Professor juggles class, 'Law and Order' spots

Guest starring in an episode of the TV show Law & Order: Criminal Intent is just another gig for one Penn professor.

Africana Studies professor Oni Faida Lampley, who has worked with actors including Ewan McGregor and Meryl Streep, splits her time between her class, "Writing out Loud," and her careers as an actress and playwright.

She has made appearances in 25 movies and TV show episodes.

Although this is the fifth year in which Lampley has taught her course, this is the first time she has required students to audition before enrolling.

Lampley said that her class, which "explores the synergy between acting and writing," is a representation of the struggle in her own life between these two disciplines.

Early in her life, Lampley thought she did not have the "looks" to be an actress, and she spent her first few years out of college working in theater arts and managing productions.

But one day, while managing a play, she decided that it was time to take a chance.

"I got so jealous of the people who got to act, night after night, watching the shows," Lampley said.

Shortly after taking up acting, Lampley started writing, and it was not long before she found success.

She won the Helen Hayes Award for Outstanding New Play for her first piece, which she wrote while attending the Julliard School.

During the auditions -- which were held Monday and Tuesday -- students presented a two-minute monologue.

Lampley then challenged each student to act out the role of the person to whom their monologue was directed.

Gale Garrison, associate director of the Center for Africana Studies, thinks that having a professor with Lampley's experience is valuable for both the department and students.

"She has experience in film and in theater, and I think it is wonderful that she can be here at Penn, and I hope that students take advantage of her gifts and talents," Garrison said. "Her background is quite varied, and I think it's an excellent opportunity" to work with someone of her caliber.

College sophomore Allison Lentz enjoyed her audition and was excited to take the class.

Lampley "sounds really vibrant, interesting and dedicated to her work," Lentz said. "It should be a good change of pace."

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