More Allegations Against University of North Carolina School of the Arts as Alums Come Forward

by Chris Peterson, OnStage Blog Founder

For the past year, the University of North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) has been under fire over disturbing allegations of abuse by its faculty. In Jan 2022, a lawsuit was filed by more than 50 alumni who stated they were abused, sexually and emotionally, by faculty and staff with some incidents dating back more than 30 years ago.

Now, multiple alumni and former students of UNCSA School of Design and Production have come forward with new allegations against both current and former faculty and staff members. The allegations include sexual harassment and inappropriate touching.

In an article posted on Medium, Joseph McNamara Hefner reports that he spoke to more than several alums of the school. Hefner is also an alum of UNCSA’s film program.

Alums and former students singled out faculty such as Zachary “Zak” Stevenson of misconduct. Students alleged that Stevenson would make racist comments about Latino students, and on more than one occasion, inappropriately touched them.

One alum said that during a safety demonstration, Stevenson was touching another student and patted her butt.

“If doing a demonstration on a person and you have to touch them, they should give consent and be aware where and how they are going to be touched.” Louise further alleged that, after touching her inappropriately, Stevenson gave the signal to an upperclassman crew member for Louise to be “picked up” — swiftly elevated above the stage via the mechanism attached to the harness — without warning her first.

Another student reported on Stevenson’s sexually charged comments around students.

Alex said that they often had to use their sexual orientation “as a shield” to keep Stevenson from directing comments of a sexual nature at them. According to Alex, when they would arrive at class, a workspace, or a rehearsal space presenting in a femme way, Stevenson would ask if they were “pussy hunting.”

“He would constantly speak in [sexual] innuendo if the opportunity arose,” Alex recalled.”

There are also allegations of other faculty members who crossed lines with students when it came to discussing personal matters.

“There was a lot of mingling that Bill[Volz], a scenic technology instructor, would do involving students’ personal lives,” he recalled. “This is an old man talking to 17 and 18-year-olds about who they think is hot.”

Multiple alums reported this behavior to school officials, including Dean Michael Kelley, but nothing was ever done.

In response to the story, the UNCSA issued the following statement,

“UNCSA is committed to providing a learning, teaching and working environment that is safe and free from harassment and discrimination. UNCSA investigates every report of misconduct in compliance with federally mandated regulations and UNCSA policies and takes remedial action when appropriate. The university does not comment on reports or investigations to protect the privacy of those involved.”

This is a developing story and will be updated with new information as it becomes available.