WINSTON-SALEM – Twenty years ago, special bonds were formed at the North Carolina School of the Arts that have lasted to this day.

That’s why the School of Drama Class of 1984 will be back for its 20^th reunion at NCSA next week, April 30-May 1. It will bring back together a small, closely knit group of alumni – many of whom have remained friends and have continued to collaborate professionally.

“The friendships created during their time here are still very special to them,” said Eva James Toia, director of alumni, career services and outreach at NCSA.

The students not only worked together in class and School plays, but also with ONYX, then a student performance group. After graduation, several of them went on to form the Edge Theatre, which proved to be a springboard for their professional careers. 

Among the members of the Class of ’84 who are schedule to attend the reunion are:

• Joe Mantello, Tony Award-winner for directing last year's "Take Me Out" and a probable nominee for directing "Wicked" this year. Currently at the helm of “Assassins” at Studio 54. A recent New York Times story asked: "What's the Next Act for Broadway's Perpetual Boy Wonder?"

• Peter Hedges, who was nominated for an Academy Award for his screenplay ABOUT A BOY (with Hugh Grant). Actors in two of the original screenplays he has written have been nominated for Academy Awards: this year, Patricia Clarkson for PIECES OF APRIL, which he also directed, and Leonardo DiCaprio, for WHAT’S EATING GILBERT GRAPE.
• T. Scott Cunningham, who has appeared on Broadway ("Design for Living") and off-Broadway ("As Bees in Honey Drown," "Pterodactyls") as well as on TV ("Frasier," "Law & Order") and in film (PEOPLE I KNOW and SERENDIPITY).

The class reunion is being organized by alumna Deann Simmons Halper of New York, who is also a member of the NCSA Board of Visitors. 

More than a dozen drama alumni are expected to return to their alma mater to observe and/or participate in drama classes, see a performance of “Red Noses,” and tour a drastically different campus. In addition, the class will also meet with current drama students and faculty in a forum to be moderated by School of Drama Dean Gerald Freedman.

 Media: You are cordially invited to attend the all-School of Drama meeting at 4 p.m. Friday, April 30, in the Proscenium Thrust, Performance Place.  Please contact Marla Carpenter at 336-770-3337 in the public relations office at NCSA if you plan to attend, or if you would like more information.

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