Engaged Graduate Student Grants
Staging Queer History: Developing Leigh Fondakowski’s Casa Cushman
Using documentary and devising theatrical methodologies to reclaim and reimagine historical narratives
During the nineteenth century, Charlotte Cushman gained global fame for her bold interpretations of leading male roles in Shakespeare plays, and for the ways she challenged Victorian gender roles off stage. Caitlin Kane is working with Leigh Fondakowski, New Georges and About Face Theatre to develop Fondakowski’s Casa Cushman. The new play tells Cushman’s life story, while also investigating how her story has been reclaimed and reimagined by the LGBTQIA+ community.
As part of this project, Kane is also directing Fondakowski’s interview-based play SPILL, which examines the human stories and lasting environmental effects of the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill, at the Schwartz Center.
Topics: Access, Equity and Justice; Arts, Communication, Media and Design
The Team
- Graduate student: Caitlin Kane, performing and media arts
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Special committee chair:
Sara Warner, Department of Performing and Media Arts
College of Arts and Sciences
- Community partner: New Georges
- Community partner: About Face Theatre
Engaged Graduate Student Grants
Supporting Ph.D. students in any field — whether they are experienced in community-engaged research and scholarship or just getting started.