Shana Cooper

Shana Cooper serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Theatre at Northwestern University's School of Communication, where she directs the Directing M.F.A. program and leads The Rehearsal Dinner, NU’s Anti-Racism + DEI Initiative. She maintains an active professional profile as a company member at Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington D.C.

• Primary Affiliation: Northwestern University, School of Communication, Department of Theatre
• Professional Affiliation: Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company (Washington D.C.)
• Leadership Roles: Faculty Lead for NU’s Anti-Racism + DEI Initiative, Co-Founder of New Theater House (2008–present)

Her educational foundation includes an MFA from Yale School of Drama and a BA from Willamette University, complemented by prestigious awards including the 2014 Leadership U Grant and 2010 Princess Grace Award. Cooper specializes in bridging classical theatre traditions with contemporary social discourse, particularly through Shakespearean works and modern adaptations.

Cooper’s research manifests through实践-based scholarship in directorial approaches to canonical texts and equity-centered theatre practices. Her recent projects—including Kate Hamill’s The Odyssey at A.R.T. and Paula Vogel’s Indecent at Oregon Shakespeare Festival—demonstrate expertise in reimagining classical narratives through inclusive lenses, with consistent emphasis on collaborative creation and anti-racist frameworks.

Her accolades reflect significant contributions to American theatre: the Leadership U Grant (funded by Andrew W. Mellon Foundation), Princess Grace Award for emerging directors, Yale School of Drama’s Julian Milton Kaufman Prize, and Drama League Directing Fellowship. These honors recognize both artistic excellence and leadership in diversifying theatrical spaces.

As an educator, Cooper mentors M.F.A. directing students through Northwestern’s program while maintaining industry connections through roles like former Associate Artistic Director of Cal Shakes (2000–2004). Her external projects—from Oregon Shakespeare Festival to Chicago Shakespeare Theater—provide students with pathways to professional networks. Current initiatives focus on institutional transformation via The Rehearsal Dinner, which develops anti-racist rehearsal methodologies.

She operates at the intersection of academic training and professional practice, leading Northwestern’s DEI efforts while directing nationally at venues including American Repertory Theater, Yale Repertory Theatre, and Court Theatre. Her upcoming production of Winter’s Tale at American Players Theater continues her exploration of classical texts through contemporary directorial frameworks.