Kelly Baron

Professor Kelly Baron is a distinguished academic in the Department of Theatre and Drama at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her roles include teaching, research, and leadership in theatre education and performance studies. She holds a PhD in Theatre (UW-Madison, 2003), an MFA in Acting (California State University, 1999), and a Diploma in Acting from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (1989).

Her research focuses on African American theatre, Shakespearean performance, and actor training methodologies. Notable works include analyses of Adrienne Kennedy’s plays and studies on actors like Earle Hyman and Ira Aldridge. Baron has been recognized with prestigious awards, including the Vilas Distinguished Achievement Professorship (2022) and multiple Fulbright Grants (2001–present).

Baron’s presentations address anti-racist theatre practices, global performance, and the intersection of text and embodiment. She has lectured internationally at institutions like the National Theatre Academy of Singapore and the University of Leeds. Her work emphasizes radical empathy and the role of theatre in social justice movements.

• Key Affiliations: School of Education, Department of Theatre and Drama
• Grants: Multiple Fulbright Awards (including 2016, 2011, 2007–2008)
• Leadership Roles: Elected to American Theatre College of Fellows (2022), National Theatre Conference Executive Committee (2021)