Mike Wiley was a young actor in 1999 when he discovered a historic tale that inspired him to write his first play. It changed his life.

The Oct. 6 public launch of the University’s comprehensive campaign, The Campaign for Carolina, hopes to similarly inspire Carolina alumni and friends to support transformative initiatives that advance the mission and vision of the College of Arts & Sciences under Dean Kevin Guskiewicz.

Joan H. Gillings has committed the largest single gift ever to the performing arts at Carolina: the $12 million gift to PlayMakers Repertory Company and the department of dramatic art will significantly increase the University’s performing arts programming by expanding educational opportunities for students and enhancing performance and outreach offerings available to the community.

PlayMakers Repertory Company has always had a long relationship with bringing the works of William Shakespeare to the University and local communities.

In 1976, PlayMakers Repertory Company became the professional theater-in-residence on the UNC campus and brought Arthur Miller’s gripping play, The Crucible, to life.

Vivienne Benesch recently became producing artistic director of PlayMakers Repertory Company, the professional theater in residence in the College of Arts and Sciences.

Last fall PlayMakers Repertory Company transformed the Paul Green Theatre into an aquatic wonderland complete with indoor pool for the mythological storytelling of the Tony Award-winning play “Metamorphoses,” presented in repertory with the Shakespearean epic “The Tempest.”