Portrait of an Artist

Professor Suzanne Westfall (L-R), Thomas, Meryl Hahne ’18, biology, and Nyree Spearman ’17, film and media studies, discuss creative careers during an impromptu get-together on the Williams Arts Campus.

When the students in Ben Munisteri’s Self-Production course learn the artist who is the day’s guest speaker has acted in The Americans and Friday Night Lights, the room hums with excitement.

Dwayne Alistair Thomas ’01 recently shared these and other experiences, from performing Shakespeare to playing a featured extra on the first Sex and the City movie, during his campus visit.

Thomas’ portrayal of a South African freedom fighter on The Americans did air on FX, but his depiction of a convict on NBC’s Friday Night Lights was cut in final edits. “I started with a focus on acting, but it kind of breaks your heart after awhile, like dating,” says Thomas.

Rather than wait for opportunities to come his way, Thomas, an economics and business graduate, formed MSW Productions, branching into writing, directing, filmmaking, drawing, and composing/performing music. His feature film The Real, which he wrote, produced, directed, and acted in, was submitted to the Sundance Film Festival.

“It’s up to us to develop as a person through a journey of self discovery,” says Thomas, who lives in Philadelphia and remains close to his Lafayette family. Dennis Melesky ’99, Chris Erickson ’02, Andrew Long ’03, Stafford Michael Levy ’01, and Nick Groch ’01 have participated in Thomas’ work, providing everything from camera work to locations for shooting.

Thomas values his training at Lafayette, calling Suzanne Westfall, professor of English and director of the arts, and Michael O’Neill, associate professor and director of theater, “fellow artists, like-minded people.”

Theater major Hannah Weaver ’17 asks Thomas’ advice on handling the pressure of auditioning against actors with BFAs. “I’ve auditioned with Juilliard students, and I got the part. Don’t be intimidated,” Thomas says. “Stay with the trueness of who you are.”

FAMS major and nontraditional student Scott Kovacs asks about funding. “Stanley Kubrick funded his own products. Do it yourself,” says Thomas. If this means laboring in a diesel parts factory, as Thomas has, that’s part of the deal.

Thomas worked for a time in mutual funds investments. Despite the outward trappings of success, he was unhappy. “Some people don’t vibe to that.”

—Sharon Sanders