The Ben Vereen Lecture

by Rebecca Raymond

On Wednesday, October 20th, 1999, critically acclaimed entertainer Benjamin Vereen spoke at Adelphi, concerning the topic of "The Arts and Education". A dynamic as well as insightful speaker, Mr. Vereen told of his beginnings as well as evolvement as an entertainer. It is evident that his interests are as diverse as his career goals. This is further proven by his roles as "Chicken George" in Roots, an Emmy Award-Winning performance, to his role on the cartoon "Zoobilee Zoo", where he says he was able to feel as if he were a "human cartoon". This idea serves as proof to Mr. Vereen's "love of life performance", as Provost Kate Davy stated.

A Brooklyn native, Ben Vereen began to sing in the Ebenezer Baptist Church at an early age. He was discovered at the age of nine by a talent scout from the Star Time Dance Studio, where African American students would go into White communities and perform. During high school, he attended the School of Performing Arts, which further broadened his appreciation of acting as a whole. " A goal of mine at this high school was to know everything I could about dance and theater", remarked Vereen.

Mr. Vereen has learned much about history in his life as well as his career from "taking the road less traveled". The near fatal car accident which nearly ended his career and his life did not stop him from succeeding in the many endeavors he experienced. Doctors told him that he would most probably never walk again. Within ten months after his surgery, he brought along those UCLA doctors and placed them in front row seats in order to see his performance in "Jelly's Last Jam". One year after that, Vereen began to dance again. When asked to sum up his career in one word, his response was "blessed".

When asked to comment on Vereen's words and philosophy, Adelphi Senior Gordon Miller had a tremendous amount to speak about the inspirational speaker. "His lecture was exciting and it kept me interested. It was full of energy as well as invigorating", he recalled. "This lecture gave me a chance to gain knowledge about the real Ben Vereen aside from his fame. I had a chance to learn about the harder times in his life and how he grew to the incredible man we all see today".

The advice Mr. Vereen gave was priceless and encompassed all people from different walks of life. Moreover, his description of "his story", served as a quintessential example of triumph and success, when given the obstacles which he inevitably had to overcome. One of Vereen's major accomplishments was winning the 1972-1973 Best Actor in a Musical Tony Award for his outstanding performance in "Pippin". Most importantly, Vereen sees a need for people to work on shining their light from within as well as using "nervousness to serve you, not defeat you". Yet he still offers a challenge to young people and the nation, the will to never be satisfied with mediocrity in any work they do, as well as the need for continuos education. As clearly stated by a man of honor and dignity in a most patriotic sense, "For when we find out the true meaning of the red white and blue, its magnificence is brilliant".