Spring Break
The Daily OrangeDigging it
TV star, SU alum returns to alma mater
By Kelina Imamura
Posted: 3/30/08, 11:58 PM EST Section: Feature
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"Did she introduce us yet?" he said. "Oops…we'll just go back here."
The moment of over-eagerness for Diggs, a 1993 graduate of Syracuse University, spilled over into the rest of the event - a question-and-answer session given by the "Private Practice" star along with friend and choreographer Andrew Palermo.
The two chatted at Syracuse Stage on Sunday to a large crowd at John Archbold Theatre. The audience ranged from the members of the cast of Syracuse Stage's "The Bomb-itty of Errors" to high school students and SU students - both drama and non-drama.
The question-and-answer session marked the end of a weekend-long residency with students in the department of drama. The weekend consisted of three workshops - two dance workshops and a television and film acting workshop taught by the duo.
Diggs is best known for his roles in "Rent," "How Stella Got Her Groove Back" and various Broadway shows. Palermo is a respected choreographer and Broadway actor, appearing in the original cast of "Wicked."
"They are both very talented," said Crystal Bailey, a senior musical theater major. "And they're very chill people. Taye was very down to earth. He was real."
In one of the dance workshops, the group of about 50 students was taught two dances by the guests: one from "Spring Awakening," Diggs' original choreography and a pre-Broadway combination from "Wicked," taught by Palermo.
Seated amongst the graffiti-ed set of "The Bomb-itty of Errors," the co-artistic directors of dre.dance, Diggs and Palermo, spoke about their relationship, Broadway and their schooling - driven by audience questions and moderator Marie Kemp, a professor of musical theater and acting. The modern setting suited the contemporary dance duo that seemed relaxed as they joked with the audience.
Amidst the stories, the duo's amiable nature stood out. Referring to an acting workshop, Diggs brought up a scene to illustrate a point: If an actor is connected - emotionally, physically and spiritually - he or she won't need anything extra to make a bold choice because the strong choices will come from a grounded state of mind.
Coming out onto the stage by doing a flip, though unexpected, is not a bold choice, Diggs said. Neither is wearing clown makeup, just for the sake of making a bold choice.
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