Natalie Winstead thrives during her year in the High School Drama Program

It has been nine short months since Natalie Winstead joined the ranks of the High School Program as a student in the School of Drama. Her time as a Fighting Pickle has been powerfully impactful, building a strong foundation to prepare her for success — both in continued education and in her career.

Now, as she bids farewell to UNCSA, the 2026 graduate reflects on a whirlwind experience that has changed her life.  

A blossoming love of acting  

It all started with “Stranger Things,” the Netflix original series that captivated audiences as it told the story of a group of friends and their families who confront supernatural forces and a dangerous parallel world in fictional Hawkins, Indiana, in the 1980s.

“I loved the idea of children acting in dramatic source material,” recalls Winstead, who was a self-proclaimed dramatic child. “It doesn’t have to be limited to the Disney Channel… it can be grittier things that are more difficult. That show inspired me to go act.” She met actress Priah Ferguson (Erica Sinclair on the show) at a convention and learned that Ferguson started her training in Atlanta, Georgia, at Catapult Acting Studios.  

In 2021, Winstead enrolled at Catapult and commuted with her parents from her home in Raleigh, North Carolina, to attend classes. The long drives were worth it. Catapult founder Erik Lingvall helped her to discover and hone her innate acting abilities. Winstead began acting in more plays, both at her high school and in local productions through Theatre Raleigh ACT. She discovered a passion for singing and musical theater through shows like “The Little Mermaid” and “Alice by Heart.”  

The summer before her junior year, she enrolled in the Drama Summer Intensive at UNCSA, offering an opportunity to live on campus and take classes with UNCSA faculty. Director of the High School Drama Program Maggie Anderson (H.S. Drama ’92) was one of Winstead’s instructors and gave her a taste for what classes would be like if she enrolled as a full-time student in the one-year program. She decided to apply. 

A year at UNCSA 

Winstead submitted a virtual audition before auditioning in-person with monologues from “The Pavilion” by Craig Wright and “Engagements” by Lucy Teitler and an excerpt from “It Won’t Be Long Now” from “In the Heights.” Soon, she was accepted into the 20-person class of 2026.

At the beginning of fall semester, Anderson said something to the class that has carried Winstead throughout the year: I’ll always critique your work, but never question your worth. 

“That really stuck with a lot of us,” explains Winstead. “Especially coming from public high school or community theater, there is a lot of competitiveness and always feeling like you’re holding on for validation or appreciation from a teacher. I’ve never felt that I’m not good enough [with Maggie]. She always makes sure that you feel appreciated.”  

Winstead and her classmates have spent the year studying musical theater, dance, acting, spoken voice, singing, yoga, techniques and theater careers. In addition to engaging in a comprehensive drama curriculum, Winstead was excited to be selected mid-year as one of two YoungArts National Competition winners from UNCSA. In January, Winstead traveled to Miami, Florida, to attend the weeklong YoungArts intensive in a musical theater concentration.

It gave her the opportunity to meet and engage with other young artists in her cohort from across the country while studying with industry-leading guest artists and program alumni. After an initial performance, Winstead and the others spent most of the week working on scenes they had begun to prepare in advance and performing songs or duets with other attendees. “We still have a Zoom call once per month,” says Winstead of the close bonds formed with her peers. “And the judges and instructors have been so helpful with sharing industry knowledge. I emailed them multiple times when making my college decision.”  

I love what acting can do for people ... and how it can change the way audiences view certain issues and inspire them to make changes in their communities.

Natalie Winstead

From her studies at UNCSA and immersive experience at YoungArts, Winstead has uncovered a deeper understanding of the power of acting. “I love what acting can do for people,” she explains. “And how it can change the way audiences view certain issues and inspire them to make changes in their communities.”

She cites the fall 2025 production of “Choir Boy” at UNCSA as something that fundamentally changed her perspective. “It’s about telling Black stories,” says Winstead. “It’s part of my identity. I want to continue putting more shows out like that for people to share stories that aren’t always told.”  

Moving ahead 

Throughout the spring semester, Winstead has set her sights on college. After performing in Tony Award-winning musical “Dear Evan Hansen” with Theatre Raleigh this summer, she’ll be moving to Pittsburgh to study in Carnegie Mellon University’s prestigious musical theater program.

As she looks ahead to her undergraduate studies, her final year of high school holds a special importance: “It’s affirming how much UNCSA has transformed me as an artist,” she shares. “I’ve grown in ways that I will carry with me into all aspects of my education. I have a head start on college, and I’m so grateful for that. I’m prepared, and the connections I’ve made here will last me throughout my entire career.” 

By Hannah Callaway

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