UNC Pembroke’s Jonathan Drahos Wins National Acting Award
Jonathan Drahos, a respected theatre educator at the University of North Carolina Pembroke (UNCP), has received the prestigious University Resident Theatre Association (URTA) 2025 Award for Excellence in Undergraduate Training in Acting. This national accolade recognizes his exceptional contributions to preparing aspiring theatre professionals.
The recognition highlights Drahos’s commitment to excellence in teaching, which has profoundly influenced his students. Cameron Holder, a recent graduate now pursuing her Master of Fine Arts at the Shakespeare Theatre Company Academy at George Washington University, credits her success to Drahos’s rigorous training. “There are things I already know that others are just now asking questions about,” she stated. “Much of what I’m learning here, Dr. Drahos laid the foundation for, which is truly amazing.”
Dedication to Student Development
Drahos, who has served as the Theatre program director since 2014, emphasizes the importance of preparing students for the competitive landscape of performing arts. “This award validates the hard work of our students,” he remarked. “They are motivated to push themselves — putting in extra hours on weekends, practicing audition techniques and preparing for graduate school interviews. This recognition tells us our approach is working and that our students are ready to excel at the next level.”
His teaching philosophy focuses on fostering truthful acting, intentionality, and resilience. Drahos believes that students must develop a unique skill set beyond traditional acting techniques. “We’re training students in a competitive way on a national stage,” he explained. “Auditioning requires skills that we work hard to ensure our students possess.”
Former students have echoed the significant impact of Drahos’s mentorship. Billy Oxendine, who graduated in 2021 and recently completed his MFA at the Actors Studio Drama School at Pace University, described Drahos as a mentor who pushes students to reach their fullest potential. “It was fun, but never easy,” Oxendine said. “Dr. Drahos pushed me to my limit in the best way. He saw what I could achieve and wouldn’t let me settle for less.”
Impact Beyond the Classroom
Holder, who graduated earlier this year, also attributes her readiness for graduate school to Drahos’s guidance. “The training under Dr. Drahos gave me the confidence and skillset to thrive,” she stated. She regards Drahos as “one of the best acting teachers in the world,” noting his dedication to nurturing both actors and individuals. “He has always been there for me — like a second father,” she added.
Jamonte Madison, a 2022 UNCP graduate currently in his third year at Juilliard, insists that Drahos prepared him not just for graduate school but for life in general. He recalled how talent agents at URTA auditions recognized Drahos and the UNCP program’s reputation. “It felt really good to hear his name and our school’s name echoed by these agents,” Madison said. When the award was announced, he expressed his approval: “I had already heard the hype at URTAs about Drahos. He deserved it. I was very happy for him.”
With over four decades of experience in theatre, Drahos believes that undergraduate training should instill more than just technical skills. “The award itself is wonderful, but the real reward is knowing you’re making a difference in students’ lives,” he shared. “I’ve always believed that theatre arts is one of the most rigorous degrees on campus, and this award shows the nation that our students are among the best prepared.”
Mark Locklear, a public communications specialist with UNC Pembroke communications & marketing, contributed to this report, illustrating the impressive accomplishments of Drahos and his influence on the next generation of theatre professionals.
