معرفی
Brian Thorstenson is a Teaching Professor at the Department of Theatre and Dance in Santa Clara University’s College of Arts and Sciences. Based in San Francisco, he holds an MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University and contributes to interdisciplinary performance projects such as Dearly Gathered and Whether to Weather. His work bridges playwriting, devised theater, and social justice.
- Education: MFA in Creative Writing (San Francisco State University)
- Awards: 2023 Louis and Dorina Brutocao Award for Teaching Excellence, 2023–2025 Sinatra Chair in the Performing Arts
- Key Collaborations: Founding member of The Z Collective and 6NewPlays; collaborator with Erin Mei-Ling Stuart, Rowena Richie, Christy Funsch, and Stephen Pelton
Thorstenson’s research interests include devised theater, social justice in the arts, and the intersection of memory and performance. His recent projects, like the Road Trip Project installations, explore immersive storytelling. His plays and poems often examine identity, relationships, and environmental themes through experimental forms.
His publications and performances span ecological narratives (Pushing into the Blue), queer identity (Today, love_stories), and psychological complexity (Tuesday). Collaborative works like Weather to Whether integrate dance, gesture, and multimedia elements. His teaching includes courses on playwriting, devised theater, and social justice.
- Scientific Awards:
- 2023 Louis and Dorina Brutocao Award for Teaching Excellence
- 2023–2025 Sinatra Chair in the Performing Arts
As a writer and performer, Thorstenson contributes to platforms like Burning House Press and the Lambda Literary Review. He co-created 24 Postcards with Tim Gleason and Stephen Pelton, blending poetry, visual art, and choreography.
