Find Academic Supervisors

Aimee BlesingView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Theatre Arts
• Acting Techniques
• Voice and Movement Training
• +3 more

Aimee Blesing is a Senior Lecturer in the Theatre & Dance Department at the University of New Hampshire (UNH), specializing in acting, voice, movement, and dialects. She teaches courses such as Introduction to the Art of Acting, Acting 1, Movement and Vocal Production, Dialects, and Period and Style. Her professional experience includes directing numerous plays, including The Comedy of Errors , Dancing at Lughnasa , and productions for UNH's touring theatre for young audiences. She has also served on various committees, including the Theatre & Dance Department’s Committee for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion, and community organizations like the Dover Chamber of Commerce and Fringe Seacoast. Education: Holds diplomas from Edith Cowan University and the Western Australia Academy of Performing Arts. Her research interests focus on dramatic/theatre arts and artistic performance practices. She is certified in Lessac Kinesensic voice and movement training and currently serves as President of the Lessac Training and Research Institute. Artistic activities include directing for her company theatre.unmasked and collaborating with local theatre groups. She emphasizes the integration of voice, body, and creative expression in her teaching and coaching, aiming to empower students and professionals to communicate with clarity and authenticity.

Carol FisherView profile

Lecturer

• Theatre Education
• Puppetry
• Youth Theatre
• +3 more

Carol Fisher is a Principal Lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the University of New Hampshire, specializing in Puppetry, Creative Drama, and Theatre for Young Audiences. She has directed and taught youth drama across New England for two decades and previously served as a classroom teacher for elementary education. Holding an M.A. in Dramatic/Theatre Arts from Arizona State University and a B.A. in Education from the University of South Florida, Fisher focuses on innovative educational theatre practices. Developed UNH's Summer Youth Workshop series Established community-based drama programs in Natick and Lynn Lead artist for numerous theatrical productions including Beauty and the Beast (2019) and Wizard of Oz (2018) Her research interests span costume design, puppet construction, scenic painting, and youth theatre development. Recent pedagogical work includes a 2018 study abroad program on French puppetry arts. Fisher actively teaches courses like Advanced Puppetry and Storytelling, Story Theatre, maintaining a robust schedule of course offerings since 2015.

Leticia M. DelgadoView profile

Assistant Professor

• Costume design
• Chicanx studies
• Latiné textiles
• +3 more

Leticia M. Delgado is an Assistant Professor and Head of Costume Design at the University of Texas at El Paso's College of Fine Arts, Department of Theatre and Dance. She serves as a resident costume designer for Ballet Lubbock and has created designs for venues internationally in China and Ireland. Her work explores intersections of Chicanx dress, Latiné textiles, and their ties to identity and representation. Her research focuses on costume design for theatre and film, Latiné textile practices, Chicanx art, and the social dynamics of clothing. She has contributed to publications such as The Art and Practice of Costume Design (2017) and The Director's Vision (2015), emphasizing cultural narratives in performance aesthetics. Selected Scientific Awards: artEquity BIPOC Leadership Circle 2020 Professor Delgado is actively involved in professional communities, including the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) Latinx, Indigenous and the Americas Focus Group, and the United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT). She has showcased her designs in festivals like the Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Santa Barbara Theatre Group.

Brian HealyView profile

Associate Professor

• Stage Design
• Lighting Design
• Scenic Design
• +3 more

Brian Healy is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of Theatre and Dance at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly) in San Luis Obispo, CA. He holds an MFA in Theatrical Design from the University of Washington and a B.A. in Theatre from Truman State University. With 23 years of teaching experience, he specializes in lighting design, scenic design, stagecraft, and dramatic theory. Education: MFA in Theatrical Design, University of Washington (Seattle), 200X B.A. in Theatre, Truman State University, 199X Research/Design Interests: Brian's work focuses on innovative lighting design, scenic storytelling, and technical production. His designs emphasize emotional impact and visual spectacle, as seen in productions like Tuck Everlasting (2018) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (2017), praised for their immersive lighting and technical excellence. He prioritizes collaboration across disciplines, from costume to sound design. Key Achievements: Recipient of the National Outstanding Production Award (Kennedy Center) for Vincent In Brixton (2013) Design work featured at major institutions: Sundance Resort, Hale Centre Theatre, Seattle Repertory Theatre, and Book-It Repertory Theatre Course developer at Cal Poly: Technical Theatre Production and Technology in Theatrical Design Advising & Grants: Brian’s academic leadership includes mentoring students in technical theatre and scenic design. His grants and institutional support enable innovative productions, such as Hale Centre Theatre’s technologically advanced lighting systems. Labs/Teams: He collaborates with academic and professional theatres, including University College Dublin, Western Washington University, and Chicago’s Shattered Globe Theatre. His work bridges academic and professional theatre through immersive design practices.

Adrian AlitaView profile

Associate Professor

• Theatre
• Acting
• Performance Education
• +3 more

Adrian Alita is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Head of Acting at the School of Theatre, Television, and Film within the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts at San Diego State University (SDSU). His primary affiliation is with the Theatre department, focusing on academic and practical contributions to acting education and performance studies. Contact details include the Dramatic Arts - 212 building in San Diego, CA. While specific research interests are not elaborated, his role as Head of Acting suggests a specialization in acting techniques, pedagogy, and stage performance. No academic awards or grants are documented in the provided text. Advising activities or student mentorship details are also absent. Adrian Alita's professional network extends through SDSU's College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, though no lab affiliations or collaborative teams are explicitly mentioned. His contact information and departmental role indicate a focus on teaching and administrative contributions within the theatre arts field.

Jesca PrudencioView profile

Associate Professor

• Theatre Directing
• Choreography
• Theatrical Production Design
• +3 more

Jesca Prudencio is an Associate Professor of Theatre at the School of Theatre, Television, and Film, part of the College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts at San Diego State University (SDSU). She is also affiliated with the PSFA Diversity Council and has held roles as a director, choreographer, and creative director in both academic and commercial theatre. Her creative work spans classical and contemporary theatre, including directing Thornton Wilder’s Our Town at the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj, choreographing Dot Dot Dot: A New Musical for TheatreWorksUSA, and leading immersive productions for Virgin Voyages (e.g., It's a Ship Show! and We Fancy ). Her projects emphasize storytelling through movement, cultural adaptation, and audience engagement. Prudencio’s expertise includes dramaturgical reinterpretation of classic texts, musical theatre adaptation, and immersive performance design. She has collaborated with institutions like the Hungarian Theatre of Cluj and Virgin Voyages, blending academic and commercial theatre practices. Notably, she has no listed scientific awards, but her work has been highlighted in national tours and international productions. Her advising and grant activities are not detailed in the provided texts, though her creative projects suggest extensive collaboration with artists and institutions. She is based at SDSU’s Dramatic Arts facility and maintains a professional website at jescaprudencio.com .

Ronja YuView profile

Lecturer

• Documentary Film
• Social Issues
• Political Analysis
• +3 more

Ronja Yu is a Lecturer in the School of Cinema at San Francisco State University. She holds an MFA in Cinema from SF State and studied at the Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts. As an award-winning filmmaker, her work focuses on social and political issues through documentary film. Her projects, including the acclaimed feature film You Are The Days To Come , have screened globally at festivals like Hot Docs and IDFA, with broadcasts on major networks across Europe and New Zealand. Education MFA in Cinema, San Francisco State University Stockholm Academy of Dramatic Arts Research Interests Yu’s creative research explores the intersection of personal narrative and societal structures, using documentary to amplify underrepresented voices in political discourse. Her films blend observational storytelling with critical analysis, addressing themes such as migration, environmental justice, and cultural identity. Affiliations & Contact Office: Fine Arts Building, Room 245 | Office Hours: Virtual by appointment Phone: (415) 338-1629 | Email

Kurt DawView profile

Professor

• Acting
• Directing
• Shakespeare
• +3 more

Kurt Daw is a Professor of Theatre Studies & Performance at San Francisco State University. He previously served as President of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) and as Dean of the Arts at San Francisco State University and the State University of New York at New Paltz. He founded the Theatre Department at Kennesaw State University. His expertise spans Acting, Directing, Shakespearean studies, and online pedagogy. He authored Acting: Thought into Action and Acting Shakespeare and His Contemporaries , and developed a digital edition of A Midsummer Night's Dream designed for performers. His work emphasizes accessibility and innovative educational tools, particularly during the pandemic. His reviews and analyses of contemporary theatre productions, including Measure for Measure , Twelfth Night , and Hamlet , highlight themes of social justice, political relevance, and performative innovation. He frequently explores intersections between classical texts and modern societal issues, such as over-incarceration and online learning. Notable contributions include his critique of Marin Shakespeare Company's Measure for Measure (2019) and his analysis of Brett Gamboa's Shakespeare's Double Plays (2018). His blog, Shakespeare's Tribe , offers free resources for teaching Shakespeare and curates discussions on theatrical performance and pedagogy.

Vicki HoskinsView profile

Assistant Professor

• Theatre History
• Musical Theatre
• Dramaturgy
• +4 more

Vicki Hoskins is an Assistant Professor in Theatre & Dance at San Francisco State University (SFSU), joining in Fall 2023. Her roles include MA/Graduate Coordinator and Theatre Arts Advisor (last names C-E). She holds a Ph.D. in Theatre and Performance Studies from the University of Pittsburgh, an MA from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, and a BA from UC Irvine. Research focuses on the corporatization of theatre, particularly examining Playbill’s historical impact on Broadway through her book project Playbill’s Broadway: Monopolies, Branding, and Audience Life . Teaching spans theatre history, dramaturgy, and contemporary theory, alongside practical courses in playwriting and acting. As a practitioner, she is a professional dramaturg specializing in new works and musical theatre, and an intimacy choreographer with expertise in LGBTQ+ storytelling. Notable directing credits include The Last Days of Judas Iscariot (2025) and Gruesome Playground Injuries (2016). Her intimacy choreography work appears in productions like Waitress (2024) and She Kills Monsters (2024). Educations: Ph.D. (University of Pittsburgh), MA (UIUC), BA (UC Irvine). Professional affiliations include TIE (Theatrical Intimacy Education) certified training.

• Playwriting
• Theatre
• Radio Drama
• +3 more

Hattie Naylor is a Lecturer in Stage and Screen at Sheffield Hallam University, affiliated with the College of Business, Technology and Engineering. She is an award-winning writer with over fifty plays, radio dramas, and operas to her name. Notable works include Ivan and the Dogs (Olivier Award nominee, Tinniswood Award winner), The Diaries of Samuel Pepys (Best Radio Drama nominee), and As the Crow Flies . Her work spans theatre, radio, and film, with collaborations including adaptations for the Young Vic, Bristol Old Vic, and British Council workshops globally. Education includes Dance at Nottingham Trent University, Fine Art at the Slade School of Art (specializing in Sound and Text), and studies in Screenwriting at London College of Printing. She has directed works like The Nutcracker and Alice Through the Looking Glass , and her research includes student collaborations on projects like DEAD a play or Catalyst . Awards include the Tinniswood Award (2010), Olivier nomination (2010), and multiple radio drama nominations. Upcoming projects include Northanger Abbey on BBC Radio 4 and a national tour of As the Crow Flies .

Barbara Wallace GrossmanView profile

Professor

• American popular entertainment
• musical theatre
• women in theatre
• +4 more

Dr. Barbara Wallace Grossman is a Professor in the Department of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies at Tufts University, where she has held academic ranks from Lecturer (1991) to Acting Chair (2019–2020). Her work bridges scholarship, performance, and advocacy. She earned a PhD in Drama from Tufts (1984), an MFA in Directing from Boston University (1976), and earlier degrees in English literature from Smith College (AB, 1969) and Brandeis University (MA, 1970). Her research focuses on musical theatre, Holocaust/Genocide representation, and voice/speech techniques. Notable publications include Funny Woman: The Life and Times of Fanny Brice and A Spectacle of Suffering: Clara Morris on the American Stage . She has directed productions ranging from Our Country's Good to Sense and Sensibility , emphasizing socially engaged theatre. Prof. Grossman’s service includes presidential appointments to the National Council on the Arts (1994–1999) and the United States Holocaust Memorial Council (2000–2005), and leadership roles in organizations like MassCreative. Awards include the Terezín Music Foundation Legacy Award (2018) and Boston’s Mayor Menino Memorial Award (2016). Her teaching spans undergraduate and graduate courses like Confronting Genocide on Stage and Screen and Voice & Speech: The Art of Confident Expression . She also participates in Jewish cultural initiatives, including singing with Kol Emanuel and performing with the Jewish Arts Collaborative.

Heather S. NathansView profile

Professor

• Theatre History
• Race and Ethnicity on the U.S. Stage
• Theatre and Social Justice
• +5 more

Heather S. Nathans is a Professor of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies and the Nathan and Alice Gantcher Professor of Judaic Studies at Tufts University. She holds appointments in the School of Arts and Sciences and serves as Dean of Academic Affairs and Associate Dean for Diversity and Inclusion (2021–2024). Her research focuses on race, gender, and ethnicity in U.S. theatre, with expertise in African American and Jewish American theatre, 17th/18th-century French drama, and theatre historiography. She edits the Studies in Theatre History and Culture series (University of Iowa Press) and has received major awards including the John W. Frick Book Award and Barnard Hewitt Award. Nathans has held fellowships from the Guggenheim Foundation, Mellon Foundation, NEH, and the Katz Center for Judaic Studies. She served as past-president of the American Theatre and Drama Society and American Society for Theatre Research. Education: PhD in Theatre History (Tufts University, 1999); AB in Theatre (Dartmouth College, 1990). Her teaching spans graduate and undergraduate courses on Jewish American theatre, race/ethnicity/gender in performance, and acting techniques. She has organized conferences on topics like slavery in performance and directs projects on prison education and early American drama.

Christian RozierView profile

Associate Professor

• Documentary Film
• Narrative Film
• Digital Storytelling
• +3 more

Christian Rozier is a dual-appointed Associate Professor of Film Studies (Production) and Digital Storytelling at the School of Visual Studies, University of Missouri. A documentary and narrative film director, he has produced content across four continents, focusing on uplifting stories within underrepresented communities. His work includes the award-winning feature film Apache Leap (2021) and documentaries like Racing the Past (2014) and When the Rabbit Got the Gun (2021). Education: MFA in Film Production (Temple University), BA in Dramatic Literature (Washington University in Saint Louis) Known for collaborations with the San Carlos Apache Tribal Reservation and NGOs His research interests span documentary filmmaking, narrative directing, digital storytelling techniques, and culturally responsive media production. His filmography reflects a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices through interdisciplinary approaches. The two available publications highlight his focus on cultural representation and ethnographic storytelling in film. His 2017 work Theft of the American Voice explores media ownership issues, while his 2005 film Among the Trees documents cross-cultural musical journeys. At the University of Missouri, Rozier teaches courses in narrative film directing, documentary and scripted production, and digital storytelling modes. He has also developed media arts programs for underserved youth and indigenous communities globally.

David BrittView profile

Senior Lecturer

• Theatre Directing
• Acting
• Comedy Improvisation

David Britt is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theatre and Dance at the McCausland College of Arts and Sciences, University of South Carolina. With fifteen years of service, he directs productions and performs extensively. Education: MFA, University of South Carolina Research Interests: His work explores narrative development in theatre, character interpretation, and the integration of comedic improvisation in dramatic training. Focus areas include contemporary American theatre and classical adaptations. Professional Engagement: Member of SAG/AFTRA; trained at New Actors Workshop (NYC) and Shakespeare and Company (MA); completed Second City Comedy Improvisation Boot Camp.

Dustin WhiteheadView profile

Assistant Professor

• Film and Media Performance
• Theatre Arts
• Acting
• +3 more

Dustin Whitehead is an Assistant Professor of Film and Media Performance at the University of South Carolina's McCausland College of Arts and Sciences. He holds an MFA in Acting from DePaul University and a BFA in Performance from Jacksonville University, with additional filmmaking studies at NYU Tisch Asia in Singapore. His professional work spans acting in national TV shows (Chicago PD, Chicago Fire) and films, alongside theatre credits at prestigious institutions like Steppenwolf and Goodman Theatre in Chicago. As a filmmaker, he directs and produces independent films such as Hero (streaming on Amazon) and Somewhere in the Midwest , which screened at multiple festivals including the Charleston International Film Festival. Whitehead's teaching focuses on acting techniques for film and stage, blending his dual expertise in performance and production. He maintains an active creative practice, balancing academic responsibilities with ongoing work in narrative films, documentaries, and music videos through his production projects. His academic affiliation emphasizes the intersection of traditional theatre training with modern media performance. Education history includes: BFA in Performance, Jacksonville University MFA in Acting, DePaul University Film Studies, NYU Tisch Asia (Singapore) His creative portfolio includes over 20 film and stage projects since 2016, demonstrating versatility across genres and mediums. Current work focuses on developing independent narratives while mentoring students in performance and production techniques.