Dr. Nina LeNoir

Dr. LeNoir received her MFA in directing and PhD in theatre history/criticism from The University of Texas at Austin. She has BA in chemistry from Hollins College and an AOS degree in acting from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, NY.

She has taught acting, directing, theatre history, dramatic literature, and introduction to theatre, as well as other topics at Chapman, Minnesota State University and Bradley University. She currently teaches in the First-Year Foundations Program in the Department of Theatre at Chapman. Her dissertation, The Contribution of the Theatrical Past to Performance in the Future, explores early uses of the Internet and World Wide Web as mediums for performances. She has published several essays in books and journals and presented papers on a wide variety of topics such as assessment in theatre education, directing pedagogy, mentoring faculty, and the status of women directors in professional theatre.

Before returning to the faculty at Chapman Dr. LeNoir served as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education and Chair of the Department of Theatre. She served as Interim President of The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, Los Angeles after serving as Director of Instruction. She was Associate Professor and Head of Performance at Minnesota State University, and Assistant Professor at Bradley University.

She has directed over 50 productions, working professionally in New York, Ohio, Minnesota and Texas, and in educational venues in Texas, Illinois, Minnesota and Los Angeles. She has received three Certificates of Merit for Directing from the Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival. She has directed several new plays and numerous new play readings, a number of dance theatre projects, and directed the Bradley University Centennial Gala. Before returning to graduate school and beginning her career in higher education, Dr. LeNoir was a professional actress in New York City and Columbus, Ohio, working in stage, film, television and commercials. She is a member of SAG-AFTRA.