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The arts are alive and well at Adelphi, especially during the month of December, when the University鈥檚 dance, music and theatre programs stage almost daily events at the 麻豆直播 Performing Arts Center (PAC). These performances鈥攊ncluding a first-ever student-produced Holiday Showcase on December 15, as well as weekly events throughout the rest of the year鈥攇ive students dozens of opportunities to enjoy innovative productions right on campus.

Anyone who鈥檚 been to the Adelphi PAC knows how talented Adelphi performance majors are. Our performing arts programs are able to attract the most gifted young performers because of their record of preparing students for professional careers.

Most of the Adelphi community knows that Jonathan Larson, the creator of the musical Rent, is a 1982 graduate of the University. But there are many other success stories, just as there are many ways that the departments provide opportunities that launch professional careers.

One of the most recent happened in November, when Hollywood producer Randall Emmett came to campus to conduct a master class for seniors in the theatre program.

Emmett, who was a theatre student at Adelphi in the 1990s and has remained in touch since, brought along John Gotti, Jr. a consultant for his new movie, Gotti, on his visit. He also brought an incredible offer.

鈥淓mmett called me and asked if he could do something for the students,鈥� recalled Department of Theater Chair Nicholas Petron M.A. ’70, who was Emmett鈥檚 mentor at Adelphi. 鈥淗e wanted to audition seniors and give one of them a role in his next film which would also make them eligible for a Screen Actors Guild card. I was blown away.鈥�

Professor Petron鈥檚 amazement increased when Emmett changed his mind and decided to hand out two roles rather than one. But that offer changed again when Emmett arrived on campus with John Gotti, Jr. Emmett and Gotti were so impressed with the auditions that they couldn鈥檛 decide on just two winners.

鈥淭hey said these kids are too good,鈥� said Petron, 鈥渟o they decided to give out three contracts. Then they decided that still wasn鈥檛 enough. So they ended up giving the remaining 12 students $1,000 each to help launch their careers. It was incredible.鈥�

Needless to say, such things aren鈥檛 everyday occurrences. But master classes taught by top performers happen all the time. The actress Laura Linney, whose step-mother graduated from Adelphi, also conducted one in November. Billy Porter, Tony Award-winning star of Kinky Boots, did one last April. Theatre students also work with members of the New York Theatre Workshop each summer during the company鈥檚 annual residency on the Garden City campus, and they make valuable connections with up-and-coming creators of musical theater through the University鈥檚 Larson Legacy Concert Series.

Similar opportunities occur regularly for dance and music students as well. In November, the dancer and choreographer Jessie Ryan 鈥�09 returned to campus to create and premiere her new work, Encounters, the lead piece the fall Dance Adelphi performance. Later this academic year, the Paul Taylor 2 Dance Company will arrive on campus to conduct workshops during its annual residency.

And music students benefit from workshops with numerous ensembles including Wind Sync, Axiom Brass, Ensemble Pi and Trio Solisti, Adelphi鈥檚 ensemble-in-residence.

Students also have many opportunities to perform on campus, including numerous shows and recitals as well as Adelphi’s 鈥淏est of Broadway鈥� showcase, which headlined the first-ever Spirit Weekend that kicked off the 2017-2018 academic year.

The response to our students鈥� work, whether from professionals or from community audiences, is always overwhelming. 鈥淭he professionals we bring on campus are amazed by the talent they find here,鈥� Prof. Petron said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 so gratifying, and so is the success of our former students. It reinforces what we think we鈥檙e doing here.鈥�