Tarell Alvin McCraney (NWSA high school 1999), award-winning international playwright, will be offering a special gift to New World School of the Arts (NWSA) to celebrate his 30th birthday and launch NWSA’s 2010-11 theater season.
The prolific playwright has planned a special VIP reception and staged reading performance at New World School of the Arts on Friday, Oct. 15, to raise much needed funds for the school. Along with actor Glenn Davis and fellow Steppenwolf Ensemble member Jon Michael Hill, McCraney will perform selected scenes from his acclaimed Trilogy including The Brothers Size, In The Red and Brown Water, and Marcus — or the Secret of Sweet. His Brother/Sister trilogy is set in the Louisiana Projects and explores Yoruba mythology.
The staged reading performance is McCraney’s fundraising initiative and gift for NWSA.
“When so much is at stake for our students, it’s up to us to give generously not just of our pockets but of our hearts and talents,” McCraney said.
The funds from this initiative will be used to assist graduating high school students in attending auditions for colleges or acting programs.
The presentation is comprised of two events — a VIP reception with McCraney, where he will give away 20 signed copies of his book The Brother/Sister Plays, followed by the book reading performance.
The VIP reception with Tarell McCraney is scheduled for Oct. 15, 6 p.m., at the NWSA Louise O. Gerrits Theater, 25 NE Second St. in downtown Miami, Eighth Floor.
Ticket for private reception is $100. It includes a signed copy of The Brother/Sister Plays, which includes all three plays, plus the Q&A with Tarell McCraney, reading performance, and complimentary parking. VIP reception is limited to 20 guests.
A Staged Reading Performance following the VIP reception, at 7:30 p.m., will take place in the NWSA Dance Studio, NWSA’s Eighth floor. Ticket for performance is $30 and includes performance only.
For VIP Reception, call Rafael Maldonado at New World School of the Arts, 305-237-3753. VIP Reception is limited to 20 guests, first-come first-served.
Staged Reading Performance-only tickets may be purchased online by visiting the New World School of the Arts website at nwsa.mdc.edu.
“I am very grateful that the school is so supportive of this event,” McCraney said. “Moreover, I hope that this fundraising initiative will spark more efforts from alumni and supporters alike to support our young artists and their endeavors during these economically unstable times.”
McCraney attended the New World School of the Arts High School, receiving the Exemplary Artist Award and the Dean’s Award in Theater, and graduated from DePaul University’s baccalaureate program where he received his BFA in acting.
In May 2007 McCraney graduated from Yale School of Drama’s playwriting program where he received the Cole Porter Playwriting Award upon graduation.
For more information about the theater program at NWSA, call 305-237-3541 or visit www.nwsa.mdc.edu.
