Doctoral Students
Sara Armstrong received her BA in Theatre from Oklahoma State University and her MA in Theatre from the University of Kansas. Her research interests focus on the methods training programs use to enhance performers' rhythmic ability.
David Calder earned his BA in French Literature with a minor in Literature and Psychology from Trinity College in Hartford, CT. His research interests include relations of production in French theatre companies and factories during and after May 1968.
John Carnwath received his BA and MA from the University of California, Santa Barbara. His dissertation examines the historical development of publicly subsidized theatres in Germany (1815 to 1933). His research in Germany has been supported by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).
Gina Marie Di Salvo holds a BA in English Lit. from Catholic University and an MA in Theatre Studies from Ohio State. Her research examines how theatrical representations of saints constructed, revised, and reshaped ideas of orthodoxy, heterodoxy, and sanctity during England's long period of Reformation.
Louise Edwards received her BA in Theatre and English from Notre Dame and her MA in Drama from Washington University (St. Louis). Her research focuses on theatrical and biographical representations of the Restoration actress in the 19th and 20th centuries. Louise serves as the Graduate Student Representative for the Dramaturgy Focus Group of ATHE.
Nathan Hedman received his BA from Seattle Pacific University, an MA from St. John's College and a MAR in Religion and Art from Yale University. His dissertation analyzes the rise of "repetition" as a uniquely modern aesthetic practice through an interdisciplinary study of modern theatre, philosophy, and religion.
Shannon Fitzsimons received her BA in Theatre from Hamilton College. Her research interests include contemporary American new play development. A professional dramaturg, she will work on the world premiere of "Icarus" at Lookingglass Theatre Company and “The Sins of Sor Juana”at the Goodman Theatre in 2009-2010.
La Donna L. Forsgren holds a BA from Western Oregon University and MA from Brigham Young University in Theatre History, Theory and Criticism. Her research interests include examining the contributions of women dramatists of the 1960s-1970s Black Arts Movement.
Oona Kersey Hatton holds a BA in Theatre from Reed College. Her dissertation explores how children engage with history through performance-related activities. She teaches, directs, and performs with Chicago educational theatre company Barrel of Monkeys.
Keith Byron Kirk received his BA in Theatre/Performance at Empire State College (SUNY) and an MA from NYU in Performance Studies and Playwriting. His research interests include the recontextualization of African American History and explorations of African American funerary rituals.
Jesse Njus received her BA from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Her dissertation focuses on medieval performances of Christ’s Passion. Her 2008 article in Church History, “The Politics of Mysticism: Elisabeth of Spalbeek in Context,” won Feminae’s article of the month award.
Sam O'Connell received his BA and MA in Drama from Washington University in St. Louis. His dissertation focuses on developing an interdisciplinary methodology for studying popular music that combines performance theory and media studies. In 2009, he will be a Graduate Fellow in Northwestern's Fellowship in Leadership Program.
Christine Scippa received her B.A. from Northwestern University and her M.A. from Dartmouth College. Her dissertation research examines the tradition of theatrical performance in Italian Renaissance convents. She will spend 2009-2010 in Venice, Italy, on a research grant from the Gladys Krieble Delmas Foundation.
Rashida Z. Shaw holds a BA in Theatre and Sociology from Wesleyan University. Her dissertation examines Chitlin Circuit theatrical productions and the reception practices of attending African American spectators in Chicago. Rashida is currently a Dissertation Fellow at Grinnell College.
Jon Sherman holds a BA in Theatre and Political Science from Middlebury College and a Diplôme from l’Ecole Internationale du Théâtre Jacques Lecoq. His dissertation investigates the phenomenon of stage presence. He is Artistic Director of Sprung Movement Theatre and an ensemble member of Lucky Plush Productions.
Paul Thelen earned a BFA in Theatre and BA in Political Science from Creighton University, and a JD from the Iowa College of Law. His dissertation focuses on the performative practices developed in trial advocacy programs and utilized in criminal trials.
Dawn Tracey received her BA in Theatre from the University of King's College/Dalhousie University, and her MA in Drama from the University of Alberta. Her current research interests include contemporary puppet theatre. She holds a Doctoral Fellowship from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.
Katherine Zien received her BA in English Literature from Columbia University. Her dissertation discusses the Panama Canal Handover's commemoration ceremonies in light of theatre and performance history in the former Canal Zone. In 2009-2010, she will be completing dissertation research in Panama on a Fulbright fellowship.
