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The Somewhere Project

In early 2016, Carnegie Hall launched The Somewhere Project, a sprawling citywide exploration of West Side Story mounted in honor of the Hall’s 125th anniversary. Nearly 10,000 people from across all five boroughs engaged with this masterwork’s timeless music and themes. From March 4 to 6, 2016, three extraordinary culminating performances of West Side Story were presented at the Knockdown Center, a restored factory in Queens. In the weeks leading up to the production, students and community members across New York City wrote original songs inspired by West Side Story in the Hall’s songwriting projects. A group of community-based arts organizations also joined Carnegie Hall in this journey, exploring themes of the project in their own programming. In all of these settings, young people, artists, and community members affirmed how the themes found in this quintessential New York story written more than 60 years ago—love, conflict, learning to live alongside those who are different in this diverse and complex city—still resonate among us in such a contemporary way.

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West Side Story Neighborhood Concerts Companion Course Partners Learn More

West Side Story

The project culminated in three special performances of West Side Story at the Knockdown Center, a restored glass and door factory that provided an unforgettable setting. Directed by Amanda Dehnert, high school–aged apprentice performers joined the cast of the production, immersing themselves in every dance step of this incredible work alongside professionals. The production also featured a choir of high school students from across the city under the direction of Marin Alsop. Jerome Robbins’s choreography was reset by Julio Monge, with additional choreography provided by Sean Cheesman.

A young man wearing a pink t-shirt jumps mid-air with straight arms alongside other dancers.
Fifteen high school–aged apprentice cast members, seen here performing the “Somewhere” ballet, joined the cast of West Side Story alongside professionals. Photo: Richard Termine.
Marin Alsop conducts a high school-aged choir behind an orchestra, who perform West Side Story.
Musical director and renowned conductor Marin Alsop—a protégée of Leonard Bernstein—led the performances of West Side Story. Photo: Chris Lee.
Dancers in purple costumes perform with arms in the air, surrounded by an audience.
The Sharks perform “America.” Photo: Richard Termine.
Two young men dance, one break-dancing, in a darkly lit performance space.
High school–aged apprentice performer Emanuel Figueroa (Big Deal) and professional cast member Olutayo Bosede perform new choreography created by Sean Cheesman. Photo: Fadi Kheir
A group crouches low to the ground with tight fists as they stare menacingly at the audience.
A scene from West Side Story. Photo: Richard Termine.
High school–aged men and women sing in a large performance space surrounded by an audience.
The finale of Act One—the “Tonight Quintet”—featured nearly 300 cast, orchestra, and choir performers onstage. Photo: Chris Lee.

Neighborhood Concerts

During the 2015–2016 season, Carnegie Hall partnered with city and state agencies to offer songwriting workshops to public school students and community members, giving them the opportunity to express themselves through their own original music inspired by West Side Story. Much of the music was performed in free Neighborhood Concerts in each borough of New York City in the weeks leading up to the Hall’s West Side Story production.

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The Somewhere Project: Neighborhood Concerts

In the 2015–2016 season, teens and adults across school, community, and justice settings wrote original music inspired by West Side Story and performed in their community as part of “The Somewhere Project.”

Companion Course

This eight-part interactive companion course was created for users around the globe as part of Carnegie Hall’s “The Somewhere Project.” Participants can learn about the history and social issues that inspired West Side Story, watch videos by experts in the field, and get professional performance instruction in dance, acting, audition preparation, and more.

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The Somewhere Project: The Making of West Side Story

Learn from Soundfly about the history and making of West Side Story.

Partners

Partners

Twelve partner organizations across artistic disciplines also joined the project, exploring its themes in their own programming:

  • The Bronx Museum of the Arts
  • Brooklyn College Community Partnership
  • DreamYard
  • Hudson Guild
  • LaGuardia Performing Arts Center
  • Mind-Builders Creative Arts Center
  • New York Public Library
  • Opportunity Music Project
  • Orchestra of St. Luke’s and Youth Orchestra of St. Luke’s
  • Park Avenue Armory
  • Renaissance Youth Center
  • University Settlement

Learn More

A teen speaks into a mic with his arm outstretched under dark lights.
The Somewhere Project Google Arts & Culture Exhibit
Explore “The Somewhere Project: Celebrating Community and Creativity” with Google Arts & Culture.
A group of dancers—snapping, as they jump mid-air—rehearse in a studio.
Behind the Scenes of West Side Story Google Arts & Culture Exhibit

Go behind the scenes of Carnegie Hall’s production of West Side Story with Google Arts & Culture.

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