Room 107 in the Arts Building is like some sort of cramped, compact library.

Bookshelves run the length of the room — which isn't really all that long — stretching out toward the office's only window and overflowing with volumes of dramatic texts and acting handbooks.

Opposite the bookshelves, and next to the door, sits a desk. At the far end, countless videotapes line a set of metal shelves. They form a division between the desk and a more relaxed section of the office that holds two face-to-face chairs, an end table and an outside view.

But, even with all the scripts and texts, the most important resource in 107 is the man who fills the seat behind the desk.

He's Charles Dumas, associate professor of theater and African and African-American Studies, and has lived the lessons the tapes and books could only hope to teach.

"I think that I'm not a trained acting teacher," Dumas said. "I think that what I bring to the table for my students is that I'm doing it, I've done it, and I'm looked to for how it's being done."

What Dumas has "done" is acted professionally.

A tall, imposing figure with a wealth of gray hair, a roaring, deep voice and an inviting smile, Dumas is currently a recurring character on three network television series: Ed (NBC, Wednesday, 8 p.m.), 100 Centre Street (A&E, Tuesday, 10 p.m.) and Law & Order: Criminal Intent (NBC, Sunday, 9 p.m.).

This television work, along with some New York theater experience and appearances in high-profile films like Deep Impact and Diehard: With a Vengeance, allows Dumas to shed some light on the reality of the business.

"He's been a source of inspiration," said Carlos Mason (junior-theatre arts). "I see that he's on the TV, and I think, 'He's gotten a chance. He's made it.' It gives me hope that I can too."

Back to His Roots

Dumas traces his dramatic history back to age six, when an appearance in a community Christmas play left him thirsting for more of the attention he received as a myrrh-carrying king. He later appeared in several productions in high school, which led him to New York after graduation.

But, at a time when roles for African-American actors were few and far between, Dumas felt forced to leave the business after he and his wife, Josephine, started a family.

"I knew I had to leave when the kids got real hungry, and I wasn't doing real well," Dumas said.

So he returned to college. He got his bachelor's degree in political science and African-American studies, earned a law degree from Yale University and began a legal career that included a job in international law at the United Nations. However, pouring over legal texts was not his calling.

"I was very happy he was working in the legal profession, but I was aware that it was not fulfilling for him," Josephine said. "I had always known his creativity as an artist — as a writer and an actor — was his true love."

With Josephine's support, Dumas made what he said was a roughly two-year trek back into the professional world. Since then, he has built upon his impressive résumé of television and movie credits and had the opportunity to work with a host of artists he respects and admires.

One such artist is his childhood role model, Sidney Poitier, with whom he worked in the television movie Separate But Equal.

Dumas remembers having what he called a "mystical experience" while filming a scene where he played a lawyer opposite Poitier's portrayal of Thurgood Marshall.

"I was looking at him and I suddenly saw myself sitting in a theater as a child, looking up at the screen and seeing myself talking to Sidney Poitier," Dumas said.

"I was just like, 'Oh, wow,' which of course made me blow all my lines, and everybody laughed, and it was very funny. The experience was very interesting," he said.

The Next Chapter

The experience with Poitier was just one of the many stories Dumas brought with him when he came to Penn State seven years ago. Originally here for a one-year stint as a visiting professor, he said he has stayed because it felt right.

He said he has a boss who understands and encourages his need to be out in the professional world.

And he loves what he can give, and also take, as an instructor.

"I get a chance to interact with the generations that have succeeded ours and explore, spiritually and artistically, the craft and the art that I love," Dumas said.

That love has driven him through some long days. All three of his current TV shows are taped in New York and New Jersey, which means that he often gets up at 3 a.m. to travel to a 7 a.m. call.

Sometimes he goes in the night before, but not if it comes at any cost to his duties as a professor. In fact, Dumas once turned down a three-episode soap opera role to give a final exam.

"I'm a teacher first now," Dumas said. "For awhile I was a professional that taught, and I think now I'm a teacher who performs. One of the things that takes a toll is that neither world recognizes the other."

And, looking around his office, it's easy to see that Dumas also keeps the two worlds separate. The bulletin boards are plastered with pictures of students and family, not big-name stars.

"He's what we truly call an elder," said Jarvis George (graduate-theatre arts).

"And one of the reasons I love him so much is he doesn't have to show me or remind me all the time that he's my elder and he knows more than me."

While he doesn't remind them, students like George know. They understand the magnitude of a man who has experienced everything from the stage to the classroom to the courtroom.

And, even with these accomplishments behind him, Dumas indicates that he may never be satisfied.

"I'd like to go up in a space shuttle. I'd like to serve on the Supreme Court. I'd like to win an Oscar, a Tony, an Emmy and a Grammy, even though I can't sing," Dumas said with a laugh.

"Knowing that God has a sense of humor, I'm still waiting for the next chapter."