Director Joe Mantello Gifts $1M to UNCSA School of Drama

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Renowned Tony Award-winning theater director, Joe Mantello, is generously contributing a million dollars to the Drama School at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts.

The unprecedented donation made by one of UNC’s alumni will be used in two ways: providing a complete scholarship for exceptionally talented students and establishing a fund that supports student-led theatrical performances.

As a future gamer, I’m thrilled to share that I’ve been selected for the Joe Mantello Endowed Scholarship in Drama! This prestigious award will sponsor me throughout my four-year undergraduate journey at UNCSA, starting from fall 2025. It feels surreal to be part of the inaugural group receiving this scholarship!

The Joe Mantello Creative Catalyst Endowment Fund for Drama aims to finance student-created performances and enhance current campus initiatives like “Keys to the Kingdom,” a fourth-year program where students are responsible for writing, directing, acting, producing, and sometimes even devising shows during their season.

In 1984, Mantello completed his studies at UNC and subsequently made a name for himself in various stage performances. Notable among these were his roles as Louis Ironson in the debut Broadway cast of Tony Kushner’s plays Angels in America: Perestroika and Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, as well as his portrayal in the 2011 revival of Larry Kramer’s The Normal Heart. His talents were also showcased in the 2014 HBO adaptation.

As a theater artist, I’ve had the privilege to claim some notable victories at the Tony Awards, specifically for directing plays like “Take Me Out” and “Assassins.” However, it’s my work on the Broadway production of “Wicked,” which first graced the stage in 2003, that has truly cemented my reputation. This enchanting musical is still enrapturing audiences, a testament to its timeless charm.

UNCSA Chancellor Brian Cole expressed heartfelt thanks to Joe for his generous gift. Joe’s career serves as an exemplary model of creative mastery, versatility, and forward-thinking vision. This donation will aid the School of Drama in attracting exceptional students, consistent with its prestigious global standing, and further strengthen its legacy of artistic rigor and industry relevance.

John Langs, Dean of Drama at UNCSA, remarked that Joe has been a pioneer in the industry for many years and is intimately familiar with how theater has transformed over time. By funding student projects that add to our current drama program, Joe is equipping actors to handle their careers in this ever-changing field. This training will foster a new generation of actors and directors who can delve into human nature and produce work that appeals to diverse audiences, mirroring Joe’s own impactful career trajectory.

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2025-01-22 22:56