By Bruce Gerson

Alumni Board President Daniel T. Green earned his master’s degree in directing at Carnegie Mellon and fell in love with the university. The feeling is mutual.

“Dan Green is the epitome of a Carnegie Mellon alumnus. He’s been an invaluable asset to the Carnegie Mellon community,” said President Jared L. Cohon in introducing Green as the keynote speaker at May’s commencement.


Invaluable? Consider these, shall we say in directing vernacular, “takes.”

Take 1: The Alumni Association Board president and member of the Carnegie Mellon Board of Trustees co-founded “The Showcase of New Talent” in Los Angeles. This annual program, now in its 10th year, brings more than 50 graduating students to the West Coast to engage in a week-long series of auditions and interviews with some of the top agents, directors, designers and producers in the industry. The showcase, sponsored by the West Coast Drama Alumni Clan, has provided students with the opportunity to engage with prominent alumni. This year was no exception as students met with actor Ted Danson (A’72), actor Blair Underwood (A’88), designer John Shaffner (A’76) and producer John Wells (A’79).

Take 2: Green founded Carnegie Day, an annual fall event for West Coast alumni, which has resulted in diverse outings such as “Habitat for Humanity,” “A Day at the Theatre” and “A Day at the Races.”

Take 3: The 1999 Alumni Service Award winner had the seats from the old Studio Theatre transported to LA, where he auctioned them off as a university fundraiser.

Invaluable? Indeed.

Since earning his master’s degree in 1994 at the “ripe old age” of 29, Green has been quite busy with things other than Carnegie Mellon as well. He has directed more than 50 plays, produced a film that toured the country on the festival circuit and a documentary about inner-city teens and their effort to avoid drugs and alcohol. He wrote several plays, including the musical “An Elf Chorus Line,” and has worked in production for television hits like “ER,” “The Sopranos,” “Party of Five” and “The West Wing.” He’s also a member of the faculty at The Theatre Academy of Los Angeles City College and The University of Texas/Austin (LA Program).


Success did not come easy for Green, who joked about the importance of perseverance and determination in his commencement remarks. “A few years ago, I was handing out bottles of water at commencement, so you people handing out the water today…your next assistance to the university might be in giving a commencement speech…so listen up!”

Throughout his speech Green used the popular TV show “24” and its countdown clock as a metaphor for internally imposed timelines for success. In fact he even counted down his own speech. Green said though the Class of 2005 were probably all workaholics (since they graduated from Carnegie Mellon) they should try to set aside their internal, artificial time clock for success. “We each have a clock that sets a time or plateau to reach our goals and accomplishments. [But] you can’t put an arbitrary date on your dreams.” For example, Green spoke about his early days as an assistant when his duties included getting cappuccinos at Starbucks. “I used to walk to my car and wonder, ‘So how does my master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon help with this job?’”

He went on to explain that “perseverance is a great element of success. Knocking long enough and loud enough has to count for something,” he said while tapping on the lectern. “Carnegie alumni all have something very special that binds us together: our determination, our dedication and our commitment to make a difference in the world in which we live—no matter how much time is left in the day.”

Green closed with a few parting words to live by for the more than 2,100 grads. “Your memories of Carnegie Mellon are now a part of who you are. Be passionate, be reflective, be creative and be thankful. This speech and my time are over, but your time is just beginning.”


Related Link:
West Coast Drama Alumni Clan