Graduate Studies: Professional Actor Training Program
View information on 2013 Showcase Presentation
The Professional Actor Training Program at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill is a rigorous three-year Master of Fine Arts program. The purpose of the program is two-fold: to offer advanced training to early-career professionals in acting, voice and speech, movement, and professional rehearsal and performance practice; and to provide a bridge by which our graduates, with credibility and a significant circle of professional acquaintance, may enter the profession.
Why should you choose UNC for your professional training?
- Train with master teachers and leading guest professionals as part of a professional LORT company
- For many candidates, full or partial competitive stipend and tuition remission
- Membership in Actors Equity Association
- Prestigious New York Showcase
The Program's affiliation with PlayMakers Repertory Company, an Equity/LORT theatre, provides an ongoing opportunity for training and significant work within a nationally-recognized professional company. In addition to other criteria, actors auditioning for the Professional Actor Training Program are selected for their ability to function as core members of the PlayMakers acting company. Each PATP student will be eligible to become a member of Actors' Equity Association prior to or at the time of graduation. Immediately following the conclusion of training, PATP actors are seen by casting professionals and agents in a Showcase presentation in New York City.
Classes are taught by resident master teachers and distinguished guest faculty within a conservatory structure. The training is progressive and cumulative and must be completed in three consecutive years.
The acting sequence honors traditional methods in American acting training while integrating contemporary practices. The work we prize and foster, whether in Shakespeare or on camera, is truthful, personal, robust, and compelling.
The movement sequence is designed to promote a strong, grounded and responsive physical instrument, capable of transformation and variety that communicate character.
The breath/voice sequence follows the Miller Voice Method progression and is designed to build the "muscle of presence" so that an actor's preparation can guide moment to moment life, rather than inhibit it. The text/speech sequence is designed to empower each actor to communicate effectively, imaginatively, with great flexibility.
Rehearsal and performance are ongoing throughout the training period at PlayMakers Repertory Company, in fully mounted PATP productions, and in studio rehearsal projects.
To view our current PATP company, go here.
For information on Applying to the Program, go here.
For Curriculum information, go here.
For PATP Faculty, go here.
Find out about PATP Alumni here.
To read a letter from the Artistic Director, go here.
To read a letter from the Head of the Program, go here.
