Laurel B Whitsett

Laurel B Whitsett is a Distinguished Senior Lecturer in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance at The University of Texas at Arlington. She holds a strong interdisciplinary profile, bridging performance, linguistics, and accessibility in the arts. Her work integrates academic scholarship with professional practice in theatre, film, and television.

• BA in Theatre Arts, University of California San Diego (1990)
• MA in Theatre, Text & Performance Studies, King’s College London and Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (2005)
• MA in Linguistics, The University of Texas at Arlington (2019)
• Currently pursuing a PhD in Linguistics & TESOL at UTA

Her research centers on the science of comedy, pragmatics, forensic linguistics, and the interpretation of verbal humor, with a strong commitment to Universal Design in performing arts. She explores how virtual intelligence can support mental health, and she is passionate about integrating American Sign Language (ASL) into mainstream theatre through shadow interpretation and ASL coaching.

Her sole published article (2023) reflects on navigating uncertainty in higher education during the pandemic using collaborative autoethnography, indicating a scholarly interest in pedagogical resilience and reflective practice within interdisciplinary contexts.

Notable awards include the Yumi Nakamura Prize in Linguistics (twice), the Experiential Learning Faculty Fellowship, and service and research honors from Tarrant and Collin Colleges.

• Peer reviewer for the International Journal of Education and The Arts
• Organizer of interdisciplinary programs between UTA and Tarrant County College
• Recipient of experiential learning and curriculum development grants

She is a member of the Maverick Theatre Company and the Screen Actors Guild, and has served as an ASL instructor and interpreter, contributing to accessibility in education and performance.