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Alumnus and Academy Award-winner Paul Tazewell to speak at UNCSA Commencement on May 17

Academy Award-winning costume designer and UNCSA alumnus Paul Tazewell will deliver the 2025 commencement address on May 17 at the Benton Convention Center. As the first Black man to win an Oscar for costume design, he has shaped visual storytelling for over 30 years.

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Alumnus Paul Tazewell makes history as first Black man to win Academy Award for best costume design, for "Wicked"

Paul Tazewell made history as the first Black man to win the Academy Award for Best Costume Design for "Wicked." Tazewell, whose groundbreaking career spans Broadway, film, television and opera, is the first UNCSA alum to win an Oscar.

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What's next for Oscar winner Troy Kotsur? Acting, advocacy and big screen dreams

Oscar winner Troy Kotsur reflects on his journey--from CODA to breaking barriers in Hollywood. He shares his acting philosophy, dream roles, and advice for young artists while advocating for more Deaf representation in the industry. Watch his inspiring story.

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Building the future of the arts

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Empower emerging artists who will shape the future of creativity

UNCSA is building the future of the arts by educating the next generation of creative innovators. With extraordinary accomplishments propelling us, we are poised to reach new heights.

Alumni Success

From backstage to the limelight, discover how UNCSA alumni are making their mark in the world.

School of Design & Production alumnus Paul Tazewell (B.F.A. '86) has designed countless costumes for both stage and screen and is the first Black man to receive the Academy award for costume design for his work on "Wicked."

Though many know Visual Arts alumna Hunter Schafer (H.S. '17) for her “Euphoria” work, fans can now see her on the big screen in her first big-screen debut, the highly anticipated film “The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes.”

From Broadway and TV to podcasts, it’s safe to say that School of Drama alumnus Wesley Taylor (B.F.A. '08) likes to stay busy. Most recently, he joined the cast of the Emmy-winning Hulu original series "Only Murders in the Building."

Jessica McJunkins

School of Music alumna Jessica McJunkins (B.M. '09) has shared the stage with symphonies, ensembles and music royalty — including Beyonce, Jay-Z and Stevie Wonder.

School of Design & Production alumnus Randy Rees' current career is out of this world. No, literally. The 1999 graduate is helping SpaceX revolutionize space technology and is using his UNCSA training to do it.

Every day, visual Arts alumnus Connor Matz (H.S. '12) blends together his love of fashion and visual arts at work as visual windows and interior director for Saks Fifth Avenue’s flagship store in Manhattan.

School of Filmmaking alumnus Danny McBride (B.F.A '99) delivers laughs and thrills as a multi-faceted filmmaker. His recent work includes executive producer of the "Halloween" reboot and creator and star of "The Righteous Gemstones."

From UNCSA to Broadway and beyond, choreographer and School of Dance alumna Camille A. Brown (B.F.A. '01) stays true to her own voice as her vision grows.