Eliza Ladd Schwarz

Eliza Ladd Schwarz serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Theater at Case Western Reserve University and faculty member of the CWRU/Cleveland Playhouse MFA Acting Program, joining after a decade at FSU/Asolo Conservatory.

Her educational background includes:

• MFA from Naropa University
• BA from Harvard University

Specializing in Acting, Devising, and Movement, Professor Schwarz creates interdisciplinary performance works exploring social engagement through original theatrical forms. Her practice spans ensemble creation, movement design, and community collaboration, with recent focus on bilingual projects and resource-related themes.

Notable recognitions include:

• Audience Encore Award for ensemble musical Elephants and Gold
• Franklin Furnace Emerging Artist Award
• Puffin Foundation Grant for Live Sound Action training
• Andrew W Mellon Foundation Grant for social engagement projects

Through her current Glennan Fellowship, she develops the Live Sound Action course while creating COBALT - a new piece investigating cobalt's global impact. Recent production work includes ensemble choreography for Middletown, movement coaching for The Tempest, and directing Men On Boats. She teaches undergraduate Movement/Devising courses and MFA Movement curriculum while leading community collaborations like 2023's bilingual Agridulce/Bittersweet.