معرفی
Doreen Bechtol serves as Associate Professor and Co-Director of the Shakespeare and Performance program at Mary Baldwin University, concurrently managing the Master of Fine Arts Company and directing training initiatives. Her work bridges scholarly rigor with avant-garde performance practices rooted in ensemble creation.
Her educational credentials include:
- MFA in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin University
- BFA in Theatre and Education from Western Michigan University
Professor Bechtol's research manifests through embodied practice rather than traditional publications, specializing in physical theater methodologies that synthesize Suzuki training, Viewpoints composition, acrobatics, and yoga. Her signature approach to Shakespearean performance emphasizes architectural awareness of early modern stages, developed through workshops examining spatial dynamics at the Blackfriars Playhouse. This work extends to devised theater creation via the Performers Exchange Project, where collaborative authorship forms the cornerstone of original productions.
As Director of the MFA Company, she mentors graduate students in ensemble-based creation processes while previously shaping theatrical education for adolescents through the American Shakespeare Center's internationally acclaimed youth programs (2006-2011). Her pedagogical innovations include developing curricula that explore historical staging conditions through practical application.
Her professional ecosystem encompasses leadership in the Performers Exchange Project and enduring contributions to the American Shakespeare Center, where she directed landmark productions including the institution's inaugural Greek tragedy (Antigone) and pioneered aerial techniques by performing as Puck on a circus hoop utilizing the Blackfriars' fly system.
