The New Group And LIU Brooklyn Launch New B.F.A. Program In Acting For Theatre, Film, And Television

Two powerful New York institutions, Long Island University (LIU) Brooklyn and the renowned theater company The New Group, have announced a new partnership to help train the next generation of great actors. A new B.F.A program in Acting for Theatre, Film and Television, starting in Fall 2018, will be founded on the studio model, where students will study stage acting, voice, and movement under the supervision and guidance of faculty in collaboration with the award-winning The New Group.

"This is an elite partnership which will allow LIU students to train alongside some of the biggest names in theater," Long Island University President Kimberly Cline said. "The opportunities this partnership will create for our students exemplify what it means to study acting at a great New York institution. The New Group is responsible for so many important, iconic works, and we are excited to embark on this partnership."

"The New Group has long been connecting with and giving back to our community through our education programs, but we have been wanting a more intensive relationship with a university, where we can connect students into our work and our family of artists in an ongoing way," Founding Artistic Director Scott Elliott said. "This new collaboration with LIU is perfectly tailored, and they have the vision and the resources to truly make something great out of this new acting program. I so look forward to creating a studio program that embodies our ensemble acting model in all its facets."

In addition to taking classes, students will attend The New Group's performances as part of their studies, and participate in talkbacks and master classes with renowned guest artists. Students will also be offered internship opportunities with the company.

LIU Brooklyn is in the heart of the Brooklyn arts community and features world-class venues, including The Kumble Theater for the Performing Arts which showcases students in major performances during the academic year, and the historic LIU Brooklyn Paramount Theatre which will reopen in Fall 2019 as part of an entrepreneurial and experiential learning partnership with Brooklyn Sports and Entertainment. For more information on the B.F.A. program in Acting for Theatre, Film and Television, please visit www.liu.edu/acting

About The New Group
The New Group is an award-winning, artist-driven company with a commitment to developing and producing powerful, contemporary theater. While constantly evolving, the company strives to maintain an ensemble approach to all its work and an articulated style of emotional immediacy in its productions. In this way, The New Group seeks a theater that is adventurous, stimulating and, most importantly, "now," a true forum for the present culture.

The New Group's current education programs provide opportunities for artistically inclined middle school, high school, college and adult students to experiment and take risks with forms of theatrical expression in an environment of trust and collaboration. Under the tutelage of New Group artists, students in the company's programs are exposed to our process by creating original works as an ensemble. Working together in diverse teams, participating students channel creative impulses, develop craft and build confidence in their artistic talent and individual worth.

Notable productions include Good for Otto, by David Rabe, directed by Scott Elliott; Jerry Springer - The Opera, music by Richard Thomas and book & additional lyrics by Stewart Lee and Richard Thomas and choreography by Chris Bailey, directed by John Rando; last season's hit revival of Sweet Charity, choreographed by Joshua Bergasse, directed by Leigh Silverman with Sutton Foster; Wallace Shawn's Evening at the Talk House, directed by Scott Elliott; David Rabe's Sticks and Bones, with Holly Hunter and Bill Pullman; Joel Drake Johnson's Rasheeda Speaking, with Tonya Pinkins and Dianne Wiest, helmed by Cynthia Nixon; Jesse Eisenberg's The Spoils, with Jesse Eisenberg and Kunal Nayyar; Ecstasy, This is Our Youth, Aunt Dan and Lemon, Hurlyburly, Abigail's Party, Rafta, Rafta..., The Starry Messenger, A Lie of the Mind, Blood From a Stone, Marie and Bruce, The Jacksonian, Intimacy and many more. Since its founding in 1995, the company has received more than 100 awards and nominations for excellence, including the 2004 Tony Award for Best Musical (Avenue Q). In 2011, The Kid received five Drama Desk nominations and the Outer Critics Award for Outstanding New Off-Broadway Musical. That year, The New Group and Scott Elliott were honored with a Drama Desk Special Award "for presenting contemporary new voices, and for uncompromisingly raw and powerful productions." Visit TheNewGroup.org for more information.

About Long Island University
LIU continues to redefine higher education, providing high quality academic instruction by world-class faculty. Recognized by Forbes for its emphasis on experiential learning and by the Brookings Institution for its "value added" to student outcomes, LIU is an elite teaching and research university with a network of 200,000 alumni that includes industry leaders and entrepreneurs across the globe. LIU's renowned faculty, the LIU Promise student mentoring program, innovation in engaged learning, further distinguish LIU as a leader among the nation's most respected universities. Visit liu.edu for more information.

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