Emily Klein

Emily B. Klein is a Professor of English at Saint Mary's College of California, with affiliations in Ethnic Studies and Women's & Gender Studies. Her research focuses on 20th/21st-century American political theatre, performance theory, and feminist critiques of classical adaptations like Lysistrata. She earned her PhD in Literary and Cultural Studies from Carnegie Mellon University and a BA in English from UCLA.

Dr. Klein's work bridges academic scholarship and activism, analyzing how performance engages with militarization, gender politics, and civic identity. Her notable publications include Sex and War on the American Stage (2014) and articles on feminist absurdism and protest theatre. She co-edited Performing Dream Homes (2019), exploring theatre's role in spatial politics.

• Research Highlights:
  • Analysis of Lysistrata adaptations across eras
  • Performance responses to militarized culture
  • Intersection of science and theatre in political contexts
• Awards: 2022 Modern Drama Outstanding Article Award for redefining feminist performance frameworks.
• Teaching: Integrates political theory, media studies, and cultural critiques into classroom practice.

Her recent scholarship addresses contemporary protest dynamics in American theatre, emphasizing how performance mediates societal tensions around gender, war, and identity.