معرفی
Molly Claassen serves as Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre and Dance at Columbus State University, where she heads the BA in Theatre program and Theatre Internship Program. She concurrently chairs the Directing Committee and leads the Ready to Direct program for the Southeastern Theatre Conference since 2019.
Her educational credentials include:
- BA in Theatre, Math Minor, and Teaching Certification in Theatre K-12 from Baldwin-Wallace University
- MFA in Theatre, Directing, from the University of Wisconsin, Madison
Prof. Claassen specializes in contemporary theatre direction with emphasis on new play development and women-centered narratives. As Co-Creator and Co-Director of The Momversations Project for The National Women's Theatre Festival, she integrates academic work with podcast production exploring maternal experiences in theatre. Her practice bridges professional directing with pedagogy through NYC theatre residencies and regional assistant directorships.
Her recognition includes the Fredric March Award for Excellence in Professional Theatre. Professional affiliations comprise Actor’s Equity Association membership and Associate Membership in Stage Directors and Choreographers Society.
In academic leadership, she oversees curriculum development for theatre degrees while mentoring students through internship placements. Her pre-CSU career featured new works direction at NYC venues including Theatre Row Studio and The Barrow Group, plus assistant director roles at The Cleveland Playhouse and Atlanta's Alliance Theatre.
Current initiatives focus on expanding the Ready to Direct program's regional impact and developing The Momversations Project's podcast-theatre hybrid format, reflecting her commitment to evolving theatrical practice through education and community engagement.
