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News & Stories
Learn how to stand out in auditions from UNCSA School of Drama alum and casting director Tiffany Little Canfield. Get insider tips on preparation, self-tapes and authenticity.
Kenan Arts supported five UNCSA faculty members as they attend immersive creative workshops at Penland School of Craft. Through hands-on exploration, mentorship and collaborative cohort learning, faculty stepped away from routine, expanded their artistic practices and returned energized to bring fresh inspiration back to their students.
A beloved holiday tradition returns to the Piedmont Triad this December as the UNCSA presents its 60th anniversary production of "The Nutcracker," presented by Flow Automotive. Acclaimed Mexican conductor and Music alumnus Felipe Tristán will lead the UNCSA Symphony Orchestra.
Scene Stealers
At UNCSA’s School of Drama, we’re more than actors — we’re artists, collaborators and changemakers bringing powerful stories to life. With creativity and craft, our students, faculty and alumni ignite the stage and screen, defining what it means to perform with purpose and passion.
Chelsea Gabrielle Rose
Acting
From isolation to inspiration, Drama alum Chelsea Gabrielle Rose found music in the silence. Amid the stillness of 2020, she sat at her out-of-tune piano in Durham, N.C., unknowingly beginning a creative journey that would define her final years at UNCSA. What started as quiet reflection became “Loving This Year,” an original musical born from resilience — a story of hope, healing and finding light in life’s hardest moments.
Read Chelsea's Story
Joe Mantello
B.F.A. Drama '84
From his earliest days performing on UNCSA’s stages to directing some of Broadway’s most celebrated productions, Joe Mantello has spent a lifetime shaping stories that move and inspire. The two-time Tony Award winner and acclaimed actor-director has built a career grounded in curiosity, collaboration and courage — reminding us that the heart of great theater lies in its humanity.
Explore Joe's Journey
Carl Forsman
Acting and Directing Faculty
From mentoring UNCSA Drama students to directing Hamlet under open skies, Carl Forsman’s love of theater is rooted in community. As co-artistic director of Piedmont Shakespeare Company, he’s helping launch a new tradition of accessible, high-caliber performance in the Piedmont Triad — proving that the magic of Shakespeare still belongs to everyone.
Inside Carl's Vision
Make “The Nutcracker” part of your holiday plans
The sweetest holiday tradition returns to the Piedmont Triad for the 60th consecutive year as UNCSA brings “The Nutcracker” to the Steven Tanger Center for the Performing Arts. Create unforgettable memories with family and friends as you celebrate the season with wonder, whimsy and dance!
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