The dramatic art and psychology double major draws inspiration from all aspects of theater, including improv comedy, directing and sound design.
During their time at Carolina, senior Madi Ugan has played a number of roles on and off the stage, contributing to over 30 productions.
It all started as a passion for stage crew, improv and acting in high school, which snowballed into mentoring, directing and leading sound design in college.
Ugan believes their experiences in each of these positions has allowed them to better interact with actors and translate directors’ visions into the final product.
One of their favorite productions is “Rocky Horror Picture Show,” presented by on-campus theater troupe UNC Pauper Players. Ugan directed the show three years in a row.
“That was something that was really important to me because I was in charge of creating a safe space and encouraging people to express themselves in a fun and healthy way,” they said.
Along with UNC Pauper Players, Ugan served as a contributing member to student groups LAB! Theatre and Company Carolina. They were also president of improv and sketch comedy club Chapel Hill Players.
“Comedy improv is really different from theater because it’s off-script. It improved my confidence when I meet new people,” they said. “I am not afraid to talk to them and spark up interesting conversations.”
Last spring, Ugan pursued sound design for the first time with Kenan Theatre Company’s production of “The Seagull,” which sparked their interest in sound design as a possible profession.
Currently, Ugan works as a sound design assistant for Playmakers Repertory Company.
Ugan’s psychology classes have also played a pivotal role in their understanding of sound. Their favorite class, PSYC 220: “Biopsychology,” taught them about how sound frequencies are processed by the ears and brain, allowing them to enhance their craft.
After graduation, Ugan plans to use these skills to finish out the year teaching sound design at Walltown Children’s Theater in Durham. They recently helped two students create their first beat.
“They’re both girls. Sound design is mostly a male-dominated field,” they said. “It’s important to me to get them excited to do something like that and to just have fun and let loose, but also teach them hard skills that they can take with them to succeed in the future.”
Another favorite class was African American theater, where Ugan watched a documentary on writer Amiri Baraka that inspired deeper meaning in their art.
“Through Baraka I learned that it’s important to have fun, but art really gets at its depth and can make changes in the world when you think about making a political or social statement,” said Ugan.
Ugan’s favorite theater memories are working with the stage crew behind the scenes, cracking jokes and yelling in the booth when something goes wrong.
Despite their extensive roster of performances, Ugan is most proud of the positive affirmations they get from fellow actors and crew members after a show is over.
“I’m proud of myself for working hard in a way that people recognize and appreciate,” they said.
Looking back at their time at Carolina, Ugan will cherish the people they have met, whether it was the mentors that pushed them or the lifelong friends they’ve made. After all, the interesting people were what gravitated Ugan to dramatic art in the first place.
While the curtain is closing soon on Ugan’s time at Carolina, they would like to share this parting advice for graduating Tar Heels: “It may seem like the best years are behind us, but the best is actually ahead.”
By Sophia Melin, College of Arts and Sciences