NextAct: Arts Insider

Jane Marsh: Opera’s Romantic Era Glory Part I
September 21

Join internationally acclaimed opera Diva Jane Marsh as she works “live” in three Arts Insider workshops. She will be joined by three talented singers and pianists in three diverse showcase programs. The programs will offer style-selections from the Met Opera Season 2025 of Romantic Operas, the likes of Verdi, Wagner, and Rossini, in addition to complementary selections. There will be attention drawn to vocal interpretation and execution, language, and performance, proving that the singer needs the voice as much as the voice needs the singer… Viktoriya Koreneva (Mezzo). Love and enthusiasm are musts!

Siobhan Nestor: Journey of a Costume
September 28

From the moment designs are handed in, the journey begins. Costume Maker Siobhan Nestor brings us into the costume shop of the Metropolitan Opera 2025 season. In this exclusive inside look into the process of collaborating with a costume designer and stage director beginning with preseason work, paperwork for sketches, schedules and  measurements then the work begins. What is the path of a costume from inception to performance? You will learn how sketches are transformed from an idea with the many steps and obstacles along the way.from supervising a team, shop manager, patternmaker and other vital departments to bring a costume to life in one of the grandest opera houses in the world. This event will also feature stories from Broadway, regional theater and ballet. 

Evan Zes: The Art of a Solo Show
October 5

Broadway actor, comedian and writer Evan Zes guides you through the process of creating your own solo show. In this dynamic workshop you’ll learn the fundamentals of storytelling structure, the mechanics of joke writing, and how to mine your own life for stories that captivate, move and entertain. Whether you have experienced performing, curious or just starting out, this event will guide you through the process of how performers tell a story that’s honest, hilarious and unforgettable.With excerpts and stories from his global smash Rent Control, we learn stories from the heart is the greatest source material we need to be in the moment before an audience.  

Choreography Workshop
Alison Clancy: Feels Like Nothing, Tastes Like Rain
October 12

Choreographer, composer and designer Alison Clancy shares an intimate examination of her creative process, from inspiration to completion. Informed by her many years of dancing at The Metropolitan Opera, Clancy now is engaged in creating her own Gesamtkunstwerks(total work of art); engulfing worlds of music, movement and design highlighting the razor thin edges between pain and peace, beauty and destruction. Clancy’s movement creation emerges from her deep relationship with neoclassical ballet, but subverts technique in exploration of primordial sensuality; Illuminating the authority of each dancer's authentic story. Clancy then frames performers in custom lighting installations, and haunting sonic soundscapes, usually performed live by Clancy with electric guitar and a myriad of electronics. In this presentation Clancy will deconstruct and discuss her relationship with these various art forms.

Jane Marsh: Opera's Romantic Era Glory Part II
October 19

In the second of three workshops with Jane Marsh, Rocky Sellars (bass-baritone) will take on Romantic era masterpieces to gain a deeper understanding of the story being told while tackling the technical demands of pieces to grow as an artist in real time. Jane Marsh will provide plot, production and vocal help to the performer. A pianist will accompany the performer for multiple selections. The session will allow audiences to witness the collaboration of three artists working together to achieve growth and progress.

Greta Gertler Gold: A Picnic at Hanging Rock
October 26

Greta is a composer, lyricist and performer. She's currently working on a stage musical adaptation of Joan Lindsay's iconic novel, Picnic at Hanging Rock, most notably also adapted as a film in 1975 by Peter Weir (Dead Poets Society, The Truman Show).  And will speak about her creative journey as an artist-producer working towards the world premiere production in 2026, including developmental steps in Australia and NYC, the collaborative process, the questions and challenges raised in bringing this story to life again in a brand new form, what it takes to produce a new musical and more. 

The Composers Era: A Chamber Music Presentation
November 9

We hear a lot about different Eras… Classical, Baroque, Romantic, Modern..etc. What does this mean? How does the music translate among different eras? And which composers belong to these specific periods? Join Craig Devereaux (flute), Fran Novak (clarinet) and Charlie Scatamacchia (bassoon) for an afternoon of chamber music from different periods - classical, romantic, etc. Enjoy listening to their performance and learn about the composers and styles of these pieces.

Jane Marsh: Opera's Romantic Era Glory Part III
November 16

Internationally acclaimed opera Diva Jane Marsh gives her third and final Arts Insider workshop. She will be joined by talented Enos Pektas (baritone) and pianist for a Romantic Era program. There will be attention drawn to vocal interpretation and execution, language, and performance, along with personal stories and audience engagement along the way. The benefit of attending a master class helps gain a better understanding and appreciation of the talent and work that goes into growing as an artist in a very competitive and demanding art form. With her charming wit and extensive knowledge this event makes for an unforgettable experience. As Jane says “ come one, come all”.

LeeAnn Brown: Poetry as a State of Play
November 23

Lee Ann Brown's presentation with combined poems and generative poetry experiments drawn from years of being a practicing, teaching poet. She will perform some of her original work, and offer up open possibilities of form for audience response. "Seed" poems will include excerpts from Joe Brainard's prose poem I Remember, a few of Tuli Kupferberg's "para-songs" and the sonnets of Bernadette Mayer, as well as forms such as the acrostic, and the list poem, ode and song form. Poetry in rhythmic form is at the core of the shared experience. The audience will be able to share insight into the detailed mechanics that poets use to develop a particular style of poetry. The program promises to be interactive for some and fun for everyone!

Natan Last: Live Crossword Building and Book Signing
December 7

Calling all word lovers! Join us for a special afternoon with Natan Last, acclaimed crossword constructor and author of the new book, Across the Universe. (The last chapter features the JASA crossword class, which has published 20+ puzzles in the New York Times!) You’ll get a behind the scenes look at how crosswords are crafted and collaborate with the author to build a brand-new puzzle. Afterwards, join us for a book signing and mingle with your fellow puzzlers. It’s a wonderful jump-start on your holiday shopping for any cruciverbalist! Whether you're a casual solver or a crossword connoisseur, this is a one-of-a-kind event you won't want to miss.