Established in 1996 as Studio 1

This venue offered two outstanding undergraduate DDA majors to serve as  "Studio Directors". Claire Campbell and Ted Shaffner were selected by a faculty committee to produce four events in the fall of 1996 managing funds provided by the DDA. A faculty advisor was appointed and a company of eighteen enrolled UNC undergraduate actors, directors, and musicians formed the ensemble. The artistic goal was to create a theatre ensemble through a series of workshops, actor training and extensive work in rehearsal. Studio Directors were encouraged to direct at least one of the productions choosing the remainder of directors from DDA majors or DDA faculty. Each production was presented in Historic Playmakers Theatre and offered free to PlayMakers Repertory subscribers with single tickets sold for $3.00. THE HYACINTH MACAW by Mac Wellman, directed by Ms. Campbell; TINY ALICE by Edward Albee, directed by Julie Finefrock; AUSCHWITZ by Peter Barnes, directed by Betsy Gordon and an acclaimed production of THE CAUCASIAN CHALK CIRCLE by Bertolt Brecht, directed by Mr. Shaffner.

Beginning in 1997 three to four undergraduate DDA majors were nominated by their peers and chosen by a faculty committee to serve as Studio 1 producers. Studio 1 retained the original intention to nurture undergraduate production expanding their mission toward mentoring through faculty and graduate student consultation and workshops. All directors and designers were paired with a faculty mentor to encourage a bridge between classroom instruction and production/rehearsal process. Some exemplary productions included THE COLORED MUSEUM by George C. Wolfe, directed by Chris Burris; ANNA CHRISTIE by Eugene O'Neill, directed by Christina Overcash; SLAVS! By Tony Kushner, directed by James Amler; THE FIRE RAISERS by Max Frisch, directed by Adam Gerdts; THE HOUSE OF YES by Wendy MacLeod, directed by Carey Kotsionis and PETER PAN by J.M. Barrie, directed by Beau Tidwell.

In October of 1999 Studio 1 in association with The Professional Actor Training Program produced the inaugural production of the Elizabeth Price Kenan Theatre. This sophisticated and enchanting production of Shakespeare's LOVE'S LABORS LOST was directed by David Hammond and featured graduate and professional designers. The Kenan Theatre was immediately embraced as an innovative and versatile space serving to complement the quintessential proscenium space provided by Historic Playmakers Theatre on Cameron Avenue.

Following four successful seasons of production and the student producers, faculty advisor and Chair of the department felt it wise to devote an academic year to assess the structure of Studio 1. This review was precipitated by the noticeable strain on departmental technical resources and talent pool throughout the 1999 - 2000 season. Studio 1 needed a refined mission, one that would offer student directors and an ensemble of actors an unparalleled production opportunity.

Spring 2002 saw a revival of Studio 1 with Junior DDA Major David Chapman’s production of Simon Gray’s MELON. At present, Studio 1 will accept submissions (by application form) throughout the year from DDA Majors who have proven themselves in the LAB! Theatre. This is a premiere opportunity for the student director who is ready to direct and produce a show. The student director/producer is responsible to assemble the production team and may cast actors in the production with or without audition. A committee consisting of the Chair, Studio 1 Faculty Advisor, one representative from Set production and one representative from Costume production will approve submitted projects including budgets.

In Spring 2003, DDA Studio 1 along with the Johnston Center for Undergraduate Excellence co-produced Shakespeare’s AS YOU LIKE IT in The Forest Theatre on Country Club Road, located adjacent to the Center for Dramatic Art. DDA Major Sonya Dowhaluk chose to devote an Honor’s Thesis to producing evening performances in this outdoor space with faculty member David Adamson serving as Director. Fundraising efforts produced support from several Carolina Playmakers and full lighting equipment was rented for this production.