Rachel Evans

Rachel Evans is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Kean Theatre Conservatory in the Department of Theatre at Kean University's College of Liberal Arts. She has taught at Kean since September 2004 and served as Vice-President of the Educational Theatre Association and Chair of the Theatre Writing Team for the 2014 National Core Arts Standards.

Her educational background includes:

• M.F.A., Theatre Arts/Directing, University of Pittsburgh
• B.F.A., Acting/Performance, Hofstra University

Professor Evans specializes in Theatre Education Pedagogy, Theatre for Young Audiences, and Theatre for the Very Young, with research encompassing assessment standards in the arts, mindfulness practices, and August Wilson's playwright works. She develops educational theatre programs and original plays focused on youth engagement and social relevance.

Her Theatre Journal publications analyze productions ranging from contemporary musicals like "Kimberly Akimbo" to classical works including Shakespeare's "Hamlet" and "Measure for Measure," emphasizing educational value, youth theatre applications, and social commentary in performance.

Her notable awards include:

• TYA/USA’s Ann Shaw Fellowship for international Theatre for Young Audiences study
• NJ Governor’s Award in Arts Education for Distinguished Service to Theatre Education (2012)
• Kean’s Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Service (2019)

Professor Evans has secured six Students Partnering with Faculty grants to collaborate with students on original plays such as "Breathe In, Speak Out: Everyone Counts!" and "Day by Day: August Wilson’s Legacy." She directs the Kean Players on Tour, bringing productions like "Country Mouse & the Missing Lunch Mystery" and "Still Life with Iris" to local schools.

As Chair of the Kean Theatre Conservatory, she oversees curriculum development and productions. She also serves as costume designer for Rutgers University's Mason Gross School of the Arts, Department of Dance.