معرفی
Elliot Leffler is an Associate Professor of Theatre and Performance at the University of Toronto, teaching undergraduates at the Scarborough (UTSC) campus and graduate students at the St. George (downtown) campus. He is a scholar and artist specializing in Applied Theatre as a tool for intercultural dialogue, interfaith collaboration, and political activism. His work spans performances in unconventional spaces such as prisons, rural villages, and church basements, focusing on social change through theater.
- PhD in Theatre from the University of Minnesota
- MA in Applied Theatre from the University of Cape Town
- BS in Theatre from Northwestern University
Elliot’s research investigates how theatre can bridge divides in racially, ethnically, and socioeconomically segregated communities. He has led projects with Jews and Palestinians in Israel, Kurdish and Arab Iraqis, South Africans, and interfaith groups in the U.S., emphasizing dialogue, healing, and coalition-building. His recent work focuses on the Oberammergau Passion Play, analyzing its role in fostering progressive politics.
His publications in journals like The Drama Review and Research in Drama Education reflect trends in applied performance for social justice, political engagement, and community healing. He authored the book Applied Theatre and Intercultural Dialogue: Playfully Approaching Difference (Palgrave Macmillan, 2022).
Scientific Awards:
- 2024 Assistant Professor Teaching Award (UTSC)
- Rotary Ambassadorial Scholarship
- Dorot Fellowship
- Frank M. Rarig Fellowship
- University of Minnesota Global Spotlight Grant
Elliot teaches courses in acting, directing, devising, and political theatre, with a focus on 20th-century South African theatre and Theatre of the Oppressed. As an active practitioner, he has collaborated with organizations like Living Stages (Portland), Portland Playback, and Global Youth Village, using methodologies such as Playback Theatre and Bibliodrama to promote intercultural understanding.
