The Arts in New York: The Empire State of Mind

History is happening,” a lyric from the 2015 hit Broadway Musical, Hamilton, perfectly describes the culture of our current world. History is always happening anywhere and everywhere, and just like the musical says: We just happen to be in the greatest city of the world! Throughout history, New York City is the birthplace and global hub of culture, media, and of course, the arts. Known for the iconic theatres on Broadway street, museums such as the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the bustling crowds of Time Square, the city exudes creativity and inspiration everywhere you turn. This unique artistic culture made New York the perfect destination for AIS’s aspiring artists and musicians on their ELEx trip, offering an unforgettable opportunity to learn, perform, and be inspired in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.

Thanks to Mr. Hucks and his meticulous organization, when it came time to arrive at the airport on Monday, every student flying out to New York was beyond prepared for the week awaiting them. The kids were split into their two flight groups, the first group passed by without fault. The second group was delayed numerous times, and while that added some stress, it allowed for the experience of a gorgeous sunset upon arrival in New York. Later that night the groups met and partook in a walk around times square, which is arguably the most popular place in the city. Regardless of its popularity, no words could do the feeling of standing in the square a modicum of justice. The trip was full of opportunities for the artistically inclined students but that’s not to say it was void of fun.

On Tuesday, the group woke up bright and early to make their tour of the Lincoln Center, where they were met with a life-changing musical phenomenon. We were given the privilege to sit in on a rehearsal of the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, the oldest symphony orchestra in the country and one of the “Big 5 Orchestras.” It is regarded as one of, if not the most, prestigious symphony orchestras. And regardless of their musical background, it brought everyone to tears. Later in the day, the group went to watch

Hadestown. A gut wrenching and astonishing performance, it tells the tale of Orpheus and Euridyce. Highly anticipated by the entire group, Hadestown blew the audience away. “It was storytelling to the highest degree,” says one student, recalling her memory of the

musical. Starring Jack Wolfe as Orpheus, Morgan Dudley as Euridyce, and Kurt Elling as Hermes, the show was a masterful production of the ancient Greek myth. The musical score was heavily inspired by New Orleans jazz, folk, and blues (refer to next page on New Orleans). As the saying goes, in show business, everybody knows everybody, so it comes as no surprise that connections led the group to the rare opportunity afforded to them. Subsequent to the musical, the group made their way from the very top of the theater to the front row seats to speak to members of the cast and crew in a “meet and greet” of sorts. Thanks to connections, the group met Kurt Elling (Hermes) and a diverse group of the cast.

Wednesday offered a chance for the students who wanted to pursue a career in the arts. A panel of musical artists spoke to the group about their experiences and musical journey. A dazzling performance was made by the rockettes which led into a 2 hour shopping spree in the area, before finishing the night at Bryant park for food and ice skating. Thursday operated similarly, starting the day off with a panel of working actors and producers who all had interesting insight on how they got into theater and music. Students then had the chance to try New York Pizza before participating in a community service activity

involving visual art. Ms. Rosas, the band director, organized the trip with Materials for the Arts, a creative reuse center located in Queens, New York. The purpose of this organization was to create a more sustainable and accessible future. By providing materials from their warehouse, teachers, artists, and students are able to reuse material. As students walked through the warehouse, they saw exhibits created by artists of all ages and all materials. There were sculptures, crochets, and even a remake of Ariana Grande’s Glinda dress that she wears in the song, “No one Mourns the Wicked” from Wicked!

The night ended with an unanticipated yet resplendent and awe-inspiring musical. Hell’s Kitchen, the Alicia Keys Musical, shocked the entire group on every level. From their phenomenal performers, to their unwithering stage presence, the show was a perfect end to the trip. The musical ended with the song “Empire State of Mind”, followed by an encore from Alicia Keys herself. She brought out Jessica Voss, and Tank (Durrell Babbs) to perform alongside her. This encore included songs that were cut from Hell’s Kitchen.

Unfortunately, the group’s attempts to stage door were redundant, as they had to get back to the hotel and pack for their impending departure. On Friday the group flew back to Atlanta with a set of unforgettable memories. The seed of inspiration was planted into the minds of these aspiring artists. So just you wait, these students are preparing to make history