Lezlie Cross

Lezlie Cross is Associate Professor of Theatre at the University of Portland, specializing in Shakespearean performance history and dramaturgy. Her research examines historical productions through social justice lenses, particularly focusing on evolving representations of gender and disability.

Cross investigates 19th-century performances of Much Ado About Nothing and their connection to women's suffrage movements. She is currently writing a book on actor Edwin Booth's Shakespeare acting editions. Her creative work includes directing and developing an ASL adaptation of Titus Andronicus for the National Technical Institute for the Deaf.

She integrates research into teaching through projects like the devised play Where is Home, which explored racist housing policies in Portland. Cross serves on the advisory board for Bloomsbury's 'Shakespeare and Social Justice' series.