It is not every day that a recent graduate of NIU’s School of Theatre and Dance lands a role on one of television’s most talked-about shows. This happens to be the case for Justin Mentell.

Mentell graduated in May 2005 with a B.F.A in acting. Two months later, he scored a recurring role on ABC’s prime-time television show, “Boston Legal” and was working side-by-side with the likes of William Shatner, Candice Bergen and James Spader.

It all started with an audition.

“My agent in New York called me and said [“Boston Legal”] had an opening for an audition,” Mentell said. “But I couldn’t fly out to Los Angeles, so I made an audition tape.”

A week later, a contract was being negotiated.

On Friday, July 8, Mentell flew to Los Angeles to do some workshops as well as read for the part. He stayed in a hotel while waiting to hear the final decision on whether or not he would get the role.

“My agent called me Wednesday [July 13] and asked how I liked Los Angeles. I said that I liked it fine and then my agent asked if I’d like to live [in Los Angeles] because I got the part [as Garrett Wells],” Mentell said.

Mentell signed a seven-year contract with “Boston Legal.” Rehearsals and shooting began July 18 and for two months, Mentell worked every day.

“I was excited to get the role. But I knew it was a job and I had to be able to give the director what he wanted, so I was nervous,” Mentell said.

The nervousness did not last for long.

“Everybody involved made me feel so welcome. It’s just like one big family. They really eased my nerves,” Mentell said.

Mentell made his debut as Garrett Wells on “Boston Legal” Sept. 27 with friends, family and past professors watching.

Deborah Robertson, head of the BFA acting program, was impressed by Mentell’s performance.

“I thought it was an artistic performance for such a young actor. He showed not only skilled training, but his own personal artistry as well,” she said.

Richard Poole Jr., an assistant professor of theatre and dance, was equally pleased.

“It’s a terrific opportunity,” he said. “He is at the top of the game right out of college.”

Mentell, a native of Waukegan, majored in acting while he attended NIU and appeared in several on-stage productions, including “Balm in Gilead,” “Never the Sinner” and “The Play’s the Thing.”

Mentell feels his training from NIU is proving valuable as he gets further into his acting career.

“Justin was really committed to acting. He was always in shows and hardly ever went out on weekends because he was rehearsing,” said Bob Hopkins, a senior visual communication major who roomed with Mentell for three semesters.

“I knew he’d make it because he was so committed and dedicated to his craft,” Hopkins said. “He knew what he wanted and how to go about getting it.”

“Boston Legal” airs at 9 p.m. every Tuesday on ABC. A spin-off of “The Practice,” the show is a comedic drama about a powerful law firm that focuses on civil cases.