hispanic heritage 2009

NEWS RELEASE

Immediate: September 1, 2009 Contact: Alicia Steger 516.572.9634 (media only) e-mail: alicia.steger@ncc.edu

Nassau Community College Presents Tony Award-Winning Actress Karen Olivo of Broadway's West Side Story in “Jumping Off Cliffs  A Career in Theatre”

October 15

Garden City, NY – Nassau Community College is proud to present Tony award-winning actress Karen Olivo, who will make a presentation on Thursday, October 15 at 11:30 a.m. in the College Center Building. In "Jumping Off Cliffs — A Career in Theatre," Olivo will speak about living with determination and following one's dreams, using as a framework her experience as a Latina actress.

Karen Olivo is currently starring as Anita in the acclaimed Broadway revival of West Side Story. The role recently garnered her the 2009 Tony award for Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Musical. Olivo also earned Drama Desk, Drama League and Outer Critics Circle award nominations for her portrayal of the iconic character. In addition, she was also nominated for an Astaire award for Best Female Dancer on Broadway, an award she won last year. Olivo made her Broadway debut as Mimi in the award-winning musical Rent.  Since then, she has appeared in the Off-Broadway and Broadway productions of In the Heights, another successful play, as well as other productions. Among Olivo's feature film and television credits are Adrift in Manhattan and Shanghai Hotel, Law & Order and All My Children.

"Jumping Off Cliffs — A Career in Theatre," which is free of charge and accessible to the disabled, is sponsored by the Nassau Community College Hispanic Heritage Month committee. For more information about the event, call 516.572.7148.

Ref: 1382.8/5/09/180