University of North Carolina School of the Arts

05/26/2026

The Hollywood Reporter has once again ranked the UNCSA School of Drama No. 3 — No. 1 for public institutions — on its list of the "Top 25 Drama Schools in the World" for the fourth year in a row.

The ranking highlights UNCSA Drama’s industry-driven training under Dean John Langs, including a strong focus on on-camera work, career preparation and professional connections that help shape employable artists for today’s entertainment landscape. The publication also recognized the success of current students and alumni working across film, television and theater.

See why UNCSA continues to be recognized among the world’s leading drama schools. https://bit.ly/2026-thr-rank

05/22/2026

From Winston-Salem to New York City, three UNCSA School of Dance graduates from the class of 2025 are launching their professional careers in a major way.

Through the inaugural Fellows at Limon Dance Company program, Naya Gonzalez, Cailee Harvey, and Kyriaki Christoforou joined Limón2 for the 2025–26 season, immersing themselves in the legacy of one of the world’s most influential companies.

This partnership between the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, UNCSA, and the José Limón Dance Foundation creates meaningful pathways for , connecting them with mentorship, professional experience and creative communities that shape the future of the arts.

“This Fellowship deepens the relationship between the José Limón Dance Foundation, UNCSA and the Kenan Institute for the Arts while building necessary bridges for the next generation of artists to find their artistic homes.” — Dante Puleio

Read more about their journey and what this experience means for their careers ⤵️

Three UNCSA dance graduates launch their professional journeys as inaugural Kenan Arts Fellows with Limón2 in New York City. Through intensive training, performance and mentorship, the fellowship connects conservatory preparation to real-world experience, helping emerging artists refine their voice...

05/22/2026

UNCSA alumni are taking center stage in Washington, D.C.

Several graduates from the School of Drama and UNCSA School of Design and Production were honored at the 2026 ; one of the nation’s top recognitions for theater excellence.

This year’s winners include:
▪️ David Gow (B.F.A. ’16), Outstanding Lead Performer for The Inheritance, Parts One and Two
▪️ Stephen Kime (B.F.A. ’17), Outstanding Supporting Performer for The Margriad
▪️ Justin Schmitz (M.F.A. ’15), Outstanding Sound Design for hang

We also celebrate alumni nominees Nadir Bey and Ro Boddie for their outstanding work on the D.C. stage.

Congratulations to these artists for continuing to shape the future of theater!

Several alumni of the schools of Design and Production (D&P) and Drama at UNCSA have won Helen Hayes Awards , Washington, D.C.’s equivalent of New York’s Tony Awards for outstanding theater.

05/19/2026

“You did it.” 🎓

At UNCSA’s 60th Commencement, School of Drama alumna and award-winning casting director Tiffany Little Canfield, CSA, encouraged the Class of 2026 to embrace “a life of authenticity” — challenging graduates to resist fear, engage deeply with their art and keep telling meaningful stories.

“You are evolving … you are going to change,” Canfield shared. “If you lean into the experience, challenge yourself to put positivity into the world, engage in art in a meaningful way, you will have an authentic life and be on the artist’s journey.”

Read more about Canfield’s inspiring address and the celebration of UNCSA’s newest graduates. ⤵️

Award-winning casting director and School of Drama alumna Tiffany Little Canfield, CSA, encouraged graduates at UNCSA's 60th Commencement to pursue “a life of authenticity,” urging the Class of 2026 to resist fear, embrace change and remain committed to meaningful artistic lives.

05/18/2026

381 new alumni. One unforgettable Class of 2026. 🎓✨

From performers and filmmakers to designers, musicians and storytellers, this year’s graduating class represents creativity from across the country and around the world.

Congratulations to the newest UNCSA alumni as they take their next steps on stages, sets, studios and beyond.

05/18/2026

What a weekend celebrating the incredible Class of 2026! 🎓

From memorable speeches and proud family moments to crossing the stage and turning tassels, Commencement was filled with joy, creativity and accomplishment.

Take a look back at some highlights from our University and High School ceremonies 📸

Missed the livestream or want to relive the moment? Watch the recorded ceremonies on our website: https://bit.ly/42CeyM9

05/16/2026

Today’s the day! 🎓✨

Join us in celebrating the UNCSA Class of 2026 by tuning into our live Commencement broadcasts.

University Commencement — 10 a.m.
High School Commencement — 2:30 p.m.

Whether you’re cheering on a graduate from across the country or right here in Winston-Salem, you can be part of the celebration from anywhere.

Watch live here ⬇️

Welcome to Commencement at UNCSA! This website provides information to keep students, faculty, staff and guests up-to-date about the Commencement ceremonies — including details about deadlines, regalia, ceremony information, and more!

05/16/2026

Before they cross the Commencement stage, get to know a few of the extraordinary artists behind the UNCSA Class of 2026.

These graduate profiles highlight six students whose paths through UNCSA were defined by passion, perseverance and artistic growth — from Carnegie Hall performances to film production design and beyond.

Read more about their journeys ⤵️

A screenwriter advocating for authentic representation, a visual artist discovering the power of personal storytelling, a dancer stepping into a professional ballet career, a musical theatre artist inspiring hope through original work and a bassoonist preparing for global impact — these are just a...

05/15/2026

Graduating Filmmaking student Karim Fatkhutdinov has always been fascinated by the power of physical spaces. Growing up in Guangzhou, China, he spent hours riding the subway just for fun, watching the city evolve around him through constant innovation and development.

That fascination led this to the production design concentration in the UNCSA School of Filmmaking, and is carrying him into his next chapter in Chicago, where he’ll join Agency EA’s creative team as a spatial designer.

For Fatkhutdinov, it all comes back to the same question: how do you tell a story through a physical space?

Learn more about Fatkhutdinov's journey ⤵️

Filmmaking graduate Karim Fatkhutdinov has always been fascinated by the power of physical spaces. That fascination led him to the production design concentration in UNCSA’s School of Filmmaking, and is carrying him into his next chapter as a spatial designer for Agency EA in Chicago. It all comes...

05/14/2026

From watching her mother teach dance classes as a toddler to performing powerful contemporary works at UNCSA, Candace Vann’s artistic journey has always been rooted in creativity, connection and growth. 💫

Now preparing for graduation, this reflects on the mentors, performances and community that challenged her to grow both as an artist and as a person.

See how UNCSA helped shape her next chapter ⤵️

UNCSA School of Dance graduate Candace Vann reflects on the mentors, performances and creative community that shaped her artistic voice and prepared her for a future in contemporary dance.