Rena M. Heinrich

Rena M. Heinrich is an Associate Professor of Theatre Practice in Critical Studies at the University of Southern California (USC) School of Dramatic Arts and an Affiliated Professor of East Asian Studies in USC Dornsife College. Her work bridges interculturalism, race, representation, and gender in theatre with a focus on Asian and Asian American drama, postcolonial performance, and public history activism.

• PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB)

Her research explores the intersection of performance studies and social activism, particularly in dismantling eugenicist legacies through collaborative public history projects. Heinrich’s publications and theatrical productions analyze mixed-race identities, immigration mythology, and the role of cultural artifacts in shaping societal narratives.

Recent trends in her work include interdisciplinary approaches to theatre education, ethnographic methodologies, and critical engagement with historical memory. She integrates these themes into both her scholarship and artistic practice, emphasizing the transformative power of performance in addressing systemic inequities.

Heinrich has received recognition for her contributions, including:

• SDA Bill White Faculty Recognition Award (2023)
• Michael D. Young Award for Social Activism in Theatre (2018)

A dedicated educator, Heinrich teaches foundational critical studies, Asian/Asian American theatre, and identity-focused performance courses. Her activism includes successful advocacy to remove a eugenicist memorial in California, highlighting her commitment to ethical historical representation and community collaboration.