Ann Shanahan

Ann Shanahan is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Theatre in the Rueff School of Design, Art, and Performance at Purdue University. As a scholar-artist, she integrates directing practice with research on gender, theatrical space, and social change.

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Education:

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• BA, Residential College at the University of Michigan
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• MFA, Northwestern University
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Research Interests: Professor Shanahan's work centers on directing, gender and theatrical space, and theatre for social change. She explores how performance can challenge power structures and create inclusive environments, with a particular focus on women's experiences. Her interdisciplinary approach connects theatre studies with feminist theory and spatial analysis.

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Publications Trend: Her recent scholarship (2018-2020) reveals a strong commitment to feminist theatre and pedagogy. She examines avant-garde directors (Monk, Wilson, Foreman) and develops innovative teaching methods from Brecht. Her work consistently addresses women's roles in theatre and the politics of space.

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Collaborative Initiatives: Alongside the Gender Research Seminar at Loyola University Chicago, she co-founded Room(s), an interdisciplinary collective dedicated to performance-based research on women, gender, and sexuality, inspired by Virginia Woolf's seminal essay.