Acclaimed actor and author Dr. Omar Sangare brought inspiration and practical knowledge to Worcester Academy scholar-artists this week.

Dr. Sangare, a Williams College professor and Polish actor whose work has won praise from The New York Times, led student workshops and discussions over a two-day period.

Omar, whose powerful presence, appealing accent, and reassuring smile won over students and faculty alike, was at Worcester Academy at the invitation of Diana Canterbury.

Mrs. Canterbury, WA's chair of Visual and Performing Arts, was honored by Williams College in June as one of four distinguished secondary school teachers who have made a difference in the lives of students.

Sangare was her host at the recognition ceremony, along with WA's Amanda Strogoff '03, a recent Williams graduate, who nominated her.

On Tuesday evening, Omar encouraged WA students to speak confidently as they introduced themselves and explained their interest in theater.

"We all want to hear what you have top say, we really like you," he told one student, who was a bit nervous at meeting the actor.  "Just be yourself, we all want to know you."

On Wednesday, Omar held a workshop entitled, "To Be, Or Not To Be On The Stage: That is the Question." About 20 Academy students attended the master class, learning developmental acting techniques based in Polish tradition.

The workshop examined gesture, voice, and interpretation in portraying the human experience on stage.

DIVERSITY AND ARTS INITIATIVE

Dr. Sangare's visit was made possible in part by Worcester Academy's Diversity and Arts Initiative, which, later this year brings nationally-renowned theater director Benny Sato Ambush '69 back to Worcester Academy for a week of lectures and master classes.

The Diversity and Arts Initiative embraces the exploration of arts from a perspective that is multicultural, and that encourages awareness of social justice issues.

In addition to visits by Sangare and Ambush, Worcester Academy also welcomed its first artist in residence and Hope Fellow, Robyn Thompson, who is teaching in the visual arts program.  The program, in its inaugural year, is named for revered black educator John Hope, an 1890 graduate of Worcester Academy.

The Hope Fellowship brings artists of color to WA for a full school year, and includes a stipend, as well as housing.

DR. OMAR SANGARE

Omar Sangare received his Ph.D. from the Theater Academy in Warsaw, Poland, where he studied with Oscar-winning director Andrzej Wajda.

He holds many film, television, and radio credits, including performances in Poland, Russia, Lithuania, Slovakia, Ukraine, Hungary, Germany, the United Kingdom, and the United States. The New York International Fringe Festival awarded him The Best in Acting for his one-man drama, "True Theater Critic."

Recently, the New York press acclaimed his lead performance in the Arena Players Repertory Theater production of "Othello." Barbara Delatiner of The New York Times wrote: "Omar Sangare was born to play Othello!"

His published literary work includes two books of poetry, three bestselling collections of short stories, and many essays and articles for various magazines and newspapers. His books are best-sellers in Poland, where he has also recorded Christmas Carols.

Dr. Sangare has promoted his books in the United States, joined by great American writers like Robert Pinsky and Susan Sontag. He has taught master classes at UCLA, UCSB, UCSD, and the Edinburgh Theater Festival.

For more information, visit his web site.