Laura Grace Godwin

Laura Grace Godwin is an Associate Professor in the Department of Performing Arts - Theatre and Dance at Christopher Newport University (CNU), where she also serves the Honors Program. Her academic roles include teaching Theatre History, Dramaturgy, and Arts Administration, while maintaining active involvement with professional theatre through her roles as founding Dramaturg/Artistic Director of the James River Shakespeare Company and H³ Company. Godwin holds a PhD and MA in Theatre History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, with additional training at the Shakespeare Institute (University of Birmingham, UK) and Ball State University.

Her research focuses on Early Modern English drama in contemporary performance, experimental casting practices, and theatre pedagogy. Notable projects include directing Shakespeare's MACBETH and TWELFTH NIGHT for the James River Shakespeare Company, and Pinter's DUMB WAITER for H³ Company. Godwin's scholarly contributions span articles in Shakespeare Bulletin, Modern Language Association, and Palgrave Macmillan, often collaborating with students and alumni.

Her artistic work emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and progressive staging methods, reflected in productions like QUEEN MARGARET (an adaptation of Shakespeare's Henry VI plays) and the repertory of Aphra Behn's THE WIDOW RANTER with Robert Munford's THE CANDIDATES. Godwin's presentations at major conferences (MLA, Shakespeare Association of America, etc.) highlight her exploration of early modern texts' modern relevance and pedagogical innovations.

Professional affiliations include summer teaching in London for MSU-Texas' British Studies program and leadership roles in theatre education initiatives. Her work bridges academic scholarship with practical theatre-making, fostering student engagement through collaborative projects and undergraduate research.