Milton Perez Named 2007 Presidential Scholar in the Arts
World renowned for its conservatory-style training, New World School of the Arts once again brings the Presidential Scholar in the Arts title home to the Theatre Division. Delivering an extraordinary performance earlier in the year, which also earned him the coveted NFAA (National Foundation for Advancement of the Arts) award, Milton Perez proved his theatrical skills and astonishing talent setting him apart from the other 140 students who participated in the nationwide program.
Perez, a Cuban-American who lives in Miami, was nominated to receive the 2007 Presidential Scholar in the Arts award as he delivered an inspiring monologue presentation of Tennessee Williams’ The Glass Menagerie earlier this year. In his last year at New World School of the Arts’ Theatre Division, Perez spent a week taking master classes and working with Academy Award Winners Celeste Holm and Debra Winger, and Rent star Anthony Rapp.
“As an actor, sometimes you don’t really know whether you’re getting your message across, whether you’re communicating. So, when you finally win an award like this, you realize that your message has been received all along, and all your doubts were in vain,” said Perez.
Added to the notable list of Presidential Scholar in the Arts awards received by New World School of the Arts students, this recognition is bestowed upon a handful of promising students in the nation each year. For the institution that forms and nurtures them, the reward comes in the form prestige and distinction.
In 1984 the Florida State Legislature had the foresight to establish the New World School of the Arts to provide artistically talented high school and college students the means for achieving both an academic education and artistic training. The theater division at NWSA is dedicated to training exceptionally talented and committed students to pursue careers in the theater. The program concentrates on the actor’s training, delving into fundamentals of physical and emotional preparation, and the achievement of truthfulness and expressive power on the stage.
New World School of the Arts is a center of excellence in the performing and visual arts, and operates in partnership with Miami Dade County Public Schools, Miami Dade College and the University of Florida.
