Wet Heat Project will premiere its documentary film on Miami-based conceptual artist Bert Rodriguez, entitled making sh*t up. The film will be presented as an official selection world premier at the Miami International Film Festival in the historic Tower Theater on Calle Ocho, just blocks from the apartment where the artist spent the first three years of his life - his parents' first home in America after emigrating from Cuba. The film captures turning point moments and events in the career rise of Rodriguez as he ventures beyond the hometown borders and penetrates a national and international art market.

About Wet Heat Project

About Bert's rise in the art world, Maggy Cuesta, Dean of visual arts at New World School of the Arts, highlights "Bert's mentors always expected him to stand out and create art that breaks all stereotypes and surpasses all expectations."

making sh*t up

March 9; 7:00 pm

Tower Theater

1508 SW 8 Street, Little Havana

MICHAEL SCIRROTTO, OF WEST SIDE STORY, MOTIVATES NWSA THEATER STUDENTS WITH DYNAMIC MASTER CLASS AND Q&A

Michael Scirrotto, 2005 college theater alum from New World School of the Arts, came back to South Florida for yet another brilliant performance as he embodies West Side Story's Pepe. Michael, whose acting portfolio includes Camelot at the Lincoln Center, Evita, Cats, A Chorus Line, Sailaway, and On The Town, offered a lively master class to NWSA high school and college students, where he shared his experience as a "triple threat" performer in New York City. Michael comments, "it was so great to come back, not only to see that the theater department still has so much talent, but also to give back and try to influence the lives and careers of the NWSA students. I am proud to be part of the New World alumni."

Exhausted and covered in sweat, the students, who in just a couple of hours learned one of Michael's dance routines, were genuinely receptive to their predecessor's hints and tips. After the strenuous session, the students and their tutor engaged in a Q&A session that proved to be quite informative and inspiring.

Rafi Maldonado-Lopez, one of Scirrotto's teachers at NWSA who now teaches the young group of actors commented at the end of the session, "Having witnessed in my class how Michael met each new challenge with such willful determination to master new skills, I am not surprised that he has accomplished so much in his theater career."

West Side Story

March 8 - 13

Kravis Center's Dreyfoos Hall

RISING STARS, THE STELLAR SHOWCASE OF THE YEAR

Rising Stars, a professionally exhibition and performance, showcases the remarkable talent of high school and college students from New World School of the Arts, Florida's premier arts institution. This Broadway-style extravaganza is a professionally staged, energy-packed, one-of-a-kind performance that will undoubtedly captivate the audience with exhilarating works of art, and enthralling dance, music, and theater performances.

Featuring artwork specifically curated for Rising Stars, the show will be representative of the student body that comprises NWSA. Exhibiting artists will include both high school and college students.

Sponsored by Bank of America, The Rising Stars performing arts showcase will feature repertory from the Dance, Music and Theater Divisions. With works by NWSA's renowned faculty members, Peter London and Gerard Ebitz, among others, the evening will present a vibrant and varied selection of choreographies. Conducted by Alfred Gershfeld, the exuberant NWSA Symphony Orchestra and the Concert Choir, featuring more than 100 musicians under the direction of Albert Clark, will offer excerpts from their recent concerts. The spirited award-winning wind-ensemble, directed by Lee Michael Morrison, will culminate the music division presentation. Works by the theater division will include excerpts from the Broadway musical Curtains with lyrics by Fred Ebb, music by John Kander as well as from the Musical The Drowsy Chaperone book by Bob Martin and Don McKellar and lyrics and music by Lisa Lambert & Greg Morrison. A Restoration Comedy The Girl From Maxim's by George Feydeau, will round off the theater presentation.

Rising Stars Visual Arts Exhibition Showcase:

March 25; 5:00 pm

New World Gallery

25 NE 2nd Street, downtown Miami

Opening reception and show are free and open to the public

Rising Stars Performing Arts Showcase:

March 25; 7:30 pm

Gusman Center for the Performing Arts

174 East Flagler Street, downtown Miami

Reserved seating: $50, $40, $30, $20.

Rising Stars VIP Reception:

March 25; 9:00 pm

La Loggia Restaurant

68 West Flagler Street, downtown Miami

Tickets: $250 [includes VIP reception, performance and parking]

VIP tickets: 305-237-3753

NWSA JAZZ BAND MAKES THE ESSENTIALLY ELLINGTON

HIGH SCHOOL JAZZ ENSEMBLE COMPETITION & FESTIVAL

Under the direction of NWSA jazz faculty Pete Francis, the Jazz Ensemble from New World School of the Arts was again selected finalist for the prestigious Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Competition and Festival. Pete Francis comments, "The chance to travel to Lincoln Center and work directly with the world's leading authorities on the music of Duke Ellington and Count Basie is an incredible opportunity. All of us are looking forward to learning directly from artists such as Wynton Marsalis, Reginald Thomas and Ronald Carter. We have a very energetic band, all highly motivated hard workers. This is a group that likes to make every note count! "

The winning bands will compete and participate in workshops, jam sessions, and more, during a three-day Competition & Festival in New York City. The three top-placing bands perform with Artistic Director of Jazz at Lincoln Center, Wynton Marsalis, as guest soloist, followed by a performance by the 15-piece Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra whose members serve as mentors for the finalist bands throughout the weekend. The Festival's finale is an awards ceremony honoring outstanding soloists, sections and the top three bands. The Competition & Festival is the culmination of the annual Essentially Ellington High School Jazz Band Program (EE), which also includes regional festivals, teaching resources, a summer Band Director Academy, monthly newsletters, and more. Judges: Wynton Marsalis, Rich Derosa, David Berger, Vincent Gardner, Johnny Mandel. In-school clinicians: Ronald Carter, Wycliffe Gordon, Sherman Irby, Ted Nash, Loren Schoenberg, Reginald Thomas, Rodney Whitaker, Todd Williams. Mentors: members of the Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra.

Essentially Ellington Competition and Festival: May 12-14; Frederick P. Rose Hall. Final Concert: May 14; 7:30 pm; Avery Fisher Hall.