URI professor finds passion, acts at Rhode Island theater

09/19/08 - Associate professor of Communication Studies at the University of Rhode Island Vince Petronio performs for a living, and not just in the classroom. He spends his days teaching and his nights as an actor at the 2nd Story Theater in Warren."There is very little to no money in live theater," Petronio said. "You're doing it because you love it."

Petronio plays Marcus Hubbard in "Another Part of the Forest," which starts next Friday. The play, by Lillian Hellman, is a prequel to "The Little Foxes," a play 2nd Story Theatre did in 2005. Petronio played Ben Hubbard in "The Little Foxes." In "Another Part of the Forest," he plays Marcus Hubbard, Ben's father.

"He has an insight into the role of this character, this story," said Joanne Fayan, communications director for the theatre.

According to a press release, "Another Part of the Forest" follows the Hubbard family, the most despised, richest family in Snowden, Ala.

In the play, Ben discovers his father's best-kept secret and he exploits his father to secure the family fortune, according to the press release.

"Knowing 'The Little Foxes' so well, we'll see how these people got the way they are," Petronio said. "It's an incredibly moving play about really unlikable people."

Playing such a dark character is challenging but rewarding, Petronio said.

"You have to go deep inside and find that darkness in yourself," he said. "That pushes you to go there and find that stuff, unearth it and use it."

Petronio credits much of his growth as an actor to his work with 2nd Story, which got a permanent home in 2001.

"I learned more from Ed [Shea, artistic director for 2nd Story Theatre] in the past seven years," Petronio said. "Ed's approach has done the most for me."

Petronio hasn't just benefited from 2nd Story; he has given back to the organization as well.

"[Petronio] is a mainstay in the acting company," Fayan said. "He is a very important part of our organization."

Petronio "crops up two or three times a season," Fayan said. He helps with set construction, ushering and seating at the theater as well.

Petronio said his love of acting started when he was an undergraduate at URI. After getting a Master's degree from the University of Illinois, he returned to his alma mater to teach communications courses.

From 1992 to 2005, Petronio was the director of Information Technology on the Providence campus and a per course professor. He is back to teaching full time, but still has a love for technology. He can't pick a favorite gadget, but said that his favorite is "the latest, smallest piece of technology."

Petronio is also a sports buff. He grew up in the Silver Lakes region of Providence, an Italian enclave, at a time when the New York Giants were the only football team that played on TV.

"I've been a Giants fan since 1962," he said. "I'm tough. I haven't shied away from it.I couldn't watch the Super Bowl at my brother's house because he's a [New England] Patriots fan."

Petronio is a New York Yankees fan, but as a self-described "split personality," he also likes the Boston Bruins and the Boston Celtics.

In his limited spare time, he tries to find time for photography. After 32 years at URI, Petronio sees retirement on the horizon and already has some projects on his mind. His participation in set building has sparked an interest in learning how to build things.

"With teaching, we don't really get to see what we make after class," he said. Theater, too, is fleeting, he said.

Petronio sees 2nd Story as a place where students can come to see how a theater works outside of a college setting.

"It's a great opportunity for [URI theater] majors to leave academia and work in a real theater," he said. "It's a lot of work."

However, Petronio does not regret his career path. He said he has the best of both worlds by being able to act and teach. The two balance each other out, he said.

"It's a juggling act," Petronio said. "You give a lot to both, you give it all."

"You've gotta be a little off the wall to do [theater]," he said. "It's a privilege and a responsibility. They [the audience] couldn't do what we do on stage. That's what's special.