Tony award-winning actor visits CCU campus

Television and Broadway actor Ben Vereen recently dropped in on Coastal Carolina University theatre undergraduates for a lesson on the business side of acting and the passion necessary for a life in the theatre.

Students received acting tips and coaching on song interpretation during the 90-minute master class, held in the Edwards Theatre on the CCU campus.

“He parted with sage advice to the young artists in our department,” says Monica Bell, an associate professor of theatre. “In sharing his insight with the students, he left them enriched and enlivened.”

CCU sophomore Miquela Rivers was one of the young actors in attendance. She is currently cast as Leading Player (the main character) in CCU’s production of “Pippin,” which opened Jan.31. It’s the role that earned Vereen a Tony award for best actor in a musical and a Drama Desk award for outstanding performance in 1973.

“Miquela was present at the workshop and was quite touched by the work that Mr. Vereen accomplished with the students,” says Bell. “Undoubtedly, her rehearsal that evening was positively affected by the afternoon’s master class.”

Vereen was in Myrtle Beach for a performance with the Long Bay Symphony titled “Steppin Out,” a concert benefitting the Pardue Family Children in Need Fund. Bell is optimistic about a return to CCU from the actor.

“We hope to remain in conversation with Mr. Vereen about a possible return to Coastal Carolina University,” she says. “We were certainly made richer by his presence, and the faculty and students would welcome him back with open arms.”