This Spring, NYFA and Carnegie Hall once again partnered for Fall of the Weimar Republic: Dancing on the Precipice, programming that included three events held at New York Film Academy’s campus in Battery Park. The events follow a previous partnership between NYFA and Carnegie Hall, following the theme of Afrofuturism in Cinema: Infinity, Creativity, and Beyond.
Berlin in the Battery: Dancing on the Edge – A NYFA Musical Theater Department Presentation
From the daring innovations of expressionist dance to the lively cabaret culture, dance emerged as a vital art form in the 1920s and early 1930s. To celebrate the musical heritage of this era, current NYFA students, esteemed faculty, and recent alumni joined to put on a one-of-a-kind performance, ‘Berlin in the Battery: Dancing on the Edge.’ The showcase demonstrated the dynamic creativity of today’s emerging artists while encapsulating the spirit during the time of the Weimar Republic.
“NYFA was thrilled to participate in Carnegie Hall’s Fall of the Weimar Republic: Dancing on the Precipice. It also inspired our creative team led by NYFA’s Musical Theatre Department Chair, Kristy Cates, to bring together current students, alumni, faculty, and even administration to showcase their talents,” said David Klein, Senior Executive Vice President. “It was an unforgettable event that engaged the audience with thoughtfully curated scenes and musical numbers that illuminated the period, but, remarkably, also spoke to issues we’re facing today.”
“It was incredibly thrilling to be part of the Weimar Festival in collaboration with Carnegie Hall,” added Musical Theatre Chair Kristy Cates. “Our presentation of Berlin the Battery was a completely new and unique piece of theatre that was both educational and entertaining and brought together many faces and talents of our musical NYFA theatre family. The show highlighted what our program does best: share our unique voices and talents through compelling storytelling.”
BFA Musical Theatre student Mercy Godoy was the winner of the event.
“NYFA is a gift that keeps on giving,” said Mario Grenier, an NYFA Musical Theatre alum who participated in the event. “Since graduating, NYFA has provided several opportunities to perform. This was a special one since alumni got to perform alongside faculty, essentially making teachers to colleagues. A beautiful and teaching moment!”
On Stage at NYFA New York
This Spring, NYFA New York has also hosted on-campus events including the 2024 New Works Series Paper Valley by composer, lyricist, Broadway conductor, and orchestrator, Nicholas Connors. Connors is also a 2023 Dramatists Guild Fellow and a recent finalist for the Larson, Ebb, and Kleban Awards. The musical follows protagonist Kate Sullivan, a Nashville songwriter returning to her hometown in Wisconsin after a decade. Directed by Mary Cynthia McGowan of How To Dance in Ohio, as well as Music Direction by Joshua Zecher-Ross of Queen of Versailles, the show featured NYFA Musical Theatre students.
NYFA Acting for Film instructor Ben Mehl, who appeared in season three of the Netflix series You and The Good Wife, directed a student production of In The Basement, written by playwright Bailey Williams.
“I had the joy of directing the 7th-semester students in the hilarious and touching new play by Bailey Williams, In The Basement,” said Mehl. “This was a daring undertaking that involved an epic fight between a 12-year-old girl and The Claw (a demon from Hell), a visit from God, and someone giving birth to one million babies. From the first readthrough, it was a joy working on this play, but the best part was sharing it with our audiences as they laughed and cried through the story with us.”
Shine on Screen and Stage at NYFA
At NYFA, aspiring performers refine their acting, singing, and dancing abilities through immersive, hands-on training. Embracing our hallmark approach of learn-by-doing, students dive into the vibrant world of performance, strengthening their natural abilities and discovering their identity as a performers. Learn more about our hands-on degrees, conservatories, and workshops in Acting for Film and Musical Theatre today!