Two students from the New World School of the Arts’ high school theatre program received Arshties at the inaugural Arsht High School Musical Theater Awards Showcase, a prestigious event celebrating exceptional student talent in Miami-Dade County, reminiscent of the Tony Awards.
Olivia Serrano-Salow, a senior at NWSA, was honored as “Best Actress” for her portrayal of ‘Rosalind’ in Shaina Taub’s musical adaptation of As You Like It, while Sophia Jaramillo earned the “Outstanding Achievement in a Supporting Role” award for her performance as ‘Silvia’ in the same production.
“It is truly gratifying to see talented students from New World School of the Arts and throughout the county recognized by the Arsht Center for their incredible work, professionalism, and artistry. I’m very glad that the Arsht has launched this program and is shining the spotlight on our own rising stars here in Miami, before they take the world by storm,” said NWSA Dean of Theater Alan Patrick Kenny.
Serrano-Salow’s win secures her one of two winners of the top Arshtie award: the regional finalist to represent Miami-Dade County at the Broadway League’s prestigious Jimmy Awards® in New York, all expenses paid, in June. The Arshties serves as a local precursor, allowing talented high school theatre students to vie for a chance to participate in the Jimmy Awards®, also known as The National High School Musical Theatre Awards®. Awards.
With NWSA accounting for 30% of all nominations in this year’s inaugural Arshties, the school showcased a musical theatre rendition of Shakespeare’s As You Like It, which examines themes of control and freedom through an early 1990s lens. The contrasting settings of the court, marked by power and spectacle, and the liberating Forest of Arden highlight the fluidity of identity and the impact of context on personal choices.
The awards ceremony and performance took place on Saturday, May 16, at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts, Knight Concert Hall, featuring an evening of powerful vocals, dynamic dance, and memorable live performances. In addition to a rousing ensemble number performance from the cast of As You Like It, solos were performed by NWSA’s four nominees for Outstanding Lead Performance from As You Like It. These students also performed in group opening and closing numbers with fellow nominees from throughout Miami-Dade County, staged by Broadway professionals.
Acting and musical theatre students at NWSA hone their craft through acting technique, movement, and speech classes, focusing on fundamentals of physical and emotional preparation. With performance at its core, training is based on the classical texts and the principles of drama as well as practical incursions into the contemporary and experimental edges of theatre. Consequently, alumni are found performing onstage nationally and internationally and their talent and vision are recognized and highly regarded in the industry. For information about the theatre program at New World School of the Arts please call 305-237-3541.
A Florida center of excellence in the visual and performing arts, New World School of the Arts is an educational partnership of Miami-Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College, and University of Florida. NWSA provides a comprehensive program of artistic, creative, and academic development through a curriculum that reflects our community and the rich multicultural state of Florida. Through our partners NWSA confers the high school diploma, Associate of Arts degree, and Bachelor of Fine Arts and Bachelor of Music college degrees in programs accredited by the National Association of Schools of Dance, Music, Theatre and Art & Design. NWSA’s rigorous eight-year curriculum and conservatory-style teaching has empowered students in our community and our nation to become leaders in the arts for more three decades.
Information about New World School of the Arts at 305-237-3135 or nwsa.mdc.edu.