Movement for Dramatic Text Professors and Supervisors

Erin CowlingView profile

Associate Professor

MacEwan UniversityCanada

Dr. Erin Cowling is an Associate Professor and Discipline Coordinator of Spanish at MacEwan University's Department of Humanities, Faculty of Arts and Science. Her research bridges the Early Modern Spanish Theatre, Renaissance Literatures, and Latin American Cultural Studies. Education: PhD in Spanish (Johns Hopkins University) Research Focus: Analyzing historical Spanish texts for contemporary relevance, particularly through adaptation and digital humanities. Her groundbreaking work on chocolate in Spanish Golden Age literature recontextualizes colonial trade through cultural memory. Dr. Cowling actively collaborates with international theatre groups, exploring how performance transforms textual understanding. She has received prestigious accolades including: 2023 SSHRC Insight Grant 2022 SSHRC Institutional Grant 2022 Matthew Stroud Comedia Article Prize Dr. Cowling serves on the executive board of the Association for Hispanic Classical Theatre and mentors senior students in independent research projects.

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Fabio CiambellaView profile

Researcher

Sapienza University of RomeItaly

Fabio Ciambella is a Researcher at the Department of European, American, and Intercultural Studies of Sapienza University of Rome . His academic work focuses on Corpus Linguistics , Shakespeare Studies , Translation Studies , and Early Modern English pragmatics. Teaches Second Language Acquisition (first semester) and English Language 3 (second semester) Specializes in dance lexicon analysis, historical translation reception, and CLIL methodology His publications demonstrate interdisciplinary connections between: Shakespearean language and modern media (ads, news, memes) Italian Renaissance dance manuals and English theatrical practices AI-assisted translation of historical varieties Eco-discourse pragmatics in food columns Office hours available via individual scheduling through fabio.ciambella@uniroma1.it

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Alex PriouView profile

Associate Professor

The Institute of World PoliticsUnited States

Alex Priou serves as Associate Professor of Political Theory at the University of Austin, where he contributes to the institution's mission of providing liberal education focused on critical thinking and intellectual inquiry. His academic journey reflects a deep commitment to classical philosophy and its relevance to contemporary political thought. Priou earned his Ph.D. and M.A. in Philosophy from Tulane University, followed by an M.A. in Liberal Arts from St. John's College, and completed his undergraduate studies with a B.A. in Political Science from the University of Connecticut. This diverse educational background has equipped him with a multifaceted perspective on political philosophy. His research focuses primarily on ancient Greek philosophy, particularly the works of Plato and their implications for political theory. Priou's scholarship explores how Socratic questioning and Platonic dialogues can illuminate contemporary political challenges. He examines the intersection of philosophical inquiry and political practice, with special attention to concepts of justice, governance, and the good life in both ancient and modern contexts. Analysis of Priou's publications reveals a consistent focus on Plato's dialogues as vehicles for political philosophical exploration. His work demonstrates how ancient texts can provide frameworks for addressing modern political dilemmas, particularly through the Socratic method of inquiry. The recurring themes across his scholarship include the relationship between philosophy and politics, the role of education in cultivating political virtue, and the enduring relevance of classical thought for contemporary governance. Author of three major books on Plato: 'Becoming Socrates: Political Philosophy in Plato's Parmenides' (2018), 'Defending Socrates: Political Philosophy Before the Tribunal of Science' (2023), and 'Musings on Plato's Symposium' (2023) Editor of 'Politics, Nature, and Piety: On the Natural Basis of Political Life' (2022), a collection of essays by his former teacher Laurence Berns Contributor to numerous academic journals including Philosophy and Literature, Arion, The Review of Metaphysics, and POLIS Priou actively engages in public scholarship through 'The New Thinkery,' a weekly podcast he co-hosts with Gregory McBrayer and David Bahr. This platform allows him to model accessible philosophical conversations for broader audiences while maintaining scholarly rigor. His current research includes a book project on Plato's Republic that examines its dramatic elements within the context of political events in ancient Athens, with implications for addressing contemporary political challenges.

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Raphael D. ThöneView profile

Professor

University of Music, Drama and Media HanoverGermany

Prof. Dr. Raphael D. Thöne serves as Professor of Music Theory, Arrangement, and Orchestration at the Hanover University of Music, Drama and Media (HMTMH), concurrently holding the administrative position of Dean of Studies for Study Committee II. His career uniquely bridges academic scholarship with high-profile creative practice in composition and orchestration for international media and events. His educational foundation includes: Composition degree from Robert Schumann University of Music under Prof. Manfred Trojahn Music theory degree from Folkwang University of the Arts in Essen under Prof. Dr. Dieter Torkewitz Scholarship studies at Berklee College of Music and Boston Conservatory in film scoring and conducting Joint doctorate from University of Music and Performing Arts and University of Vienna focusing on Malcolm Arnold's symphonic works Prof. Thöne's creative scholarship centers on applied music theory with specialized expertise in orchestration techniques for diverse media contexts. His work examines the practical application of theoretical principles in film scoring, radio drama, and large-scale ceremonial productions, emphasizing cross-cultural adaptation of compositional methods. He investigates how traditional orchestral techniques can be innovatively deployed in contemporary media environments while maintaining academic rigor in musical structure and development. His extensive creative output reveals consistent evolution toward increasingly complex international projects spanning cinematic works, television productions, and global EXPO events. The trajectory shows deepening integration of cultural specificity within universal musical frameworks, with recent works demonstrating sophisticated approaches to cross-cultural collaboration in settings ranging from Hong Kong to Dubai and Osaka. Major recognitions include: German Audio Book Prize (2016) for 'Best Radio Play' ('Wir') Lower Saxony Science Prize (2021) in the 'Teaching Prize' category As an educator and administrator, Prof. Thöne maintains active student mentorship while leading academic strategy as Dean of Studies. His professional projects consistently secure external funding through cultural institutions, broadcasters, and international event organizers, demonstrating successful translation of academic expertise into commercially and culturally significant productions. His teaching methodology directly incorporates professional experience, creating a practice-based learning environment that earned formal recognition through the Teaching Prize. Though not leading a formal research laboratory, Prof. Thöne operates through project-based creative teams that assemble specialized musicians, technicians, and cultural consultants for each production, fostering collaborative environments that function as practical research spaces for applied music composition.

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Franziska SchößlerView profile

Professor

University of TrierGermany

Franziska Schößler is Professor of Modern German Literature at the University of Trier, where she has taught since 2004 after completing her habilitation at the University of Freiburg and serving as senior lecturer at Bielefeld. Her research integrates theatre and drama studies, cultural studies, gender studies and the interrelations between literature and economics, with particular emphasis on contemporary drama, GDR theatre transformations, and literary representations of crisis, labour and consumption. Education & Career: 1994 Doctorate, University of Freiburg 2001 Habilitation, University of Freiburg 2001-2004 Senior Lecturer (Hochschuldozentin), University of Bielefeld since 2004 Professor of Modern German Literature, University of Trier 2005-2006 Vice-Dean, Faculty II 2006-2008 Dean, Faculty II (Languages, Literature & Media) Research Interests: Her work spans contemporary drama and theatre, literature and economics, gender studies, cultural studies, literary theory, post-1989 theatre, and ecocritical approaches to literature. She currently leads projects on crisis discourses in the independent theatre scene and resilience in GDR theatre after 1989. Editorial & Jury Activities: Member, jury for the Carl-Zuckmayer-Medal (Rhineland-Palatinate) since 2004 Member, Else-Lasker-Schüler-Dramatikerpreis jury since 2007 Co-editor, book series Literatur – Kultur – Ökonomie (Lang) since 2018 Advisory boards: Sprachkunst (Austrian Academy), Amsterdam German Studies , DAAD advisory council (2012-2016) Supervision & Grants: She has supervised more than 25 completed doctorates and currently mentors eight doctoral projects. Major grants include the DFG collaborative project “Crisis Structures of the Arts” and the SFB 600 project on poverty and alterity. Teaching & International Engagement: Regular guest professorships have taken her to Vienna, St. Petersburg, Vancouver (UBC), L’viv, Łódź, Debrecen, London and Ghent. At Trier she offers courses on drama analysis, theatre after 1989, ecocriticism, and thesis colloquia.

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JaMario StillsView profile

Professor

Amherst CollegeUnited States

Professor JaMario Stills serves in Amherst College's Department of Theater and Dance, teaching courses including Performance Perspectives: What is Acting? (THDA 130), Dramatic Diversities (THDA 230), and Generative Studio (THDA 320). Holding an M.F.A. in directing from Brown University/Trinity Rep and a B.F.A. in acting from The Juilliard School, he brings extensive performance training to his academic practice. His creative research explores Southern Black American narratives through a futurist lens, examining their global resonances within the Afro-diasporic community. Stills' multidisciplinary approach integrates directing, acting, writing, movement, audio-visual media, MC'ing, and DJ'ing to create liberatory world-building frameworks. His directorial work functions as interventionist art practice, challenging Eurocentric ideologies and reclaiming narrative agency for Black voices. Notable creative works include 2216: The Remix of a Global Experiment , described as a "Live Action Essay" interrogating identity performativity, and Soul Tapes , a Black speculative theater piece excavating memory, technology, and futurity. His teaching centers contemporary Black, femme, queer, and BIPOC artists while developing students' skills in dramaturgy, improvisation, and ensemble building. Brown Arts Initiative (2025) The Center for the Less Good Idea (2024) National Black Theater (2023) The Mercury Store (2023) The Benny Sato Ambush Legacy Award (2023) Williamstown Theater Festival (2020) Museum of Contemporary Art, Jacksonville, FL (2019) As an active practitioner-scholar, Stills bridges academic theory with performance practice, drawing inspiration from Zora Neale Hurston's ethnographic archives and southern folktales. His work emphasizes audience engagement, authentic connection, and the dynamic interplay between live performance, text, and multidisciplinary scenographies to push boundaries of real-time interaction.

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Alicja Gronau-OsińskaView profile

Professor

Fryderyk Chopin University of MusicPoland

Professor Dr. Hab. Alicja Gronau-Osińska is a distinguished composer, music theorist, and educator at the Faculty of Composition and Music Theory, Department of Music Theory at the Fryderyk Chopin University of Music in Warsaw. With a postdoctoral degree in composition, she has been teaching counterpoint since 1985 and has established herself as a leading figure in contemporary Polish music. Her research interests span composition, music theory, counterpoint, musical analysis, and the interdisciplinary connections between music and visual arts. She has published extensively on topics including form integration in symphonic works, the pedagogy of creativity, silence in music, and the relationship between national identity and universal values in musical composition. Her scholarly output demonstrates a deep engagement with both theoretical frameworks and practical compositional techniques. Professor Gronau-Osińska's compositional work reveals consistent thematic concerns across her publications and creative output, particularly in exploring the boundaries between structure and freedom, silence and sound, and the integration of visual and musical elements. Her scholarly interests often mirror her compositional preoccupations, creating a cohesive intellectual and artistic profile that bridges theory and practice. Multiple composition awards from 1987-2023 Recipient of the 'Fryderyk' Phonographic Industry Award (2012) Medal 'Zasłużony Kulturze Gloria Artis' (2011) Multiple Rector's Awards from UMFC Grand Prix from UMFC Rector for artistic and pedagogical achievements (2018) As an educator, Professor Gronau-Osińska has significantly contributed to music pedagogy through her extensive publications and teaching. Her work on Marian Borkowski's pedagogical activity and her analysis of the Experimental Rhythmics Workshop demonstrate her commitment to advancing music education methodologies. She has also served as a juror for numerous national and international composition competitions, including chairing the Tadeusz Baird Composers Competition (2020) and the Warsaw Wind Ensemble Composition Contest (2020). Her creative output includes 14 orchestral works, 29 chamber works, 17 solo works, 8 vocal works, 8 vocal-instrumental works, 12 multimedia works, and 1 opera. Her compositions have been performed internationally, with notable recognition for her chamber opera 'I co wy na to?' which represented Poland at the Eighth International Music Theater Workshop in Munich (2004).

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Dustin Bradley GoltzView profile

Professor

DePaul UniversityUnited States

Dustin Bradley Goltz is the Vincent de Paul Professor of Communication at DePaul University's College of Communication, where he teaches in the Department of Communication Studies. With a PhD from Arizona State University and an MFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Goltz has established himself as a leading scholar in performance studies, intercultural communication, and queer theory. His research focuses on the intersections of identity, communication, and performance, with particular attention to: Intercultural dialogue across differences Queer temporalities and aging Polarization and political communication Comedic performance and controversy Intergenerational LGBTQ relationships Goltz's scholarly work examines how communication practices construct rigid categories of "us" and "them," with research spanning from creative focus groups and media criticism to live performance. His work is deeply influenced by queer theory, critical theory, and dramatism, with a strong focus on intergenerational and intersectional tensions within the queer community. His publications reveal a consistent engagement with how media representations shape understandings of gay male aging, identity, and community. His research spans traditional academic articles, performance texts, and multimedia projects that explore difficult questions with live audiences. Goltz has received several prestigious awards for his scholarship: Randy Majors Memorial Award for Outstanding Contributions to LGBTQ Scholarship in Communication Studies (2018) Ellis-Bochner Autoethnography and Personal Narrative Research Award (2013) NCA Lilla A. Heston Award for Outstanding Scholarship in Interpretation and Performance Studies (2013) Beyond his academic work, Goltz serves as a consultant and workshop leader in dialogue training, conflict resolution, and media advocacy. His performance projects, such as "Fred Astaire's Dancing Lessons" and "Blasphemies on Forever," demonstrate his commitment to using artistic expression to address complex social issues related to queer history, aging, and intergenerational mentorship.

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