Beth Kattelman

Beth Kattelman is a Professor of University Libraries and holds a courtesy appointment as Professor in the Department of Theatre, Film, and Media Arts at The Ohio State University. She is also the Curator of the Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee Theatre Research Institute. Her work bridges academic research and theatrical practice, focusing on horror entertainments, feminist/GLBTQQIA theory, and the history of magic and puppetry. Kattelman holds an MLIS from Kent State University and a PhD in Theatre from The Ohio State University.

Her research explores popular entertainments, including ghost shows, magic performances, and puppetry, with a particular emphasis on how these forms intersect with cultural, social, and psychological dimensions. She has co-edited Frightful Witnessing: The Rhetoric and (Re)Presentation of Fear, Horror and Terror and published extensively on topics such as sound design in horror films and the cultural significance of Victorian-era spiritualist performances.

Kattelman is a seasoned puppet designer and director, co-founding Madcap Productions and directing acclaimed productions like Avenue Q and The Rocky Horror Show. She leads the award-winning puppet troupe The Puppet Queers and has contributed to numerous theatre companies in Columbus, Ohio. Her professional engagements include roles as Artistic Director of New Venture Theatre and collaborations with institutions like the Omaha Magic Theatre.

Her career reflects a commitment to interdisciplinary scholarship, theatrical innovation, and the preservation of performance heritage through archives and live art.