Barbara Wallace Grossman

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.