Dean of Drama University of North Carolina School of the Arts | Winston-Salem, North Carolina We are pleased to announce that John Langs has been appointed as the new dean of the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) School of Drama, effective July 1, 2024.John, a 1996 graduate of UNCSA's Drama directing program, has been the artistic director of the ACT Contemporary Theatre in Seattle since 2016. With 30 years of leadership in the theater industry, he brings a wealth of vision, expertise, and determination to his new role at the School of Drama. As an alumnus, he holds a deep respect for the school's legacy and looks forward to driving it toward an even brighter future. Throughout his career, John has consistently shown a strong belief in the transformative power of the arts.From 2005 to 2012, John returned to UNCSA each spring to teach, direct, and guide the graduating class through their professional showcase, giving students invaluable exposure to industry professionals. His first major initiative as artistic director at ACT was to collaborate with the Thomas S. Kenan Institute for the Arts at UNCSA to create a unique directing fellowship for UNCSA alumni. During his directing career, he has hired dozens of UNCSA graduates from various disciplines, and since 2019, he has served on the board of the Semans Art Fund, a private foundation that supports UNCSA students with grants for summer studies, special projects, and research.At ACT, John has overseen eight successful mainstage seasons, producing up to 10 shows a year with a team of 50 full-time staff members, including union crews. Under his leadership, ACT has prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion, consistently highlighting new work by artists from the global majority and fostering strong community partnerships. His experience extends to directing more than 100 professional productions at ACT and other theaters across the country.John's appointment marks an exciting chapter for the School of Drama at UNCSA. His proven track record of leadership, advocacy, and commitment to artistic excellence will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on the school and its community. For the complete press release, please follow this link.Rebecca Swartz led this search with Angelo Alexander and Rachel Banderob.