Broadway Comes to UNC-Chapel Hill: $2 Million Gift Enhances Undergraduate Experience in Dramatic Art

A $2 million gift from University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumna Kathleen Ford '80 enhances the undergraduate experience for students in the Department of Dramatic Artin the College of Arts and Sciences. The Kathleen A. Ford Department of Dramatic Art Undergraduate Fund will provide unparalleled opportunities for students, including internships, experiential learning, academic travel, guest speakers and facility upgrades for Kenan Theatre Company.

Ford's gift consists of a $1 million endowed fund and a $1 million expendable fund, ensuring both immediate and long-term benefits for students. The endowed portion will support career-building apprenticeships and internships with theatre professionals, preparing students for success both on and beyond the stage. The expendable portion will create an immediate impact as the department approaches its 90th anniversary, enhancing resources and opportunities for students in celebration of this historic milestone.

"Carolina has a long and rich theatrical history and boasts the second oldest theatre department in the country," said Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. "The Kathleen A. Ford Department of Dramatic Art Undergraduate Fund is a fitting tribute to celebrate the department approaching its 90th anniversary and ensures future generations of dramatic art students will receive unmatched educational experiences."

A longtime advocate for arts education, Ford credits her dramatic art degree from Carolina for her successful career in corporate finance. "I used skills from my time in UNC dramatic art on a daily basis," Ford said. "My job required financial presentations to upper management during which I had to think fast and be confident in my responses. Through my time at Carolina, I was prepared to communicate effectively beyond the walls of the theatre."

The impact of Ford's gift is already being felt. Three undergraduate students recently benefited from a weekend intensive in New York City's Broadway Theatre District, an experience made possible by Ford and her lifelong friend and technical theatre expert, Linda Heard '79. The students participated in rehearsals for the Broadway play Purpose, visited the Performing Arts Library and the Museum of Broadway and met with industry professionals.

"The students ate up every minute, and they came buzzing out of rehearsal with so much excitement and sense of possibility," shared Aubrey Snowden, assistant teaching professor in the Department of Dramatic Art, who accompanied the students. "This trip is going to stick with them for the rest of their lives."

Heard, a Broadway technical theatre veteran, played a crucial role in shaping the vision for the fund. "We talked about what would have made a difference for us when we were there," said Heard. "This donation has the potential to change undergraduates' lives."

UNC's Department of Dramatic Art, founded in 1936, is nationally recognized for training theatre artists and producing leaders in the entertainment industry. Over the decades, the department has trained numerous nationally recognized artists, including the Academy, Tony, and Emmy Award winners and nominees, as well as Pulitzer Prize recipients.

"The Department of Dramatic Art is immensely grateful for Kathleen Ford's transformational gift," said Kathryn Hunter-Williams, associate professor and chair of the department. "This contribution affirms the value of the arts and ensures our students receive a world-class education that prepares them to be global citizens and creative leaders."

Ford's gift will continue to open doors for students, fostering immersive experiences that bridge the gap between academic study and professional practice. "I can't overemphasize the benefit of an arts education," Ford said. "I wanted this gift to provide undergraduates with hands-on experiences that prepare them for their careers-whether in theatre or beyond."