Joan Lazarus

Joan Lazarus is a teacher, artist, researcher/writer who actively engages young people and their teachers through work in theatre and education. Her practice is collaborative, democratic and based in dialogue about issues of personal and social import. Joan has served the field of theatre and theatre education for over twenty-five years. During that time she has been a guest artist, professional actor, director and instructor at workshops throughout the country. Joan has taught at the university and secondary school levels, developed theatre curriculum for programs around the U.S., directed scripted and original productions and served on numerous national and regional advisory committees. After receiving her graduate degree from Arizona State University, she joined the faculty at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1997, Professor Lazarus was inducted as a lifetime Fellow into the Teaching Academy of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She joined the faculty of the University of Texas at Austin in January 1998 where she continues to teach Improvisation, Directing and courses in Theatre Education. She also regularly is invited to teach Improvisation and Theatre Education workshops around the country. Joan has served as President of the American Alliance for Theatre and Education and is the author of Theatre Arts Discoveries, the five-part series, Theatre Arts Adventures and her newly released book, Signs of Change: New Directions in Secondary School Theatre Education. She received the Barbara Salisbury Wills Alliance Award in 1999 for her service to the field. Joan heads the department's resident youth theatre, UT Connections. She currently serves as a Board Member of ASSITEJ/USA, the association of professional theatres for young audiences.