Arts Clubs at NYU: Comedy, Theatre, and Beyond

Comedy troupes are a superb way to join the NYU arts scene. Even still, the vast quantity of troupes available can be daunting. Should you audition for all of them, or simply the ones that seem the most appealing to you? This is a great question, and there isn’t a right answer. Some students “run the NYU comedy gamut,” whereas others audition only for troupes that align with their areas of interest. For example, Dangerbox and After School Improv perform long-form improv, whereas Comic Sans and Hammerkatz write and perform sketch comedy. Moreover, LaLaHaHa blends music and comedy while Antonio’s Army creates experimental comedic theatre. Is stand-up comedy more your forte? Then consider Astor Place Riots!

New York City is one of the world’s theatre capitals, so where better than NYU to participate in college theatre? The Broke People Play Festival (BPPF) is the University’s largest student-run theatre organization producing new work. In addition to hosting two large-scale festivals each year, BPPF produces staged “incubator” readings of fledgling theatrical works. Many consider these readings “a staple” of the NYU theatre community. However, if producing and performing in already-published works is more appealing to you, then consider joining Shakespeare in the Square, which annually performs two Shakespearean productions right in the heart of Washington Square Park. Additionally, Tisch New Theatre produces high-level musical theatre productions, such as Alice by Heart and Cabaret. 

Whether you were in the choir in high school or were galvanized by the Pitch Perfect trilogy to pursue the thrilling prospect of singing without musical accompaniment, NYU has several impressive a cappella groups, many of which perform at the International Championship of Collegiate A Cappella each year. For more insight into the NYU a cappella scene, read this great article, “Getting Involved: How to Join an A Capella Group at NYU”!

If getting up on stage fills you with more anxiety than excitement, then The Plague may be for you! Although the name of NYU’s oldest satire publication is slightly ominous, it’s a great way to join an intimate community of satirists. In addition to publishing a physical issue each spring semester (prior examples include a satirical cookbook, high school textbook, and religious scripture), The Plague also publishes satirical writing on their online blog. Free pizza is also served at every meeting!