As an undergraduate, Jerrold Scott always loved to perform alongside his acting professors at the University of Pittsburgh. He said it gave him an opportunity to see if they practiced what they preached.

When the curtain rises at Case Western Reserve University's Eldred Theater for Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband. Scott—now a CWRU assistant professor of theater arts—makes his acting debut in Cleveland as the character Viscount Goring.

He also will have the additional burden of practicing what he teaches in front of his students—many of whom are castmates—on stage as well as in the classroom.

Scott, a member of Actors Equity, received a waiver to appear in An Ideal Husband for performances at 8 p.m. April 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12, with two matinees at 2:30 p.m. April 6 and 13.

His character offers some challenges for Scott, because on the surface Lord Goring appears to be "an empty-headed socialite." In the play's stage directions, Wilde describes Goring as the first well-dressed philosopher in the history of thought. The author also says Goring tries to live his life in the aesthetic but underneath he has a serious mind.

"It's a tricky one for an actor. How do you capture the effervescence of the character while giving him substance?" Scott said.

"This play has grit and social messages," he adds. The play explores a number of issues—forgiveness, holding public figures accountable and the nature of morality.

Scott brings to Goring's character his classical training as a graduate student in University of South Carolina's joint program with The Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C. He was primarily trained in the classics of Shakespeare whose plays are visceral and done without dialect, Scott said. He had additional training in London in workshops at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Prior to CWRU, Scott made a living as a free-lance actor, director and teacher on the east coast before making a new home in Cleveland, where he teaches CWRU graduates and undergraduates and serves as the resident dialect coach for the Cleveland Play House. During his days as a free-lance artist, he made his Ohio debut at the Contemporary American Theater in Columbus.

Scott says he is now "living his dream." Early on, he was headed to law school, but after spending a junior year internship with Great Britain's House of Commons, he changed his mind. At the encouragement of his theater professors at Pitt, who suggested he audition for graduate programs, Scott pursued acting instead of law.

While his career has taken him to the stage, the political science background proved helpful for An Ideal Husband as Scott was able to explain the complex British political and social system to the cast.

For tickets, call the Eldred box office at 368-6262.