About Me:

I'm an Associate Professor at Allegheny College, with a Ph.D. and M.A. in theatre history, literature, and criticism from Tufts University. My B.A. is from Colby College in Waterville, Maine. My primary areas of research include nineteenth century American theatre, the history of popular entertainments, and the contemporary regional theatre. I've published my work in The Journal of American Drama and Theatre, Theatre History Studies, Theatre Research International, Asian Theatre Journal, and Theatre InSight. In addition, I've presented papers at recent meetings of the American Society for Theatre Research, the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, the Mid-America Theatre Conference, and the Popular Culture Association.

My book The Hanlon Brothers: From Daredevil Acrobatics to Spectacle Pantomime, 1833 - 1931 was published by Southern Illinois University Press.

I am the vice president of the American Theatre and Drama Society (ATDS), an incorporated organization dedicated to the study of United States theatre and drama, its varied histories, traditions, literatures, and performances within its cultural contexts. ATDS also encourages the evolving debate exploring national identities and experiences through research, pedagogy, and practice. ATDS recognizes that notions of America and the US encompass migrations of peoples and cultures that overlap and influence one another. To this end, ATDS welcomes scholars, teachers, and practitioners world-wide.

Before reentering academia, I was an active Seattle actor and director. I've directed many professional and collegiate productions, including The Pillowman, Six Characters in Search of an Author, Stop Kiss, Our Town, Tartuffe, The Shape of Things (Thanks Matt!), Uncommon Women and Others, Anything to Declare?, A Doll's House, The Marriage of Bette and Boo, Private Eyes, Alison's House, Shimmer, Dreams Make Flesh, True West, and Buried Child.