HIGH SCHOOL COMMENCEMENT 2010

WINSTON-SALEM -- School of Drama alumnus, actor, playwright and screenwriter Angus MacLachlan told high school graduates of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) that making art is risky ... and courageous.

"It takes guts to be at the school," he said. " But it takes guts to be an artist. It takes a certain kind of courage. ...

"You know, when I see people texting and constantly talking on their cell phones, it seems to me to indicate an almost desperate need to connect. To be connected to others. That's why I want to make art," MacLachlan continued.

"And in my career -- I'm always looking to the great artists to give me the inspiration to continue. Someone like Tennessee Williams always seemed to me to be a courageous artist. ... It takes courage to shed light on the vulnerability. To expose yourself to the dark face of God. And, to continue the life of an artist. To risk something new once you're established.

MacLachlan told the graduates that they will think of themselves as artists when they are older, whether they create art or not. "You'll know what rehearsing, and risking, and sweating, and failing, and succeeding is in the arts. That's what this school is about. Should be about. Not success or fame or singing loudly with a lot of melismas on TV.

"But about the danger and fear and beauty and entertainment and humor -- and skill -- that makes art. It's sometimes listening quietly, girding your loins, and jumping. Truly risking.

"And it never gets easy."

To see his complete commencement address, download here. (Right click and click on "Save As.")

MacLachlan also received an honorary doctorate at the ceremony, which was held May 29 at UNCSA's Stevens Center in downtown Winston-Salem. He is a two-time graduate of the School of the Arts, having earned a high school diplom ain Visual Arts in 1975 and a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the School of Drama in 1980.

As an actor, MacLachlan has appeared in Children of a Lesser God, Master Harold --- and the Boys, Holiday, The Substance of Fire, and The Tempest.  His playwriting credits include the award-winning plays The Dead Eye Boy and Bridge, and The Radiant Abyss, which premiered at the Kennedy Center. He has also written and performed three one-man shows: Bound and Gagged, Buena Vista, and Marginal Living, which was then filmed and shown on University of North Carolina Public Television and on  KTEH, San José Public TV's "video i" series. In 2008, MacLachlan was commissioned by the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego to write Southeastern Center for Contemporary Arts, which had its world premiere at the Burning Coal Theatre in Raleigh in April/May 2010.

MacLachlan has also found sucess as a screenwriter in both feature and short films.  A short film he wrote, TATER TOMATER, directed by Phil Morrison, aired on "American Playhouse" and screened at the 1992 Sundance Film Festival and at the Museum of Modern Art in 2001.  His first feature film, JUNEBUG, was selected for the Dramatic Competition at the 2005 Sundance Film Festival and garnered the Best Screenplay award from the International Cinephile Society. 

MacLachlan's original screenplay, STONE, directed by John Curran, is scheduled for release by Overture Films later this year.  It stars Edward Norton, Robert De Niro and Milla Jovovich. "I wrote JUNEBUG," MacLachlan told the graduates, "and I have another film coming out this fall, STONE. Please go see it. Opening weekend. And text your friends. But only if you liked it."

One hundred and twenty-three high school students graduated from the University of North Carolina School of the Arts on May 29.

Also at the ceremony, UNCSA Ladies in Arts Senior Essay Winner Zoë Lewis presented her winning essay.  To read the full text of her essay, click here.

Scenes from the day follow.

High School Commencement Speaker Angus MacLachlan delivers his address.

A high school student gives a shout-out to friends and family in the audience.

New graduates celebrate on stage after receiving their diplomas.

The scene outside the Stevens Center following graduation.

                                                                                                                         Photos by Allen Aycock