Theatre Outings | Freshman Dialogue Follow-up Events | Directions
This year's Dialogue will explore the theme of "Trust and Betrayal: Persevering in Times of Transition" by reading and discussing William Shakespeare's classic tragedy Othello. The themes are rich: racism, love, jealousy, and betrayal. As a freshman at New York University you will be dealing with many of the issues explored by Othello 400 years ago. Some are age-old: friendship, loyalty, trust, fragility and betrayal, love and sexual jealousy. Some seem new: at NYU our extraordinarily diverse community is a veritable laboratory of contemporary solutions for resolving conflicts around insider/outsider status, gender, race and class. How does Othello demonstrate what freshmen already know about inclusion and alienation? About the appropriate response to unfairness? About passion vs. common sense and temptation vs. self control? Does success define identity? What should the limits of trust be? When we encounter real-life dramas of excessive trust or painful betrayal, what should be our role as bystanders? These are questions students must ask themselves early and late, as NYU freshmen and as New Yorkers.
The annual Freshman Convocaton, which will take place on Monday, August 31th, is the only time (other than graduation) when the entire class assembles.
9:00 - 10:30 am
The Skirball Center for the Performing Arts - Located at 566 LaGuardia Place (at Washington Square South)
You will need to have your NYU ID to enter the Skirball Center.
WELCOME TO THE CLASS OF 2013
Matthew S. Santirocco
Seryl Kushner Dean of the College and Professor of ClassicsDiane C. Yu
Chief of Staff and Deputy to the President of NYUGabrielle Starr
Associate Professor of English
11:00 am - 12:30 pm
NYU Faculty Members
Immediately Following the Convocation, the class will split into a number of discussion groups to discuss with a faculty member William Shakespeare's Othello. Your insights will play a significant part in the debate. Colleges thrive on free intellectual exchange, and here is where your career at NYU starts. Your room assignment will be given to you at the Convocation ceremony.
Video Podcast
Featuring: Peter Meineck, Artistic Director and Founder of the Aquila Theatre, Clinical Professor of Classics and Ancient Studies
Elissa Henry, class of 2011
Albert Park, class of 2012
Click here to launch the video from a separate window.
Ticket information - Tickets for Othello will be sold throughout Welcome Week, Monday, August 31st - Friday, September 4th in the Silver Center. Tickets are partially subsidized by NYU, and are available to CAS freshmen only at the reduced rate of $10.00. Please have your NYU ID with you when you come to purchase your ticket. Ticket locations will be announced.
Performance Dates
Othello
Saturday, 12 September 2009 @ 7:00 pm
Sunday, 13 September 2009 @ 5:00 pm
NYC: UNDERNEATH THE SKIN -
Explore the diversity of New York through it's iconic cultural institutions and legendary Broadway Hits.
Trust and Betrayal - Broadway Outings
Issues of race, identity, gender and class are explored through two Tony Award winning Broadway Hits - West Side Story and Hair.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art - Experience Venetian art and sculpture during the period of William Shakespeare's Othello, as well as other important galleries in this legendary art museum.
NYC: NEIGHBORHOODS IN TRANSITION -
Join us for two tours that focus on the changing landscape of the city through an uptown and downtown lens.
Uptown Scene - Harlem Heritage Bus Tour that celebrates the rich, diverse neighborhood featuring The Studio Museum of Harlem and The Schomberg Center for Cultural Research.
Downtown Scene - Join us for a walking tour led by one of our distinguished faculty members through Chinatown, Soho and the Lower East Side, featuring a visit to the New Museum of Contemporary Art on the Bowrey and the Lower East Side Tenement Museum.
