A Message from Dean Michael J. Kelley

At the UNCSA School of Design & Production, we are shaping the future of global entertainment.

As the nation’s only standalone conservatory dedicated to design and production, we offer something no other university can: an immersive, collaborative environment where students don’t just prepare to work in the industry — they prepare to lead it. 

We use theater as just one of many vehicles to teach the broader skills that power the $2.3 trillion global entertainment industry. Our graduates shape theater, film, television, themed entertainment, concerts, opera, dance and more — bringing imagination to life through technology and the full range of their transferable skills. Employers from Broadway to Hollywood to Disney to the world’s largest sound and scenic providers come directly to UNCSA to recruit our students. That is the power of our reputation. 

What sets us apart is our approach. From the very first day, students are hands-on, learning through realized productions while collaborating across disciplines. We are not a competitive school; we are a collaborative school. Our faculty are working professionals as well as educators, ensuring students gain the most relevant, cutting-edge training. For graduate students especially, our model is unmatched: three years of intense, focused study that builds craft, connections, and confidence without distraction. 

We are also expanding our reach. With our partnership L-Acoustics whose soundscape training is used worldwide our students and alumni are in the driver’s seat of innovation. Recently, we’ve launched a new themed entertainment course, further strengthening the bridge between imagination and industry. 

At UNCSA, you don’t have to arrive perfect — you just need passion and curiosity. If you want to be part of the teams designing the worlds people escape into, we can teach you the rest. Together, we’ll get you from your dreams to your career. 

Sincerely, 

Michael J. Kelley 

Dean, School of Design & Production