Professor teaches through own experiences
Issue date: 7/23/08 Section: A&E
Peter Cocuzza's first love wasn't acting, but the SIUE professor teaches his students to appreciate the art.
The theater and dance department chair began his acting career later than most. Born in New Jersey, Cocuzza was originally a chemist. He dabbled in community theater until he decided to go back to school and get his masters in theater performance. After he left grad school at the age of 35, he went into teaching.
"I realized I was a much better teacher than actor," Cocuzza said.
Even at the start of his teaching career, Cocuzza knew he needed to choose between focusing on his personal growth as a director or as an actor. As he focused more on teaching acting, he decided to follow that path.
"I didn't want to be a teacher that just taught out of a textbook," Cocuzza said.
In his journey to SIUE, Cocuzza taught at many different schools, including Chatham, Washington and Jefferson Colleges.
"I think you try to teach wherever you can as a young professor," Cocuzza said.
Cocuzza's dedication to his student's growth as actors shows in his teachings.
"He has a lot of experience (and) he's very knowledgeable," senior theater performance major Acacia Moll said.
Senior theater performance major David Whitacre said Cocuzza takes his students to a new level.
"He helps you discover, instead of just showing you," Whitacre said. "Whenever he says something you know you need to listen, because he's been there."
Cocuzza pushes his students to do their best, much like he expects of himself.
"I always want to remain artistically challenged," Cocuzza said. "I'm looking forward to doing the really heavy, experimental stuff."
In addition, Cocuzza keeps an optimistic tune, even in the face of failure.
"It's not always a line to the ticket sales (office)," Cocuzza said. "If a show you've directed flops, at least you and your students have learned something. This is an ever-growing, ever-changing field."
The theater and dance department chair began his acting career later than most. Born in New Jersey, Cocuzza was originally a chemist. He dabbled in community theater until he decided to go back to school and get his masters in theater performance. After he left grad school at the age of 35, he went into teaching.
"I realized I was a much better teacher than actor," Cocuzza said.
Even at the start of his teaching career, Cocuzza knew he needed to choose between focusing on his personal growth as a director or as an actor. As he focused more on teaching acting, he decided to follow that path.
"I didn't want to be a teacher that just taught out of a textbook," Cocuzza said.
In his journey to SIUE, Cocuzza taught at many different schools, including Chatham, Washington and Jefferson Colleges.
"I think you try to teach wherever you can as a young professor," Cocuzza said.
Cocuzza's dedication to his student's growth as actors shows in his teachings.
"He has a lot of experience (and) he's very knowledgeable," senior theater performance major Acacia Moll said.
Senior theater performance major David Whitacre said Cocuzza takes his students to a new level.
"He helps you discover, instead of just showing you," Whitacre said. "Whenever he says something you know you need to listen, because he's been there."
Cocuzza pushes his students to do their best, much like he expects of himself.
"I always want to remain artistically challenged," Cocuzza said. "I'm looking forward to doing the really heavy, experimental stuff."
In addition, Cocuzza keeps an optimistic tune, even in the face of failure.
"It's not always a line to the ticket sales (office)," Cocuzza said. "If a show you've directed flops, at least you and your students have learned something. This is an ever-growing, ever-changing field."
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