Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

35° Evanston, IL
Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881

The Daily Northwestern

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Stephanie March of “Law and Order” answers student questions

When she first heard about “Law & Order,” actress Stephanie March, Communication ‘96, said she thought the show was “violent and scary.”

It didn’t stop her from taking the role of Assistant District Attorney Alexandra Cabot in “Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.”

Accompanied by her celebrity-chef husband, Bobby Flay, March returned to her alma mater Friday to serve as Grand Marshal of the Homecoming Parade and lead a question-and-answer session. The Q&A, held at the Hal and Martha Hyer Wallis Theater in the Theatre and Interpretation Center, 1949 Campus Drive, attracted about 50 students and faculty.

“I am grateful,” March said in an interview. “I am happy. And I have a huge loyalty to this school because of the students here.”

The event was planned largely by Kate Neal, director of External Programs, Internships and Career Services, in collaboration with the Homecoming 2010 committee, the Northwestern Alumni Association and the School of Communication.

March herself expressed interest in holding the session, Neal said. Professor David Downs, March’s old acting teacher, moderated the event.

“I was hoping that Stephanie’s strength of character, her humor and intelligence, would be conveyed to the students,” Downs said. “My expectations were met and exceeded.”

As an undergraduate at NU, March was involved in her sorority and Dance Marathon in addition to her work in theater.

“I got a wonderful education. I’m so grateful for it,” March said. “I don’t need to act to be an informed, participating citizen, but it’s something I do because I love it.”

March said she had her first big break when an actor in Eric Bogosian’s “Griller” had to take the night off, leaving March to play the role. Though the play received poor reviews, March remained undaunted, she said.

“What stood out for me the most is how she said ‘no audition is the end of the world.’ Hearing that from such a successful actor is comforting,” Communication sophomore Sam Barker said. “It gives me hope for my own career.”

After the disappointment of “Griller,” March said she played a minor role in Arthur Miller’s “Death of A Salesman,” which eventually found its way to Broadway, helping to launch March’s career.

After a callback with “Law & Order” creator Dick Wolf, March flew to Los Angeles to audition for the network and was successfully cast.

During the event, March also poked fun at her celebrity-chef husband.

“My real goal was to go to restaurants constantly. And as you can see,” March said with a glance at Flay, “I’ve achieved that.”

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Northwestern University and Evanston's Only Daily News Source Since 1881
Stephanie March of “Law and Order” answers student questions