The Oval Room—Room 14-220 in the Newman Vertical Campus—became the “Ovation Room” on Oct. 14, when stage, film, radio, and television actress Marian Seldes charmed the standing-room-only crowd as the featured guest at the second annual Claire Mason Women of Distinction Lecture.
Seldes, who made her professional stage debut in 1947 at age 19 in the famed production of Euripides’ Medea starring Dame Judith Anderson, has had an acting career that has spanned more than six decades.
Alumna and longtime Baruch College donor Claire Mason (’40), for whom the lecture series is named, was on hand to greet the audience. Introducing Seldes was Weissman School of Arts and Sciences Dean Jeffrey Peck, who also took the opportunity to speak of Baruch College’s liberal arts curricula—especially the programs of its Department of Fine and Performing Arts—and of its vibrant arts calendar offered through BPAC (Baruch Performing Arts Center).
Seldes used the occasion of the Claire Mason lecture “to celebrate the theatre” and to underscore the idea that “art is an expression of what is best in each and every one of us.”
The native New Yorker traced her love of the theatre back to childhood days at the Dalton School and to her role as an angel in a Christmas pageant. “It all seemed so much grander than I imagined being part of . . . But if you stick around long enough, you get better parts,” she joked.
For Seldes those better parts have netted her five Tony Award nominations (and one statuette), among dozens of other honors. At the 2010 Tony Awards ceremony, she was presented with a special lifetime achievement award. Seldes insisted, however, that “acting has nothing to do with awards or prizes but with friendships and the love of the craft.” Here she waved her hand in acknowledgment to her special guests, actresses Angela Lansbury and Joan Copeland, sitting in the front row.
Seldes also encouraged questions from audience members but wryly cautioned, “I won’t be completely honest, but I will try.” What was her most difficult role and why? “There is no acting problem that can’t be solved,” she answered. What’s wrong with theatre today? “We are outpricing ourselves,” was her response. Has Seldes performed every role she’s wanted to? No, she hopes some day to play the lead in Euripides’ Hecuba.
Seldes showed little desire to either gossip or pontificate, shunning opportunities to dish on fellow artists or to advise aspiring actors. “I’m just finding out, and I love finding out things,” she said.
—Diane Harrigan
In 2008 Claire Mason inaugurated the Claire Mason Women of Distinction Lecture series as a tribute to the women students of Baruch College and to the strong women who are their role models. Each lecture honors a distinguished woman from the field of public service, business, or the arts.
Mrs. Mason has been a longtime Baruch College supporter, along with her husband, Eli (who passed away in August 2009). Mr. Mason was also an alumnus of the Class of 1940 and a recipient of a Baruch College Honorary Doctor of Laws in 1978. Mrs. Mason continues to keep their legacy strong at Baruch College.