Andrew Rannells & More Set for YoungArts' 2015-16 Season

The National YoungArts Foundation today announces a dynamic roster of public programs for its 35th anniversary season encompassing a series of new performances, showcases, exhibitions, and interdisciplinary collaborations across a broad range of art forms-from the organization's first resident dance company Complexions Contemporary Ballet; and "Pairings at Ted's," a new dinner and performance series; to site-specific installations and public discussions with creative leaders such as Daniel Arsham, Franklin Sirmans and Fab 5 Freddy. The season underscores YoungArts' longstanding commitment to supporting the nation's next generation of artists by providing transformative educational and professional opportunities, including master classes, workshops, and mentorship programs with such renowned arts leaders as Carrie Mae Weems, Mikhail Baryshnikov, Frank Gehry, Wynton Marsalis, Jeff Koons, Kerry Washington, Robert Redford, and Placido Domingo, among others.

The YoungArts 2015-2016 season launches on September 24, 2015 with the second annual YoungArts Awareness Day, a national advocacy campaign emphasizing the arts as a rewarding and viable career path. YoungArts Awareness Day celebrations include public events and performances featuring notable alumni in New York, Los Angeles and Miami-including Daniel Arsham (1999 YoungArts Winner in Visual Arts) curated by Franklin Sirmans, the newly appointed Director of Pérez Art Museum Miami. In a two-part reveal, Arsham's interactive and evolving exhibition featuring nearly 2,000 objects made of chalk invites visitors to make their mark on blackboard-painted gallery walls from September to December. The second floor of the YoungArts Gallery, also curated by Sirmans, will be announced at a later date and unveiled to coincide with the culmination of Arsham's show and Art Basel Miami week festivities.

Andrew Rannells (1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater), Zuzanna Szadkowski (1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts), and India Carney (2011 YoungArts Winner in Theater and Voice and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts) are also among leading contemporaries performing on YoungArts Awareness Day.

The season continues with an exclusive Outside the Box preview, sponsored by ArtPlace America, of original work by Dwight Rhoden for Complexions Contemporary Ballet-YoungArts' first resident dance company co-founded by Desmond Richardson (1986 YoungArts Winner in Modern Dance and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts)-followed by the organization's signature program National YoungArts Week in Miami, which annually provides approximately 170 YoungArts Finalists (YoungArts' highest award designation) the opportunity to work with distinguished artists and share their work with the public through performances, readings, exhibitions, and screenings. Additional season highlights include the Salon Series, sponsored by the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, with luminaries such as Fab 5 Freddy, as well as an interdisciplinary jazz performance by Jason Moran (1993 YoungArts Winner in Jazz) and a modern-day opera directed by YoungArts Master Teacher Jay Scheib as part of the organization's Outside the Box series.

"YoungArts provides emerging artists with the inspiration, resources, and platforms they need to foster creative development, support professional growth, and realize their most ambitious artistic visions," stated Lisa Leone, Vice President of Artistic Programs for YoungArts. "This season, we are more dedicated than ever to strengthening our role as a catalyst for these talented young artists to pursue their dreams. We look forward to welcoming the 35th Anniversary Class of YoungArts Winners and celebrating the vital impact of the arts on our nation and the world."

The YoungArts season begins in September 2015 and continues through July 2016. Additional information on programming follows below, and further details will be announced in the coming months at www.youngarts.org.

NATIONAL YOUNGARTS FOUNDATION
2015-2016 SEASON

YoungArts Awareness Day
September 24, 2015
New York, Miami, Los Angeles and nationwide online
Tickets and information: youngarts.org/awareness-day

YoungArts Awareness Day highlights the impact the organization has had on artists ages 15 to 18 years to achieve their goals and build a strong professional network. This year's events takes place on the heels of National Arts in Education Week to emphasize the growing need for programs that foster artistic development, provide access to financial rewards, and present the arts as a viable career path-especially as schools are rapidly eliminating the arts from their curricula. A platform for award-winning and acclaimed alumni, YoungArts Awareness Day programming in New York, Miami, and Los Angeles aims to inspire young artists to apply to become a part of the 35th Anniversary Class of YoungArts Winners by October 16, 2015 at www.youngarts.org/apply.

New York City
Public events featuring YoungArts alumni will begin at 2:30 p.m. at The Metropolitan Museum of Art with a free performance by organist Greg Zelek (2010 YoungArts Winner in Music) at The André Mertens Galleries for Musical Instruments, North Balcony (Gallery #683). At 9:30 p.m., Tony-nominated Broadway stars Andrew Rannells (1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater), Tony Yazbeck (1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater) and Grace Weber (2006 YoungArts Winner in Voice and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts) will perform at the helm of a dynamic Broadway showcase at 54 Below, directed by Zuzanna Szadkowski (1997 YoungArts Winner in Theater and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts).

Los Angeles
At 9:00 p.m., India Carney (2011 YoungArts Winner in Theater and Voice and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts), Fiona Grey (2013 YoungArts Winner in Voice), Jay Jackson (2007 Winner in Dance and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts), Michelle May (2014 Winner in Dance) and Nicole Ishimaru (2015 Winner in Dance) will star in a Disco Pop concert directed by R&B singer/songwriter Black Gatsby (D'Angelo Lacy) (2005 YoungArts Winner in Theater) at Madame Siam in West Hollywood.

Miami
In The Future Was Written, a selection of Daniel Arsham's (1999 YoungArts Winner in Visual Arts) work-curated by Pérez Art Museum Miami director Franklin Sirmans-will open to the public in conjunction with a YoungArts Salon , sponsored by Knight Foundation, featuring Arsham and Sirmans in conversation about the exhibition.

Additional initiatives include a live Facebook Q&A hosted by Josh Groban (1999 YoungArts Winner in Theater) about arts education and his own Find Your Light Foundation on the YoungArts Facebook page starting at 3 p.m. Eastern time.

The Future Was Written Exhibiton
New work by Daniel Arsham, curated by Franklin Sirmans
September 24 - December 11, 2015
YoungArts Gallery
Gallery hours and information: http://www.youngarts.org/youngarts-gallery

Opening in conjunction with YoungArts Awareness Day and on view through Art Basel Miami Beach, contemporary artist Daniel Arsham transforms the YoungArts Gallery by covering its walls with black chalkboard paint and its floor with nearly 2,000 objects made of chalk. Set in the center of the room, these objects represent body parts, such as hands and faces, as well as communication devices such as cameras, telephones, video game controllers and computers. Visitors of all ages are encouraged to write or draw on the walls of the gallery, with the chalk casts progressively disappearing throughout the exhibition's run. The installation epitomizes many of the prevalent themes and motifs in Arsham's work-including the interplay of archaeology and architecture, eroding environments overtaken by nature, and blurring the line between the real and imagined-and is curated by Franklin Sirmans, newly appointed Director of Pérez Art Museum Miami.

National YoungArts Week
January 3-10, 2016

During National YoungArts Week, which takes place in Miami each year, approximately 170 YoungArts Finalists in the visual, literary, design, and performing arts work with distinguished master teachers in their field. Past master teachers include Debbie Allen, Neil Patrick Harris, Bobby McFerrin, Zaha Hadid, James Rosenquist, Martin Scorsese, Renee Fleming and Bruce Weber, to name a few. Throughout the week artists will also have the opportunity to share their work with the public through performances, readings, exhibitions and screenings.

Monday, January 4 8:00 p.m. - Classical, Jazz & Pop Voice Performance

New World Center, Main Hall

Tuesday, January 5 8:00 p.m. - Theater & Jazz Instrumental Performance

New World Center, Main Hall

Wednesday, January 6 8:00 p.m. - Dance Performance & Cinematic Arts Screenings

New World Center, Main Hall

Thursday, January 7 8:30 p.m. - Classical Music Concert

New World Center, Main Hall

Friday, January 8 6:00 p.m. - 7:15 p.m. - Writers' Readings

YoungArts Campus, Jewel Box, 3rd Floor

7:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. - Visual Arts, Photography and Design Exhibition

YoungArts Campus, Gallery, 1st & 2nd Floors; Jewel Box, 3rd Floor

10:00 p.m. - 12:00 a.m. - YoungArts Jazz Combo

YoungArts Campus at Ted's

Saturday, January 9 7:00 p.m. - YoungArts Backyard Ball

Chairs Tracy and Bruce Berkowitz

The Backyard Ball is the culmination of YoungArts' signature National YoungArts Week program. The celebratory evening of artistic immersion will bring together prominent artists, community leaders, philanthropists and celebrities to recognize the 2016 YoungArts winners. Three distinguished awardees will also be recognized for their invaluable commitment to the arts.

National YoungArts Week is supported by our National Premier Sponsor Carnival Foundation; SunTrust; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; and the City of Miami Beach, Cultural Affairs Program, Cultural Arts Council.

YoungArts currently offers Regional Programs annually in Miami (March 8-13, 2016), New York (April 12-17, 2016) and Los Angeles (February 16-21, 2016). Modeled on the transformative experience of the organization's signature program, National YoungArts Week, each Regional Program engages YoungArts Winners from all award levels.

YoungArts Miami is supported by the YoungArts Miami Council; the State of Florida, Department of State, Division of Cultural Affairs and the Florida Council on Arts and Culture; the Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council, the Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners, and The Children's Trust; Miami Downtown Development Authority; and Wells Fargo.

Outside the Box
Launched in 2014 with a grant from ArtPlace America, the Outside the Box series in Miami is open to the public, and features performances by artists across a range of disciplines to engage the community and serve as a catalyst for neighborhood transformation. YoungArts provides rehearsal space, technical and production assistance, and other resources to encourage participants to innovate and collaborate with other alumni and emerging artists.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet
November 7, 2015

Complexions Contemporary Ballet-co-founded by Tony Award-nominated Broadway performer, 1986 YoungArts Winner in Modern Dance, and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts Desmond Richardson-will be YoungArts' first resident dance company from October 25 through November 8. While in residence, the company will create an original work by Master Choreographer Dwight Rhoden that will premiere at the company's annual Joyce Theater Season in New York between November 17 and 29. On November 7, Complexions will preview some of its work with the public through a special Outside the Box performance in Miami.

Jason Moran
Interactive Jazz
February 6, 2016

Jay Scheib
Modern Day Opera
May 7, 2016

Additional support for Outside the Box is provided by IKEA.

Salon Series
The YoungArts Salon Series, which brings together creative art luminaries and offers audiences an opportunity to engage with internationally renowned artists, was launched in 2013 through a grant from the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation. Previous Salons have featured Marina Abramovi? and Matthu Placek, Robert Redford, Justin Peck and Sufjan Stevens, Joshua Bell, Ben Folds, Lil Buck and Edwidge Dandicat.

Daniel Arsham and Franklin Sirmans
September 24, 2015

Fab 5 Freddy
November 19, 2015

Pairings at Ted's
YoungArts and Starr Catering Group reimagine Ted's by pairing world-class performances with themed culinary experiences.

Prix Fixe Three-Course Dinner and a Show at $95pp
Preferred seating begins at 7 p.m., performances start at 8 p.m.

October 30-31, 2015
Seraphic Fire
Spooky Requiems by GRAMMY Award Nominated chamber choir

November 27-28, 2015
A Broadway Thanksgiving Cabaret

December 18-19, 2015
Alumnus Jake Goldbas' Holiday Bonanza
Jake Goldbas (2007 YoungArts Winner in Jazz) leads an all-star band featuring YoungArts alumni

February 26-27, 2016
Rudi Goblen's PET
An interactive one-man show about heartbreak and serial monogamists

March 18-19, 2016
Nu Deco Ensemble
Rethinking classical fusion by a 21st century orchestra

April 29-30, 2016
O, Miami
Spoken word, prose and poetics celebrating National Poetry Month

May 20-21, 2016
Elena & Samora Pinderhughes
Original works by critically acclaimed sister/brother jazz alumni duo

June 24-25, 2016
Alumnus Doug Blush presents 20 Feet from Stardom
An OSCAR Award-winning film about backup signers in the shadows of the spotlight

Doors for General Admission* priced at $35pp open at 7:30 p.m., with small plates, wine and spirits for purchase à la carte. *$25 food & beverage minimum with GA tickets.

ABOUT THE NATIONAL YOUNGARTS FOUNDATION
The National YoungArts Foundation (YoungArts) was established in 1981 by Lin and Ted Arison to identify and support the next generation of artists in the visual, literary, design and performing arts; assist them at critical junctures in their educational and professional development; and raise appreciation for the arts in American society. Each year, there are approximately 11,000 applications to YoungArts from 15-18 year old (or grades 10-12) artists, and from these, approximately 800 winners are selected.

YoungArts Winners work with renowned mentors, such as Mikhail Baryshnikov, Plácido Domingo, Frank Gehry, Jeff Koons, Wynton Marsalis, Robert Redford, Rebecca Walker and Bruce Weber; receive cash awards of up to $10,000; gain access to significant scholarships; become eligible for nomination as a U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts; and perform and exhibit their work at some of the nation's leading cultural institutions, including the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (Washington, D.C.), The Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York), The Museum of Modern Art (New York) and New World Center (Miami). YoungArts Winners also become part of the strong YoungArts alumni network artists, which offers them additional opportunities throughout their careers.

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