Stephen F. Austin State University

 

At 36, Stephanie Cozart said she feels too young to be "distinguished."  Nevertheless, when she learned that she was selected as the Stephen F. Austin State University School of Theatre Distinguished Alumna for 2007, she was touched and honored.

"This is really special to me, especially since Dr. Clarence Bahs (director of the School of Theatre) is retiring this year," the actress said, adding that Bahs helped her become the professional she is today.

"Had it not been for SFA, I might not have chosen this road in life. All the love and support I received at SFA has given me the backbone and the self-esteem to keep going, even in the hard times."  Cozart grew up in Nacogdoches, and although she loved watching plays she never dreamed that she would one day make a living as a professional actress. Her father, a retired SFA English professor performed in the Lamp-Lite community theatre when Cozart was a child. When she saw his performance in "Elephant Man," she didn't even recognize him. She said she strongly
believes her father could have made a living as an actor -- and in a way, he did.
 "He used a lot of his acting skills in teaching Shakespeare and other literature," she said.

Cozart said she was so "scared, shy and unsure" about her first theatre class at SFA, she considered dropping it. Dr. Allen Oster, SFA School of Theatre professor convinced her not to, and he was the first person outside of her family who told Cozart she had talent. In the safety and security of the university environment,
Cozart said she tackled roles she would find intimidating today.

She double-majored in English and Theatre at SFA and graduated in 1994 with a 3.98. After receiving offers from numerous universities to pursue her graduate degree, she auditioned for the National Theatre Conservatory in Denver "on a whim."

She was accepted, and her next three years of schooling, room and board were free. In her last year of graduate school, she performed a showcase of scenes for a group of agents and casting directors in New York. Her graduate class of seven students was selected among hundreds who auditioned.

"It was competitive, but I did get an agent," she said. "I moved to New York and began my professional career."

Cozart joined the Actors Equity Association, which means she works for professional, union theatres and receives health insurance, fair wages and has restrictions on the number of hours she is required to rehearse.

Although New York arguably has the greatest pool of theatrical talent and is the place where many actors are "discovered," Cozart said, with the exception of Broadway, New York theatres do not pay as well as others.

"It's ironic that you can get a great review in the New York Times but still not make enough money to live in New York," she said. "I have to work outside New York to be able to afford my apartment in New York."  

The United States has great professional theatres in almost every major city, Cozart said.

"They are non-profit and operate off of corporate support and endowments," she said. "They can hire great people and pay them well, so actors work in cities everywhere."

Although living out of a suitcase has its challenges, (Cozart said sometimes she wishes she could have a dog and a backyard), she said it"feels right" for her.

"I'm married and my husband is also an actor," she said. "Sometimes we're hired as a couple, and we both spend a lot of time acting in Denver," she said. "But we also have to spend a lot of time apart. It's an alternative lifestyle."

Cozart said she still looks forward to visiting Nacogdoches - the first place she called home.

"My best friend since kindergarten is Vicki Satir (of Nacogdoches)," she said. "I became an actress, and she became a doctor. She's been my friend longer than anyone."

Cozart describes herself as someone who was "sort of a heavy, nerdy little girl with an extensive fantasy life," and she said her career as an adult is really just an extension of what she's been doing since she was 10 years old.

"I loved playing make believe and pretending I was someone else," she said. "Now I do it for a living."

Stephanie Cozart's career at a glance:

• In the summer of 2005 Cozart returned to Nacogdoches to perform in
  the School of Theatre's production of "Sylvia."

• She received critical acclaim for her role as "Julia" in the Off-Broadway production, "Seven Rabbits on a Pole."

• She traveled to South Africa to research the "Syringa Tree" a one-woman play with 24 characters which she performed at Repertory Theatre of St. Louis, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park and Capital Repertory Theatre.

• She has appeared in more than 13 productions with the Denver Center Theatre Company, including the title role in "Sylvia" (Best Acress, Denver Drama Critics Circle), Thomasina in "Arcadia" (Best Supporting Actress), "Misalliance" and others.

• She has performed in professional theatres across the country, including Actors Theatre of Louisville, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival and the Paper Mill Playhouse.

• She is a founding member of the Lizard Head Theatre Company in Telluride, where she appeared in "All in the Timing," "Proof," and again in the title role in "Sylvia."

• TV credits include "Law and Order: SVU."