College of Fine and Applied Arts

On Friday, November 11, television, film and Broadway legend Ben Vereen led a musical theatre master class for three sophomore theatre arts majors at Appalachian State University. The campus community and public was invited to observe the class, learn more about the industry and Vereen’s career and ask questions. Theatre and Dance Department Professors Keith Martin and Derek Gagnier chose sophomores Elizabeth Mason Moore of Raleigh, Roy Dale Cox of Birmingham, Alabama, and Sabrina Palazzo of Cary to participate in the master class by auditioning a song for Vereen.

"It is heartening to me that such an icon in our beloved art form as Ben Vereen takes the time to mentor and inspire the next generation of theatre practitioners,” said Martin. "When we first spoke about this session last July, I was struck by the fact that Ben truly believes in giving back by paying forward, as he graciously demonstrated during the master class with his firm but constructive tutorial for our students. This is exactly the type of reaffirming feedback that our emerging musical theatre artists need to transition from theory to practice... a vital cornerstone in any academic setting."  

Vereen kicked off the class with words of advice to a theatre packed full of aspiring performers. He shared several anecdotes about his life and career, but his primary message to the audience was to “find your higher power.” “Whatever you choose in terms of a higher power will motivate you through life,” he said. “Creative people should be willing to go where their higher power leads.”

He also encouraged the audience to consider what he called “performing excellence.” “How do you feel in the moment?” he asked. “Are you coming from a place that’s real?”

Moore, the first student to audition for Vereen, took this advice to heart. She prepared the song “Pulled” from “The Addams Family Musical” because of her love of the show and Wednesday Addams’ character. “Even though I’ve been acting since sixth grade, I’m not a trained vocalist,” she shared, “but this song allowed me to showcase my range while providing room for direction from Ben.”

As the first student to audition, Moore wasn’t sure what to expect. “He pushed me to get out of my comfort zone and to be more authentic and honest in my performance,” she remarked. “After performing the song over and over with him in my face critiquing every note—there was so much pressure—I did something completely different. The last performance I gave for him was the most honest and authentic performance I’ve ever given.”

Unlike Moore, the next student to audition was a trained vocalist who attended a competitive arts high school and has been performing in musicals since age 13. Cox started singing a child, first in his church choir and eventually winning “The Gift” inspirational singing competition, presented by McDonalds, in 2009. He selected the song “Try Me” from the musical “She Loves Me.”

“It was such a surreal experience, being so close to a man of his caliber,” said Cox. “I’ve looked up to him since I was a little boy—my goal is to be on Broadway, I was part of “Pippin” in high school—it was just so amazing to get advice from someone with so much experience in the business.”

Palazzo, the last student to audition for Vereen, prepared “Lost” from “The Fugitive Songs.” A singer, actor and dancer, she’s been appearing in musicals since her freshman year in high school and aspires to be involved with theatre however she can, whether it’s in New York, as park entertainment at Disney or in local or regional theatre.

She was also affected by Vereen’s words to the audience. “As a performer, you can experience a near-constant sense of doubt,” she said. “After I performed, Ben asked me how I was feeling and I said ‘really good’ and then he asked why and I said ‘I love performing.’ He looked me in the eyes and said ‘I know you do. And they (the audience) know you do, too.’ This is a Broadway legend telling me he can feel how much I love to perform and that it shows in my performance. That stuck with me.”

All three students were incredibly honored, and simultaneously terrified, to be chosen for the opportunity to audition for Vereen.

“Words can’t describe how it feels to be selected from all of the students in your department to do such an awesome thing,” said Cox. “It’s so cool he wanted to do a workshop here.” Palazzo agreed. “The opportunity to receive that confirmation from him was more than I could have asked for and I will carry that with me through the rest of my career.” As the least experienced performer of the three, Moore was “blown away”. “I was so honored; I didn’t think this is something I’d be chosen to do.”

Based on their experience with Vereen, the three also have words of advice for prospective theatre students. “Don’t’ be terrified to try things, “said Moore. “Throw away your inhibitions!” Cox seconded her advice. “Never think your dreams are too big,” he said. And Palazzo reiterated a piece of Vereen’s advice she feels is crucial for all actors. “His speech at the beginning spoke about how we need to get over our ego and allow our ‘higher power’ to lead us where we are supposed to be, even if we don’t agree with it.” 

For his part, Martin is looking forward to Vereen working with Appalachian students in the future. "I hope Ben wasn't kidding when he offered to come back to work more intensively with all of our students,” he said.  We look forward to his return anytime his schedule permits."

About the Department of Theatre and Dance

The Department of Theatre and Dance is one of seven departments housed in Appalachian’s College of Fine and Applied Arts. Its mission is to facilitate transformative experiences for students and the public, which cultivate compassionate, creative and collaborative communities through theatre and dance. The department also offers coursework for integrated learning through the arts to the general university student population. Its dynamic co-curricular production program provides exemplary theatre and dance experiences to departmental students, the university community and the region.

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• Theatre and Dance