Special Opportunities

WORKSHOPS, MASTER CLASSES, and INTERACTIVE SEMINARS


Class with Actor Daniel Tolbert '10
Friday, October 13, 2023 at 12:20 PM | Robinson 103


The Department of Theatre welcomes UNC Charlotte Theatre alumnus Daniel Tolbert, who has made a career as an actor in Los Angeles.

The program will consist of a “Show & Tell” class in which Daniel will talk about his journey from the UNC Charlotte Theatre Department to his career as a working actor. He will speak about what it is like working in the heart of the entertainment industry and about the many projects he has been in, such as Wild West ChroniclesSingle BellsNeurotic Beauty, and Chameleon. This class will be held on October 13 at 12:20- 1:10pm and is open to the College community.

Following this class, there will also be a reception held in the main lobby of Robinson Hall, 1:15 pm-2:00 pm. Refreshments will be served, and students who could not attend the class will have a chance to meet and talk with Daniel. 

Seating for the class is first come, first served. All students and faculty are welcome to attend. 

Eric Woodall, Artistic Director of the North Carolina Theatre/Broadway Casting Director
November 8, 2023, at 4:00 PM | Black Box Theater

The UNC Charlotte Theatre Department will be hosting Eric Woodall, Artistic Director of the North Carolina Theatre (NCT) in Raleigh and former Broadway casting director on Wednesday, November 8. Woodall will be leading an audition workshop and Q & A, followed by a meet & greet reception. 

The workshop will be from 4:00- 5:30 p.m. in the Robinson Hall Black Box Theater. During the workshop, Woodall will offer a public coaching session with select students interested in receiving feedback on their audition pieces.  He will also share information about his work as Artistic Director at NCT, his years of experience as a Broadway casting director, and answer student questions.  A meet and greet reception will follow from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.  in the Robinson Lobby.  Light snacks and beverages will be served.

Past Programs

Prince of Morocco Scenes Workshop

Friday, February 18, 2022 at 2 PM | Rowe 163

This workshop/discussion of the Prince of Morocco scenes, led by UNC Charlotte Assistant Professor Chris Berry, is an actor approach to act 2 scene 1 and act 2 scene 7 in which we will examine the text for ideas and performance approaches to a section of the play which foregrounds race and Otherness. Six students will work with faculty on the scenes through conversation and rehearsal in front of a live audience, concluding with an open discussion of the issues and strategies raised. Click here to register for this opportunity.

Chris Berry is an actor, director, professor, and dialect coach. He received his BFA in Acting from North Carolina A&T (‘08) and his MFA in acting from  Brown University/Trinity rep (‘11). He serves as the Vice President of the Black Theatre Network and also serves as the Program Director of the Black Arts Institute, a partnership between the Billie Holiday Theatre and Stella Adler Studio of acting. His dialect coaching work includes P-Valley (Starz), The Hot Wing King (The Signature Theatre, Off-Broadway), Heels (Pre-Production, Starz). As the Vice President of the Black Theatre Network, he has planned two national conferences, Black Theatre: Unapologetically Black (Winston-Salem, 2019) and Black Theatre: Radical Longevity (2020, Postponed until 2022). He has also planned the Black Theatre Network's online event Black Theatre Week. As an actor, he has had the pleasure to work at The Eugene O'Neill Theatre Center, Playmakers Repertory Company, The National Black Theatre, Trinity Repertory Company as well as many others.

Theatre of the Oppressed NY Residency

March 17, 2022 | Black Box Theater

·      10:00 - 11:30 AM | Workshop #1 in Rowe 206 

Facilitators Sulu LeoNimm and Julian Pimiento will engage the group in the core exercises from the arsenal of Theatre of the Oppressed. These theatre games encourage “de-mechanization” of the body and the mind, specifically looking at patterns of action and thought that we have been taught by society, or into which we are forced without choice, towards identifying patterns that we want to change. The activities will also guide the participants to identify and explore systems of power and how they are present in our interactions and communities. (90 minutes)

·      4:00 - 5:30 PM | Workshop #2 in Rowe 206

Facilitators Sulu LeoNimm and Julian Pimiento will demonstrate the tool of Forum Theatre and guide participants through development of their own short scenes to use for collective strategy-building, and participants will be able to use the Forum model to explore creative tactics that apply to these scenes. (90 minutes)

CAREER DEVELOPMENT 


College of Arts + Architecture Career Expo: Creative CONNECT

Thursday, March 3, 2021, at 11 AM | Storrs Gallery

Our 5th annual networking event for creatives and will include arts and design professionals who work in all five disciplines of the COA+A including Art, Music, Dance, Theatre, and Architecture. Students will have a valuable opportunity to mingle with these professionals and learn more about programs within these organizations where they can get more involved through volunteering, internships, part-time or full-time employment. A few of participating organizations include the Arts and Science Council, Charlotte Ballet, Little Diversified, McColl Center for Art + Innovation, Opera Carolina, and many more! This year’s event will be virtual and run through a platform called HopIn, so faculty and students can network in the comfort of their homes! More information about this event will be shared soon.

National Theatre Institute Information Session

February 11, 2022 | Robinson 205

With a singular schedule and an unmatched breadth of training, the National Theater Institute’s six semester-long programs offer students a springboard to the professional world at the two-time tony award-winning Eugene O’Neill Theater Center. Founded in 1970, NTI’s credit-earning theater intensives—taught by industry professionals and master teachers—train actors, singers, directors, dancers, designers, playwrights and composers.

Senior Head Shots with Megan Dougherty

April 2022 | Robinson Hall Front Lobby

More information coming soon!

FIELD TRIPS & CONFERENCES


Student Trip to the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF) Region IV

February 1-5, 2022 | Virtual Event

Student actors, designers, directors and dramaturgs will showcase and compete at the KCACTF event virtually this year. Students will also participate in a wide array of workshops, lectures, and performances.

Student Trip to the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC)

March 9-13, 2022 | Memphis, TN

Theatre majors will travel to Memphis, Tennessee for the annual Southeastern Theatre Conference in order to participate in a wide array of workshops, lectures, performances and informational sessions on graduate programs in theatre.

Student Trip to Shakespeare Theatre Company

March 25-27, 2022 | Washington, DC

A student trip to Washington DC to see The Merchant of Venice at The Shakespeare Theatre Company/Theatre for a New Audience and to visit museums and historical sites. The Department of Theatre will cover the student’s train travel, hotel and theatre ticket. Space is limited; preference will be given to students who have attended at least two events in the Shakespeare and Inclusivity series. Click here to apply for this opportunity.

Students must apply by the deadline of February 18, 2022

SHOWCASES & PORTFOLIO/REVIEW FORUMS


Department of Theatre Portfolio Review

Friday, December 10 at 2 PM | Robinson 205

Any student who is interested in designing, assistant designing, or holding a major production role for a department production must attend in order to be considered.  All students currently enrolled in a section of THEA 4610, or wishing to receive credit next spring, must present a portfolio. In addition, any student who is interested in trying to develop a design or technical portfolio is highly encouraged to attend in order to observe, ask questions, and gain valuable insight into what makes a successful theatre portfolio. Faculty and Students are welcome to observe.

CELEBRATIONS


December Grads Celebration and Winter Holiday Party

Wednesday, December 8, 2021 at 6 PM | Black Box Theater

May Grads Celebration and End-of-Year Party

Tuesday, May 3, 2022 at 6 PM | Black Box Theater

It’s time to party! Theatre students and faculty gather to celebrate the year and to honor our graduating seniors with special commendations (delivered by the faculty) along with student-led awards and activities.

THEATRE PASSPORT FREE TICKET SERIES


The PASSPORT Free Ticket Series offers UNC Charlotte Theatre majors the opportunity to attend a variety of professional theatre productions in Charlotte. Each semester we purchase tickets to wide variety of performances including plays, musicals, opera, children’s theater, and interdisciplinary/devised work. Participating students are encouraged to share their opinions about the shows with faculty and student colleagues.

SPECIAL PERFORMANCE OPPORTUNITIES


UNC Charlotte Commedia Players

Under the artistic leadership of Assistant Professor of Physical Theatre, Carlos Cruz, Theater majors have the opportunity to audition for this special traveling performance company appearing each fall at the Carolina Renaissance Festival. Over the course of eight weekend, our student commedia troupe performs for thousands of visitors to the festival. For more information on auditioning for the UNC Charlotte Commedia Players, please contact Professor Cruz at CarlosCruz@charlotte.edu.