HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT 2009

WINSTON-SALEM -- School of Drama alumnus and award-winning playwright J.T. Rogers (B.F.A., Class of 1990) told high school graduates of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) on May 30 that "failure is good (and) is to be cherished and sought. ... It's not the fear of failure that can stop you," he continued. "What is difficult ... is the fear of success."

To see his complete commencement address, click here. (Large file; wait until connection is made before clicking on play arrow.)

Rogers also received an honorary doctorate at the ceremony, which was held at UNCSA's Stevens Center in downtown Winston-Salem.

Rogers is the author of The Overwhelming, Madagascar, White People, Murmuring in a Dead Tongue and other plays. White People just closed an Off-Broadway run, directed by his longtime collaborator and UNCSA alumnus Gus Reyes ’90 (Acting). Blood and Gifts, Rogers’ newest work, is currently running at the Tricycle Theater in London. He is currently writing new plays for the National and Lincoln Center theatres. Rogers’ plays have won the Pinter Review Prize for best play in the English Language, the American Theatre Critics Association’s M. Elizabeth Osborne Award, the William Inge Center for the Arts New Voices Award, and the Blanche and Irving Laurie Foundation’s Theatre Visions Award.

One hundred and fourteen high school students graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts on May 30.

Also at the ceremony, UNCSA School of Dance alumna Wanda Plemmons received the Outstanding Teacher in the Arts Award from her alma mater.

Scenes from the day follow.

High School Commencement Speaker J.T. Rogers delivers his commencement address.

Left, Chancellor John Mauceri shows off his " magic wand" -- a conductor's baton -- that magically "fixed" a sound problem on stage.   Right, Dance alumna Wanda Plemmons speaks after accepting her Outstanding Teacher in the Arts Award.

High school graduates receive their diplomas.

Right, beach balls bounce on stage following the ceremony.

Scenes outside the Stevens Center following the high school ceremony.

                                                                                                                              Photos by Steve Davis