CMU School of Drama


Friday, October 11, 2024

Behind the Scenes with Leslie Odom, Jr.

News - Carnegie Mellon University: Leslie Odom, Jr. told current Carnegie Mellon School of Drama students that “Hamilton” provided him the first opportunity to utilize “every bit” of the training he received at CMU. “When you are handed a masterpiece,” he said, “it demands more – and conversely, less – of you. Tricks don’t work. You need to lean on your pure training.”

1 comment:

Lilly Resnick said...

This event was super cool to be at. I got comp tickets provided by the School of Drama and it was really a great experience. The other DP’s and I went to this event, and we managed to get the chair signed which was a bonus. However, at the event, Leslie gave really valuable information that every person brings something different to the table, and you should be proud of that uniqueness. He seemed very genuine and really happy to be talking to other drama School of Drama students. He is a very cool person and it was a great conversation to be able to see and watch unfold on the stage. He also came to Purnell for the first time since he had graduated, I believe, and he spoke to all of the actors and music theatre majors in the checco which seemed to have been pretty wonderful. In this time, he also spoke about how his purpose as a Black artist is to “To put forth truthful renderings of Black life.” which is very powerful, and inspired, proved, and furthered the ideas to some of the students, and reassured them the reasons why they continue to perform.