For those of you who are newer readers, I was a professor/teacher in two actor training programs for a total of 13 years; first at Boston University’s BFA program, then at the University of San Diego/Old Globe Graduate Actor Training Program. My focus was on Voice and Speech. I have mentored hundreds of students over the years, many of whom I’m still in contact with (yay for social media!) and who have gone on to do wonderful things with their lives. There’s a whole contingent that lives out in Los Angeles, acting, directing, and producing shows like Modern Family, The Fosters, and Grey’s Anatomy. There are many who are based in New York City, and there are lots sprinkled throughout the country; teaching, acting, parenting, living good lives.
I met Rick at Boston University and we moved west when we were hired at USD. Together, we auditioned prospective students every year, traveling to New York, Chicago and San Francisco. We worked well together. We didn’t try to intimidate the actors like many programs did in those days; instead, we were warm and welcoming, quick to put the auditionee at ease. I like to think that warmth and our reputation for kindness helped to draw some of the best actors to our school.
Two days ago, I was tagged in an Instagram post by Brian Hutchison, one of the graduates of the MFA program. I clicked over to see it and this is what I saw:
On the left, Jim Parsons. Next to him is Jack O’Brien, who was the Artistic Director of the Old Globe when I was working there and a big supporter of the MFA program. Next to Jack is Brian Hutchison. And next to Brian is Aaron Krohn, also a graduate of the MFA program.
Up until yesterday when it closed, Jim and Brian were on Broadway in The Boys in the Band. Jack directed the current revival of Carousel. And Aaron is in The Donna Summer Musical. Three graduates of the program on Broadway – indeed, working just a block or two from each other – at the same time.
This little conversation ensued.
“…You chose us all!”
That’s right. I picked each of those guys out of hundreds of prospective students for the MFA program. Rick and I did that. We saw their talent, their creativity, and their good hearts and knew they would be the perfect fit for our small and intimate program.
I chose them all.
Now, I’m not one to talk about my career all that much and I definitely don’t toot my own horn. But I was so moved by Brian’s comment that I stopped for a moment and patted myself on the back. It’s easy for me to forget the impact that Rick and I have had on our former students, especially since I’ve been away from teaching for so long. And Broadway isn’t the be-all and end-all of a career – I’m very clear on that. But this? This is nice. This little moment in time, captured on Instagram, fills me with happiness. I love those guys and I’ve seen them all fairly recently. We keep in touch.
That Brian gets it, that he applauded us for choosing them and training them – well, I can’t imagine anything more satisfying.
Each of them was in a different year of the program but they were consecutive years, so they all know each other. I’m so proud of them. In addition to being talented actors, they are good people.
I haven’t taught for 17 years, but I see the impact of my work every day. And that’s not only as a teacher, but also as a mentor, as someone to talk to, someone who is always there to listen. Much of what I fondly remember is not the actual teaching, but the one-on-one time that I had with all of my students.
What a blessing. I’m feeling very grateful to have been a teacher – to see my ‘kids’ thrive in their careers. What more could I ask for?
Happy Sunday.
