Sam '82 and Linda-Lee Troiani '83 Niedbala ... - Asoundstrategy

Fall 2006 Alumni Spotlight 7
be,” Byrd noted, and, after changing his major three
times, graduated from ESU with a degree in theatre in
99 .
While at ESU, Byrd, who enjoyed singing while
growing up in Newark and Harrisburg, joined the Concert
Choir and met the director, Terry L. Flatt, associate
professor of music. “Professor Flatt taught me how to use
my voice, how to breathe properly, and he also believed
in me,” Byrd said. “He inspired me to go forward.”
The mentoring relationship that developed between
the two continues to this day. “I saw talent and ability
and I also saw a warm, outgoing personality. He always
took music and theatre seriously,” Flatt said. “My wife
and I look on Darrin as part of the family, like an adopted
son.”
Neal Simpson, retired head of ESU’s Center for Educational
Opportunity, also remembered Byrd’s “outgoing
personality.” The two met when Byrd was one of
Simpson’s students in the Act 0 summer program, and
kept in touch over the years. Both are members of Omega
Psi Phi Fraternity, whose Omega Xi chapter sponsored
a reception for Byrd.
“Every time I walk into Cohen Recital Hall, I feel
a rush of emotion from all that I did in there—classes,
concerts, musical revues,” Byrd said. “Being back at
ESU as a teacher is inspirational. It gives me a sense of
purpose to step outside of myself and give back things I
learned in the last 5 years.”
All of the participants in the audition workshop
were invited to perform with Byrd as part of the musical
theatre concert. The group served as backup performers
for Byrd’s rendition of “Free at Last” from the musical Big
River, a song that is his signature piece.
Darrin Byrd, right, audition workshop participants, and supporting performers take a bow at the end of “An Evening
of Musical Theatre.” Performers include: Erin Dent ’10; April Field (community); Dawn Rother (community); Dennis
Carrig (Byrd’s long-time friend and co-owner of The Deerhead Inn); Jason Zimmer ’06; Ryan Groff, a senior theatre
major from Perkasie; Regina Sayles ’03; Lindsey M. Buffa ’05; Mike Rogusky ’06; Irwin Antoine (community); Jenell
Anne Manzi, a sophomore theatre major from Mount Bethel; Michelle Buzzelli (community); and Heather Werline, a
senior theatre major from Levittown.
The musical theatre concert also featured ESU alumni
Regina Sayles ’03 and Lindsey Buffa ’05; graduating
senior Jason Zimmer ’06; and Dennis Carrig, a local
actor and co-owner of the Deerhead Inn who has been
friends with Byrd since they both appeared together in
“Of Mice and Men.”
“I was surprised at the level of talent I found here,”
Byrd stated, “especially since this isn’t a specialized performing
arts school. There is a nurturing atmosphere
here with professors who care and many opportunities
to be onstage. It’s a place to build yourself up.”
“I am also glad that the Center for Educational Opportunity
is still up and running because it was very
instrumental in supporting me while I was at ESU,” he
added, “but am disappointed that it is not as strong due
to funding cuts and the loss of the summer program that
brought me here.”
While an undergraduate Byrd made his first trip
to Europe in 988 when the choir toured England. “I
remember being in awe of different cultures, different
values, different foods,” he recalled. Now he considers
himself “a citizen of the world,” with Florence, Italy, as
his home base.
After his contract for The Lion King expires in May,
2007, Byrd, who is fluent in Italian, plans to pursue a
television career in Italy. “Television will lead you into
film,” he said. “I’m pretty confident that things will go
as I plan—first to play a major character in a television
series and then to go into films.”
“Darrin’s residency has been a special event, especially
the musical theatre concert,” Flatt commented.
“Our faculty and students appreciated his professionalism,
his even temperament and his sense of caring.”
many opportunities to be on stage; it’s a place to build yourself up.”