![]() ![]() This student and faculty group, a part of the Department of Dramatic Art, was prominent on campus from the 1920s until PlayMakers Repertory Company phased it out in the 1970s.Īfter graduating from UNC in 1953, Washam was drafted in the U.S. He studied dance under Foster Fitz-Simons, a well-known writer and choreographer, and he did technical and set work for the Playmakers. Washam eventually found his niche in the theatrical program. Some of them were still in their teens and early twenties, but they had a maturity that I did not have,” he said. “The University was awash with veterans who had just come back from World War II, and they were young. He said he thinks it was because many of his peers were more experienced and mature. Though he entered the University intending to become an actor, Washam said he didn’t get many acting parts in the productions. “It’s been one continuous segue for me from one part of the entertainment world to another part,” he said.Īt UNC, Washam lived on the second floor of the then-dormitory Steele Building, conveniently located near the Historic Playmakers Theatre where Washam took many classes and worked with the Carolina Playmakers. “The Cloning” follows a young professor who attempts to clone a fragment of DNA from the Shroud of Turin, which he thinks is the DNA of Jesus. Washam adapted it and published the novel version in 2011. His most recent novel, “The Cloning,” began as a screenplay. After retiring from television in the early 1990s, Washam continued to write independently. ![]() The actor-turned-writer went on to be the head writer for the ABC soap opera “All My Children” for nearly 20 years. “Stopping to read that notice on a tree really changed my life because it got me into the whole world of radio and writing,” Washam said. Washam said he started writing plays for the radio station. Journalism professor Jean Folkerts said that public radio during that era would have been educated-oriented, incorporating live drama, comedy and music. Washam and Kuralt were part of the first FM-broadcasted show of W- UNC in 1952. “Charlie was a friend of mine, and even at age 17 he had a miraculously mellifluous voice and wonderful pronunciation,” Washam said. Not only did Washam try to emulate Kuralt’s voice, but he worked right alongside the legendary broadcaster, who was also a student at the time. “I went over there, put on my deepest voice and tried to speak like Charles Kuralt and got hired!” ![]() “I’d always had this idea that I could do that,” Washam said. Washam said that he remembers walking across campus and noticing a sign tacked up on a tree – “Auditions for announcers for the new radio station.” His plan was to study with the Carolina Playmakers to become an actor, but his plan changed one day during his senior year. So, the man who would become an Emmy-winning soap opera writer entered the dramatic arts department at UNC in 1949. Wisner Washam always knew he wanted to entertain. ![]()
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