Admissions

We would love to meet you in person! To arrange a visit to the Department of Theatre, including building tours, contact our main office:

Sue Wilder, Department of Theatre, Administrative Assistant,  910.962.2061

Complimentary tickets to UNCW Department of Theatre productions are available to prospective students and guests upon request. 

Department Visit and Tour

• Prospective students are encouraged to plan a full-day visit to the campus, including a campus tour which typically features the Cultural Arts Building. In addition, scheduling an appointment with the department chair is recommended. Attending a class session may also be arranged.
• While auditioning and portfolio review are not required for admission except for the Early Major program, we invite all prospective students to present work such as a monologue, sample designs, production photos, a prompt book, or a research paper.
• It's helpful for us to know what motivates you to pursue a B.A. theatre degree at UNCW. Be prepared to tell us what interests you about our program and to discuss your professional and artistic goals.
• Once you apply to be admitted into UNCW, be sure to keep us informed about your status, and do not hesitate to contact us with questions at any time.
• If you wish to schedule an appointment to visit the department contact Susan Wilder, or 910.962.2261
• If you wish to schedule an appointment to have a campus tour, contact admissions.

Admission to UNCW and the Department of Theatre’s Early major consists of a dual admission process. While application to the university is through the Office of Admissions, formal admission to the Department of Theatre and its Early major degree options must be made through an Audition/interview Admission process.

The Early Major in Theatre allows students to start their Theatre training beginning in their freshman year instead of waiting until their Sophomore year. Application to the Department of Theatre may be scheduled prior to your application to the University. However, acceptance to the Department of Theatre does not guarantee admission to UNCW.

Every applicant interested in being accepted into the Early Theatre Major at UNCW is also required to audition/interview before you are selected for acceptance into the theatre program.

Audition/Portfolio/Interview Information

An interview is required for all early major students.

All students will be interviewed as part of the early major process. During the interview we will discuss what experience you have, what your career goals are and why you are interested in majoring in Theatre at UNCW.

Audition Monologue: Required for Performance Concentration, Optional for Theatre Studies Concentration

Actors have 60-120 seconds to present a monologue. All auditionees are required to perform a monologue from a PLAY. The following tips may be helpful as you are preparing your monologue:

• Choose a piece from a play rather than a film, monologue book or website
• Must be memorized
• Read and have knowledge of the play that the piece is from
• Do not perform a self-written monologue
• Choose a character that is close to your age
• No use of props or costumes
• Time yourself beforehand so you are comfortable with the time limit and do not have to rush. Allow yourself ample rehearsal time. You can never be too prepared! Remember; confidence is the key to shaking your nerves!

Portfolio Review: Required of Design/Technical and Theatre Studies Concentration

Be prepared to discuss your training, course work, production experience, hobbies and interests.

Your portfolio should be a visual representation of your work and interests. You can bring drawings, photos, models, prompt books, PowerPoint Presentations, etc. We are not looking for polished portfolios but rather we are interested in what your experiences have been thus far and what your goals are for the future. If you plan to use a laptop, be sure to bring an extension cord as well as the device (no computers will be provided).

Review the following tips for a successful portfolio presentation:

• Present work that caters to the area of study you would like to pursue
• Think “outside the box” when determining how/what you will be presenting
• If you’re interested in Set Design, include images of your scenery, painting, designs or plans
• If you’re interested in Costuming, include production photos, swatches, actual costumes or sketches
• If you’re interested in Lighting, include production photos, lighting plots, visual research or story boards
• If you’re interested in Stage Management/ Technical Direction, include photos of productions you have directed/stage managed, scripts with blocking, rehearsal schedules, concepts or show research
• If you’re interested in our Custom Option, then your portfolio should reflect your area of interest.

Audition/interview applications should be submitted, if possible, two weeks prior to the requested audition date. Applications can be found by emailing Robin Post or Katherine Montwieler. 

Auditions for Fall 2025 entry will be schedule for early Spring 2025. Please contact Department Chair Katherine Montwieler for more information or to schedule a different date and time.

An audition/interview or portfolio review is highly recommended, but not required for transfer students. However, the audition/interview help us place you in the correct classes and degree concentrations. Contact the Chair of the Department for more information or visit the Admissions webpage.

Transfer students can matriculate directly into the theatre major. 

• The Audition/Interview is highly recommended but not required for current UNCW students. However, the audition/interview will help us place you in the correct classes and degree concentrations. Contact the Chair of the Department for more information.
• Students declare their major through the student portal located on MySeaport.
• We strongly advise first-year students planning to major in theatre to begin taking classes in theatre during the fall semester of their first year. 
• First-year students are eligible to audition for department productions, and to participate in Department events.
• As a first-year student, you are a member of University College, and can declare your major only after completing 24 credits. Most majors declare in their second semester of their first year.
• We know it can be easy to feel a little lost in that first year of college, so once you've arrived on campus (or before), let us know you are here. We would be honored to guide your first year experience at UNCW!

Scholarships & Departmental Awards

These scholarships are for current Theatre majors. The call for scholarship applications is due each year in the spring semester (UNCW Office of Financial Aid/Scholarships webpage.)

The Department of Theatre is proud to announce recipients of 2023-2024 theatre scholarships:

• Kathleen Price Bryan Scholarship – Megan Morley, Wes Dunn & Sarah Stultz
• The Doug Swink Scholarship – MaryBeth Burgess & Victoria Gibson
• The Nikkita Donyal Johnson Diversity Scholarship – E.C. Cobb-Curtis
• The Terry Rogers Award – Natalie Dill

Departmental Awards

• Most Valuable Player Design and Technology – Ariel Palmer
• Most Improved Design and Technology – Mary Beth Burgess
• Most Improved Performance – Sarah Stultz & Rachel Wilson
• Most Valuable Player(s) Performance – Zach Harris & Lilly Ferguson
• Rookie(s) of the Year – Gracyn Hall & Quentin Proulx
• Best All Around – Megan Morley
• Academic Achievement – Elliot Stanford