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Welcome to North Carolina School of the Arts!

The School of Drama at the North Carolina School of the Arts trains talented young men and women to be exciting, versatile and accomplished professionals.

The school emphasizes classical values in its training process to meet a well-recognized demand for actors to be technically skilled and, at the same time, creatively inspired. This vital combination of talent and skill is developed and refined by a highly qualified professional faculty through close, personal attention to their students' growth.

The School of Drama is committed to advancing standards of quality and integrity in the acting profession. Faculty members dedicate themselves to shaping actors who are capable of making this kind of contribution in theatre, television and film. An actor graduating from the School of Drama will possess a finely honed technique and a discriminating artistic sensibility.

Applicants to the School of Drama may enroll in the college degree (Bachelor of Fine Arts) program, the college Arts Diploma program or the high school drama program (12th grade). At the college level, students in the BFA program combine intensive training in drama with a full academic program. Students in the college diploma program concentrate solely on intensive actor training.

The Professional Actor Training Program (Bachelor of Fine Arts or College Diploma)

Each student committed to a career in theatre engages in a rigorous course of study with required classes in voice, movement and acting. The curriculum also includes more specific skills, such as mask work, stage fighting, verse-speaking, singing, and period and style. The schedule for each day includes class work relevant to afternoon and evening rehearsal periods.

Students study major works from the classical repertory through the 20th century. A full schedule of workshops and major productions offers important performing experience.

Course of Study

During the first year (Studio I), students discover and explore their physical, vocal and imaginative talents. The first year seeks to free the actor's instrument and to stimulate the imagination through an introduction to craft elements in acting technique.

During the second year (Studio II), students apply in depth the elements of physical, vocal and imaginative expression. The emphasis is on craft and technique through a progressive and layered sequence. The second year also begins the transformation into character.

During the third year (Studio III), students apply the craft of acting to many plays in different styles. The third year also emphasizes the classical values of the training program.

Studio IV is the final year of training. Artistic independence is encouraged. Fourth-year students present a season of classical and contemporary plays, and a musical. In addition, Studio IV members participate in master classes including audition workshops, TV and film camera techniques, cold readings and résumé preparation taught by noted theatre professionals.

In the spring, the graduating seniors are presented in New York to major agents, casting directors, artistic directors and management from all branches of theatre, film and television. It is a year that culminates with the student's emergence into the profession.

Advanced Placement

Transfer arts credit from other programs and institutions is not usually given. Transfer students and entering students with substantial previous professional training may, at the discretion of the faculty, be granted advanced placement and awarded commensurate advanced placement credit. Transfer students in the directing option must have had the equivalent of the first two years of actor training at the North Carolina School of the Arts.

Evaluation

Students are evaluated each term by the entire faculty, and informed of their progress. Grades are assigned by each teacher as an evaluation of a student's work. Students are encouraged to discuss problems and progress in their work with the faculty at any time.

Continuance in the Program

Students are invited to continue in the program each term by the dean only as long as they demonstrate substantial growth toward artistic excellence. The School of Drama reserves the right to dismiss from the program — without probation or an official letter of warning — any student whose social or professional behavior prohibits the School's classes and rehearsals from proceeding in a creative and productive fashion, and thereby impairs the training and education of fellow students. 

To learn more about our Programs CLICK HERE.

For a list of the Courses CLICK HERE

Application

School of Drama Requirements

Resume:

A resume detailing the applicant’s artistic experience and educational objectives. Include a list of plays performed, giving the name of the role and the date and place of performance.

Photographs:

An 8x10 headshot or a recent representative photograph either in color or black and white (applicant’s name is to be printed on photograph).

Recommendation Letters:

Two letters of recommendation are required. One letter is to come from an arts instructor. One letter is to come from an academic instructor. If not currently enrolled in school, a letter may come from an employer, mentor, instructor, directors, etc.

All letters are to be mailed directly to the Office of Admissions to be placed in the applicant’s file. Always list the Office of Admissions as the recipient.

For more information on Admissions CLICK HERE.

Meet Our Alumni

Mary-Louise Parker

Mary-Louise Parker won the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Play (2001) for her role as Catherine in "Proof" (for which she also received the Lucille Lortel and Drama Desk awards) and was nominated for a Tony for Rita in "Prelude to a Kiss." She won an Obie Award and was nominated for an Outer Critics Circle Award for "How I Learned to Drive." Her other off-Broadway roles include "Four Dogs and a Bone" and "The Art of Success" at the Manhattan Theatre Club. Parker's regional theatre credits include "The Importance of Being Earnest" at Hartford Stage and "Up in Saratoga" at the Old Globe.

Mary-Louise has had featured roles in films including THE PORTRAIT OF A LADY, BULLETS OVER BROADWAY, BOYS ON THE SIDE, MR. WONDERFUL, NAKED IN NEW YORK, GRAND CANYON, FRIED GREEN TOMATOES and LONGTIME COMPANION. She also appeared in the Hallmark Hall of Fame telefilm A PLACE FOR ANNIE. 2003 Golden Globe winner for supporting actress in acclaimed HBO production of "Angels in America." Emmy Award nominee for her role as Amy Gardner in NBC’s “The West Wing.”

Learn about many of our accomplished ALUMNI!

Meet a Few of Our Gifted Faculty

Gerald Freedman, Dean

Obie Award-winner and first American director invited to direct at the Globe Theatre, London, England. Regarded nationally for productions of classic drama, musicals, operas, new plays and television. Served as leading director of Joseph Papp’s New York Shakespeare Festival from 1960-71 – the last fours years as artistic director. Directed celebrated actors such as Olympia Dukakis, James Earl Jones, Stacy Keach, Julie Harris, Charles Durning, Sam Waterston, Patti Lupone, Mandy Patinkin, Jean Stapleton, William Hurt, Carroll O’Connor and Kevin Kline. Made theatre history with his off-Broadway premiere of the landmark rock musical “Hair,” which opened the Public Theatre in 1967.

Broadway direction includes “The Robber Bridegroom”; “The Grand Tour” with Joel Grey; the revival of “West Side Story,” co-directed with Jerome Robbins; the premiere of Arthur Miller’s “The Creation of the World and Other Business”; and Shaw’s “Mrs. Warren’s Profession” with Lynn Redgrave and Edward Herrmann. Productions for the Great Lakes Theater Festival include Shakespeare’s “King Lear” (with Hal Holbrook), which went to the Roundabout Theatre in New York City. Directed opera productions for the Opera Society of Washington (Kennedy Center), the San Francisco Opera Company, and New York City Opera. For New York City Opera, directed revivals of “Brigadoon” and “South Pacific.”

Caroline Kava, Acting

Caroline Kava is well-known in theatre circles and is highly recognizable by film and TV audiences. Her New York theatre credits include Threepenny Opera directed by Richard Foreman and “Cloud 9” directed by Tommy Tune. Her film credits include BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY, YEAR OF THE DRAGON, and SNOW FALLING ON CEDARS. Her television credits include NOBODY’S CHILD, directed by Lee Grant; GUILTY UNTIL PROVEN INNOCENT, with Martin Sheen; and guest appearances on “Law & Order,” “The Practice,” “Dawson’s Creek” and many others. Kava’s play, “The Early Girl,” was produced by Circle Rep and is published by Samuel French. She also authored the book and lyrics of Constance and the Musician with music by Mel Marvin, produced by the GeVa Theatre in Rochester, N.Y., and “An Adaptation of Hedda Gabler” produced at the studio theatre of the University of Miami.

Kava is a graduate of The Neighborhood Playhouse, where she studied with Sanford Meisner. She received a B.A. in writing and performance from Empire State College of the State University of New York, and an M.F.A. in film directing from Columbia University. She has taught acting at the University of Miami, Barnard College and the American Academy of Dramatic Arts.

Tanya Belov, Acting

Specializes in the teaching of Stanislavski acting techniques. A graduate of the famed State Academy School of Circus and Variety Arts in Moscow. First woman to win first prize at the National Competition of Professional Entertainment Actors, Moscow. Well-known as a theatre, film, television and radio actress in her native Russia. Directing credits include “The Little Prince” at Georgia Fine Arts Academy, “The Servant of Two Masters” and “Cloud Nine” at Case Western Reserve University, and “The Secret Affairs of Mildred Wild” and “Tartuffe” at North Carolina School of the Arts.

Host of the critically acclaimed Moscow radio show, “Your Story Hour.” Arranged and coordinated an international exchange of students, faculty and productions between the Moscow Art Theatre School and the School of the Arts. Received rave reviews in The New York Times and Village Voice for her show “My Heart is in Your Shoes."

To learn more about our wonderful faculty CLICK HERE

Facilities

The School of Drama performs the majority of its work on campus in Performance Place, a specially designed theatre facility with two state-of-the-art theatres: a 380-seat proscenium thrust and a 200-seat flexible arena. Additional facilities in Performance Place include dressing rooms, a performers' lounge, classroom and rehearsal space, and a lobby, which doubles as a gallery. The drama school also mounts collaborative musical productions in the Stevens Center, a renovated, 1,380-seat neoclassical theatre. Occasionally, productions are also performed in the intimate 188-seat Agnes de Mille Theatre on campus.

Learn more about our fabulous FACILITIES!

Summer Training

The Summer Session in drama challenges aspiring actors and actresses and introduces them to the craft and technique of professional training for theatre, film and television. Summer drama study focuses on three major areas: acting, movement and speech. Acting classes involve some script work and much improvisation, with emphasis is on talking, listening, sharing and exchanging ideas. Movement and speech classes provide opportunities to develop and master these important skills. The focus is on the process, rather than the performance, of the work.

Learn more about our SUMMER SESSION

Learn more about our SENIOR SHOWCASE!

Read about the School of Drama PERFORMANCES!

Contact Us

Mary Jane Degnan, Administrator of the Drama Office
email: mjdegnan@ncarts.edu
Phone: (336) 770-3235
Fax: (336) 770-3369

And Visit Us on the Web by CLICKING HERE!