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University Relations

Date: Jun 19, 2007

Lainie Kazan Teaches Students the Art of Acting for Television and Film

Actress Returned to Hofstra as a Visiting Scholar

Hofstra University, Hempstead, NY – Entertainer Lainie Kazan, a Hofstra alum whose acting credits include the popular movie “My Big Fat Greek Wedding ” taught a summer course, Acting for Television and Film, as part of Hofstra University’s visiting scholar program.

See video of Kazan talking about the program

Ms. Kazan, who got her start as an understudy for Barbra Streisand in the Broadway musical “Funny Girl,” taught at Hofstra until Thursday, June 21, 2007.

Ms. Kazan taught the course with Dr. Nancy Kaplan, chair of the Audio/Video/Film department, and Professor Benjamin Moore of the Drama Department. The course focused on techniques used in acting for the camera, processes that differ from those used in stage acting, and extending the range of the student actor to include the electronic and film media.

The course was a full student participation course that also included rehearsal and production calls beyond class hours, scene studies and other appropriate projects with written critical evaluations by the instructors. "We are delighted that Lainie came back to Hofstra to work with our students,” said Dr. Kaplan. “She is the genuine article, a master at her craft, and we all had a blast working with her.”

Ms. Kazan received critical acclaim for her role in the blockbuster comedy "My Big Fat Greek Wedding," which has grossed more than $600 million worldwide and won the People's Choice Award. She reprised that role in CBS television series, "My Big Fat Greek Life." She has also received an Emmy Award nomination for "St. Elsewhere" and a Cable ACE Award nomination for "The Paper Chase."

Hofstra University is a dynamic private institution where students find their edge to succeed in more than 140 undergraduate and 155 graduate programs in liberal arts and sciences, business, communication, education and allied human services, and honors studies, and a School of Law. The Hofstra community is driven, dynamic and energetic, helping students find and focus their strengths to prepare them for a successful future.

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