DIGITAL MEDIA STUDENT FILMS TO BE SCREENED AT THE KICKOFF OF MIAMI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL AS PART OF CINEMASLAM FEST 

A first for NWSA, the digital media students in the visual arts program have created work from film, animation, and video courses with Alisa Pitchenik Charles, Tony Fernandez or Carlos Gallostra for the recognized intercollegiate competition, CinemaSlam Festival. Eight films were submitted and from an average of online votes and faculty votes, the films were shortlisted to move on to the final jury panel that will select the CinemaSlam winner and awards for a variety of categories including a scholarship stipend and other film related prizes. The shortlisted films from the schools will be screened at O Cinema on February 28th as the kickoff event for the Miami International Film Festival.

"I am proud of all the student filmmakers who submitted work, for some students this is their first festival submission and it is all a learning process; the shortlisted films are a strong representation of the creative talent and approach that New World School of the Arts students have towards filmmaking," said professor Pitchenik Charles. 

Charlie Chaplin Short by Robert Perez III

The NWSA CinemaSlam shortlisted films that were announced include The Tourist, a collaborative film by Pedro Alvarez and Angelica Baini, which explores the journey via a surrogate traveler into the odd world of a young girl; the Miami terrain becoming a metaphor for the mind. Marine Stadium: Miami's first DIY Skatepark by Nick Katz is a visually stunning documentary pilot that focuses on Miami's first do it yourself skate park in the defunct iconic Miami structure that chronicles it's demise and rebirth via some spirited skaters and Charlie Chaplin a stop animation by Robert J. Perez III is an exploration by the filmmaker in technique, style, and content to get inside the world of the Charlie Chaplin character himself in a charming yet quirky animated love story. 

NWSA SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA AND WORLD-RENOWNED PIANIST WOLFRAM SCHMITT-LEONARDY JOIN MUSICAL FORCES

Two champions of romantic nationalism will be interpreted by the New World School of the Arts Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Alfred Gershfeld. Dvorak's Joyous 8th Symphony, a work celebrating the composer's appointment to the Bohemian Academy of Emperor Franz Joseph for the Encouragement of Arts and Literature will be performed followed by the prizewinner of the Walter Gieseking Competition and the Rachmaninoff International Piano Competition, German Phenomenon, Wolfram Schmitt Leonardy, who will offer his American debut performing Grieg's Piano Concerto in A Minor.

One of the leading pianists of his generation Wolfram Schmitt-Leonardy has enjoyed a career that has spanned the globe. He has performed on radio and television throughout Europe and Asia and with such notable ensembles as the Melos Quartet, the Rodin Quartet, the Amati Quartet, and the Philharmonia Quartett. Orchestral performances include appearances with the St. Petersburg Philharmonic Orchestra, the Berlin Symphony Orchestra, the Philharmonia Hungarica, the Philharmonia of the Nations, the Philharmonie de Lorraine, and the Thailand Philharmonic Orchestra among others. Schmitt-Leonardy has recorded 2 albums for Bayer records featuring works by Tchaikovsky, Gershwin and Kabalevsky and 6 critically-acclaimed releases for the Brilliant Classics record label, including the world premiere recording of Rachmaninoff's 2nd symphony transcribed for piano and orchestra. Mr. Schmitt-Leonardy triumphs in international competition including the Walter Gieseking Competition and the International Piano Competition Sergej Rachmaninoff.

February 20; 7:30 PM

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

1300 Biscayne Boulevard, downtown Miami

General Admission seating is $20. Student and seniors is $10

Information at 305-949-6722

COLLEGE DANCERS EXPLORE THE DEPTHS OF HUMAN EMOTION AS THEY PREPARE FOR "EXPOSED" BFA DANCE CONCERT

As one of the most anticipated performances of the college year, the College BFA Dance Concert marks the most comprehensive and final project delivered by NWSA's aspiring dance graduates. Led by NWSA dance faculty member, Dale Andree, and Mary Lisa Burns, dean of the dance division, this year's concert consists of eleven pieces choreographed and performed by the 2013 graduating class. The show centers on the process of being or becoming exposed and how each of the young dancers is able to externalize and share that concept through their choreography.

"This year's BFA concert "Exposed" presents a new generation of dancer and choreographers exploring the themes of love, loss, and connection," explained Burns. "The dances on the evening's program reveal each dancer and choreographer in ways that are personal and profound and range from witty, uptempo insights into human interactions to highly charged reflections on death and the persistence of hope. The dances are contemporary in style, showing the range and versatility of these exceptional young performers, who share their passion for dance in a program that will both engage and inspire."

February 22, 23; 7:30 PM

New World Dance Theater

25 NE 2nd Street, 8th floor, downtown, Miami

General admission, students and seniors $5

Information at 305-237-3341

NWSA will showcase the talent of its high school and college students in both the performing and visual arts. The Rising Stars Showcase is a three-part celebration that begins with an exhibition of artworks by NWSA students followed by an intimate pre-performance VIP reception and a performance of dance, music and theater highlighting the remarkable work of our student body.

March 15

5:00 PM - Exhibition and welcoming reception | New World Gallery,   

MDC Wolfson Campus, Building 5 - Lobby, 25 NE 2nd Street, downtown Miami  

6:30 PM - Pre-Performance VIP Reception | Gusman Center

175 E. Flagler Street, downtown Miami 

8:00 PM - Performance Showcase | Gusman Center

175 E. Flagler Street, downtown Miami 

Regular ticket prices: $20 - $50  

Pre-performance VIP reception & Performance for ticket prices: $150 - $250  

To purchase VIP Tickets please contact Rafi Maldonado-Lopez by clicking on  

this link or by calling 305-237-3753.  CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE VIP TICKETS 

CLICK BUTTON TO PURCHASE REGULAR TICKETS  

CARBONELL AWARD NOMINATIONS REIGN AT NWSA

It's another banner year for NWSA theater alumni and faculty as they received twelve nominations in the nine categories considered for the 37th Carbonell Awards. Representing excellence in southeast Florida theatre, the Resident production of Ruined, which featured two NWSA alumni, faculty member David Kwiat, and lighting design by NWSA faculty member Jeff Quinn earned nine nominations. Highlighting NWSA's involvement with the prestigious awards, the ceremony will be produced by Michael McKeever, NWSA playwright instructor, who earned nominations for both playwriting and scenic design, and directed by Stuart Meltzer, NWSA alumni and faculty, who is nominated in the Best Director category.

And the nominees are:

Best New Work-David Sirois, Off Center of Nowhere & Mark Della Ventura, Roomies

Best Director of a Play-Stuart Meltzer, I Am My Own Wife

Best Actor-Brandon Morris, The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity

Best Actress-Lela Elam, Ruined & Betsy Graver, Venus in Fur

Best Supporting Actress-Renata Eastlick, Ruined & Lela Elam, Moscow

Best Actress/Musical-Jodie Langel, Next to normal

Best Supporting Actor/Musical-Nick Duckart, Next to normal

Best Designer-Michael McKeever, I Am My Own Wife

Best Lighting Design-Jeff Quinn, Ruined

The awards will be given at the Carbonell Awards ceremony Monday, April 1st, at Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale. Congratulations to all our alumni and faculty for a job well done!

NEW STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM TAKES NWSA TO MADRID, SPAIN

Jacqueline Rios, a college junior from the New World School of the Arts visual arts program, will spend the next four months attending university in Spain thanks to a newly formed exchange program between New World School of the Arts and Universidad Francisco de Vitoria in Madrid, Spain. The photography major will be the first student from NWSA to partake in this program, which will offer her the opportunity to delve into the history of European photography.

"Study exchange programs are invaluable assets for our student body, not just for the student who travels abroad," explained Maggy Cuesta, dean of visual arts at NWSA. "The students that are selected and given this opportunity return energized and eager to share their experience and knowledge. Not only do they become ambassadors of our institution in other countries - they also bring back a wealth of anecdotes, stories and testimonials, and often become role models for the younger students who see themselves tracking in the same direction."  

The NWSA visual arts student exchange program with Spain started as an idea several years ago when dean Cuesta was invited by Universidad Francisco de Vitoria to present during their graphic design symposium. "We already had established a similar student exchange program with Universidad Autónoma in San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Continuing this blueprint and extending it to another country allowed us to broaden and supplement our students' cultural and artistic scope exponentially."

CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN WITH OUR HELP!

VOTE RIGHT NOW,

But hurry because voting lasts only through this Sunday

Natasha Tsakos, NWSA theater alumna-'2000 is a multi-faceted artist and performer who has achieved remarkable success during her short career. A recent speaker at the world-renown TED Conference in California, Tsakos accomplishments also includes countless international performances of her original works, fusing the arts and latest technology. She has also participated in a Space Camp program on her own and fared better than many of her male counterparts.

 Now focusing on the Apollo Space Camp Axe Competition, sponsored by Axe and lead by Buzz Aldrin, Tsakos sees this next step in her life as the catalyst that will help her fulfill her dream, "Space is also a passion and pursuit of mine. I truly believe the next generation of artists will be performing and innovating in space. Whatever your dream is, I will take it with me in the time capsule I plan on bringing on the spacecraft."

Natasha Tsakos shares her plan if she is able to make it to phase II of the competition, which consists of space camp.

1. She will save all dreams and messages that are posted on her Facebook page or Twitter feed
   (#natashainspace)
   in a small thumb drive.  
2. She will take the thumb drive in a small time capsule with her to outer space.  
3. She will ask NASA that the time capsule be opened on December 31, 2050 and all messages in the thumb drive posted on a special website (or whatever we use those days!)
   "It is a bold endeavor, and I cannot guarantee the success of it entirely, but I can promise I will do my best to make it happen." --- Natasha Tsakos   

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2006-2007

Written, edited and produced by the NWSA Marketing and Communications Department

Maria M. Flores    Director of Marketing and Communications      mflores1@mdc.edu