Theatre students welcome Syrians in song

On a dreary day in early February, Northwestern University Theatre Professor Cindy Gold’s class stepped away from Shakespeare and recorded a song for a Syrian refugee family, newly arrived on the North Shore. 

“These students weren’t singing to perform, or to be featured in any way,” Gold says. “They just wanted to use their power, their skills on the stage, to do good.”

The song Gold’s class produced, which ends with a joyous “Welcome!”, was sent to the Syrian family along with donations of household goods and other necessities. Gold says that sense of care and drive to have a positive impact in the world is part of what makes Northwestern’s Department of Theatre so impressive.

“We teach theatre not just to train actors but to train people,” says Gold. “Part of my job is to help students realize that life is not about being rich and famous. It’s about being happy, passionate and caring. Our students really do appreciate this opportunity, and they pay it forward.”