Cindy D. Rosenthal

Cindy D. Rosenthal serves as Professor of Drama and Dance at Hofstra University, actively contributing to the Women’s Studies Program Board and Center for Civic Engagement Board. Her academic foundation includes doctoral and master's training in Performance Studies from New York University alongside undergraduate honors in English and Drama from Tufts University.

Education

• Ph.D. in Performance Studies, New York University (Tisch School of the Arts)
• M.A. in Literature in Performance, New York University (Gallatin Division)
• B.A. in English and Drama, magna cum laude, Tufts University

Research Focus: Rosenthal's scholarship critically examines radical theatre movements and feminist performance practices, with deep expertise in 1960s experimental collectives and women's directorial legacies. Her work bridges historical analysis of avant-garde theatre with contemporary explorations of political performance and Jewish theatrical traditions, often through interdisciplinary frameworks.

Publication Trends: Her recent books reveal consistent engagement with theatre's sociopolitical dimensions, particularly documenting experimental institutions like La MaMa and analyzing 1960s countercultural movements. The monograph on Ellen Stewart demonstrates her methodological strength in archival theatre history while edited volumes showcase collaborative approaches to contemporary playwriting analysis.

Awards

• George Freedley Memorial Prize for Ellen Stewart Presents (2017)
• Stessin Award for TDR essay on community performance projects

Academic Leadership: Rosenthal directs major student productions including Three Penny Opera (2022) and Hair (2017), while coordinating high-impact events like Expressions of Democracy during Hofstra's 2012 Presidential Debate. Her course development spans acting pedagogy, feminist theory applications, and modern drama analysis.

Artistic Collaborations: As founding Bread Loaf Acting Ensemble member since 1986, she maintains long-term creative partnerships across Vermont and Alaska. Recent performance projects with Linked Dance Theatre and Irondale Theatre demonstrate ongoing commitment to socially engaged theatre addressing themes like dementia and women's histories.