Cynthia Croot

Cynthia Croot is an Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Theatre Arts at the University of Pittsburgh's Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. She serves as Head of the MFA Performance Pedagogy program and is a director, deviser, writer, and social justice activist with an extensive international career spanning the UK, South Africa, Argentina, Syria, Palestine, Israel, and numerous US venues including the Kennedy Center and Guggenheim Museum.

Education:

• MFA in Directing, Columbia University

Research Interests: Cynthia Croot's research focuses on diverse modalities of immersive and site-specific theatre, with a strong emphasis on social justice and human rights. Her work explores intercultural performance and activist art, often addressing displacement, migration, and racial and economic inequality. She integrates practice-based research with international collaborations to create transformative theatrical experiences that challenge audiences and foster community dialogue.

Recent Creative Work: Croot's recent creative output demonstrates a consistent thematic focus on human rights and social justice, particularly through the lens of migration and displacement. Her work increasingly incorporates music and opera, blending traditional theatrical forms with contemporary social issues. International collaboration remains a hallmark of her projects, as seen in her chamber opera 'We Crossed the River' (2024) addressing migrant children on the US/Mexico border.

Scientific Awards:

• NEA/TCG Career Development Program for Directors Fellow (2007-2009)
• Two 2012 New York Innovative Theatre Awards

Advising and Grants: As Head of the MFA Performance Pedagogy program, Croot mentors graduate students in performance and pedagogy. She has secured significant grants, including a 2008 TCG/ITI grant for international travel to develop the Venus Project in Croatia. Her work has been supported by the National Endowment for the Arts and Theatre Communications Group, and she has collaborated with institutions such as Colgate University and the College of Charleston on large-scale projects.

Collaborative Initiatives: Croot co-founded the activist art collective Ifyoureallyloveme in 2015 and has led large-scale collaborative projects such as 'Taking Refuge' (2017), involving multiple universities and organizations globally. These initiatives foster interdisciplinary dialogue between artists, activists, journalists, and academics to address issues of displacement and political violence.