♪♪ >> ♪ Uh ♪ ♪ Okay ♪ ♪ Okay ♪ >> ♪ Let's get the show on the street ♪ ♪ Let's get the show on the street ♪ >> ♪ Let's get the show on the street ♪ ♪ Let's get the show on the street ♪ ♪ Let's get the show on the street ♪ ♪ Let's get the show on the street ♪ ♪ Let's get the show on the street ♪ ♪ Let's get the show on the street ♪ ♪ Let's get the show on the street ♪ >> United States!

Planet Earth!

Universe!

Make some noise!

Welcome, welcome, welcome!

Welcome to New 42's Let's Get This Show on the Street.

Because New York City is not truly open until its stages are open.

So we are bringing the stage to you right here on the street in 90-degree heat over a beat.

We're very excited to be here because today we celebrate the passionate voices and projects of the arts, where performing arts at New 42 and the New Victory Theater give us the unique ability to transport to new places, meet new faces, find new ideas, launch new careers.

And honestly, it builds community here, and most importantly, the work at New 42 is focused on arts education in our schools.

[ Applause ] So it can help kids through a tough time and help them thrive in the future.

So we're very excited.

To kick us off, right behind me, we have the Saxophone Ensemble of Celia Cruz Bronx High School of Music!

>> Whoo!

>> ♪ Let's get the show on the street ♪ [ Applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> By being here today, you are part of the long-awaited return of the arts to 42nd Street.

[ Cheers and applause ] There is no New York City without live theater, dance, and music, and there is no 42nd Street without bustling crowds, excited theatergoers, and extraordinary cultural events.

>> New York City teachers have shown incredible heroism during this time.

To all the educators here and the entire New York City Department of Education, thank you.

Thank you, thank you, thank you.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Mr. DJ Duane, are you fully vaccinated?

>> Yes.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Arts teachers did what arts teachers do.

They reinvented themselves.

They reinvented their classrooms.

They created amazing spaces, and our arts education office, our arts teachers, our teaching artists are critical to the comeback.

>> Everybody, New York City is coming back!

Look around you.

You can see the energy.

You can see the passion.

You can see the life.

There is no stopping New York.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

What is up, New York?

Oh, it's so good to be on a stage again.

We are Freestyle Love Supreme Academy.

And we are so glad to be here.

Thank you, New 42, for having us, and thank you for being here because you are the other member of Freestyle Love Supreme Academy because everything we do is made up.

We don't know what we're going to do.

We need your suggestions, your ideas, and we will turn them into songs.

When we were on Broadway, we made up a new show every single night, and now, we are on a stage on a street with you to make up some songs as well.

So let's kick this thing off.

Every time we do something, it starts with a beat.

>> [ Beatboxing ] [ Beatboxing ] Wah-wah-wah-wah-wah-wah-wah-wah wah-wah-wah-wah-wah-wah-wah-wah.

[ Beatboxing ] [ Beatboxing ] >> Okay.

Uh.

>> Hey.

>> Uh.

Alright.

>> Ooooh, okay.

>> Come on, New York.

>> [ Squeaking ] >> And there goes the turntable.

Give it up for "Shockwave" on the beat.

This is Shockwave, y'all.

Over here we have "Young Nees," Aneesa Folds.

Here we have "Reigna Fire," Ashley Perez Flanagan.

I am "Jelly Donut," Andrew Bancroft.

And now that we have the beat, we're going to take some of your words.

Some of you wrote down words and put them on pieces of paper.

We have not seen them.

We have no idea what they are.

Reigna Fire is going to feed me some of your words.

I'm going to get in the hot seat here, and I'm going to try to instantaneously incorporate them into a freestyle over Shockwave's beat.

Reigna Fire, are you ready?

>> I'm ready.

Are you ready?

>> I don't know.

Let's do this.

>> Great.

Your first word is "blanket."

>> [ Rapping ] ♪ Okay ♪ ♪ Here we go ♪ ♪ Yo, I gotta bank it ♪ ♪ When I'm very cold when you cover with a blanket ♪ ♪ Yeah, that's right ♪ ♪ I need a couple at least but not in 90 degrees ♪ ♪ You can keep your fleece ♪ >> "Bus."

>> ♪ Oh, waitin' for the bus ♪ ♪ Guess what ♪ ♪ I hope it doesn't drive through us ♪ ♪ That's right ♪ ♪ Because I got a dope beat ♪ ♪ No bus is coming through because we closed this street ♪ >> "Tacos."

>> ♪ Oh, I like to rock those ♪ ♪ Raise your hand if you like the tacos ♪ ♪ I like burritos, yes ♪ ♪ I freaking need those ♪ ♪ But right now I can't perform full on those kind of things ♪ ♪ You know what I'm saying?

♪ ♪ Alright ♪ >> "Pizzazz."

>> ♪ Okay, okay, okay ♪ ♪ Yeah, I like rock and jazz and I like the jazz hands ♪ ♪ And I like pizzazz ♪ ♪ I like a little bit of the rigmarole ♪ ♪ This is Jelly Donut ♪ ♪ And I got the mike control ♪ >> "Love."

>> ♪ Okay, L-O-V-E ♪ ♪ Put your hands up if you are lovin' me even if you are not ♪ ♪ Yo, I love when we rock together ♪ ♪ I love all of my sisters and brothers ♪ >> "Music."

>> ♪ Ah, yeah, let's do this ♪ ♪ Come on, everybody ♪ ♪ Who here likes music?

♪ ♪ You probably are 'cause you're here in the crowd ♪ ♪ I like my music soft ♪ ♪ No, I like it loud!

♪ >> Okay, your last word is "r-r-r-r-r-recess."

>> ♪ Alright, I did my homework ♪ ♪ A bunch of kids at school there calling me a jerk ♪ ♪ I know I'm stressed right after the test ♪ ♪ But that's okay ♪ ♪ Now I go out and play for recess ♪ ♪ Oh, my gosh, it's like a vacation ♪ ♪ That's why I love to do it with arts education ♪ ♪ Like the recess and I like the art class ♪ ♪ Okay, now it's time for me to pass the microphone ♪ ♪ Yo, yo, to Young Nees ♪ ♪ She's gotta do this ♪ ♪ Yo, she is a beast ♪ ♪ So, Reigna Fire, could you please give some words to Young Nees?

♪ thank you, thank you.

>> Your first word is... >> What?

>> ..."key."

>> Ooh!

♪ Yeah, you know I like to sing ♪ ♪ I'm on the beat in the key ♪ ♪ You know in what key ♪ ♪ It's the key of me ♪ ♪ Young Nees ♪ ♪ I don't stop ♪ ♪ He said I am a beast ♪ ♪ 'Cause you know I'm the best ♪ ♪ You better move your feet ♪ >> "UFOs are real."

>> What?

>> Duh.

>> Who wrote this?

♪ Alright ♪ ♪ Uh, I don't know what this is, don't know the deal ♪ ♪ But I got to say ♪ ♪ UFOs are real 'cause you know that this girl is in this place, but I got to say that Young Nees is from outer space ♪ >> "Bitcoin."

>> ♪ Bitcoin got it on ♪ ♪ Yeah, I got the bitcoin ♪ ♪ Yeah, I'm about to join ♪ ♪ About to buy that cryptocurrency ♪ ♪ 'Cause you know you not taking no money from me ♪ >> "NYC."

>> ♪ NYC is the place ♪ ♪ I was born in Queens, man ♪ ♪ Look at this face ♪ ♪ South Side all day ♪ ♪ Yeah, I gotta rock it ♪ ♪ Always got my phone, MetroCard in my pocket ♪ >> ♪ "Summertime" ♪ >> I have too many cards.

I can't hold them all.

>> Here, I'll hold them for you.

>> Okay.

♪ Look at me ♪ ♪ What are you, blind?

♪ ♪ Yeah, Young Nees, she's summertime fine on your mind ♪ ♪ Every time I walk down the street, I have all the boys trying to holla at me ♪ ♪ Leave me alone ♪ ♪ You see I'm texting on my phone ♪ ♪ Yeah, you better E.T.

phone your home ♪ >> "Marching band."

>> Oh, yes!

♪ Uh-huh, yeah, what's up?

♪ ♪ Oh, hot, man ♪ ♪ I have to say that you saw that marching band ♪ ♪ They were killing it, killing it ♪ ♪ Look at them ♪ ♪ Yeah, HBCUs, yeah, what's up, shout-out to them ♪ >> Okay, your last word is very fancy, and it is... "charcuterie platter."

>> What's up with y'all?

Alright.

♪ Alright, yo, what's up?

♪ ♪ What is the matter?

♪ ♪ You know I got a charcuterie platter ♪ ♪ I got Brie ♪ ♪ You know I also got cheddar ♪ ♪ Every time I rap, yeah, I'm always gettin' better ♪ ♪ Up on the microphone, I'm makin' it up ♪ ♪ But if I get some water and I put it in the cup ♪ ♪ Yeah, I got it going on and it's arts education ♪ ♪ We spreadin' love right here all across the nation ♪ >> Give it up for Young Nees, Reigna Fire, Shockwave.

I'm Jelly Donut.

We'll be back in just a little bit.

Thank you so much.

[ Cheers and applause ] New York City!

♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> How's everybody feeling this afternoon?

If you're feeling good today, let me hear you say "yeah, yeah!"

>> Yeah, yeah!

>> Yeah, yeah!

>> Yeah, yeah!

♪♪ >> ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ Yeah ♪ ♪ Whoa-oh ♪ ♪ Yeah, hey, hey ♪ ♪ Ah ♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ If you want to wash, water you go use ♪ >> ♪ Uh-huh ♪ ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ If you want cook soup, water you go use ♪ >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ If your head hot, water cool you down ♪ >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ For your child to grow, water you must use ♪ >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ If water kill your child, water you must sue ♪ >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] ♪ Nothing without water ♪ [ Both singing in foreign language ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ >> Okay.

Ladies and gentlemen, now we would like to invite you to join us in singing a very beautiful African chorus called "Egbe Mi O," which means "carry me."

Listen.

It's very simple.

This is your part.

It goes like this.

>> ♪ La, la-da-da-da ♪ ♪ La-da-da-da ♪ ♪ La-da-da ♪ >> You guys got that?

Let's do it together.

>> ♪ La, la-da-da-da ♪ ♪ La-da-da-da ♪ ♪ La-da-da ♪ >> Let's hear you make louder.

♪ La, la ♪ Also back there, let's go.

>> ♪ La-da-da-da ♪ ♪ La-da-da ♪ >> Let them hear you at the top of these buildings!

>> ♪ La, la-da-da-da ♪ ♪ La-da-da-da ♪ ♪ La-da-da ♪ >> Once again, let's take it out.

Hello!

[ Applause ] >> ♪ La-da-da-da ♪ >> Good morning, America.

>> ♪ La-da-da ♪ >> Pull from your belly.

Let us make louder!

♪ La, la-da-da-da ♪ ♪ La-da-da-da ♪ That sounds good.

♪ La-da-da ♪ Once again, let's go!

>> ♪ La, la-da-da-da ♪ ♪ La-da-da-da ♪ ♪ La-da-da ♪ >> Yeah!

♪ La, la-da-da-da ♪ ♪ La-da-da-da ♪ ♪♪ Yeah!

♪♪ You can dance if you feel like dancing.

Welcome back, New York.

♪♪ ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] >> ♪ [ Singing in foreign language ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Applause ] >> We love you, New York City.

Welcome back.

Everybody stay safe.

Have a great summer.

This is just the beginning.

>> How is everybody feeling today?

Isn't it nice to be on 42nd Street?

Isn't it nice to be in warm weather?

It's nice for -- I can finally put on my summer suit.

But the nicest thing is to actually see other people in three dimensions.

So I'm so glad that we are all here together.

I'm especially happy to be celebrating artists and art teachers with New 42.

Art is so important.

I don't know about you all, but if it wasn't for art, I don't think I would've made it through this last year.

It's what's kept us all sane, and I know a lot of people, by the way, that aren't involved in the arts, I think that's true for pretty much everybody not only in the United States but in the world, is our reliance on art because I don't think everybody really understands that all that entertainment we have been watching on television and listening to in our headphones, that's the work of artists.

[ Cheers and applause ] All those television shows we binge-watch, it's not just the actors.

It's the directors and it's the writers and it's the creators and it's the designers and it's the composers and the orchestrators and all of those people, and that is why art is so important and having the ability to learn arts in the schools is so important.

A lot of people think so they can hang pictures in some museum.

No, it's not about that.

It's getting us through times like these.

Thank God for all of the artists and thank God for New 42 and New Victory and all of the teachers out there with us today.

Thank you for all of your work.

You are essential workers in my world.

[ Cheers and applause ] So thank you for that.

>> Dance Theatre of Harlem has had the pleasure to perform on the stage of the New Victory Theater in the New Victory dance program, and here today with deep gratitude for her generosity and support, we dedicate the next performance to the amazing Jody Arnhold.

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ [ Cheers and applause ] >> Good afternoon.

I am Misty Copeland, and I am beyond thrilled to be joining you today to help present the New 42 Marian Heiskell Award to such a deserving individual.

This award is given to those rare and extraordinary leaders whose foresight and courage, like Marian's, shaped the future of New York City.

It is my honor to acknowledge Jody Arnhold as this year's recipient.

Now, there just isn't enough time to cover all that Jody has done and continues to do for New York City through arts education.

She has shown that when opportunities and support are given to a community, the possibilities are endless.

Jody, your passion for and generosity towards young people is beautiful and so necessary.

You have long been an inspiration, paving the way for so many.

Your investment in the future of art and dance and the next generation is what will keep it alive.

Your relentless work and dedication to dance education is the reason that myself and so many have had the opportunities to use art to better and further ourselves and our communities.

On behalf of all of the public-school kids whose lives have been changed and enhanced through dance, we want to thank you.

Thank you for influencing generations who will continue your work and benefit from your efforts.

Dance is for every child, and we all thank you, Jody, for continuing to make it possible for so many.

Congratulations on being this year's Marian Heiskell Award honoree.

[ Cheers and applause ] >> Please join me in welcoming the Jody Arnhold.

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] >> Thank you, Misty.

Thank you, DeAngelo.

Thank you, Russell and Fiona, and the extraordinary New 42.

[ Cheers and applause ] Thank you, Chancellor Porter.

Thank you, Maria Palma, and the Office of the Arts and Special Projects.

And especially thank you to my heroes, all the arts educators.

[ Cheers and applause ] I am proud to stand here on 42nd Street, feeling that we're on the cusp of the dream where every school has a partnership with a cultural organization, where every school has a certified arts teacher... [ Cheers and applause ] ...where every school has the materials and the resources needed for an excellent arts education, including a dance studio and a theater.

[ Cheers and applause ] And where our city has the plan to sustain it forever.

Without arts education, there is no art.

So whenever we say art, we must say arts education.

Arts and arts education will turbocharge the recovery of New York City, connect every New York City school with a cultural organization, with certified arts teachers, with materials and resources, and allow our schools to be part of the revitalization story of our city.

Allow our children to heal.

As our chancellor says, a rich foundation in the arts is absolutely essential to a well-rounded education.

And I say this is our moon shot.

Let's not waste it once and for all.

Arts education for every child in every school.

[ Cheers and applause ] Thank you.

Thank you.

>> You're welcome.

>> Give it up for arts education and being out in the streets and being on a stage.

It's a joy to be back this close to Broadway again.

So, we make up everything that we do, and now we're going to need one more word for our final piece.

And this should be a word that we're gonna get from our crowd right here to shout out, and it should be a word you love, something that's very important to you, something you can't live without, and I know we're social distancing, so you're going to have to shout them out.

So could we get some words, some things you love?

Pizza, family, yes.

"My voice," beautiful.

New York City.

Come on.

Any others?

[ Indistinct shouting ] What's that?

Diversity, thank you, yes.

Any of those appealing?

Those are all incredible.

>> I think I'm gonna take "my voice."

>> "My voice," thank you, New York City.

The word is "my voice."

Oh.

Everything you're about to hear is true.

>> [ Vocalizing ] ♪♪ ♪ Everyone should be given an opportunity ♪ ♪ A choice ♪ ♪ So let's raise up and stand up, use your voice ♪ ♪ My voice ♪ ♪ My voice ♪ ♪ My voice ♪ >> Yep.

>> ♪ My voice ♪ >> My voice.

>> ♪ My voice ♪ >> My voice.

>> ♪ My voice ♪ >> Okay.

♪ Just a little girl growing up in New York City ♪ ♪ Walking down the street, feeling good, feeling pretty ♪ ♪ I had that so-so anxiety ♪ ♪ But you know I couldn't get that off of me ♪ ♪ I didn't talk much, thought I was a mute ♪ ♪ My mama said speak up, girl ♪ ♪ You lookin' cute, you gotta talk ♪ ♪ You gotta let these people know how you feel ♪ ♪ You gotta keep it good, gotta keep it real ♪ ♪ So I went to school ♪ ♪ Yeah, I got my education ♪ ♪ I found about expressin' and creation ♪ ♪ My teacher was like, "Oh, you can sing" ♪ ♪ Come over here ♪ ♪ You 'bout to come and do your thing ♪ ♪ She said, "Girl, you got to go and get on stage ♪ ♪ You don't know who you could become ♪ ♪ You gotta turn the page ♪ ♪ Gotta put yourself out there ♪ ♪ No fear ♪ ♪ Come out here and do it ♪ ♪ You got it, dear ♪ ♪ So I got up on the stage and I started to sing ♪ ♪ And I thought that that was everything ♪ ♪ And then people would say to me, "Wow, you got this ♪ ♪ Maybe you could really have a shot at this" ♪ ♪ And then fast-forward ♪ ♪ And here I am today ♪ ♪ And then 2019, I made my debut on Broadway ♪ ♪ Because your girl, she took that choice ♪ ♪ 'Cause she went and found her voice ♪ ♪ And now I love to sing, yeah ♪ ♪ I'm doing my thing with my voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ With my voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ With my voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice, my voice ♪ ♪ She found creativity ♪ ♪ And inspiration ♪ >> ♪ Inspiration ♪ >> ♪ We can thank arts education ♪ ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice, my voice ♪ >> ♪ Okay, I'd like to thank you for the very special word ♪ ♪ I'm a cis white male, so my voice is often heard ♪ ♪ But let me tell you something that I'm glad I did ♪ ♪ Back in the day, I did arts education for kids ♪ ♪ There was one boy, he had hard living ♪ ♪ He was living with the thing called autism ♪ ♪ It was kind of a hard hand he was given ♪ ♪ But let me tell you how he got subliminal ♪ ♪ Move voices through his brain, through his heart ♪ ♪ And he made it rain on the rest of the world, for real ♪ ♪ Through arts, he let us know how he feels ♪ ♪ And it was hard and sometimes the kids are making fun of you at the table if you're differently abled ♪ ♪ Yes, I'm telling you, New York City, we're talking about n-n-neural diversity ♪ ♪ And I had him write songs and had him draw pictures all night long and he opened up ♪ ♪ And blossomed in a new way ♪ ♪ Friends making fun of him but then he had a new day ♪ ♪ He and I had an art show together ♪ ♪ It was amazing ♪ ♪ Arts made his life better ♪ ♪ And then the art that he gave us inspired us for real ♪ ♪ Come on, people, we need to know how you feel ♪ ♪ And arts help us do that ♪ ♪ We do that through music ♪ ♪ We do that through dance ♪ ♪ However you choose that ♪ ♪ I caught up with him the other day ♪ ♪ He wrote a book ♪ ♪ He has an incredible job ♪ ♪ Arts can help us grow, don't you know ♪ ♪ It's great to be here with you and learning to flow, so ♪ ♪ Put your hands up for arts education ♪ ♪ It's something that we all need across this nation ♪ ♪ We comin' back, New York, yes, for real ♪ ♪ Arts will help us know how we feel ♪ ♪ Come on, we got to do it ♪ ♪ So help us, it's a choice ♪ ♪ Everybody in the crowd share your voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ Your voice ♪ >> ♪ Your voice ♪ >> ♪ Our voice ♪ >> ♪ Our voice ♪ >> ♪ Our voice ♪ ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ Your voice ♪ >> ♪ Your voice ♪ >> ♪ Your voice ♪ >> ♪ Our voice ♪ ♪ Our voice ♪ ♪ Yeah, we got some work to do ♪ ♪ You see ♪ ♪ Let's get some diversity ♪ [ Vocalizes ] ♪ And I'm talking about the diversity also neurological too ♪ ♪ We still have a lot of work to do ♪ ♪ So let's stand up and raise up and use our voice ♪ ♪ Some people don't ever really get the choice ♪ ♪ So let's use my voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ Your voice ♪ >> ♪ Your voice ♪ >> ♪ Our voice ♪ >> ♪ Your voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice, your voice ♪ >> ♪ My voice ♪ >> ♪ Our voice ♪ ♪ Our vo-oi-oi-oi-oi-oi-ce ♪ >> All: ♪ True ♪ >> Every year, New 42 serves thousands of educators with free arts education resources so that teachers can do what they do best, which is inspire and excite kids to be their most creative, their most expressive, and their most authentic selves.

>> As a child growing up in Houston, Texas, I had the great honor of being a student of Carolyn Franklin.

Carolyn taught me that I could sing and that I could dance and that I could act and most importantly that there was nothing in the world more joyful and more powerful than putting on a show.

>> In sixth grade, I started middle school and I met Mr. Fowler, the band teacher at Wadsworth.

He helped me develop my passion for music and my love for drums that I have today.

>> As a kid from Jackson Heights, Queens, back in the day, I had a teacher that changed my life, and his name was Mr. Zufa, and he made me the actor that I am today by telling me that I had the attention span of a sperm and that I should be a comedian and instead of disrupting the class, I should put my skills and humor to a better professional use.

>> Every year, New 42 serves thousands of educators with free arts education resources so that teachers can do what they do best -- inspire and excite kids to be their most creative, most expressive, most authentic selves.

>> Whether on the big Broadway stage or out there on the 50-yard line, creativity counts.

As a kid in Atlanta, I had a teacher that changed my life through the performing arts.

Because of Mr. Hernan, I found music, which helped me develop new muscles and learn how to think quickly on my feet.

>> Hey, y'all.

It's Michael James Scott.

As a kid from Orlando, Florida, I had an incredible teacher that changed my life.

Now, this was my fourth and fifth grade show choir teacher, Miss Belinda Brewer, who saw wonderment and excitement and joy in this little chocolate, chubby, excited child's eyes and said to my parents, "What can I do?

Let me help.

I want to help this young man.

I see something in him."

And my parents just said yes.

It was because of Miss Belinda Brewer, may she rest in peace, that I am here today.

>> As a kid in Toronto, my teacher, Jill Frappier changed my life.

She introduced me to "The Crucible" by Arthur Miller.

And I knew then that I wanted to tell stories on stage for the rest of my life.

She helped me find my voice.

Thank you, Jill, for making the arts a part of my education.

>> Thank you, Mr. Hernan, for making the performing arts a part of my education, and thank you, New 42.

>> Thank you, New 42.

>> Thank you, New 42, for making it possible for kids across the country to discover the power of performing arts.

It's amazing.

I'm the product of that.

Mwah.

>> [ Beatboxing ] >> ♪ Uh, uh ♪ ♪ Okay, now it's time to rally, y'all ♪ ♪ I think it's time for the grand finale ♪ ♪ So put your hands up, New York, New York ♪ ♪ Ah, let me hear you ♪ ♪ Okay, here we go, y'all ♪ Thank you for being here.

It's time for the main event, my friends.

To take us home -- I'm gonna totally fanboy out here a little bit -- we have the Grammy Award-winning, Tony-nominated singer/songwriter.

Please welcome the one, the only, the incredible Sara Bareilles!

[ Cheers and applause ] [ Cheers and applause continue ] >> Hey, everybody.

[ Cheers and applause ] Can you believe we're here in human form?

It's amazing!

I'm so excited to be here with you today.

So excited to be celebrating arts education and theater coming back.

It's just so, so, so, so wonderful.

So I'm gonna sing you a few songs, and if you know the words, please sing with me.

It's so much more fun that way.

[ Intro to "Love Song" plays ] ♪ Head underwater ♪ ♪ And you tell me ♪ ♪ To breathe easy for a while ♪ ♪ Breathing gets harder ♪ ♪ Even I know that ♪ ♪ Made room for me ♪ ♪ But it's too soon to see ♪ ♪ If I'm happy in your hands ♪ ♪ I'm unusually hard to hold on to ♪ ♪ Ooh-ooh, ooh ♪ ♪ Blank stares at blank pages ♪ ♪ No easy way to say this ♪ ♪ You mean well, but you make this hard on me ♪ ♪ I'm not gonna write you a love song ♪ ♪ 'Cause you asked for it ♪ ♪ 'Cause you need one, you see ♪ ♪ I'm not gonna write you a love song ♪ ♪ 'Cause you tell me it's make or breaking this ♪ ♪ If you're on your way ♪ ♪ I'm not gonna write you to stay ♪ ♪ If all you have is leavin' ♪ ♪ I'ma need a better reason to write you a love song ♪ ♪ Today, hey, hey, hey ♪ ♪ I learned the hard way what they all say ♪ ♪ Things you want to hear ♪ ♪ And my heavy heart sinks deep down under ♪ ♪ You and your twisted words ♪ ♪ Your help just hurts ♪ ♪ You're not what I thought you were ♪ ♪ Hello to high and dry ♪ ♪ Convince me to please you ♪ ♪ Make me think that I need this too ♪ ♪ I'm trying to let you hear me as I aaaaaaaaaaaam ♪ ♪ I'm not gonna write you a love song ♪ ♪ 'Cause you asked for it ♪ ♪ 'Cause you need one, you see ♪ ♪ I'm not gonna write you a love song ♪ ♪ 'Cause you tell me it's make or breaking this ♪ ♪ If you're on your way ♪ ♪ I'm not gonna write you to stay ♪ ♪ If all you have is leavin' ♪ ♪ I'ma need a better reason to write you a love song ♪ ♪ Today ♪ ♪ Promise me ♪ ♪ That you'll leave the light on ♪ ♪ To help me see ♪ ♪ With daylight, my guide gone ♪ ♪ 'Cause I believe there's a way ♪ ♪ You can love me because I saaaaaaay ♪ ♪ I'm not gonna write you a love song ♪ ♪ 'Cause you asked for it ♪ ♪ 'Cause you need one, you see ♪ ♪ I'm not gonna write you a love song ♪ ♪ 'Cause you tell me it's make or breaking this ♪ ♪ Is that why you wanted a love song?

♪ ♪ 'Cause you asked for it ♪ ♪ 'Cause you need one, you see ♪ ♪ I'm not gonna write you a love song ♪ ♪ 'Cause you tell me it's make or breaking this ♪ ♪ If you're on your way ♪ ♪ I won't write you to stay ♪ ♪ If your heart is nowhere in it, I don't want it for a minute, babe ♪ ♪ I'll walk the seven seas when I believe there's a reason ♪ ♪ To write you a love song ♪ ♪ Today ♪ ♪♪ ♪ Heeeey, ooh-ooh-ooh ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Oh, man, thank you so much.

This is the second time I've been playing in front of people in a long time.

It feels so good!

[ Cheers and applause ] Oh, I've missed you so much.

The show that brought me to Times Square and the song that was my introduction into the beautiful show called "Waitress"... [ Cheers and applause ] ...changed my whole life in all the best, best ways.

>> I had no idea when I said yes to working on this project and developing this theater piece that it would completely reorient my life, and I'm so grateful for every single way that it did.

And it just is a testament to how important music and storytelling and the arts and this mode of expression is.

It has saved me -- it has saved my life many, many, many times over.

So, thank you to New 42 and the New Victory Theater and all the work you do to bring music and arts and storytelling and poetry and dance and expression to young minds who need to understand how to say what they have to say.

So, this show showed up in my life in a completely unexpected way, and the first song I wrote for it is a song called "She Used To Be Mine".

[ "She Used To Be Mine" plays ] ♪ It's not simple to say ♪ ♪ Most days I don't recognize me ♪ ♪ These shoes and this apron ♪ ♪ That place and its patrons ♪ ♪ Have taken more than I gave 'em ♪ ♪ It's not easy to know ♪ ♪ I'm not anything like I used to be ♪ ♪ Although it's true ♪ ♪ I was never attention's sweet center ♪ ♪ I still remember that girl ♪ ♪ She's imperfect but she tries ♪ ♪ She is good but she lies ♪ ♪ She is hard on herself ♪ ♪ She is broken and won't ask for help ♪ ♪ She is messy but she's kind ♪ ♪ She is lonely most of the time ♪ ♪ She is all of this mixed up ♪ ♪ And baked in a beautiful pie ♪ ♪ She is gone but she used to be mine ♪ ♪♪ ♪ It's not what I asked for ♪ ♪ Sometimes life just slips in through a back door ♪ ♪ And carves out a person ♪ ♪ And makes you believe it's all true ♪ ♪ And now I've got you ♪ ♪ And you're not what I asked for ♪ ♪ If I'm honest I know I would give it all back ♪ ♪ For a chance to start over ♪ ♪ Rewrite an ending or two ♪ ♪ For the girl that I knew ♪ ♪ Who'll be reckless just enough ♪ ♪ Who gets hurt ♪ ♪ But who learns how to toughen up when she's bruised ♪ ♪ And gets used by a man who can't love ♪ ♪ And then she'll get stuck and be scared ♪ ♪ Of the life that's inside her ♪ ♪ Growing stronger each day ♪ ♪ Till it finally reminds her ♪ ♪ To fight just a little ♪ ♪ To bring back the fire in her eyes ♪ ♪ That's been gone but used to be ♪ ♪ Miiiine ♪ ♪ Used to be miiiiiine ♪ ♪♪ ♪ She is messy but she's kind ♪ ♪ She is lonely most of the time ♪ ♪ She is all of this mixed up and baked in a beautiful pie ♪ ♪ She is gone but she used to be ♪ ♪ Miiiine ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] I cannot tell you how emotional that was, singing that song again in our theater district.

New York City, the heartbeat of New York City!

This is so incredible.

Thank you all for being here.

I got one more song for you, and it's a song that I wrote as a love letter to a dear friend who was struggling with coming out, and I think one of the things that theater and arts education does for people is that they provide a safe space for people to be authentically who they are -- that they know they are already perfect exactly as they were made.

So this song was a love letter to one of my closest friends.

It has taken on a lot of its own, and if it means something to you, please sing along with me.

This one's called "Brave".

[ "Brave" plays ] ♪ You can be amazing ♪ ♪ You can turn a phrase into a weapon or a drug ♪ ♪ You can be the outcast ♪ ♪ Or be the backlash of somebody's lack of love ♪ ♪ Or you can start speaking up ♪ ♪ Nothing's gonna hurt you the way that words do ♪ ♪ When they settle 'neath your skin ♪ ♪ Kept on the inside in no sunlight ♪ ♪ Sometimes a shadow wins ♪ ♪ But I wonder what would happen if you ♪ ♪ Say what you wanna say ♪ ♪ And let the words fall out ♪ ♪ Honestly, I wanna see you be brave ♪ ♪ With what you want to say ♪ ♪ And let the words fall out ♪ ♪ Honestly, I wanna see you be brave ♪ ♪ I wanna see you ♪ ♪ I just wanna see you ♪ ♪ I wanna see you ♪ ♪ I wanna see you be brave ♪ ♪ Wanna see you ♪ ♪ I just wanna see you ♪ ♪ I wanna see you ♪ ♪ I wanna see you be brave ♪ ♪ Everybody's been there, everybody's been stared down ♪ ♪ By the enemy ♪ ♪ Fallen for the fear and done some disappearing ♪ ♪ Bowed down to the mighty ♪ ♪ But don't run, and stop holding your tongue ♪ ♪ Maybe there's a way out of the cage where you live ♪ ♪ Maybe one of these days you can let the light in ♪ ♪ And show me how big your brave is ♪ ♪ Say what you wanna say ♪ ♪ And let the words fall out ♪ Yeah!

♪ Honestly, I wanna see you be brave ♪ ♪ With what you want to say ♪ ♪ And let the words fall out ♪ ♪ Honestly, I wanna see you be brave ♪ ♪ And since your history of silence won't do you any good ♪ ♪ Did you think it would?

♪ ♪ Let your words be anything but empty ♪ ♪ Why don't you tell them the truth?

♪ ♪ Say what you wanna say ♪ ♪ Let the words fall out ♪ ♪ Honestly, I wanna see you be brave ♪ ♪ With what you want to say ♪ ♪ Let the words fall out ♪ ♪ Honestly, I wanna see you be braaaaave ♪ ♪ I wanna see you be braaaave ♪ ♪ I wanna see you be brave ♪ ♪ I wanna see you ♪ ♪ I just wanna see you ♪ ♪ I wanna see you ♪ ♪ I wanna see you be brave ♪ ♪ I wanna see you ♪ ♪ Just wanna see you ♪ ♪ I wanna see you ♪ ♪ I wanna see you be brave ♪ [ Cheers and applause ] Thank you so much, everybody!

We'll see you soon!

[ Cheers and applause ] ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪ ♪♪