Our September Instructor Spotlight is Sandra Adell. Sandra is teaching Inclusivity and the Humanities: Strategies for Teaching and Practice on Wednesday, September 20, from 2 - 3 p.m. EST.
Sandra Adell is a literature professor in the Department of Afro-American Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison. She has published books and articles on African American literature and theatre. Her current book project is titled And Then the Casinos Came: Black Women’s Narratives of Gambling and Loss. In addition to her academic work, Sandra is an actor and commercial print model and a proud member of Actors Equity Association and the Screen Actors Guild and American Association of Television and Radio Artists (SAG/AFTRA).
We recently chatted with Sandra as part of our Instructor Spotlight Series to learn more about the upcoming class.
Can you let attendees know what to expect from the course?
SA: This course focuses specifically on strategies for teaching Theater in higher education institutions with an emphasis on African American theatre and drama. I will share examples of the practices I use to encourage meaningful discussions about race, class and ethnicity while reading and writing about theater and the performing arts. I will also discuss the importance of paying close attention to the use of language when working with play-scripts that include language some people might find offensive.
Can you let us know a bit about your background and how you came to be an advocate for inclusivity in the performing arts?
SA: I am an advocate for all kinds of theater. I see a lot of plays and know that there is much yet to be done to increase diversity and inclusivity in American Theater and in the performing arts. That includes building more diverse audiences for live theater and performance. As a professor in the Department of African American Studies at the University of Wisconsin – Madison, I consider working toward increasing diversity and inclusivity in teaching, performance, and community engagement as part of my job.
For fun, what are you reading, listening to, or watching these days?
SA: I recently saw the musical "MJ the Musical" which is a great draw for young people. I'm currently working my way through all of the episodes of the Showtime series "The Chi." The writing on this show is excellent, and I love seeing scenes of Chicago.