Official page for the BFA and MFA program in Sound Design in the School of Design and Production at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts
The BFA and MFA program in theatre sound design at the UNC School of the Arts is one of the few programs in the country that allow you to major in sound design for all four years. The in-depth training and increasing level of skill acquisition is heavily practically-based and production-oriented. Each student will usually undertake three major production assignments each year, spread across Dance, Drama, Musicals and Opera, as well as numerous smaller production assignments.
02/19/2026
Kai Machuca, BFA Sound Design 2024, was recently interviewed for this article in American Theatre magazine about his transition from college into the profession. Kai talks a lot about his experience studying sound design at UNCSA and the cool work he does now with Videlio HMS!
Grad Expectations Theatre students from the class of 2024 tell us how they’re faring in a changing market.
02/04/2026
Congratulations to UNCSA Sound Design alumnus Brett Jarvis for his work as the sound designer on Masquerade. Check out this article where he talks about the new technology and system design that he and UNCSA Lighting alumnus Sean Beach invented to make this production possible!
Refreshed, Modern & Engaging: The Innovative Design For An Immersive Adaptation Of "Phantom of the Opera" - ProSoundWeb The sound team for the production of "Masquerade" in New York City provides a behind-the-scenes look at their approach for a “reactive” theater performance that doesn't follow a preset order or structure.
11/04/2025
Congratulations to UNCSA Sound Design graduate Rebecca Sullins, now an AV Living Legend!
AmpThink's Rebecca Sullins: AV Living Legends #76 Rebecca Sullins, senior design engineer at AmpThink, is the latest industry rockstar to join the Commercial Integrator .
09/26/2025
What sets UNCSA School of Design and Production apart from the rest? See below to find out!
08/22/2025
Sound Design student gains skills and connections at Santa Fe Opera Brooke Santiago spent three months as an audio-visual apprentice at the Santa Fe Opera, learning complex sound systems, operating shows and working alongside industry professionals. The opportunity, discovered through UNCSA’s Industry Connections initiative, deepened Santiago’s technical experti...
11/11/2024
Veterans Bryce Arter and Alexander Ekker reflect on their journey from the military to the arts Students from diverse backgrounds come together at UNCSA to pursue conservatory training in the arts. For veterans like Bryce Arter and Alexander Ekker, the journey from military service to creative education is a unique path. Their experiences shape their approaches to acting and sound design, merg...
04/20/2024
Check out the music video from D&P Sound Design alumnus Dan Gomez’ new song with his band Botta. Awesome work Dan! UNCSA School of Design and Production, Botta, University of North Carolina School of the Arts
Botta - Niña Gris (Official Video) Get ready to be transported by the soul-stirring melodies of Botta, the award-winning singer-songwriter Spanglish band, as they make their return after a six...
02/21/2024
12/21/2023
How 'Elf's' burp became legendary: UNCSA's Wade Wilson shares insider details Wade Wilson, UNCSA Sound Design faculty and 'Elf' Head Sound Designer, unravels the brilliance of Buddy's 12-second burp. Wilson discusses the scene's creation with sound design student Courtney Jones, revealing the intricacies of creating a belch that defies biology.
08/24/2023
Exploring underwater depths with immersive sound design Sound design students every year at UNCSA create an immersive soundscape experience for audiences with state-of-the-art technology. Immersive sound design en...
08/24/2023
Unique project pairs cutting-edge technology and creative sound design In the spring of 2022, fourth-year sound designer Nora Cuthbertson became the first student in the United States to tell a story utilizing only sound and exclusive cutting-edge technology. Discover her boundary-breaking Soundscapes project that scales large concert sound equipment and engineering (t...
04/11/2024