“This is a great way for our students to take what they
learned here and integrate it into the arts community,” said
Dean of Students Scott Cagenello. “ It’s a wonderful chance
to gain visibility and experience in theater -- the world they
are now a part of and the world that we trained them for.”
Interspersed throughout the evening will be special appearances
by some of Rutgers’s distinguished theater alumni. Terrell
Tilford (M.F.A. ’98) will serve as the evening’s Master
of Ceremonies. Since his time at Rutgers, Tilford has worked
on several projects, including his role as David Grant on CBS’s
Guiding Light. Tilford recently wed actress Victoria
Platt and is currently working on Jackson, a film by
the writers of Pretty Woman.
Also expected to appear are Avery Brooks (M.F.A. '76)
and Kristin Davis. An actor, musician, director, activist
and educator, Brooks has performed in theater, opera,
television and feature films. He was the first African-American
to graduate from Rutgers with a M.F.A. degree and is currently
on faculty at the Mason Gross School. Davis (B.F.A.’87)
co-stars in the popular HBO series Sex and the City.
In addition to her work in television, film, and both classical
and contemporary theater, Davis formerly co-starred on Melrose
Place and appeared in several television series such as
Seinfeld, ER, and Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. Recent
alumnus Michael Sorvino (M.F.A. '01) will be performing
with his father Paul Sorvino (Goodfellas).
“Last year, our musicians performed in front of a packed house
at Avery Fisher Hall,” said George B. Stauffer, dean of the
Mason Gross School. “It was a smashing success. We’re equally
optimistic about this year’s Rutgers In New York event.”
The performance promises to be one of the most exciting Rutgers
events of the year. “Rutgers on Broadway” is an opportunity
to see the future stars of stage and screen at the beginning
of their professional careers and to celebrate the work of those
who have passed through Mason Gross.
“Rutgers on Broadway” is the second in a series of annual Rutgers In New York events conceived by Stauffer since he arrived
at Mason Gross last year. The events were established to enhance
the educational experience of Mason Gross students by providing
them with professional exposure in the arts capital of the world,
New York City. Each year, the performance series will take one
of the school’s four disciplines to Manhattan for a gala performance
or exhibition. Next year’s Rutgers In New York event
will highlight the Visual Arts program. It will take place sometime
in late winter of 2003.
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