D.B. Woodside, star of television, film and stage, earned his B.A. in Theatre from the University at Albany in 1991.

 

His best-known roles include U.S. Secret Service Agent Erik Monks in "The Night Agent"; Wayne Palmer, the White House Chief of Staff, in the thriller series "24"; High School Principal Robin Wood in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer"; businessman Malcolm Franks in "Single Ladies"; the angel Amenadiel, “God’s favorite son,” in "Lucifer"; and bass singer Melvin Franklin in "The Temptations."

 

On stage, he made his New York theater debut as Martin Luther King in “The Conscientious Objector,” and earned an NAACP Award for Best Lead Male in Dominique Morisseau’s “Skeleton Crew.” He delivered UAlbany’s commencement address on May 13, 2023.

 

Presented by the UAlbany Theatre Program and the Jarka and Grayce Burian Endowment in collaboration with the NYS Writers Institute. Cosponsored by the University at Albany Alumni Association. 

 

This annual Burian Lecture brings leading scholars and practitioners of the art of the theatre to the Albany campus

​Funded by Jarka and Grayce Susan Burian, the lecture honors Dr. Burian's long and influential service at the University.