Amber Bartz ’26

Honors student, theatre major, dance and musical theatre minor, and soon-to-be graduate Amber Bartz ’26 has fought fearlessly to pursue her passions during her time at UNCW. As a legally blind student, her story represents the joy, growth and resilience that occurs when passion and purpose align. 

Bartz, from a small town in Brunswick, Maryland, first heard of UNCW through her brother. Upon further research, she felt the university’s values aligned well with her Christian faith. “UNCW just felt right to me,” she said.  

A recipient of the Edward and Pauline Nesselroade Merit Scholarship, the Henry Alexander Martindale Merit Scholarship and the Kathleen Price Bryan Scholarship in Art and Theatre, she found that the university also provided an outlet for another important part of her life: dance. ­  

“I began dancing at age 13 and it has been a huge passion of mine ever since,” she said. “From my first dance class here at UNCW, I was hooked!”   

Originally a dance minor, the community and bliss Bartz found in UNCW’s arts program encouraged her to take a leap of faith and change her major from math to theatre.  

“I went through a couple of major changes before I switched to what I was passionate about all along,” she said. “I didn’t want to admit to myself that I wanted to be a theatre major for so long. I was scared of what others may think or say — especially my family. I had to put all of the puzzle pieces together of what my next steps would be to make this work, and I am glad I did.” 

Dance and theater have helped her through many challenges in her life. Being legally blind has added another layer to those challenges, requiring her to adapt and find creative ways to navigate the stage.  

“Being legally blind has made it more difficult for me to do certain skills like turning as well as picking up choreography,” said Bartz. “This can make my confidence go down, but I try to celebrate small accomplishments like when I have a good balance day or do a really good clean turn.” 

Performing is a large part of Bartz’s life and passions. The student recently completed her honors thesis, “Exploring the Layers of the Unknown,” where she explores the connection between dance and healing. “I have learned that dance is so much more than just leaps and turns, but it can be a pathway to healing,” she wrote in her thesis. “This paper will explore trauma through the lens of Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), how these contribute to PTSD, how the body holds trauma, and how exploring dance and the practice of Somatics helps heal that trauma.” 

Bartz is looking to continue theater after graduating from UNCW in May, attending Sarah Lawrence College just outside New York City. As a performer, she looks forward to the possibilities the big city holds.  

“I am most excited for all of the opportunities New York City has to offer,” she said. “I want to take classes with Steps on Broadway, the Martha Graham Dance Company, New York City Ballet beginner classes, take voice lessons and continue learning opera!” 

Bartz’s story shows the power of following passions, even in the face of obstacles. As she looks ahead, her future is defined not just by promise, but by purpose, resilience and joy.