In the vibrant conclusion of the 2025 Spring Semester, NYU's Tisch School has unveiled an impressive array of accomplishments from its diverse community. Faculty members, students, and alumni have distinguished themselves across various artistic disciplines, earning prestigious awards and fellowships. Their innovative projects spanned theater, music, film, photography, and interactive media, reflecting a profound commitment to creativity and excellence. Notable highlights include groundbreaking performances, critically acclaimed productions, and recognition at renowned institutions such as the Guggenheim Foundation, Sundance Film Festival, and Tony Awards.
Achievements Across Disciplines Illuminate Tisch's Impactful Year
The Institute of Performing Arts showcased remarkable milestones with Assistant Professor Luis Rincon Alba and MFA candidate Shamar Watt receiving the inaugural Tisch Creative Research Collaborative Impact Grant. Meanwhile, Associate Professor Shanté Paradigm Smalls earned a Global Research Initiative Fellowship to explore Black Francophone speculative fiction in France. In the realm of musical theater, Marjuan Canady’s co-production "Hell’s Kitchen" triumphed with a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album.
Within Collaborative Arts, Sirintip Phasuk introduced MYCELIUM at the Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center, while Fina Strazza starred on Broadway in "John Proctor is the Villain," earning her a Tony nomination. Dance department luminaries Kyle Abraham and Monica Barbaro also garnered accolades including convocation speaking engagements and multiple Screen Actors Guild nominations.
Designers for stage and film achieved extraordinary success with Paul Tazewell winning both Critics’ Choice and Academy Awards. Fellow graduates Oana Botez, Stacey Derosier, and Jian Jung celebrated Obie wins alongside Clint Ramos joining Lincoln Center as Artist-in-Residence. Drama department notables included Rachel Sennott and Zoë Worth securing Critics' Choice nods, whereas Lisa Remington captured both Critics' Choice and Academy honors.
Performance Studies faculty André Lepecki delivered insightful talks internationally, Diana Taylor received NEH support for her digital book project, and Tara Aisha Willis assumed curatorship at EMPAC. Meanwhile, the Clive Davis Institute saw Andrew Watt achieve Oscar nomination status, Maggie Rogers announced as Tisch Salute speaker, and Nate Zucker excel in AI filmmaking competitions.
ITP/IMA innovators contributed significantly through Amelia Winger-Bearskin’s pioneering AI art auctions at Christie’s NY, Sarah Rothberg’s FOREVER MEETINGS exhibit at Bitforms Gallery, and collaborative triumphs at MIT hackathons. NYU Game Center participants excelled at Independent Games Festivals, while Photography & Imaging celebrated Stevia Roxanne’s Harlem showcase and Deborah Willis’ induction into the American Philosophical Society.
Maurice Kanbar Institute achievements ranged from Jenny Hsu securing a Mellon Conservation Fellowship to Ang Lee receiving Lifetime Achievement recognition at Directors Guild Awards. Undergraduate contributions highlighted Matiss Kaza’s Golden Globe win and Sean Baker’s sweeping Critics’ Choice victories.
These accomplishments collectively underscore Tisch School’s enduring influence within global arts communities, fostering talent development across generations.
This celebration of achievement serves as a testament to the transformative power of education intertwined with practice. It inspires aspiring artists worldwide by demonstrating how dedication coupled with mentorship can elevate one's craft onto international platforms. As we reflect upon these successes, it becomes evident that collaboration remains key—not only among peers but between academia and industry leaders alike—to push boundaries creatively and intellectually.