معرفی
Risa Brainin is a Professor in the Department of Theater and Dance at the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB). She is the founder and Artistic Director of LAUNCH PAD, a groundbreaking new play development program. Previously, she served as Artistic Director of Shakespeare Santa Cruz and held roles at major theaters like the Guthrie Theater and Kansas City Repertory Theatre. Brainin holds a Drama Program degree from Carnegie-Mellon University.
Education:
- Carnegie-Mellon University, Drama Program
Her research focuses on new play development, collaborative theater practices, and bridging professional theater with academic training. LAUNCH PAD has produced over 20 new works by prominent playwrights and pioneered digital theater initiatives like the Zoom-based Alone, Together festival.
Awards: Inducted into the College of Fellows of the American Theatre (2020), recipient of United Solo Festival and Backstage Awards for direction and production.
Teaching and advising: Advised students through LAUNCH PAD and MFA programs at University of Minnesota, University of Missouri-Kansas City, and others. Served on National Endowment for the Arts grant panels and chaired the Barrie and Bernice Stavis Award Committee.
Labs/Teams: LAUNCH PAD residency program, Alone, Together digital theater project, and collaborations with playwrights like Joyce Carol Oates and James Still.
