Over spring break, the spotlight shone brightly on UNCP theatre students as they showcased their talents and skills in the capital of the theatre world—New York City. 

Under the guidance of theatre director Dr. Jonathan Drahos, the aspiring actors performed the satirical play The Government Inspector during two nights at an off-Broadway venue. 

The journey began with successful performances at the GPAC, setting the stage for their Big Apple debut.  

Junior Cameron Holder described the significance of performing in the production and its impact on her professional growth. "Just stepping foot into an actual off-Broadway theatre was absolutely amazing. I've never felt a feeling like that." Holder remarked. "We realized that this is big for us. We're in college, and we can already put an off-Broadway performance on our resumes."

Shandi Tilson, a freshman, echoed Holder's sentiments, saying the experience was "surreal." "That New York City air just felt right," Tilson said. "It made us want to succeed as a group, and seeing my castmates discover more about their characters and come out of their shells was exciting."

The students also had an opportunity to collaborate with industry professionals and UNCP Theatre alumni. Tilson expressed gratitude for the valuable lessons she learned from them. "I feel like a much stronger actor now, thanks to them," Tilson stated. "Meeting and learning from professionals like Ethan Phillips, a TV and Broadway actor, was incredible." 

Junior Cheyenne Ward added that working with professionals "gave us an inside scoop into the industry. It was not only fun but also beneficial. It gave us a taste of what we hope turns out to be our careers."

Ward highlighted a memorable moment during the trip: "The audience's reaction and support, especially on closing night, were unforgettable," she recalled. "As soon as we hit the stage, our audience was nearly full. It was amazing that people wanted to see our show and came out despite the rainy weather!"

As the curtain closed on their New York City debut, the students returned to UNCP with cherished memories, new skills, and motivation. "I enjoyed every part of this adventure," Tilson stated. "I am so thankful to Dr. Drahos for believing in me throughout the process. I can't wait for what's to come for our theatre department!”