Melinda Powers

Melinda Powers is a Professor in the English Department at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and the Ph.D. Program in Theatre and Performance at the CUNY Graduate Center. Her research focuses on ancient Greek drama’s reception in contemporary U.S. theatre, emphasizing adaptations that explore social, political, and economic issues of marginalized communities. She holds a Ph.D. from UCLA and additional degrees from USC, Oxford, and Columbia University.

Her work bridges Classics and Performance Studies, analyzing historical performance conditions and modern reinterpretations. Notable publications include Reclaiming Greek Drama for Diverse Audiences and Diversifying Greek Drama on the Contemporary US Stage. She has received grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities, collaborating with Aquila Theatre on projects involving veterans and ancient drama.

• Recipient of awards: Philadelphia Constantinidis Essay Award, John Jay Scholarly Excellence, CUNY Research in the Classroom, and Fine Arts Course Design Awards.
• Organized panels and public talks on topics like Activism and the Classics, and Ancient Theatre for Social Justice.
• Produced a film of the Royal National Theater’s Bacchae at Epidaurus, directed by Sir Peter Hall.

Committed to undergraduate education, she integrates research into teaching, fostering access to classical studies and performing arts.