UNC Charlotte Theatre

Home
United States
Charlotte, NC
UNC Charlotte Theatre

We offer culturally responsive pedagogies and production practices in service of equity, inclusion, diversity and anti-racism.

The Department of Theatre provides a student-focused liberal arts education integrating the values of equity and inclusion to drive vibrant intellectual inquiry, ethical and informed community engagement, and innovative creative research practices. Our curriculum develops theatre artists, scholars and teachers through engagement with current best practices and emerging entrepreneurial methods in p

rofessional theatre. Aligning with the university’s commitment to open-access education, we see theatre education as a path to a career in the professional and educational theatre industries as well as any profession that requires innovation, creative thinking, strategic collaboration and communication skills. We foster an inclusive student community of citizen artists engaged in theatre practices that facilitate community change and social justice through partnerships and collective action. We embrace a wide and inclusive range of approaches to the study and practice of theatre with respect to race, nationality, gender, age, sexuality, ableness, economic status, and disciplinary focus. We center the role of creativity in all of our research modalities and create opportunities for students to develop critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills and to apply them to theatre-making and theatre studies with an ultimate goal of shaping the next generation of creatives/scholars/citizens.

05/28/2026

Congratulations to Distinguished Professor Rob Conkie and theatre major Ariana Zappley on the first public showing of "Shakespeare's Sass," which took place May 13 at Garinger High School. More performances to come!

05/22/2026

We love visiting local schools to share our work!

On May 1, students in theatre professor Beth Murray's “Picture Books Into Theatre” course visited elementary and high school classrooms at Mountain Island Charter School to present classroom drama and playscripts that they adapted this semester from children's picture books.

One group, pictured here, went to the elementary classroom of music teacher Jessi Clarkson.

First, the theatre students shared a process-drama based on the book “The Day the Crayons Quit,” which was planned/scripted by theatre student Erick Flowers and Beth Murray.

Then the ensemble shared three additional scripted pieces: “Knight Owl,” adapted by Mollie Epstein; “The Kissing Hand,” adapted by Ciel Davis; and “Stinky & the Nightmare,” which was adapted by Ava (Teddy) Clarkson from her grandfather’s book.

Other UNC Charlotte theatre students involved include Maddie Crisp, Angelica Keenan, Maxwell Martin, Tina Mendinacelli and Karissa Kimbrell.

05/17/2026

Today we are featuring two recent theatre alumni, Julio Hernandez and Morgan Wakefield!

Like Isabel Gonzalez ’19, Alex Aguilar ’17, and other CoAA alums who have gone before them, Julio and Morgan have found artistic employment at Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.

Earlier this spring, Julio made his company debut, joining Isabel on stage for the production of “Esperanza Rising,” in which he played the prominent role of Miguel. (CoA+A lecturer Gordon Olson was the show’s lighting designer, and recent alum Kat Fletcher was one of the electrician staff!)

Morgan, who already has several credits under her belt, recently completed the run of "Disney's Frozen the Broadway Musical," which music alum Matthew Primm ’09 music directed!

“Julio was fantastic in Esperanza Rising, and Morgan is always a star on our stage and in our education programs,” said Alex Aguilar, who, in addition to occasionally performing is PR and Social Media Manager for Children’s Theatre of Charlotte.

📸 Graham Smith, John Merrick, and Alex Aguilar

05/15/2026

Audition Announcement! This fall the Department of Theatre will present John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberely Belflower, directed by Roxanne Wellington.

The department is inviting submissions from professional actors to audition for the role of Carter Smith in the play.

The production will feature undergraduate performers working alongside a paid guest artist in a collaborative educational environment. Rehearsals begin September 21. Performances will take place November 12-15 at UNC Charlotte and November 20-22 at the Booth Playhouse in Uptown Charlotte.

The role of Carter Smith is mid 30’s, he/him, white, with a rural Georgia accent. A former golden boy, but one of those rare smart and sensitive ones, now he’s a great teacher: charming, engaging, goofy.

Auditions will be held by invitation. For consideration, please submit a headshot and resume to Roxanne Wellington at [email protected]. Subject: “John Proctor Guest Artist Submission.”

05/01/2026

Huge congratulations to recent alum Chloe Shade '22, '25, who has won two national acting awards! 🎭

Chloe has received the national Irene Ryan Acting Scholarship award from the American College Theatre Festival, the organization's highest recognition in the acting discipline, AND the Jane Alexander Emerging Artist Award. She is the first UNC Charlotte student to ever win the awards.

For the competition, Chloe performed a monologue from Dominque Morisseau’s “Paradise Blue” and a scene from of “Intimate Apparel.” Last fall, she played the lead role of Esther in the Department of Theatre’s production of “Intimate Apparel,” but for her audition, she chose the freewheeling Mayme.

In the campus production, Mayme was played by theatre major Jordan Goddard, who served as Shade’s scene partner for the ACTF audition and was also awarded a scholarship.

“Working with Jordan is a blast,” Chloe said. “She’s one of those people who will keep you on your toes. Acting is about experimenting, about taking risks. When you have someone who’s willing to take those risks with you, it’s fun.”

“Chloe and Jordan’s success reflect the university’s commitment to preparing students to compete and thrive on a national stage," said professor Roxanne Wellington, who coached them for the audition.

Since earning her theatre degree, Chloe has worked locally both on stage and behind the scenes. She has acted with companies such as Charlotte Conservatory Theatre, XOXO Theatre and Theatre Charlotteand has served as assistant director for productions at venues such as the Warehouse Performing Arts Center and Theatre Charlotte.

Next season, she will return to Theatre Charlotte to direct Gabriel Jason Dean’s play “Terminus” in March.

Read on ➡️ https://brnw.ch/21x26OF

04/23/2026

Internationally-acclaimed Broadway actor David Hughey visited our musical thetare certificate students earlier this month for an incredible masterclass! 🌟

Hughey's career spans Broadway, television, film and music. Most recently, he starred as Joseph Jackson in "MJ das Michael Jackson Musical" in Germany. He made his Broadway debut in the Tony Award–winning revival of The Gershwins’ "Porgy and Bess," and has since performed in hit shows including "Waitress," "Camelot," and the four time Tony award-winning smash hit, "MJ The Musical."

He has also appeared with the San Francisco Opera, Lyric Opera of Chicago, and New York City Opera, as well as with the New York Philharmonic Orchestra, and has a variety of on screen credits.
David worked with students to refine their ensemble numbers, something the musical theatre class has been focused on this semester, as well as spoke about his performance experience and answered questions about his career.

We are so thankful to have David visit our students!

Don't miss the Musical Theatre Workshop Showcase which will take place in Rowe Recital Hall at 5 pm on Tuesday April 28!
📸 Toby Schuetze

04/20/2026

🎭 Student's play, "Bad News," is showing in the White Box Theater this weekend!

Written and directed by graduating senior Jackie Cooper, "Bad News" follows the story of a seemingly normal suburban family.

Lila and Sam are married with two teenage sons, Kyle and Emmett — but beneath the surface of a family dinner, every single one of them is carrying a secret. As those secrets come to light, what was once a family begins to unravel.

Jackie is graduating this May with her B.A. in Theatre with concentrations in Directing, Dramaturgy, and Dramatic Writing and Design/Tech, with a minor in Dance.

"I am super excited about this production because it came to me as an idea in a playwriting class, and it's so cool to see it go from a simple idea to an entire production!" Jackie shared.

The cast includes students Angelica Keenan, Alex Tolar, Ashani Pendleton, Emma Baker, Nick Ramos, JA Williams, Erick Flowers and Eleanor Zeng.
🗓️ Friday, April 24th — 7:30 p.m.
🗓️ Saturday, April 25th — 3 p.m. & 5 p.m
📍 Rowe 163, White Box Theater

🎟️ FREE tickets: https://brnw.ch/21x1L63

Come support original student work! See you there! 🌟

04/16/2026

It's OPENING NIGHT of the departments of dance, music and theatre's production of "Cabaret!"

You won’t want to miss this hit musical set in 1920s Berlin, where a garish Master of Ceremonies welcomes audiences to forget their troubles at the Cabaret.

Join us April 16-18 at 7:30 p.m. and April 18-19 at 2 p.m.! ➡️ https://charlotteboxoffice.universitytickets.com/

04/09/2026

TWO WEEKS until CoAAPalooza!!! 🚚🎨🎉⁠

Celebrate the end of the semester with your peers in CoA+A with an afternoon of arts activities led by student organizations, games, student performances and, of course, free food!

Participating student organizations include , , .mag, , , , , , .clt49 x , , , , , , , , , , the Society of Urban Design Students and the Dance Department Advisory Group.⁠

Food truck ticket reminder: Tickets are for CoA+A majors only. Visit our check-in tables in the back of Robinson Hall the day of the event to claim yours with your student ID.

We'll see you Thursday, April 23 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Arts Quad!!!

04/02/2026

We did it! 💚 Thank you to all who supported us and helped build student scholarships this !!

Because of you, we were able to... ⤵️

🌟 unlock a generous $3,000 gift from Brent and Amy Sparks' Shared Blessings Project with 49+ gifts to performing arts scholarships

🥁 triple the gifts made to the Pride of Niner Nation Marching Band thanks to alumni couple Gene '73 and Vickie '71, '82 Johnson who matched all gifts 2 to 1 up to $10,000!

🏛️ get all gifts to the David R. Ravin School of Architecture scholarship fund matched dollar for dollar up to $2,000 thanks to proud Niner parents Carl and Allison Ravin

Thank you for building Charlotte together!

Address

9201 University City Boulevard
Charlotte, NC
28223

Telephone

+17046870229

Website

https://theatre.charlotte.edu/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when UNC Charlotte Theatre posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The University

Send a message to UNC Charlotte Theatre:

Shortcuts

Want your university to be the top-listed University in Charlotte?