Our mission is to provide high level education and training in theatre art within the context of a liberal arts environment. Our 43 credit hour B.A.
Welcome to the Department of Theatre at UNCW. We are thrilled to make our home in 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 ar
ts thrive in a beautiful coastal setting that is home to both an active film industry and growing television market. 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 SHOWBUSINESS. Whether that is in live theatre, film, television or a host of other fields, students will learn the essential skills needed. All Theatre majors take a common core of courses that introduce them to a full range of dramatic study-courses in Western Theatre History, Stagecrafts, Script Analysis, and Beginning Acting. Majors then choose one of three tracks or "options" within the major, depending upon their interests. Students interested in acting usually choose the "Performance" track, which trains them in Voice and Movement, Improvisation, Stage Combat, and other areas of theatrical performance. Students interested in behind-the-scenes production choose the "Design and Technology" track of the major. They work on building sets, designing lighting, creating costumes, and other aspects of theatrical design. Still other students major in a "Customized" track, which helps them develop as directors, playwrights, stage managers, and other theatrical professionals. 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. gives our students the flexibility to complete a second major. We offer an interesting selection of courses and various production opportunities on our two stages. While most of our majors envision careers in the theatre, our program at UNCW is not a "studio" or "conservatory" training ground. Instead, it is a concentration within a broadly-based liberal arts curriculum. Just as not all students who major in Philosophy are expected to become philosophers after graduation, Theatre majors are not trained narrowly for careers on the stage. As Theatre majors, they are required to study all aspects of stagecraft, the history of theatre in western culture, dramatic literature, and other dimensions of theatrical production. Through our course of study, they learn skills that will help them in any profession: critical thinking, research, problem-solving, oral and written communication, and working with others in a creative enterprise that requires dedication, innovation, and timeliness. As students in the College of Arts and Sciences at UNCW, our majors are also required to study Mathematics and the Natural Sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology, Geography, Computer Science, Mathematics & Statistics, Environmental Studies); Social and Behavioral Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology); Humanities (Philosophy, Foreign Languages, International Studies, Religion, History, Literature); the Fine Arts (Music, Art and Art History, Film Studies, Creative Writing, and Theatre); and Physical Education (Sports, Dance, and Physical Fitness). In a tradition that goes back to ancient Greece and Rome, our students graduate as well-versed and well-rounded citizens. We are proud that many of our acting graduates have been successful in landing roles in feature films and television such as Munich and End of Spear, as well as television shows such as Homeland and One Tree Hill. Other students have built their careers in theatres such as San Diego's Old Globe or have signed on with major agencies in New York City. Some of our most recent grads have found new homes in top-notch graduate programs. We ask that our students bring a strong sense of commitment to excellence and a passion for the theatre. We can then help them hone their skills to achieve their dreams. Our students have many opportunities to perform, design, and/or work backstage once they matriculate into the program. Please contact Office Assistant, Susan Wilder at (910) 962-2061, if you would like to set up an appointment to discuss your further interests in our Department of Theatre.
04/30/2026
UNCW Theatre Department is excited to announce its 2026-2027 Season! 🎭 Mark your calendars... 🗓
✨ Fall 2026 ✨
The Wolves
by Sarah DeLappe
Directed by Christopher Marino
September 24-28 and October 1-4, 2026
The Reunion in Tauris
Written and Directed by Marshall Botvinik
November 12-15 and 22-25, 2026
✨ Spring 2027 ✨
Rodgers & Hammerstein's Cinderella
(Enchanted Edition)
Music by Richard Rodgers
Book and Lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein II
Adapted for the Stage by Tom Briggs
From the Teleplay by Robert L. Freedman
Directed by Elizabeth Wellman
February 11-14 and 21-24, 2027
By the Bog of Cats
by Marina Carr
Directed by Robin Post
April 15-18 and 22-25, 2027
UNCW Things to do Wilmington Whats Up Wilmington
04/29/2026
Well, that's all, folks! The UNCW Theatre Department has closed its '25-'26 Season! 🎭 Happy LDOC to all students, faculty, and staff. To celebrate, let us reminisce with some fun moments within the school year! ✨🎟
Please join us in congratulating Professor Max Lydy on receiving the CHSSA Faculty Service Award, which recognizes his exceptional dedication to our students, commitment to excellence, and outstanding service to CHSSA, the university, and the broader community.
As our Technical Director and Sound Designer, Professor Lydy continues to reflect a deep commitment to collaboration, leadership, and meaningful engagement.
So well deserved, Max!
UNCW UNCW College of Humanities, Social Sciences, and the Arts
04/26/2026
"Oh, how I do love having birthday cake for breakfast!" 🎂
It's time to celebrate! The cast and crew of Crimes of the Heart had a wonderful second weekend of performances! Here's to closing! 🍋✨
"Oh, Lenny! Have you bought your tickets?" 🎟 ✨ Two more opportunities to see Crimes of the Heart ☎
Friendly reminder: To avoid ticket reseller scams, buy directly from the Cultural Arts Building box office or online ticketing through the official UNCW Arts website (link in bio!). 🎂
Babe Magrath may need some help with her alibi... 🍋
Have you bought your tickets? 🎟 ✨ Friendly reminder: To avoid ticket reseller scams, buy directly from the Cultural Arts Building box office or online ticketing through the official UNCW Arts website. 🎂
We're ready! In just a few hours, our cast and crew of Crimes of the Heart will continue their SECOND WEEK of shows! 🎭 🍋 Buy your tickets now while they last! 🎟 ✨
CONGRATS to the cast and crew for a fantastic first weekend of Crimes of the Heart! ✨🎂 It's time to introduce our team players from behind the scenes:
📝 Ella Yousik '27 (Stage Manager) says that she hopes the audience walks away appreciating the humor that can be found in morbid situations.
📞 Lillian Schmitt '27 (Assistant Stage Manager) says that she hopes the audience walks away understanding the importance of a support system through family, by blood or found.
Have you bought your tickets? 🎟 ✨ Friendly reminder: To avoid ticket reseller scams, buy directly from the Cultural Arts Building box office or online ticketing through the official UNCW Arts website (link in bio!). 🎂
UNCW Whats Up Wilmington Things to do Wilmington
04/19/2026
"Lenny! Yoo hoo, Lenny!" That's a wrap on week one! ✨☎🎂
Have you bought your tickets? 🎟 ✨ Friendly reminder: To avoid ticket reseller scams, buy directly from the Cultural Arts Building box office or online ticketing through the official UNCW Arts website. 🎂
Have you bought your tickets? 🎟 ✨ Friendly reminder: To avoid ticket reseller scams, buy directly from the Cultural Arts Building box office or online ticketing through the official UNCW Arts website. 🎂
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