Danielle A.D. Howard

Danielle A.D. Howard is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Theatre at York University's School of the Arts, Media, Performance & Design (AMPD). She holds a PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies from UCLA and specializes in intersections of race, gender, performance, visual, and sonic culture. Her research explores Black embodiment through sports (e.g., basketball) and historical performance practices.

Education:

• PhD in Theatre and Performance Studies, UCLA

Research Interests: Her work bridges athletics and art, examining how Black athletes' movements (e.g., basketball dribbling) embody resistance and freedom. She also investigates speculative histories of 19th-20th century Black performers, blending archival research with contemporary cultural critique. Her upcoming manuscript Making Moves: Race, Basketball, and Embodied Resistance explores these themes across centuries.

Awards:

• 2020 TDR Graduate Student Essay Contest Award for The (Afro) Future of Henry Box Brown

Community Engagement: As a certified Social-Emotional Arts (SEA) Facilitator, she develops programs using dance, music, and theatre to foster community healing and self-expression. Her work emphasizes art's role in social resilience and public education.