Elissa Sartwell, Ph.D.
SBU
Bolivar, MO 65613
Education: PhD Theatre History, Dramatic Literature, and Dramatic Theory & Criticism, Louisana State University. MAT Secondary Education, George Fox University. B.A. Writing/Literature and DerryberrySchool/Theatre, George Fox University.
Research Interests: 19th Century American Theatre; The performance of ethnicity on the American Stage; Docudrama & performance (auto)ethnography; Gender & performance; Dramaturgy.
Faith Dedication: Dr. Sartwell has spent much of her life in the evangelical Quaker church and is a member of Newberg Friends Church in Newberg, Oregon. There are not many Friends churches in Missouri, a fact which dates back to the Civil War Era. Abolitionist Quakers settled in Kansas (a free state) rather than in Missouri. Rather than drive 4 hours each way to worship in Wichita, Dr. Sartwell has found a home away from home at St. Albans's of the Ozarks Episcopal Church in Bolivar
Professional Background: After a brief stint teaching high school in the middle-of-nowhere-Oregon, Dr. Sartwell earned a PhD in theatre from Louisana State University. While in Louisana, she served as the resident dramaturg at Swine Palace, LSU's equity theatre company. Dr. Sartwell has been on faculty at SBU since 2006. Prior to teaching at SBU, she served as an adjunct instructor at LSA and at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon
Hobbies and Interests: Dr. Sartwell is happiest when she is in the mountains. She also enjoys reading novels and visiting museums. If she were not a theatre professor, she would like to work in an enormous archive of historic artifacts. Or she would be a professional dog-walker.