By Jack Rubin
Syracuse, N.Y., Nov. 18, 2019– It is not often on the Syracuse University campus that one hears someone say they are an acting major. Naturally, the assumption is that this person has planned to chase his or her dream for years. However, it is far more surprising when that person did not realize his or her acting passion until mere weeks before submitting their college applications. Daniel Leporin is following his heart, and though others may not always approve, he is committed to realizing his acting dreams.
Leporin joined his first theater production during his senior year of high school and was immediately hooked.
“I absolutely loved stepping out of my comfort zone and I loved it more than being on a sports team,” he said. “I always had a passion for movies, but I never I thought I could do it [act] until I did that show.”
Leporin grew up in Long Island, New York, and lived a simple childhood. He attended a private high school and played basketball for four years, in addition to volunteering at his local church. Over the years, he developed a passion for movies, theater and music, but he was not entirely sure how he could make a career out of any of the former. It was not until a month before college applications were due that acting came into the picture.
Leporin said, “When I visited Syracuse, I really hated every other major I looked into. I found acting and thought that would really keep me passionate and interested in being at school.”
In the following month, he scrambled to put together his first audition tape to send to the Syracuse University College of Visual and Performing Arts. The Syracuse Drama Program is one of six major disciplines under the VPA. Acting is offered as a major in the department of drama, and the program boasts notable alumni who have played roles in Broadway productions. Once the VPA gave Leporin the nod of approval, he felt no need to look anywhere else and committed to Syracuse.
Leporin is now a sophomore in the drama program, but his freshman year revealed a lot about himself and the discipline he was now dedicating himself to. He faced adversity both on and off the stage.
“I was definitely surprised when he first mentioned he was an acting major. I didn’t even know you could really do that here,” said Leporin’s roommate, Timothy Casey. “Some people don’t understand at all when he tells them, but Danny doesn’t care.”
Leporin does not exactly fit the acting major stereotype that comes to most people’s minds. He recently discovered this passion, loves basketball and most contrary to the norm, he is an active brother in a social fraternity. Quite simply, the group of people he is spending his undergraduate career with do not resemble those he spends his time with outside of the classroom.
“I don’t fit in at all. Not even close. That’s one of the hardest things I’ve faced since the start,” he said. “It’s funny to me because everyone in VPA talks about acceptance and how they might be different from the ‘social norm.’ But then there I am, a straight male and the so-called ‘social norm,’ and immediately I was not accepted by a lot of people.”
Leporin went on to say there were some students who never even spoke to him. In such a small program, feeling accepted may make or break some students’ college experience. He also discussed that some teachers outwardly disapproved of the decision he made to join Greek life, citing that he was distancing himself from the tight-knit acting community.
“It’s tough. I like everyone there, but my friends are just somewhere else,” Leporin said.
Many within his fraternity and group of friends were also skeptical of his choice. Leporin does not go a day without mentioning that he is an acting major and receiving a surprising reaction from somebody. People are always curious to learn more, as well, which leads to constant explanation.
One recent development came when multiple brothers attended one of Leporin’s productions to support him. The show’s director previously encouraged the actors and actresses to invite their friends. Leporin’s friends were respectful throughout the play, but the cast received an email the next day stating that they were no longer permitted to have guests attend the shows. The email cited audiences compromising the safe space the VPA strives to maintain. Leporin found the email disrespectful and targeted, but it is exactly what he has grown accustomed to.
Leporin is definitely a deviant from the norm in the Syracuse acting program. Whether it is explaining his major to people outside the VPA School, explaining where he was over the weekend to people within the VPA School or explaining chasing his passion, Leporin has a lot of explaining to do. Fortunately, he does not seem to care.
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Word Count: 815
Works Cited
Interview with Daniel Leporin
- Phone: (515) 729 – 2237
- dleporin@syr.edu
Interview with Timothy Casey
- Phone: (860) 993- 4608
- trcasey@syr.edu
Photo from Daniel Leporin
http://vpa.syr.edu/academics/drama/alumni/
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