Drama
The Drama Department’s mission is to provide a comprehensive theater education with the goal of producing original, creative, knowledgeable and caring theater artists who understand their responsibilities to their community, their art and their personal growth. The department promotes theater as a necessary art form through productions that challenge, enlighten and engage both the artists and the audience. Our vision is to create artists in an environment that nurtures the creative process and critical thinking. Awareness of all areas of knowledge gives an artist’s work depth and scope, just as the arts add perspective and richness to all human endeavors. The liberal arts education makes an ideal foundation for the study of theater, where the same attitudes and work habits are important. Because UNC Asheville is small, the Drama faculty members can give personal attention to their students’ intellectual, artistic and professional growth.
Program of Study
Achieving excellence in theater requires a blend of knowledge and intensive hands-on experience. All Drama majors take courses in theater history, dramatic literature, acting and technical production. They choose additional courses from acting; directing; musical theatre and creative drama; scenic, lighting and costume design; and advanced technical production, including computer applications. Drama majors interested in teaching may obtain teacher licensure in K–12 Theatre Arts.
Drama students have many opportunities, beginning in their freshman year, to develop their production skills by working at Theatre UNC Asheville, the Drama Department’s public performance laboratory. Students also may pursue undergraduate research in areas of directing, show control and design. Many students have completed internships at Flat Rock Playhouse, Southern Appalachian Repertory Theatre, Asheville Community Theatre, North Carolina Stage Company, The Stoneleaf Theatre Festival and the Diana Wortham Theatre at Pack Place.
Scholarships
The Drama Department offers scholarship and work-study opportunities ranging from $250 to $1,000 per year to students who demonstrate high academic and artistic potential. Special Talent Scholarships provide tuition assistance to prospective students.
Faculty
Representing a range of academic backgrounds, professional experiences and creative accomplishments, the faculty members have worked as actors, designers, directors, managers and teachers in professional and educational settings throughout the country. They are active in professional organizations, including the North Carolina Theatre Conference, the Southeastern Theatre Conference, the United States Institute for Theatre Technology and the American Alliance for Theatre and Education.
Post-Graduate Opportunities
Drama faculty members help students gain realistic perspectives on career opportunities in theater and related fields. Drama graduates attend some of the finest graduate and professional training programs, including American University, Boston University, Brandeis University, California Institute of the Arts, Case Western Reserve University, Catholic University, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Indiana University, Memphis State University, University of Tennessee, University of Virginia and Virginia Commonwealth University.
They work professionally as actors, designers, stage managers and technicians with theater companies across the nation. Examples include: Alaska Repertory Theatre, Alley Theatre in Houston, Alwin Nikolais Dance Theatre in New York, Alliance Theatre of Atlanta, American Repertory Theatre, Arkansas Repertory Theatre, Huntington Theatre in Boston, Colorado Shakespeare Festival, Oklahoma Shakespeare Festival, North Carolina Dance Theatre, Pennsylvania Stage Company, Santa Fe Opera, Seattle Repertory Theatre, Spoleto Festival USA, Virginia Opera Company and the Vivian Beaumont Theatre at Lincoln Center in New York.
Drama graduates also work in fields as diverse as arts management, banking, public relations and advertising, broadcasting, teaching, fashion design, dance, nursing and computer technology.
More Information
Drama Department
130 Carol Belk Theatre, CPO #1700
UNC Asheville
One University Heights
Asheville, NC 28804-8506
828.251.6610