University of North Carolina - Wilmington

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Department of Theatre

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601 S. College Road
Wilmington, North Carolina 28403
910.962.7364
admissions@uncw.edu

DEGREES OFFERED

Bachelor of Arts in Theatre - Performance
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre - Design and Technology
Bachelor of Arts in Theatre - Customized
Minor in Theatre
Minor in Musical Theatre
Minor in Dance

Welcome to the Department of Theatre at UNCW. Our goal is to nurture, encourage, support, train and educate the artist in the study and practice of theatre. We train students to pursue a career in the vast field of SHOW BUSINESS. Whether that is in live theatre, film, television or a host of other fields, students will learn the essential skills needed. Our students WORK! Our home is the spectacular, state-of-the-art, $34 million Cultural Arts Building. This extraordinary facility houses two beautiful theaters, fully-equipped shops, and first-rate studio spaces. Students interested in theatre will not find better facilities in North Carolina. We are ideally located in Wilmington, NC, where the arts thrive in a beautiful coastal setting that is home to both an active film industry and growing television market. All Theatre majors take a common core of courses that introduce them to a full range of dramatic study. Majors then choose one of three tracks or "options" within the major, depending upon their interests. Performance, Design/Technical or Custom/Theatre Studies. Our students have many opportunities to perform, design, and/or work backstage. While maintaining the flexibility of our Bachelor of Arts degree, these concentrations offer professional training in theatre, television, film, related industries and a wide variety of graduate programs, as well as careers in the private and non-profit sectors. Our B.A. gives students the flexibility to complete a second major, minor or the ability to study abroad. We ask that our students bring a strong sense of commitment to excellence and a passion for the Arts. We can then help them hone their skills to achieve their dreams.

Acceptance Rate:

While the general acceptance rate for the University of North Carolina - Wilmington (UNCW) is around 69%, the acceptance rate for the Department of Theatre is not publicly available. However, admission to the Early Theatre Major requires an audition/interview in addition to university application.

Faculty Info:

Thomas Salzman, Marshall Botnivick, Dr. Paul Castagno, Randall Enlow, Myke Holmes, Max Lydy, Christopher Marino, Robin Post, Mark Sorensen, Ed Wagenseller, Elizabeth Wellman, Sue Wilder.

The World Premiere Of SALLY: A SOLO PLAY Comes To East Lansing
by Stephi Wild - January 30, 2026

Wharton Center will host the world premiere of SALLY: A SOLO PLAY: a powerfully moving, one-woman drama set at Monticello in the days before Thomas Jefferson's death, written by East Lansing resident Sandra Seaton.

UC Davis Department Of Theatre And Dance To Present THE DROWSY CHAPERONE
by A.A. Cristi - January 20, 2026

UC Davis Department of Theatre and Dance will present THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, a Tony-winning musical, at Wright Hall's Main Theatre with performances scheduled for late February and early March.

UTA Theatre Arts And Dance To Present DANCE DECONSTRUCTED, New Works By Students And Faculty
by A.A. Cristi - November 17, 2025

The University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will present Dance Deconstructed, November 21 through 23, at the University of Texas at Arlington Fine Arts Building in the Studio Theatre.

UTA Theatre Arts And Dance To Present Staged Reading Of MISS YOU LIKE HELL
by A.A. Cristi - November 10, 2025

The University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will present a staged reading of the 2018 musical Miss You Like Hell by Quiara Alegría Hudes and Erin McKeown.

TOO MUCH LIGHT MAKES THE BABY GO BLIND Returns to the University of Southern Maine This November
by A.A. Cristi - November 04, 2025

The University of Southern Maine Department of Theatre will present the third annual production of Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (30 Plays in 60 Minutes) by Greg Allen, directed by Sara Valentine.

Carbonell Awards Add Special Watch Party to Ceremony at FAU’s University Theatre
by Stephi Wild - October 31, 2025

The 48th annual Carbonell Awards, South Florida’s Theater & Arts Honors, today announced that the glittery annual ceremony and after-party at FAU’s University Theatre in Boca Raton is SOLD OUT.

THE WORLD ACCORDING TO SNOOPY!!! is Coming to Bridgetown Musical Theatre
by Chloe Rabinowitz - October 13, 2025

Bridgetown Musical Theatre is presenting The World According to Snoopy!!! for the holiday season in Portland and Salem. The show will be performed by two separate casts, with performers ages 11 to 18. Learn more!

TAKING OFF! Comes to the Wharton Center
by Stephi Wild - September 02, 2025

The MSU College of Arts and Letters’ Department of Theatre, in collaboration with Wharton Center, will present Taking Off!, a high-flying new musical comedy.

California's Teenage Drama Workshop Sets Summer Productions
by Josh Sharpe - June 16, 2025

Teenage Drama Workshop (TADW) will host a three-week public run of two stage productions, including Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical JR. and The Hobbit, beginning in July at California State University Northridge.

Cal State LA to Present THE JOHN LION NEW PLAYS FESTIVAL
by Chloe Rabinowitz - April 18, 2025

The Department of Theatre and Dance at Cal State LA will present the 27th annual John Lion New Plays Festival at the university's State Playhouse. Learn more and see how to attend.

USM Department of Theatre Presents Spring Dance Concert
by A.A. Cristi - April 17, 2025

USM Department of Theatre wraps up its 2024-2025 season with the USM Spring Dance Concert, featuring new dance works by five choreographers and performed by USM dance students April 25th-27th at Russell Hall on the USM Gorham Campus.

UTA Theatre Arts And Dance To Present TREASURE ISLANDS
by A.A. Cristi - March 26, 2025

The University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and Dance will present Treasure Island, the 2014 adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson's 1883 adventure book, adapted by British playwright Bryony Lavery.

USM Theatre to Present LITTLE WOMEN THE BROADWAY MUSICAL
by Josh Sharpe - March 12, 2025

The University of Southern Maine Department of Theatre will welcome Spring with the fantastical & heartwarming Little Women, the Broadway Musical, April 4-13th at Russell Hall on the USM Gorham Campus.

Six Finalists Unveiled For 2025 Young Playwright Festival at Wharton Center
by Chloe Rabinowitz - March 06, 2025

Experience the original works of six 2025 Young Playwrights Festival finalists on Saturday, May 10, 2025, in Wharton Center's Pasant Theatre. Learn more and see how to attend!

Late Night Theatre Company Presents COME PLAY WITH US! New Plays Festival
by A.A. Cristi - February 20, 2025

The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa's Department of Theatre & Dance and Kennedy Theatre will present Late Night Theatre Company's new playwriting showcase, Come Play with Us! New Plays Festival.

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