Stephen F. Austin State University

NACOGDCOCHES, TEXAS - Anyone who learns that Kyle Kennedy is spending a month in central New York might imagine that the assistant professor of theatre at Stephen F. Austin State University is relaxing near a lake or taking in an occasional theatrical production. The fact is, he's preparing for his role as Lt. Col. Nathan R. Jessup in the Cortland Repertory Theatre's production of "A Few Good Men."

Jack Nicholson immortalized the role of the commanding officer of the ground forces at Guantanomo Bay, Cuba, in the 1992 film version opposite Tom Cruise. Playwright Aaron Sorkin first introduced the character in his 1989 play for which he won the Outer Critics Circle Award as Outstanding American Playwright.

"It's a plum role, one of the most intense characters I've ever played," said Kennedy. "Jessup is enormously arrogant and considers himself to be above the law. At the same time, however, he is driven by a strong sense of honor, code and loyalty. Despite his unscrupulous behavior, he is unrelenting in his duty of defending the nation. It's an interesting dichotomy to play, and I look forward to the challenge."

The challenge is what draws Kennedy back to the stage and ultimately makes him a more effective acting teacher, he explained. "Keeping current as a working actor gives me a greater empathy for the challenges my students face and keeps me grounded in the craft."

Kennedy joined the SFA faculty in 2005. He received his Master of Fine Arts in theatre from the University of Texas and then moved to New York where he worked steadily as an actor for several years. New York credits include "Romeo and Juliet," "The Foreigner," "Catfish, Guns and Corndogs," "Peter and the Wolf, " "'Tis Pity She's a Whore" and "Murder at Mincing Manor."

He has also performed at Creede Repertory Theatre in Colorado, Jobsite Theater in Tampa Bay and the Asolo Theatre Company in Sarasota, Fla.

Kennedy studied Shakespeare with Sir Peter Hall and with Shakespeare and Company in Lenox, Mass.

"A Few Good Men" opens at the Cortland Repertory Theatre in Cortland, N.Y., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, and runs through Saturday, Aug. 16.