Miles Blue (he/him/his)
BFA Acting
Class of 2024
Email: mileskblue@gmail.com
IG: @mileskblue
Facebook: Miles Karsten
What is your FAVORITE thing about your program?
My professors. They have bettered who I am as an actor, artist, and person. They’re some of the wisest, yet most down to earth people I’ve met. They inspire and construct and at the end of the day, want to see you grow. They’re invaluable.
What would you change about your program? Why?
The size of my school. I wouldn’t trade being a UNCSA student for the world, but sometimes the campus and student body can feel a bit small. The community on campus (dorms, apartments, etc.) isn’t huge either. Most students move off campus after first year and live in nearby houses. It’s not the typical college life experience but it’s made up for by the superb program.
How would you describe the overall vibe of your program? Competitive? Supportive? A bit of both? Something else?!
UNCSA is a supportive environment when it comes to our work. At every school, you’ll have some peers you don’t click with or professors who aren’t your favorite, but when it comes to the work, everyone’s focus hones in razor sharp. That’s something I love about my school.
What was the biggest surprise about your program that you didn’t anticipate as an incoming freshman?
How good everybody is. I’m surrounded by some of the most brilliant actors I’ve ever had the pleasure to learn and work with.
What makes your program unique?
Our progression structure. In my biased opinion, it’s unbeatable. Our acting progression starts with Stanislavsky and Practical Aesthetics (with Dean/Professor Scott Zigler, one of the method’s first students) in our first year. In our second year we learn more approaches to building our own unique and independent acting process. We have one acting class a quarter where we work on a different play in a different style. In our third year we study Shakespeare and Devised Theatre, as well as perform in mainstage shows. Our fourth year we transition into the industry and perform in shows. Acting for the Camera with Bob Krakower, Stage Combat, Movement, Dance, Singing, Voice, Speech, Accents & Dialects, and Yoga are also woven throughout the four years.
Real talk: How do the audition & casting processes function at your program?
UNCSA is unique in its casting process for mainstage shows. In short, we don’t audition. Instead, our Dean Scott Zigler (who you’ll meet along with Quin Gordon should you choose to apply) decides casting. Students are in four mainstages during their third and fourth years and roles are assigned. This not only ensures each actor gets a hefty role in their time at the university, but it stretches actors’ versatility in their ability to play many roles. This doesn’t rob us of audition experience however. We have a class in our fourth year mock auditioning every week for professors and industry professionals, as well as film audition and cold read practice in our film classes with Bob Krakower.
What’s it like outside of performance classes? Is it possible to participate in extracurriculars? Greek life? Double majors? Minors?
UNCSA is a traditional conservatory. Outside of time consuming rehearsals and class assignments, most students are in additional student produced and directed shows or films. Unfortunately there’s no Greek life. A double major is out of the picture. We currently have an Arts Entrepreneurship and German Studies Minor but faculty is very flexible with accepting Minor requests should you take the required courses and talk to your Academic Advisor beforehand.
Does your school help you pursue professional working opportunities during the year, over the summer, and/or post-graduation? How so?
Yes. Students who land professional gigs (depending, but again, our faculty is understanding of opportunities) may take leaves of absence during the year. Emails are always sent out concerning summer theater auditions. In our fourth year, we showcase in New York, LA, Chicago, Atlanta, and online (in a film format). This helps students sign with agents and managers.
Are there any opportunities and/or resources that you feel are lacking in your program?
I knew UNCSA was a rigorous arts conservatory coming into it. Our liberal arts classes are great but sometimes I wish I had more time to take more academic classes.
What’s the dynamic like between students and faculty?
Really wonderful. Professors and students grow very close and have an almost sacred mutual respect for one another in my experience at this school. I’ve also grown very close with some of my professors towards whom I naturally gravitate and consider them mentors in my life. The faculty at UNCSA is honestly one of the greatest things about the school.
What types of structures are in place for students to receive feedback inside and outside of the classroom? How about for students to give feedback?
Official ‘Evaluations’ are written by each professor for each student at the end of every semester. They give the actor a grade in the course and are accompanied by a written evaluation of their strengths, areas for possible improvement, and acknowledgement of progress. Feedback in a less formal format is accessible by emailing teachers or visiting them during office hours. Students provide feedback at the end of every semester on each course they took and the professor who taught the course in a ‘Course Evaluation.’ These help inform the instructor of their strengths and areas for improvement.
What steps has your school taken/is your school currently taking to promote greater representation for minority communities and to ensure greater equity, diversity, and inclusion in all aspects of the educational environment?
UNCSA is a very accepting environment. Our incredibly diverse student body champions students’ concerns and works with our professors to create a safer, better informed classroom and workshop setting.
What types of resources does your school encourage/make available for students in regards to mental, physical, and emotional health?
UNCSA Drama cares about its students. Our movement and dance curriculums focus on maintaining physical health while mental and emotional wellbeing is at the heart of our acting classes. UNCSA also provides free counseling services.
What were you most worried about as an incoming freshman that you TOTALLY didn’t need to be worried about?
I was worried I wasn’t good enough. I believe that’s a struggle residing in every actor. That’s one voice in your head you can ignore. A professor once said to me “Student actors always think they know how to act but don’t think they’re good enough. That’s never the case. They’re always good enough. They just don’t know how to act.” That’s what university’s for! I’m a very different actor now then when I was a senior in high school.
How did you know that this was the right place for you?
The classes. The professors. The fast paced rigor of learning environment. The dedication of my peers and sincerity of my faculty.