Nancy Kindelan, Professor Emerita, retired from Northeastern University in 2019. During her 33 years at Northeastern, Nancy served as Interim Chair of the Theatre Department on several occasions and as well as the Interim Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies. She taught courses in dramatic literature, script analysis, theatre as social engagement, interdisciplinary courses, Honors courses, performance classes, and directed plays. Prior to Northeastern University, she taught dramatic literature, theatre history, and acting courses at Dartmouth College where she directed plays at the Hopkins Center.
She also taught and directed at other colleges and universities and directed at professional theatres throughout the New England area. She directed over 40 productions during her career, including A View from the Bridge, The Seagull, The Long Christmas Ride Home, Our Town, A Doll House, The Laramie Project, The Madwoman of Chaillot, Fool for Love, The Imaginary Invalid, Machinal, “Master Harold”…and the boys, West Side Story, and King Ubu. She directed the premiere productions of Children of Drancy and First Night.
Nancy published Artistic Literacy: Theatre Studies and a Contemporary Liberal Education (Palgrave Macmillan, 2012) and Shadows of Realism: Dramaturgy and the Theories and Practices of Modernism (Greenwood and Praeger, 1996). Her essays have appeared in journals and books such as Journal of Dramatic Theory and Criticism, New England Theatre Journal, Theatre Topics, American Theatre Companies, Liberal Education, The Journal of General Education, and Experiential Education: Making the Most of Learning Outside the Classroom, as well as other publications. She has presented papers throughout the US and, most recently, in Budapest.
Her book Artistic Literacy: Theatre Studies and a Contemporary Liberal Education, received a Special Honorable Mention for the Outstanding Book Award from the Association for Theatre in Higher Education in 2013.
She received the John Portz Faculty Excellence Award, for contributions and efforts on behalf of the Northeastern University Honors Program (2017), and the Northeastern University Excellence in Teaching Award (2004).
Research/Publications Highlights
Founding Editor of the Palgrave Macmillan book series, The Arts in Higher Education (2014-present) See CV for more information regarding book titles.
Artistic Literacy: Theatre Studies and a Contemporary Liberal Education. Palgrave Macmillan (2012)
Shadows of Realism. Dramaturgy and the Theories and Practices of Modernism. Greenwood Publishing (1996)
“Creative Storytelling, Crossing Boundaries, High-Impact Learning, and Social Engagement.” In Routledge Companion to Theatre, Performance, and Cognitive Science. Eds. Bruce McConachie and Rick Kemp. (Forthcoming, Routledge, 2018)
“Research Strategies in Theatre Studies.” In Course-based Research: Providing Opportunities for All Students to Learn through Undergraduate Research. Ed. Nancy Hensel. (Forthcoming, Stylus, 2018)
Professional Affiliations
• Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE)
• American Society for Theatre Research (ASTR)
• Association of American Colleges & Universities (AAC&U)
Departments
Theatre
Education
- PhD in Dramatic Literature and Criticism, University of Wisconsin-Madison. Dissertation: “The Theatre of Inspiration: A Critical Analysis of the Acting Theories of Michael Chekhov.”
- B.F.A. in Performance, Kent State University
Awards
- John Portz Faculty Excellence Award, for contributions and efforts on behalf of the Northeastern University Honors Program (2017)
- Northeastern University Excellence in Teaching Award (2004)
- Artistic Literacy: Theatre Studies and a Contemporary Liberal Education, Special Honorable Mention for the Outstanding Book Award from the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (2013).
Professional Experience
- Writes about and speaks to colleges and universities regarding how the signature pedagogy of theatre studies encourages transformative lifelong learning through creative thought, research, and practice.
- Includes freelance Theatre Directing and work as a Dramaturg/Literary Manager
Research Focus
- Higher Education and the Role of the Arts (Theatre Studies)
- High-Impact Educational Practices and the Arts (Theatre Studies)
- Interdisciplinary connections across the university
- Theatre Studies and Social Change
- Metacognitive strategies and 21st century learning (Theatre Studies)