Erik Viker is a Professor and Department Head of Theatre at Susquehanna University. He holds an MFA from the University of Texas at Austin and a BS from the University of Florida. His expertise spans stagecraft, theatre operations, and technical theatre education. As a union-affiliated stagehand (IATSE Local 636), he integrates professional industry experience into teaching. Key research interests include theatre safety, production management, and pedagogical approaches emphasizing critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving. He authored Inspired Teaching (2013) and contributes regularly to journals like Theatre Design & Technology and Stage Directions . Teaching focuses on practical technical skills and liberal arts integration, with courses ranging from stage management to dramatic literature. Active in professional organizations, he served on the USITT Publications Committee and presented at national conferences on technical theatre topics.
Anna Andes is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Program Director of GO Czech Republic at Susquehanna University. She holds a BA from Franklin and Marshall College, MA and PhD from the University of Colorado Boulder. Her research focuses on feminist theory, theatre history, and directing older texts to engage contemporary audiences. She has published articles on Edwardian marriage discourse, suffrage drama, and maternal themes in plays. Notable works include a co-edited book on mothers in theatre and articles in journals like English Literature in Transition and Journal of New Woman Studies . She teaches courses ranging from Acting Fundamentals to Global Citizenship and directs productions that bridge scholarly and creative processes. Education: BA (Franklin and Marshall College), MA & PhD (University of Colorado Boulder) Her research emphasizes reviving overlooked texts to reflect on societal issues through feminist lenses. She coordinates Women’s Studies initiatives and leads study abroad programs in Prague. Her work integrates teaching, directing, and scholarship, often inspired by student collaboration.
Evan Muehlbauer is a Professor of Dramatic Writing at Savannah College of Art and Design (Atlanta), holding this position since Fall 2023. He previously served as a private tutor in Los Angeles since 2013 and taught as a Teaching Assistant at the University of Southern California's School of Cinematic Arts (2011–2012). His academic background includes an M.F.A. in Film and Television Production from USC and a B.F.A. in Film and Media Studies from Columbia University. His expertise spans screenwriting, film production, and educational strategies for the entertainment industry. Notable accolades include the 2019 Roadmap Writers Jump Start Finalist award and the 2017 Script Pipeline Top 10 recognition for his collaborative work on Nix . His research interests emphasize narrative structure, industry entry strategies, and visual storytelling techniques. His presentations include talks on screenplay structure at Los Angeles County School for the Arts (2020) and career strategies at Point Loma Playhouse (2018). He has authored The Art of the Storyboard (2007) and contributed to numerous screenwriting and editing projects across platforms. His creative work spans film production, including roles in Pursued and Brian Remus: Science Genius .
Averie Storck is a Professor and Chair of Dramatic Writing at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), serving since 2015. She holds an M.F.A. in Film from Columbia University and a B.A. in English from the University of Pennsylvania. Previously, she served as a part-time professor of performing arts at SCAD (2011–2015) and held roles at institutions like Ramapo College of New Jersey and Gotham City Improv. Her research focuses on screenwriting, film production, and dramatic narrative techniques. She has developed award-winning projects such as The Buried Life and Showers of Happiness , earning grants from the Sundance Institute and Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. Her work emphasizes character-driven storytelling and innovative narrative structures. Award highlights include the $30,000 Producers Grant (2014), Sundance Screenwriting Lab participation (2014), and recognition at festivals like Hamptons International and GIAA. She is affiliated with New York Women in Film and the Writers Guild of America East. Her professional trajectory includes teaching roles as a graduate assistant at Columbia and Barnard, as well as guest lectures and directing engagements. She has also contributed to community initiatives like ESL teaching in Micronesia and NYC reading programs for gifted students.
Abigail Taylor-Sansom is a Professor of Dramatic Writing at Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), where she teaches transmedia storytelling, screenwriting, and voice and movement for musical theatre. She holds an M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing from SCAD and a B.A. in Dramatic Art from The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Her academic career includes roles as an instructor at SCAD, AMDA College and Conservatory, and guest lecturer at Monroe College. Beyond academia, she has served as a showrunner and writer for Hunt a Killer and contributed to projects at Walt Disney Imagineering and Lionsgate Games. Her research focuses on blending traditional storytelling with modern interactive media, including transmedia narratives for film, gaming, and themed entertainment. She has designed courses integrating voice techniques with acting and has led workshops with industry professionals. Her professional projects span interactive novels, tabletop games, and immersive Disney attractions, demonstrating expertise in cross-disciplinary storytelling. Abigail has garnered recognition through awards such as the KIDS FIRST! Film Festival Official Selection for Duo (2020) and the Outstanding Music and Lyrics award for Pageant Princess (2012). Her creative work includes published plays like Fine Art and Hipster Van Winkle , as well as interactive projects like The Guest House and Ghosts of the French Quarter . She actively contributes to professional organizations like the Dramatists Guild of America and Women in Toys, Licensing, and Entertainment. Her professional leadership includes managing writers' rooms for Hunt a Killer games and collaborating with cross-functional teams on Disney's immersive experiences. She has also contributed to hiring processes for creative roles, showcasing her dual expertise in education and industry.
Scott Winfield Sublett is a Professor in the Department of Film and Theatre at San José State University, teaching screenwriting, playwriting, and film studies. He holds an MFA in Screenwriting from UCLA and BS from Northwestern University. His creative work includes directing Bye-Bye Bin Laden (Best Feature, South Beach Animation Festival) and authoring Screenwriting for Neurotics (University of Iowa Press). Research interests: Dramatic structure, comedy principles, and film production. Current project: Book on comedy in dramatic writing. Professional credits: Produced films include All About Dad (Top 10 Asian American films 2009) and Glory Boy Days (Slamdance premiere). Co-author of The Mama Dragon Monologues addressing LGBTQ issues in religious communities.
Glenn Simshaw is an Assistant Professor of Writing and Director of the Writing Center at Scripps College. His academic background includes a B.A. in English (Honors) from Whitman College, an M.A. in China Studies from the University of Washington, and a Ph.D. in English from Claremont Graduate University. His research focuses on rhetoric/writing, Shakespeare, early modern literature, and dramatic literature. Key interests include the traditions and limits of comedy, tragedy, terror, trauma, and explorations of Shakespearean themes like love and selfhood. He teaches courses such as Politics and Language , Shakespeare and Love , and advanced writing workshops on op-eds and sentence style. No scientific awards or grants are explicitly listed in the profile. His academic leadership includes directing the Writing Center, supporting student writing development.
Courtney Abbott serves as an Artist Faculty member in the Theatre Conservatory of Roosevelt University's Chicago College of Performing Arts, holding the academic rank of Lecturer. Her role centers on teaching and artistic mentorship within the theatre discipline. Her expertise spans core theatrical domains with emphasis on practical and theoretical aspects of performance: Acting techniques and character development Stage direction and production management Dramatic literature analysis Theatrical design principles Contemporary performance theory Collaborative ensemble work Prospective students may contact her directly via email at cabbott05@roosevelt.edu for program inquiries or artistic collaboration opportunities.
Dr. Jason Powell is Professor of English and Director of the Honors Program at Saint Joseph's University. A specialist in Tudor literature and manuscript studies, he earned his D.Phil from the University of Oxford. His research reconstructs literary networks of early modern England through manuscript circulation, diplomatic correspondence, and print culture. Current projects examine the intersection of poetry and statecraft in Tudor court environments. Publications reveal three research streams: 1) Diplomatic writings and ambassadorial literature (40%) 2) Editorial scholarship on Thomas Wyatt and Philip Sidney (35%) 3) Material text studies including scribal practices and dry point annotations (25%). Recent work increasingly explores information management in Tudor governance. He directs the university Honors Program and teaches courses on Renaissance literature, textual editing, Shakespeare, and early modern diplomatic culture. His administrative leadership focuses on interdisciplinary curriculum development.
Catherine Doherty is an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts at the State University of New York at New Paltz. She holds an office in CT 128 and can be reached via email at dohertyc@newpaltz.edu. Her work focuses on theatre studies, performance art, and dramatic literature. Though no specific research projects or publications are detailed in the provided text, her affiliation with the Theatre Arts department suggests expertise in stage direction, theatrical education, and related performance disciplines. No scientific awards, grants, or advised students are explicitly mentioned in the source material.
Tony Speciale is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre Arts at SUNY New Paltz. He is affiliated with the university's College of Arts and Sciences, though specific school details are not explicitly stated. His academic role focuses on theatre education and research within the performing arts domain. Research interests likely align with his department's focus areas, including contemporary theatre practices, educational methodologies in drama, and historical studies of theatrical performance. While no specific articles or grants are mentioned in the provided text, his position suggests involvement in academic theatre projects and potential contributions to curriculum development. No awards or advisory activities are documented here, though his role as a faculty member implies engagement with student mentorship and departmental initiatives.
Roger Zahab is a Teaching Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, where he directs the Orchestra and Undergraduate Studies. He is also a core faculty member and co-chair of the MFA in Music Composition program at Vermont College of Fine Arts (VCFA). Zahab holds a BM in Violin Performance from the University of Akron and an MM in Violin Performance from SUNY Stony Brook, with additional mentorship in composition from Tison Street, Ursula Mamlok, and John Cage. His work spans composition, violin/viola performance, conducting, and interdisciplinary collaborations in dance, theater, and video. Research interests focus on complex musical interactions and music’s societal role. Zahab has premiered over 200 works, including editions of Julia Perry’s violin concerto and orchestral pieces like wild woods and Intarsia . His recordings, such as the 2023 album Roger Zahab – at the piano , highlight his compositional versatility. He has led ensembles like the University of Akron’s New Music Group and founded the Daedalus series. Zahab’s awards and grants include collaborations with institutions like the MacDowell Colony and the Mary Flagler Cary Trust. His academic roles emphasize mentorship in low-residency programs and contemporary music advocacy. Notable works include Magna Mysteria (2009), Shadow Rhymes (2024), and film scores like Orson Rehearsed .
Dr. Steven Brown is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology, Neuroscience & Behaviour at McMaster University, where he directs the NeuroArts Lab. His interdisciplinary research bridges neuroscience, psychology, and the arts to explore the neural foundations of artistic expression and appreciation across multiple domains. PhD Pharmacology, Columbia University (1993) MPhil Pharmacology, Columbia University (1989) MA Pharmacology, Columbia University (1987) Postdoctoral Fellow at Pasteur Institute (1996-2001), Karolinska Institute, University of Texas Health Science Center, and Simon Fraser University Dr. Brown's research focuses on the neural basis of the arts, with particular emphasis on music, dance, acting, storytelling, cinema, drawing, aesthetics, and creativity. His work combines cognitive neuroscience with arts scholarship to understand how artistic expression emerges from brain function. He has pioneered research in neuroaesthetics and the cognitive science of performance, exploring the biological foundations of artistic creation and appreciation. His methodology often incorporates neuroimaging techniques to map brain activity during artistic processes, revealing how different art forms share common neural mechanisms. His recent publications demonstrate a clear trajectory toward unifying theories of artistic expression. Dr. Brown's work increasingly examines the common neural substrates underlying music, dance, and narrative, with significant contributions to understanding musical scales from evolutionary and perceptual perspectives. His research on character portrayal has illuminated the multimodal nature of acting, showing how body, face, and voice synchronize during performance. His publications consistently move from studying individual art forms toward developing comprehensive frameworks for understanding the arts as an integrated cognitive domain. Dr. Brown teaches courses including Contemporary Problems in Psychology, The Mind as a Work of Art, and The Science of Performance. His teaching reflects his research interests, emphasizing the intersection of neuroscience and artistic expression. He has supervised numerous student research projects in the NeuroArts Lab and has secured funding for interdisciplinary projects that bridge neuroscience and the arts, collaborating with researchers across multiple departments and institutions. As director of the NeuroArts Lab, Dr. Brown leads a research team investigating the neural correlates of artistic creation and appreciation. The lab employs fMRI, behavioral experiments, and computational modeling to study how the brain processes musical, visual, and narrative arts. Current projects focus on character portrayal, musical scale perception, and the evolutionary origins of artistic expression, with implications for understanding human cognition, evolution, and potential therapeutic applications of the arts.
Edmond Agopian is a Professor of Violin and Conductor at the University of Calgary, as well as an Artist-in-Residence at Mount Royal Conservatory. He serves as the Director & Conductor of the Calgary Youth Orchestra and holds roles in Strings Faculty (violin). His career spans over three decades, including leadership with professional orchestras like the Kensington Sinfonia and collaborations with international ensembles such as the Canadian Chamber Orchestra, Shanghai Opera Orchestra, and Polish Baltic Philharmonic Orchestra. Additionally, he has been on the faculty of the Morningside Music Bridge International Music Festival for twenty summers, teaching in locations like Beijing, Shanghai, and Gdansk, Poland. Agopian holds a B.Mus. and M.Mus., with early studies in Romania and formal training at the Juilliard School. His professional journey includes relinquishing a position at Acadia University to focus on roles in Calgary. His research interests and artistic contributions revolve around violin performance, orchestral conducting, and the exploration of diverse musical traditions. He has pioneered arrangements that highlight Calgary’s multicultural musical landscape, blending Klezmer, Mariachi, Jazz, and Métis fiddling into his Calgary Musicscapes Band project. A notable publication is his violin method book The No Time to Practice Technique Companion , a SHAR Music Company bestseller since 2002. Agopian’s awards include the Calgary Arts Award, Alberta Centennial Medal (for service to Alberta), and the John Peter Lee Roberts Distinguished Professorship in Fine Arts. His conducting work has been praised for technical mastery and emotional depth, with reviews highlighting performances as 'triumphs of technique' and 'dramatic heartfelt playing.' He has advised students who have joined major orchestras, such as the Calgary Philharmonic Orchestra, and his pedagogical approach has been recognized through student accolades like the Rose Bowl-Calgary Performing Arts Festival. Under his direction, the Calgary Youth Orchestra has toured Europe and New Zealand, earning international acclaim for performances described as 'transcending music' and 'captivating audiences.'
Gaby Pailer is a Professor of German Literature at the University of British Columbia (UBC), affiliated with the Department of Central, Eastern, and Northern European Studies within the Faculty of Arts. She joined UBC in 2001 as Associate Professor, advancing to full Professor in 2010. She served as Head of CENES (2011–14) and Acting Head of French, Hispanic and Italian Studies (2013–15). Her research focuses on women’s drama and theatre in German cultural history, decolonial approaches to literature, and gender studies. Notable projects include the Handbook of Women’s Drama and Theatre in German Cultural History (collaborative SSHRC project) and studies on Charlotte Schiller’s literary legacy. Her academic contributions span monographs, edited volumes, and refereed articles. Awards include the Senior Early Career Scholar Award from UBC’s Peter Wall Institute (2005–06) and major SSHRC grants. She has supervised numerous graduate students and co-directed theatre productions at UBC, including Girls in Uniform (2013) and Der gestiefelte Kater (2006). Current research explores female adventure narratives and gendered responses to climate change. Pailer also holds editorial roles, including co-editorship of Jahrbuch für Internationale Germanistik . Key themes in her work include recentering women’s contributions to German literary traditions, challenging canonical exclusions, and analyzing intersections of gender, power, and cultural sustainability. Her projects often involve transnational collaborations, emphasizing global scholarly exchange.
