Learn the essential elements of Entertainment such as Cinema & Media Arts, Music Production and Theater!
Entertainment Arts
The B.A. in Entertainment Arts is a liberal arts degree intended to introduce students to the essential elements of areas in the entertainment industry. This broad-based degree exposes students to primary elements in the field with courses in history and literature, skill-building and production work, with options to concentrate in: Cinema & Media Arts, Music Production or Theatre.
Career Areas:
- Director (Film/Television/Video)
- Producer (Film/Television/Video)
- Production Assistant
- Audio Engineer (Studio/Live)
- Mastering Engineer
- Singer/Songwriter
Faculty & Staff
Jason Buel, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Communications/Assistant Professor of Cinema & Media Arts, Program Coordinator, Communication
Jason Buel, Ph.D.
Tony Sawyer, M.M.
Assistant Professor of Music Production/Program Coordinator, Entertainment Arts, Director of 301 North Records
Tony Sawyer, M.M.
Music Production Concentration
Gain experience in song-craft and composition, audio engineering, and mixing/mastering techniques.
The Music Production concentration focuses on the techniques and technologies of music audio production, providing students with the necessary skills to perform as an audio engineer or record producer. The Entertainment Arts program was designed to create a foundation in musicianship and technical skills needed in the professional area of audio production. Gain experience in song-craft and composition, audio engineering, and mixing/mastering techniques.
Learning Outcomes:
- Techniques and technologies of music audio production, providing students with the necessary skills to perform as an audio engineer or record producer
- Designed to create a foundation in musicianship and technical skills needed in the professional area of audio production
- Gain experience in song-craft and composition, audio engineering and mixing/mastering techniques
Partnering institution in the Association for Popular Music Education (APME)
Spectrum ensemble performs popular music of multiple styles. Focus is on live performance and recording projects for the NC Wesleyan University community.
For more information, contact:
Tony Sawyer
tsawyer@ncwu.edu
The Music Production students at NC Wesleyan produce original music in our recording studio. Check out examples of our students’ work.
Career Paths for Music Production Majors
Music production majors at the university can pursue various career paths within the music and entertainment industry. Here’s a summary of potential career paths for individuals with a degree in music production:
Music Producer:
Music producers oversee the entire process of creating a song or album, from composing and arranging to recording and mixing. They collaborate with artists to achieve a desired sound.
Audio Engineer:
Audio engineers (studio/live) focus on the technical aspects of recording and mixing music. They operate recording equipment, manage sound levels, and ensure the quality of audio production.
Sound Designer:
Sound designers work in film, television, or video game industries. They create and manipulate audio elements to enhance the overall auditory experience in visual media.
Studio Manager:
Studio managers are responsible for the day-to-day operations of a recording studio. They handle scheduling, equipment maintenance, and client relations.
Music Director:
Music directors may work in the film or television industry, selecting and coordinating music for various projects. They ensure that the music aligns with the creative vision of the project.
Composer/Arranger:
Composers and arrangers create original music or adapt existing compositions for different purposes, such as film scores, commercials, or live performances.
Post-Production Specialist:
Post-production specialists work on refining and enhancing recorded audio after the initial recording phase. This can include tasks such as editing, mixing, and mastering.
Music Technology Developer:
Individuals with a strong technical background may pursue careers in developing music production software, plugins, or other technology used in the music industry.
Entrepreneur in Music Business:
Some music production majors may choose to start their own music production companies, record labels, or studios, taking on various roles to build their own business within the industry.
Overall, a degree in music production equips individuals with the skills and knowledge to enter diverse and dynamic fields within the music and entertainment industry.
Music Production Career Options:
- Audio Engineer (Studio/Live)
- Mix Engineer
- Mastering Engineer
- Singer/Songwriter
- Composer (Theatre/Film/TV/Video)
- Sound Designer
- Lyricist
- Arranger
- Studio Manager
- Artist and Repertoire (A&R)
Wondering what you can do with a degree from NCWU’s Entertainment Arts major? Check out these resources from NCWU Career Development & Leadership and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
Wesleyan is dedicated to assisting students in their professional development offering resources and guidance for hands-on learning experiences through internships, assignments within the courses and job search resources. Let us help you focus on your education and career at the same time!
Don’t take our word for it... Our students speak for themselves!
NC Wesleyan offers other opportunities for students and community partners to get involved in their musical passions. These activities are led by different faculty members and are all part of the Music Production Program at NCWU. Get involved today!
On Campus Record Label
301 North Records is Wesleyan’s official record label for releasing and promoting music produced by current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and artists connected to the Music Production degree program. Our releases appear on all streaming services including Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, iTunes, Pandora, Instagram, Tidal, iHeartRadio and many more.
Listen to 301 North Records Artist Playlists
Workshops & Tours
NCWU along with its music production major periodically hosts audio workshops with tours and discussions of our live space and recording studio.
For more information about future workshops or to schedule a tour, contact:
Tony Sawyer
Entertainment Arts Program Coordinator
tsawyer@ncwu.edu
Band
We offer our Band program which performs on campus at a variety of events and concerts throughout the academic year. The band is open to all Wesleyan students and community members with previous instrumental experience. The band consists of woodwinds, brass and percussion instruments.
For more information, contact:
Leo Nieves
lnieves@ncwu.edu
Piano Lessons
Applied instruction in piano and organ are currently offered to Wesleyan students at beginning to advanced levels. Instruction in other instruments may be available in the future.
For more information, contact:
Tom Parker
Piano and Organ Instructor
tparker@ncwu.edu
Wesleyan Singers
Wesleyan Singers is one of Wesleyan’s oldest performing ensembles that learn and perform a wide variety of music including classical, spirituals, show tunes and popular selections. Our university chorus seeks more student voices for the Fall 2024 semester!
The chorus is open to any NCWU student who enjoys singing and wants to improve their vocal skills. You will learn a wide variety of classical and contemporary music.
You can join the chorus for fun or general education credit:
3 semesters of Wesleyan Singers (MUS 171) satisfies the Art, Music, Entertainment, and Theater general education requirement. If you take chorus for credit, it counts as one semester hour per semester.
Wesleyan Singers Practice in Spring 2024:
TTH 2:40-4:10 at the Chapel
For more information, please email Tom Parker at tparker@ncwu.edu.
Cinema & Media Arts Concentration
Gain experience in video production, broadcast production, and broadcast and multimedia journalism.
The cinema & media arts major at NC Wesleyan emphasizes the art of storytelling as the foundation for creating visual media. Students develop their skills in writing, producing, directing, cinematography, sound design, and editing. They learn from faculty and professionals who are specialists in their fields.
While they develop as creative professionals, students produce portfolios demonstrating areas of specialization as well as a broad skill set suitable for the ever-changing media landscape. This is a major that also can be helpful to students interested in video production, broadcast production, and broadcast and multimedia journalism.
Learning Outcomes:
- The art of storytelling as the foundation for creating visual media
- Develop skills in writing, producing, directing, cinematography, sound design and editing.
- Learn from faculty and professionals who are specialists in their fields
- Produce portfolios demonstrating areas of specialization as well as a broad skill set suitable for the ever-changing media landscape
- Helpful to students interested in video production, broadcast production, and broadcast and multimedia journalism.
Career Paths for Cinema & Media Arts Majors
Cinema and Media majors embark on a dynamic journey that unfolds a myriad of career paths in the rapidly evolving world of entertainment and communication. Graduates often venture into filmmaking, working as directors, producers, cinematographers, or editors, contributing to the creation of compelling visual narratives in film and television. Opportunities in scriptwriting allow them to shape captivating stories, while roles in film and media criticism involve analyzing and interpreting the cultural impact of visual content. Careers in digital media production, including web series and online content creation, have become increasingly prominent.
Graduates may find their niche in media planning, advertising, and marketing, leveraging their understanding of visual communication to promote brands and content. With the rise of streaming platforms and digital content consumption, there are also roles in content distribution and digital strategy. The versatile skill set acquired in a Cinema and Media major opens doors to diverse professions, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the entertainment and media industry.
Career Areas:
- Director (Film/Television/Video)
- Producer (Film/Television/Video)
- Production Assistant
- Video Editor/Videographer
- Camera Operator
- Location Manager
- Script Supervisor
- Press Agent/Media Relations Specialist
- Social Media Manager
- Public Relations Officer
Wondering what you can do with a degree from NCWU’s Entertainment Arts major? Check out these resources from NCWU Career Development & Leadership and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
Wesleyan is dedicated to assisting students in their professional development offering resources and guidance for hands-on learning experiences through internships, assignments within the courses and job search resources. Let us help you focus on your education and career at the same time!
Don’t take our word for it... Our students speak for themselves!
Theatre Concentration
Learn the fundamentals of theatre, acting, production methods and more. Also a little improv performances are encouraged.
The North Carolina Wesleyan University Theatre Program produces at least three full-length plays annually for the College community in The Dunn Center for the Performing Arts. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to attend the open auditions each fall and spring. Students may also work to build sets, run lights and sound or assist with costumes and makeup. The University Theatre Program is a member of the Southeastern Theatre Conference and the North Carolina Theatre Conference. The theatre program also sponsors the drama club—Wesleyan Players—which is open to all interested students.
WESLEYAN PLAYERS is for students interested in theatre. Founded in 1962, when the group staged the first College drama production (Tartuffe), Wesleyan Players has a long tradition of commitment to preparation and performance of works to entertain and educate the College and community. It aims at spiritual and intellectual growth, while giving students extra-curricular opportunities to do plays, musical theatre, improv and presentations on and off campus. Wesleyan Players sponsors an annual ten-minute play festival and competition for students.
Theatre Career Options:
- Actor
- Playwright
- Director
- Scriptwriter
- Producer
- Stage Manager
- Arts Administration
- Dancer
- Costume Designer
- Choreographer
- Lighting Designer
- Drama Teacher
- Set Designer
- Stage Technicians
There’s the student-athlete and then there’s the much less recognized student actor who, through NC Wesleyan Theatre, has produced traditions of the past like The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Shakespeare Roast. And who continue this season with other splendid traditions such as Ten-Minute Play Festival and Bums Night: A Dinner Theatre.
The N.C. Wesleyan University Theatre Program produces at least three full-length plays annually for the college community in The Dunn Center. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to attend the open auditions each fall and spring. Students may also work to build sets, run lights and sound, or assist with costumes and makeup. The theatre program also sponsors the drama club [Wesleyan Players] which is open to all interested students. The N.C. Wesleyan University Theatre Program is a member of the Southeastern Theatre Conference and the North Carolina Theatre Conference.
Check out our latest performance line-up at The Dunn Center.
10 Minute Plays
Student Playwriting Competition and Performance Festival
The NC Wesleyan Players’ Annual Ten-Minute Play Competition is an opportunity for all NC Wesleyan students to submit a Ten-Minute Play composed to address or involve the topic/subject for each year’s competition. Entries are submitted during the Fall Semester and circulated to a faculty jury which ranks the entries. The top five plays are produced in March with all five performed each evening of a three-night run. The final night of performance, the plays are awarded their respective places, with the student play-wrights receiving a placement plaque and their respective monetary award.
- 1st place: $100
- 2nd place: $50
- 3rd place: $25
- 4th place: $15
- 5th place: $10
Career Paths for Theatre Majors
Theatre majors embark on a versatile journey that opens doors to a range of exciting career paths within the performing arts and beyond. NCWU Graduates may find themselves pursuing a career as a professional actor, taking center stage in theatre productions, film, or television. Students can explore the world of directing, shaping the creative vision of a performance or film. Some theatre majors opt for careers in stage management, overseeing the logistics and coordination of theatrical productions.
For those with a passion for design, opportunities exist in set design, costume design, lighting design, and more. Theatre majors can also explore arts administration, working behind the scenes to manage budgets, marketing, and overall production coordination. Teaching theatre at various educational levels is another avenue, enabling graduates to share their knowledge and passion for the dramatic arts. Additionally, the skills acquired through a theatre major, such as effective communication, creativity, and teamwork, are transferable to fields like public relations, corporate training, and event planning.
Theatre Career Options:
- Actor
- Playwright
- Director
- Scriptwriter
- Producer
- Stage Manager
- Arts Administration
- Dancer
- Costume Designer
- Choreographer
- Lighting Designer
- Drama Teacher
- Set Designer
- Stage Technicians
Wondering what you can do with a degree from NCWU’s Entertainment Arts major? Check out these resources from NCWU Career Development & Leadership and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET).
Wesleyan is dedicated to assisting students in their professional development offering resources and guidance for hands-on learning experiences through internships, assignments within the courses and job search resources. Let us help you focus on your education and career at the same time!
24/7 Tutoring Services. Free & Easy.
North Carolina Wesleyan University is partnered with Brainfuse, a complimentary online tutoring service, provided to all Wesleyan students. This service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and features live tutoring in the subjects of writing, reading, math, computer and technology, science and business.
Student Organizations
Be engaged at NCWU!
Choose from 30+ student-led clubs and organizations to connect with other students who share your academic interests or… create your own.
Transfer Articulation Agreements
To simplify the transfer process, NC Wesleyan University has a number of partnerships with other community colleges, universities and institutions that allow students to enroll at NCWU with simple pathways. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to NCWU. Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.
