Directed by Jennifer de Castroverde, a faculty member at New World School of the Arts, a cast of eight college acting and musical theatre students will perform the play ‘Til Death, written by NWSA theatre alumna Alexis Scheer. This production follows the play’s off-Broadway premiere in 2024, under the title Breaking the Story, commissioned by Second Stage Theatre.
As a foreign war correspondent, Marina has put her life on the line to illuminate the darkest corners of humanity. Having just returned from a particularly bloody conflict, she flirts with staying home for good – alongside her cameraman turned lover. With her closest friends and family gathered on the eve of her lifetime achievement award ceremony, she decides to cap this glorious moment with an elopement. But as Marina tries to take hold of her life, she’s forced to reckon with the grip that war has held on her. In today’s context, ‘Til Death offers audiences a profound opportunity to engage in a transformative ritual of crossing over, serving as a eulogy and a journey through the ravages of war-torn landscapes, ultimately guiding them back home.
“As students, we can engage with this contemporary interpretation of current events, allowing us to explore the intricate dynamics of politics and ideologies reflected in art. This exploration fosters a deeper understanding and empathy for the diverse characters we portray, enriching our interpretations and character studies,” noted actor/musician Jonathan Camacho-Lopez.
For college student performers Daniella Diaz and Alexandra Cruz, the rehearsal process provided a profound insight into their learning journey. Daniella expressed that this experience has significantly enhanced her ability to connect with the play, emphasizing the importance of living in the moment rather than relying on pre-planned choices. She noted that it has also helped her overcome personal barriers as an actor, allowing her to fully embody her character. Meanwhile, Alexandra highlighted the crucial role of the text, reminding her that it serves as the essential foundation for every action, need, and line within the performance.
Director de Castroverde explained her vision for the production, emphasizing the importance of conveying the profound weight of truth during moments of silence. “My goal is for the audience to feel the weight of truth in a time of silence. I cannot name every place, but I have seen courageous young women in war-torn regions, standing up against all odds, risking everything so the truth could be seen. There is something about what I saw in these young women reporting from war-torn places. There is a line in ‘Til Death that says something is history, but only if it’s recorded.” Through the act of recording and sharing their narratives, these individuals transcend the devastation of their circumstances; while lands may be destroyed and lives lost, their identities and memories endure, forever etched in history.
This production contains theatrical haze, flashing lights, mature themes, and language, including war violence and post-traumatic stress disorder. Ages 12 and up.
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.
‘TIL DEATH
March 19, 20; 7:30 PM
March 21; 2 PM & 7:30 PM
Koubek Memorial Center
2705 SW 3 Street, Miami
General admission $12. Students and seniors $5