UNCW Theatre

🎼 The UNCW Department of Theatre is wishing Opera Wilmington Happy Opening of Puccini’s Tosca! Congratulations to Director Nancy King, the insanely talented cast (which includes UNCW students and faculty), Max Lydy and Department of Theatre production crew for the truly magnificent set design, Mark Sorensen and Department of Theatre costume crew for the gorgeous costumes, Nancy Carson, our Dance Minor Coordinator, for choreography, Music Director Daniel Brier, Chorusmaster Aaron Peisner, the orchestra and the Opera Camp students. 🎼 Tickets are still available at the link in our bio!

🎭🏡 : Meet Dr. Elizabeth Wellman 📚, our Theatre History genius, as she unveils the rich knowledge within our classroom spaces! 🎭📖

🎭🏡 : Meet Mark D. Sorensen, our brilliant Professor of Costume Design, as he takes us behind the scenes in the costume studio! Discover the artistry and craftsmanship that bring our characters to life. ✂️👗🌟

Rounding out our Summer Scripts series with Dr. Grimes is 'The Birthday Party' by Harold Pinter.

We hope you've enjoyed our plays by the poolside! Let us know what you think below! ⬇️😎🏝️

⛵️🏄 Our summer of scripts continues!

"Chek" out 'The Three Sisters' by Anton Chekhov for your next seaside script session. 😉🦀🪸

☀️ Next up on Summer Scripts! 'The Writer' by Ella Hickson.

Start a chat in the comments about your favorite script so far and why! ⬇️💬📚

On today's edition of Summer Scripts with Dr. Grimes: 'Endgame' by Samuel Beckett.

Join Shakespeare in his poolside perusing this summer and *dive* into these scripts! 🌊📖🏝️

Kicking off our off-season series: Summer Scripts with our very own Dr. Grimes ☀️📚

Today we feature 'Iphigenia in Splott' by Gary Owen. Give it a read in your time off! ⛱️😎🎭

Ready for your time to shine in the spotlight? 🎤🎭🌟

Sign up for our first CAB After Hours of the 2024-2025 school year, happening September 10th! Visit the link in our bio to complete the sign up form. 🔗📲

Senior Spotlight:
Name: Megan Brown
Hometown: Burgaw, NC

Favorite UNCW Theatre Project: Playing Crow #5 in A Murder of Crows and Stage Managing Rumors: A Farce.

Fun Fact: Megan was a clogger at Cripple Creek Corner for almost 20 years!

“UNCW Theatre has been an amazing part of my life for giving me the opportunities to get out of my shel and explore the different parts of being in a production. All the people I have met through being a part of this program have given me memories and friendships that I will cherish for my entire life!"

Megan plans to attend the Disney College Program following graduation.



📸: Megan as the Sound Board Operator for UNCW's Dinner Party

on Instagram
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Senior Spotlight:
Name: Elizabeth Montgomery
Hometown: Outer Banks, NC

Favorite UNCW Theatre Project: Chris Gorman in Rumors or Cecily Cardew in Earnest

Fun Fact: Elizabeth has a mean British accent!

“This department has provided me with more love and support than I could describe in one sitting. The friends I've made in this department and the experiences I've had working on shows and being in classes have taught me so much about myself and theatre.”

Elizabeth plans to move to Atlanta in the new year and eventually make her way to New York!


📸: Elizabeth as Cecily Cardew in UNCW's The Importance of Being Earnest
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bizbeth959.wixsite.com/my-site-1
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Senior Spotlight:
Name: Quentin Proulx
Hometown: Wilmington, NC

Favorite UNCW Theatre Project: Dracula & one-person shows in Christopher Marino's Shakespeare class.

Fun Fact: Quentin is an old dog that can learn new tricks & he can juggle swords and fire!

"UNCW Theatre has given me a solid foundation in our craft. I have learned so much from all my teachers and fellow students. It has changed my view of the theatre arts."

Quentin will be shooting a film during the summer and working on building his film/television resume. He also plans to hike the Appalachian Trail!



📸: Quentin as The Servant in Electra

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Senior Spotlight:
Name: Mary Beth Burgiss
Hometown: Laurel Springs, NC

Favorite UNCW Theatre Project: Designing costumes for Rumors

Fun Fact: Mary Beth's favorite road to drive is Hwy 18, climbing the Wilkes Mountain on the way into Sparta, NC.

“The people here are so special to me. Students and professors alike are so supportive and kind of every idea and endeavor, and I wouldn't trade these connections for the world.”

Mary Beth is currently on the lookout for paid costuming opportunities in Wilmington for the fall, but in the summer, she will be a camp counselor!



📸: Mary Beth participating in UNCW's Garden Club
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Senior Spotlight:
Name: Emma Fullen
Hometown: Concord, NC

Favorite UNCW Theatre Project: Hosting CAB After Hours

Fun Fact: Emma knows the entire Bella Thorne TTI monologue by heart!

“UNCW Theatre has made me more confident and has shown me who I truly am. I have made the best of friends that I'll have in my life forever.”

Emma plans to start working in the film industry in Wilmington following graduation.



📸: Emma hosting CAB After Hours
on Instagram
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A glass of sherry, Lane, for a perfectly delightful closing weekend of The Importance of Being Earnest at UNCW. 🍷✨

Congratulations to our wonderful cast and crew for an *earnestly* brilliant last few performances! 👏🎭

Senior Spotlight:
Name: Abbey Spiva
Hometown: Maiden, NC

Favorite UNCW Theatre Project: Midnight Reflections—A DIS project with Dr. Wellman

Fun Fact: Abbey is the first person to graduate with the Musical Theatre Minor! Go Abbey!

“I transferred to UNCW my Sophmore year and it was one of the best decisions I have ever made! I am forever grateful for the time I spent in the UNCW theatre department, and I'm so glad that I've found something that makes saying goodbye so bittersweet.”

Abbey plans to participate in the Disney College Program following graduation.



📸: Abbey in Midnight Reflections
spiva on Instagram
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🌷🌼 We have now realized, for the first time in our lives, the vital importance of Buying Your Tickets. 🎟️

TWO more chances to see The Importance of Being Earnest at UNCW! Save your place now at the link in our bio. 🔗✨

Photography by Janet Adamson
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Basking in the second weekend of The Importance of Being Earnest at … ☀️💭🤭

There are only THREE chances left to catch this comedy in the UNCW Mainstage! Buy your tickets now at the link in our bio. 🧳💐🎩

To 'za or not to 'za: that is the question. 🍕🎭

Students: Join us for our annual end-of-year pizza party outside of the scene shop on April 29 (LDOC), 4-5:30PM. We can't wait to celebrate all your wonderful work in our department! 🎉🏆🎓

When you finally get your hands on a ticket to The Importance of Being Earnest at UNCW: 😲🎟️

The Importance of Being Earnest will run for its second and final weekend April 25-28, with 7:30PM showtimes Thursday-Saturday, and 2:00PM Sunday. 💐🍰🫖

Tickets can be purchased at the link in our bio. 🔗

Serving up excitement! 🤲🎩🍽️

Congratulations to the cast and crew of UNCW's The Importance of Being Earnest on an incredible opening weekend! 🎉

Thank you to StarNews and Port City Daily for including our show in your publications. Read the articles at the link in our bio. 📰

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There are only FOUR chances left to experience the hilarity here in the UNCW Mainstage! 🎭 Tickets are $15 for the General Public, $12 for UNCW Faculty/Staff/Alumni, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students/Children. Tickets can be purchased at the link in our bio! 🔗🎟️

The Importance of Being Earnest opens TONIGHT! The final student featured on our countdown is Cole Warren. 🎩💐🧳

Cole Warren '25 (Jack) is returning to the UNCW mainstage for this production. Cole is a junior double major in theater and communication graduating in spring 2025. Previously he could be seen in Dracula (London Dracula), A Murder of Crows (Howard), The Moors (The Mastiff), as well as A Taste of Honey (Peter). He would like to thank Robin for trusting him with such an awesome opportunity, as well as his fellow cast and crew for being such wonderful human beings.

Cole reflects on the profound impact of the supportive community surrounding this production. He shares, "This production has been a wonderful experience because of all of the amazing people around me. Everyone makes each other better, and this has been the most supportive group I have ever been a part of. So, I have been really grateful to be a part of it."

Deciphering the emotional journey of his character, Jack, poses an intriguing challenge for Cole. He reflects, "I think what I have found to be the biggest challenge with Jack has been deciphering when he restrains himself and when he lets loose. He undergoes so many different emotions and feels so many things that walking that line of when he can show those emotions and when he has to hold back has certainly been a fun challenge."

Cole emphasizes the charm and significance of The Importance of Being Earnest. He states, "Everyone should come see Earnest because it is a charming story of ridiculous characters going through ridiculous circumstances. More importantly though, Earnest shows us that the most powerful tool that anyone can possess is the confidence to simply be yourself."
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🎩🍰 The Importance of Being Earnest opens Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM. The production will run April 18th to 21st & 22nd to 25th with 7:30 PM performances on Thurs.-Sat. and 2 PM performances on Sun. 💐🧳

Tickets are $15 for the General Public, $12 for UNCW Faculty/Staff/Alumni, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students/Children. Tickets can be purchased at the link in our bio! 🔗🎟️

The Importance of Being Earnest opens TOMORROW on the UNCW Mainstage! Today, we are featuring actor Abigail Hamm. 🫖📚🧐✨

Abigail Hamm '25 (Gwendolyn) is earnestly thrilled to be back on the UNCW mainstage for this production! Abigail is a junior majoring in Film Studies and Theatre and has previously appeared in The Tempest (Spirit), Kindertransport (Faith), and Dracula (Mina) at UNCW.

Describing the production as her favorite theatrical experience thus far, Abigail highlights the exceptional synergy among the cast, crew, and director. She remarks, "It’s unique in that we lucked out with a genuinely wonderful cast, crew, and director. The energy just works—we just click. It’s a joy to rehearse such an intricate and hilarious comedy each night. I've never had so much fun."

Navigating the complexities of Gwendolyn's character poses somewhat of a challenge for Abigail. She explains, "What’s challenging about bringing Gwendolyn to life has been a very calculated balance between ridiculousness and reality. Gwendolyn can often live in her own little frantic world while still being subject to keeping herself together in the way that being a woman of her period required. It’s been fascinating—and difficult—to play with when and how much of herself she lets slip to get what she wants." 💍✨

Abigail invites audiences to immerse themselves in the world of The Importance of Being Earnest for a night of laughter and levity. She emphasizes, "People should come to see the show if they are needing a night to just sit back and laugh. Please—come live in our world of ridiculousness for a little while and I promise, the weight of the real world will feel a little bit lighter when you leave."
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🎩🍰 The Importance of Being Earnest opens Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM. The production will run April 18th to 21st & 22nd to 25th with 7:30 PM performances on Thurs.-Sat. and 2 PM performances on Sun. 💐🧳

Tickets are $15 for the General Public, $12 for UNCW Faculty/Staff/Alumni, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students/Children. Tickets can be purchased at the link in our bio! 🔗🎟️

Only 2 days until The Importance of Being Earnest opens this Thursday! Next up on our countdown is Elizabeth Montgomery. 🍰🫖📖

Elizabeth Montgomery '24 (Cecily) is a senior theatre performance major minoring in dance. Elizabeth was most recently seen in UNCW’s Rumors as Chris Gorman. Previous to this, Elizabeth performed in UNCW’s Dracula (Bride/Dracula’s understudy/intimacy-movement captain), Fight Girl Battle World (E-V), and The Tempest (Ariel) as well as Machinal (Young Woman) at Rose Bruford drama school in the UK. She is so thrilled to be a part of this cast and is so grateful for such a fun group of people to spend every day with.

Elizabeth finds the cast to be the unique aspect of this show. She expresses, "What's unique about this show is the cast. Each actor is always willing to try new things and we just work so well with each other. I feel lucky to be so supported within this show."

Navigating the complexities of the script's language proves challenging. Elizabeth says, "I would compare this script to Shakespeare. The language is complicated and has many layers to reveal. Every time we rehearse we learn something new about the story!" For those inclined towards comedy and romance, Elizabeth encourages attendance, stating, "If you like comedy and romance this show is absolutely for you!"

Elizabeth extends her gratitude to everyone who has contributed to her experience in the theater department, expressing appreciation for the supportive and loving environment she has encountered.

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🎩🍰 The Importance of Being Earnest opens Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM. The production will run April 18th to 21st & 22nd to 25th with 7:30 PM performances on Thurs.-Sat. and 2 PM performances on Sun. 💐🧳

Tickets are $15 for the General Public, $12 for UNCW Faculty/Staff/Alumni, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students/Children. Tickets can be purchased at the link in our bio! 🔗🎟️

3 days until The Importance of Being Earnest opens on the Mainstage! Next up on our countdown is Michael Sayfou. 🤫🌹🎩

Michael Sayfou '24 (Algernon) is making his second and final appearance in a UNCW production with this show, with his last performance being in Rumors as Lenny Ganz. He’s a senior film major graduating this spring 2024, hoping to pursue acting as a career. He’s grateful to Robin for the opportunity.

Michael shares some exciting challenges in navigating the play's narrative and hidden messages: "This production is unique because of the subtext behind the play. The writing is so multi-dimensional, as every line could have 3 meanings. The dialogue alone carries the show."

Michael reflects, "Algernon is the most complex character I’ve ever played, so figuring out how to bring him to life has been both difficult and exciting, especially considering he’s nothing like who I am in real life." Delving into Algernon's whimsical nature, Michael adds, "I think the most fun part of this character is his devotion to just having a good time. He’s always finding a way to entertain himself, especially when it’s at the expense of Ernest/Jack."

Michael wishes to extend his gratitude to the cast of The Importance of Being Earnest, "for being not only incredibly talented but supportive of each other as well. Even in my most stressful times, I could always count on the cast to lift me up."
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🎩🍰 The Importance of Being Earnest opens Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM. The production will run April 18th to 21st & 22nd to 25th with 7:30 PM performances on Thurs.-Sat. and 2 PM performances on Sun. 💐🧳

Tickets are $15 for the General Public, $12 for UNCW Faculty/Staff/Alumni, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students/Children. Tickets can be purchased at the link in our bio! 🔗🎟️

Only 4 days until opening night of The Importance of Being Earnest! Our next student is actor Malik Fowler. 🫖✨💅🏼

Malik Fowler '24 (Lady Bracknell) is playing the role of the elegant, classy, and ever-opinionated Lady Bracknell in The Importance of Being Earnest. This is Malik’s Final Show on the UNCW mainstage. Malik was previously seen as Chuck from CFCC’S “She Kills Monsters”, Trinculo from “The Tempest”, President YA-WI from “Fight Girl Battle World”, Servant from “Electra”, and Soldier from “Dulcitius”.

Malik finds uniqueness in this production's portrayal of its characters and their individual perspectives. He shares, "What makes this production unique is seeing every character being brought to life by what opinions they hold and what makes everyone unique in their own way."

Unraveling the layers of satire within the script presents a challenge for Malik and his fellow actors. He explains, "The challenging part of bringing this script to life is finding the ways in which the playwright is poking fun at the seriousness of certain behaviors, ideas, and beliefs in a societal nature. Because of this, we as the actors are left with the challenge of making these certain moments clear to the audience so they can understand why these particular moments are funny."

Malik states, "People should see this show because, despite its language and time period, it is hilariously funny to watch and see what these characters do once one truth is discovered and how it immediately builds into another moment for the audience to become invested in. This is a show that everyone will enjoy very much."

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🎩🍰 The Importance of Being Earnest opens Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM. The production will run April 18th to 21st & 22nd to 25th with 7:30 PM performances on Thurs.-Sat. and 2 PM performances on Sun. 💐🧳

Tickets are $15 for the General Public, $12 for UNCW Faculty/Staff/Alumni, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students/Children. Tickets can be purchased at the link in our bio! 🔗🎟️

Only 5 days away from the opening night of The Importance of Being Earnest! The next student on our countdown is actor Aidan Koppinger. 🤗⛪️🎩

Aidan Koppinger '25 (Dr. Chasuble) is delighted to be making his acting debut for UNCW with this performance. He's a second-year theatre and film studies student graduating in spring 2025. Recent/Favorite credits include Spring Awakening with Opera House Theatre Company and Sweeney Todd with Cardinal Gibbons High School.

Embodying the character of Dr. Chasuble offers an exciting departure from Aidan's previous roles. He shares, "I am really excited to play Dr. Chasuble because he is very different from any character I have played before. He is often in his own world and very slow-paced, which is very different from myself, so it has been exciting to live in energy during the performance."

We asked Aidan about the intricacies of the text presented in The Importance of Being Earnest. He responded, "I think the most challenging thing about the script is how genius it is. Oscar Wilde is such a brilliant writer and I feel like almost every single line has some hidden meaning or joke that we need to discover and build upon."

Aidan expresses his gratitude to director Robin Post for the opportunity, as well as to his mentors, family, and friends for their unwavering support on his journey.

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🎩🍰 The Importance of Being Earnest opens Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM. The production will run April 18th to 21st & 22nd to 25th with 7:30 PM performances on Thurs.-Sat. and 2 PM performances on Sun. 💐🧳

Tickets are $15 for the General Public, $12 for UNCW Faculty/Staff/Alumni, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students/Children. Tickets can be purchased at the link in our bio! 🔗🎟️

Less than a week until the opening night of The Importance of Being Earnest! Next up on our countdown to the show is Victoria Gibson. 🌷🎶✨

Victoria Gibson '24 (Miss Prism) is a senior Theatre Performance major with a minor in Musical Theatre. Most recently, she has appeared on the UNCW stages as Cookie in Rumors, a Matron in Dracula, Tania in Dinner Party, and the Narrator/Director of Once Upon a Rainbow. She hopes to pursue a career in Musical Theatre and enjoys performance, writing, and directing. Victoria loves traveling, Harry Potter, and all things purple.

Victoria finds profound significance in the genuinely kind individuals participating in this production. Reflecting on its uniqueness, Victoria shares, "Something that makes this production unique is every genuinely kind person that is attached to it. From the cast to the understudies, stage managers, and director, every single person has been such a joy to work with, and brings such a positive energy to the space every day."

Navigating the challenges posed by the script's language and period stands out as an important consideration. Victoria elaborates, "One thing that is challenging about bringing this script to life is definitely the language and time period it’s set in. It takes place during the Victorian era, so taking on the heightened speech and staying away from more contemporary physicality has definitely been something to get used to."

Victoria extends an invitation to audiences, emphasizing the delightful absurdity and charm of the play. She states, "People should come see The Importance of Being Earnest to enjoy a night of characters living in absurdity and hypocrisy. It’s a super fun show, with such a charming story."

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🎩🍰 The Importance of Being Earnest opens Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM. The production will run April 18th to 21st & 22nd to 25th with 7:30 PM performances on Thurs.-Sat. and 2 PM performances on Sun. 💐🧳

Tickets are $15 for the General Public, $12 for UNCW Faculty/Staff/Alumni, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students/Children. Tickets can be purchased at the link in our bio! 🔗🎟️

We are exactly ONE WEEK away from opening night of The Importance of Being Earnest! Featured today are two of the production's Assistant Stage Managers, Bela Gonzalez and Ashley Sanchez. 🧳💡📚

Bela Gonzalez ’27 (Assistant Stage Manager, Miss Prism Understudy, Intimacy Director Assistant) is excited to be a part of her third UNCW production. She is a Theatre Performance major with a minor in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. She wishes to pursue acting as a career, especially in film and TV. She was in the last two UNCW productions this year, Dracula as a Bride and Rumors as Officer Pudney.

Bela is embarking on both a challenge and an adventure with this production. Transitioning from solely acting to exploring behind-the-scenes work brought both excitement and a touch of trepidation for her. Bela reflects, "Stepping into new roles that I have never experienced has been both fun and a little scary."

As for why audiences should flock to see The Importance of Being Earnest, Bela says, "This is a joyful, hilarious, and outrageous show! People should come to see this show to see the talent and skill of these actors!"
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Ashley Sanchez ‘24 (Assistant Stage Manager is a senior majoring in Theatre Studies and Pre-Biology, with minors in Musical Theatre and Psychology. Having Stage Managed the student lab production of Dinner Party, this is Ashley’s second time being a part of the stage management team but her first time being part of a main stage production team.

For Ashley, the thrill of being part of the stage management team lies in collaborating with the team. She explains, "The exciting part about being part of the SM team has just been working with the entire cast and getting to know so many new talented people."

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🎩🍰 The Importance of Being Earnest opens Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM. The production will run April 18th to 21st & 22nd to 25th with 7:30 PM performances on Thurs.-Sat. and 2 PM performances on Sun. 💐🧳

Tickets are $15 for the General Public, $12 for UNCW Faculty/Staff/Alumni, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students/Children. Tickets can be purchased at the link in our bio! 🔗🎟️

Just a little over a week away from OPENING NIGHT of The Importance of Being Earnest! The next student counting us down is Evan Hamula. 🤵‍♂️🧳🎩

Evan Hamula '27 (Footman/Lane Understudy/Merriman Understudy) is thrilled to be a part of his first production at UNCW. A Theatre and Film Studies double major, he is graduating in the Spring of 2027. His previous credits include Frankenstein’s Creature (The Creature), The Jungle Book (Baloo), and The Spongebob Musical (Patrick Star). Evan is honored to work with such a talented cast and crew, and thankful to Robin for the opportunity.

Embodying Lane's stoic demeanor presents both challenges and excitement for Evan. He reflects, "Lane’s defining trait is his lack of reaction to anything happening in front of him. It can be hard to be expressionless when watching the shenanigans happening onstage."

Evan highlights the compelling nature of each character and the collective effort put into making the show a success. He states, "Every character is extremely compelling and wildly entertaining to watch. Everyone has been working tirelessly day in and day out to make this show the best it can be, and I think we’ve pulled it off."

Evan extends his appreciation to the entire cast and crew for their dedication and efforts in bringing The Importance of Being Earnest to life on stage.
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🎩🍰 The Importance of Being Earnest opens Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 PM. The production will run April 18th to 21st & 22nd to 25th with 7:30 PM performances on Thurs.-Sat. and 2 PM performances on Sun. 💐🧳

Tickets are $15 for the General Public, $12 for UNCW Faculty/Staff/Alumni, $12 for Seniors, and $6 for Students/Children. Tickets can be purchased at the link in our bio! 🔗🎟️