معرفی
Laura G. Pattillo, PhD, is an Assistant Professor in the Department of English, Writing and Journalism at Saint Joseph's University (SJU). She co-directs the SJU Theatre Company and advises the SJU chapter of Alpha Psi Omega, the national theatre honorary fraternity. Her academic career combines scholarly research with extensive practical theatre experience, including dramaturgy, literary management, and directing prison inmate theatre companies. Pattillo holds a BA in Theatre Arts and English from the University of Richmond (1991), and both an MA (1993) and PhD (2001) in English from Louisiana State University, where she completed a doctoral minor in Theatre.
Her research focuses on dramatic literature, southern literature, and Appalachian studies, with particular attention to intersections between religion, folklore, and regional identity. She has published widely on topics such as African American playwrights, oral history preservation, and the role of superstition in Appalachian drama. Her pedagogical approach emphasizes active engagement through guided discussions, peer editing, and multimedia integration in the classroom.
Pattillo’s professional affiliations include the Modern Language Association, Popular Culture Association, and the Society for the Study of Southern Literature. She has presented over a dozen conference papers exploring themes like prison theatre, gender representation in Appalachian plays, and the cultural narratives of southern writers. Her creative work includes directing annual productions for the Cap and Bells theatre season and collaborating on original scripts developed by prison inmates.
