By Dr. Pola Rosen
Today, York Prep, a private school near Lincoln Center, hosted Lin-Manuel Miranda for an insightful view of his work and career. If you had never met him and did not know about his smash hit Hamilton, his spontaneity, warmth and quick wit would soon blow you away! While it felt like an intimate chat, over 500 students filled the nave of the Christian Science Church. Some of the questions he fielded from intermediate school and high school students were: how do you write successfully? His advice: do a lot of research and surround yourself with smart people!
Question 2: Did you ever have stage fright?
Yes all the time and it forces you to concentrate and have a better performance.
Question 3: Whom would you like to work with today?
I have been privileged to work with Steven Sondheim and Stephen Schwartz. When I was in high school, I thought I would go to NYU and be a filmmaker but I really wanted to leave NY and try other things.
Question 4: If you had a chance to meet Hamilton, what would you ask him?
So many leaders of that period traveled widely. Would you ever want to see another part of the world?
Question: What do you derive form the study of history?
I find humanity and hope.
At the close of the Q and A, Lin-Manuel asked the head of school for any comments. Mr. Stewart's response was: "Words fail me. This has been a magical time!"
Ronald Stewart recently was honored at the Harvard Club by Education Update for his magical guidance of thousands of students at York Prep.
L-R: Ronald Stewart, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Luis Miranda
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