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Department of Theatre and Dance

UW Alumnus Appears on 'Army Wives' Episode

By Alisa Somova, UW Media Relations Intern

Sept. 22, 2008 -- Even though University of Wyoming graduate Brian Slaten had already gained some experience on national television, he was excited to appear on a recent episode of the hit Lifetime series "Army Wives."

"The cast members, crew, director, producers, really everyone I met was inspired and great on 'Army Wives,'" says Slaten, who played marriage counselor, Army Chaplain Brian James. "The role was not large. I can't wait to have a TV or film role that I can really sink my teeth into."

Slaten, who received his bachelor of fine arts degree in 1990, has been in New York for three years and has had a recurring role in "The Guiding Light." He was a guest star in "Law and Order Special Victims Unit" and "Law and Order Criminal Intent." He also had the lead or supporting lead roles in a few independent films.

He says the "Army Wives" character may reappear on the show, and that would be wonderful, but, there are many variables involved.

"Tell your friends and family to write in to Lifetime and ask about the young marriage counselor, and ask when he will be coming back. Who knows? Maybe that will work," he says.

Slaten, who was a student of UW Professor Leigh Selting, says he has many unforgettable memories from his class. He says Selting does "this amazing thing" in class where he reads e-mails from former theatre students, or has them return to UW to visit and talk about their experiences. The young actor wished he could also visit and talk to the students about his experience in the competitive world of show business.

"I think the most difficult thing about my position in the profession has been not really having any sort of barometer of how competitive it is, except I don't work nearly as much as I would like to," says Slaten. "I guess, as with all arts, you are successful or not given your circumstances and what stage you are at in your process."

One of the many challenges Slaten had to face was being on the set with experienced professionals.

"There are a lot of people that are doing their jobs behind the camera and in front of the camera who have been doing more or less the same thing for quite some time," he says. They really know what they are doing, and I don't have that experience yet," Slaten says.

Posted on Monday, September 22, 2008

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