The Hollywood Reporter ranks UNCSA School of Drama No. 3 in the World
The Hollywood Reporter (THR) has ranked the School of Drama at UNCSA No. 3 on its list of “The 25 Best Drama Schools in the World” for the third year in a row. UNCSA is second among B.F.A. programs included on the 2025 list; the school has appeared annually in the publication's rankings since 2012.
"The Wild Party" directed by Cliff Odle, November 2024. / Photo: Luke Jamroz
The Hollywood Reporter highlights the appointment of John Langs as dean of UNCSA’s “strong undergraduate program,” noting his focus on new work, classical repertory and on-camera training. A key priority under his leadership is the support of student-created work — an initiative significantly bolstered by a recently announced $1 million gift from distinguished alumnus Joe Mantello (B.F.A. ’84). Mantello’s generous contribution funds both a full-ride scholarship and opportunities for student-driven projects, including support for the School of Drama’s “Keys to the Kingdom” series, an initiative empowering senior students to curate their own season of original productions — entirely produced, directed, performed, and often written or devised by the students themselves.
The article quotes Langs, saying, “This institution has pivoted to really training for the 21st century, which means gearing the students up for all of the platforms that they’re able to send out their work on right now.”
The School of Drama has expanded its curriculum to include motion capture training, made possible through a collaboration with the top-ranked School of Filmmaking at UNCSA. Students benefit from instruction with film faculty member Bob Keen (“Alien,” “Superman”) as part of mask class with Drama faculty member Jason Bohon. The curriculum also features new offerings in improvisation and stand-up comedy, broadening performance techniques and industry preparedness. A new classical repertory series, to be unveiled in the 2025-26 performance season, offers students experience performing the classical canon, while reserving the remainder of the season for contemporary works.
Dean of Drama John Langs
In addition to Joe Mantello, the article highlights Mary-Louise Parker (B.F.A. '86) (“The Gray House”), and Jake Lacy (B.F.A. ’08) (“The White Lotus”) as notable alumni.
THR also cites the school’s comparably low out-of-state tuition of $24,231 per year, less than other B.F.A. programs ranked in the top five. In-state tuition at UNCSA is $6,497.
The publication consulted with members of the industry and educators for its annual ranking of the best schools for an acting degree, which appeared in the June 18 print issue and online today. Factors included overall training, cost, alumni success and industry connections.
About the School of Drama
Frequently ranked as one of the best drama schools in the world, the School of Drama at UNCSA, under the leadership of Dean John Langs, prepares talented young artists for successful careers on stage, online, and in film and television. Conservatory training grounded in classical values adds technical skills to shape creatively inspired and versatile actors who are in-demand in today’s evolving entertainment landscape. Students perform constantly in both small workshops and major productions across the theatrical repertory. An outstanding resident faculty gives personal attention to their students’ growth. Students receive invaluable on-camera training, and opportunities to explore creative entrepreneurship while offered coveted exposure to industry professionals in the major hubs of the entertainment industry in America, including senior showcases in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago and Atlanta. Through the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts, students are offered invaluable industry opportunities over the summer with prestigious programs such as the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and La MaMa Umbria International.
In addition to Mantello, Lacy and Parker, UNCSA’s prominent School of Drama alumni include Stephen McKinley Henderson (“Civil War”); Anna Camp (“You," "Pitch Perfect,” "Bride Wars"); Billy Magnussen (“Roadhouse," "No Time to Die,” "Lilo and Stitch"); Anthony Mackie (“Captain America: Brave New World”); Krys Marshall (“Paradise," "For All Mankind"); Elizabeth Lail (“You”); Dane DeHaan (“Oppenheimer,” “American Primevil”); Diedrich Bader ("Blind Psychosis," “Veep,” “Better Things”); Orin Wolf (producer of Broadway’s "Buena Vista Social Club," “Illinoise;" Tony Award-winning producer of “The Band’s Visit”);Chris Parnell (“Saturday Night Live”); Jack Alcott ("Dexter: New Blood"); and Isaac Powell (“West Side Story”), among many others.
June 23, 2025