There’s usually a clear-cut division between the work of Syracuse University professors and that of their students. But last night at Syracuse Stage that line was invisible.

The two groups came together to raise funds in support of the College of Visual and Performing Arts with a medley of different song and dance numbers.

‘At the department, we get our nose so close to the grinder than we forget about the intentions and the real reason we are here,’ said Rodney Hudson, the main performer of the night and assistant professor of drama at SU, to the audience. ‘But now we are here to just sing and perform for all of you.’

The benefit show consisted of 13 pieces, including accompanied and acoustic songs and tap and tango dancing, along with humorous silent acting and a plethora of subtle sexual innuendos.

The evening began with an amusing version of ‘Me and My Baby’ from the play ‘Chicago,’ sung by Kristi Williamson, a senior musical theater major.

Other highlights of the show included Laura Yahasz, an alumna of the drama department, singing ‘Squeeze Me,’ and a tap dance competition between professors Tony Salatino and David Wanstreet. The program ended with the entire ensemble singing John Bucchino’s ‘Grateful’ and an encore of ‘Wonderful World.’

Yet the most interesting part of the evening was the interaction on the stage between students and faculty members. The two groups performed seamlessly together onstage, as students emulated the polished appearance of their superiors.

‘Part of the education at SU means learning to be a professional,’ said Kathleen Baum, an adjunct professor of dramatic arts. ‘That’s not something you can learn in theory, you do it by working with a professor. For students to do that in school gives them a great head start in the world.’

‘I think the idea is that the students will go to Rodney’s class and hear him talk about acting as a character or singing as a character,’ said James A. Clark, chairman of the drama department and program director for Syracuse Stage. ‘But when they get into a performance with him, they actually see him validate the work he shows in the classroom.’

Clark also talked about the effect acting alongside professors has on students.

‘It’s like a research scientist doing his work with a group of students,’ Clark said. ‘When students collaborate in a project, they are no longer professor/student, but now they are actor/actor. It’s a collaborative effort. They are all telling a story together.’

The ability for students and faculty to work side by side allows for SU’s drama program and its students to grow in ways others cannot.

‘I think it’s a very high caliber,’ said Michael Edwards, the assistant artistic director for Syracuse Stage. ‘The students working here on the undergraduate program are amongst the best in the world in terms of commitment, dedication and enthusiasm for the production.’

The performers themselves understand the great opportunities they have by learning with their professors outside of the classroom.

‘I learn the most when I’m being challenged,’ Williamson said. ‘I gain more in performance experience because I am forced to present the best product of my ability as possible with my teachers. I am challenged to put up a final product on the stage, while in the classroom we can’t delve into the true nature of the project.’

Jaimie Salkovitch, a senior musical theater major, agrees that working alongside her professors is a worthwhile experience.

‘It was amazing working with them,’ Salkovitch said. ‘We’ve developed so many relationships during our four years that it’s wonderful to finally be on the same stage and perform with them. The whole experience is very truthful and personal.’

Sam Goldman, VPA graduate, has tried to see every performance the school has put on since his graduation in 1993, and claims that the program is now at the best it’s ever been.

‘The school, if it’s as good as they say it is, is in no small fact due to the students and the effort they put in,’ Goldman said. ‘It’s obvious that there are no deadheads here, just people who want and love to work.’

Published on October 4, 2004 at 12:00 pm