Amy Seham
Faculty
Amy Seham came to Gustavus in 1997 with a Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Wisconsin-Madison, an M.F.A. from Northwestern University and years of experience as Artistic Director of Performance Studio and Free Shakespeare on the Green in New Haven, Connecticut. She has directed a wide variety of shows in the Anderson Theatre from musicals to Shakespeare to original works. In the last six summers, Amy's work as a playwright has also been presented at the Minnesota Fringe Festival in products featuring Gustavus students and alumni. Amy's research and teaching specialties include improvisation and theatre for social justice. Her book,Whose Improv Is It Any?Beyond Second City,exploring power and process in Chicago improv-comedy was published in 2001. She has created and conducted workshops on race, gender and resisting stereotypes in improv at universities, theatres and conferences across the United States, as well as in Ireland and India. At Gustavus Amy has intensified her commitment to theatre for social justice, developing a new course in Creative Social Justice Theatre and mentoring the student social justice theatre troupeI Am, We Are. She lives in Saint Peter with her wonderful daughter, Miranda.
Experience
- Teacher/Director at Gustavus Adolphus College: 1997-present
- Artistic Director of theatres in Michigan and Connecticut
- Author: Whose Improv Is It Anyway?, published 2001
Teaching Areas
- Social Justice Theatre
- Performance Theory
- Directing
- Theatre and society
- Improvisation
- Devised Theatre
- FTS
Education
B.A. Wesleyan University; M.F.A Northwestern University (Directing); Ph.D. University of Wisconsin at Madison
Interests
Comedy, Improvisation, Shakespeare, Social justice theatre, and Women's studies
Courses Taught
T/D-118 (Dramaturgy Practicum), T/D-218 (Dramaturgy Practicum), T/D-244 (ST:Chekhov on Stage), T/D-270 (Intermediate Studies in Performance: Creative Research), T/D-370 (Advanced Studies in Performance: Creative Research), T/D-381 (Performance Theory), and T/D-398 (Theatre Honors Project)
Synonym | Title | Times Taught | Terms Taught |
---|---|---|---|
T/D-110 | Performance Practicum | 127 | 2020/SP, 2018/FA, 2017/FA, 2017/SP, 2016/FA, 2016/SP, 2015/FA, 2014/FA, 2014/SP, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2010/SP, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, 2008/FA, 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, 2005/FA, 2004/SP, 2003/FA, 2003/SP, 2002/FA, 2002/SP, 2002/JN, 2001/SP, 2000/FA, 2000/SP, 1999/FA, and 1999/SP |
T/D-115 | Assistant Stage Manager | 45 | 2013/SP, 2012/SP, 2011/SP, 2011/JN, 2010/FA, 2010/SP, 2010/JN, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, 2009/JN, 2008/FA, 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, 2005/FA, 2005/SP, 2004/SP, 2003/SP, 2002/SP, 2002/JN, 2001/SP, 2000/FA, 2000/SP, and 1999/SP |
T/D-215 | Stage Management | 34 | 2014/JN, 2011/SP, 2011/JN, 2010/FA, 2010/SP, 2010/JN, 2009/FA, 2009/SP, 2009/JN, 2008/FA, 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, 2005/FA, 2004/SP, 2003/FA, 2003/SP, 2002/FA, 2002/SP, 2002/JN, 2001/SP, 2000/FA, 2000/SP, and 1999/FA |
T/D-370 | Advanced Studies in Performance: Creative Research | 28 | 2021/JN, 2020/FA, 2020/SP, 2019/FA, 2018/FA, 2018/SP, 2017/FA, 2017/SP, 2016/FA, 2016/SP, 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2010/SP, and 2009/SP |
T/D-270 | Intermediate Studies in Performance: Creative Research | 22 | 2020/FA, 2020/SP, 2018/FA, 2018/SP, 2017/FA, 2017/SP, 2016/FA, 2016/SP, 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2012/FA, 2012/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2010/SP, 2009/FA, and 2009/SP |
T/D-244 | ST:Improv Too | 21 | 2020/FA, 2018/FA, 2017/FA, 2017/SP, 2016/SP, 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/FA, 2008/SP, 2008/JN, 2007/JN, and 1999/SP |
T/D-399 | Senior Project | 17 | 2014/SP, 2011/SP, 2010/SP, 2009/SP, 2008/FA, 2008/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/FA, 2006/SP, 2005/FA, 2004/SP, 2003/SP, 2002/SP, 2001/SP, 2001/JN, and 2000/SP |
T/D-398 | T/D Honors Project | 15 | 2020/SP, 2019/FA, 2018/FA, 2018/SP, 2017/FA, 2017/SP, 2016/FA, 2016/SP, 2015/FA, 2015/SP, 2014/FA, 2013/FA, 2013/SP, 2011/SP, and 2009/SP |
T/D-136 | Social Justice Theatre | 13 | 2020/FA, 2019/FA, 2018/FA, 2017/FA, 2016/FA, 2015/FA, 2014/FA, 2013/FA, 2012/FA, 2010/FA, 2009/FA, 2008/FA, and 2008/SP |
T/D-106 | Acting I | 10 | 2020/FA, 2018/SP, 2007/FA, 2007/SP, 2006/SP, 2004/SP, 2003/SP, 2001/SP, 2000/SP, and 1999/SP |
T/D-236 | Theatre and Society | 10 | 2020/SP, 2018/SP, 2016/SP, 2014/SP, 2010/SP, 2007/FA, 2005/FA, 2003/FA, 2000/FA, and 2000/SP |
T/D-379 | Adv Social Just Thtre | 10 | 2019/FA, 2018/FA, 2017/FA, 2016/FA, 2015/FA, 2014/FA, 2013/FA, 2012/FA, 2011/SP, and 2009/SP |
T/D-272 | Creative Research | 8 | 2021/JN, 2018/JN, 2017/JN, 2016/JN, 2015/JN, 2014/JN, 2011/JN, and 2010/JN |
T/D-247 | Beginning Directing | 8 | 2020/SP, 2018/SP, 2016/SP, 2014/SP, 2010/SP, 2008/SP, 2004/SP, and 2002/SP |
T/D-218 | Dramaturgy Practicum | 8 | 2020/SP, 2018/FA, 2017/FA, 2017/SP, 2016/FA, 2016/SP, 2015/FA, and 2014/FA |
FTS-100 | FTS:American Drama | 8 | 2017/FA, 2016/FA, 2015/FA, 2014/FA, 2013/FA, 2012/FA, 2002/FA, and 2000/FA |
T/D-118 | Dramaturgy Practicum | 7 | 2020/SP, 2018/FA, 2017/FA, 2017/SP, 2016/FA, 2016/SP, and 2015/FA |
T/D-107 | January Production | 6 | 2018/JN, 2015/JN, 2014/JN, 2010/JN, 2009/JN, and 2006/JN |
T/D-381 | Performance Theory | 6 | 2017/SP, 2015/SP, 2013/SP, 2011/SP, 2009/SP, and 2007/SP |
T/D-144 | ST:Social Justice Ens | 5 | 2017/SP and 2016/FA |
T/D-372 | Creative Research | 4 | 2018/JN, 2015/JN, 2011/JN, and 2010/JN |
T/D-226 | Text and Perform Lab | 3 | 2019/FA |
T/D-255 | Playmaking/Playwriting | 3 | 2016/FA, 2006/SP, and 2002/SP |
T/D-244 | ST:Shakespeare Lab | 3 | 2010/FA |
CUR-240 | Theatre Arts | 3 | 2009/FA, 2008/FA, and 2006/FA |
T/D-231 | World Theatre II | 3 | 2005/FA, 2003/FA, and 1999/FA |
T/D-371 | Dramatic Theory | 3 | 2003/SP, 2001/SP, and 1999/SP |
T/D-226 | Text and Performance | 2 | 2019/FA |
T/D-216 | Theatre in the Community Practicum | 2 | 2005/FA and 2001/JN |
NDL-229 | Improv Incorporated | 2 | 2004/JN and 2003/JN |
T/D-101 | Theatre Appreciation | 2 | 2002/FA and 1999/FA |
T/D-107 | Intensve Perfrmnce Lab | 1 | 2021/JN |
T/D-256 | Improv & Activism | 1 | 2019/FA |
GWS-224 | Staying Alive | 1 | 2013/SP |
T/D-378 | Advanced Directing | 1 | 2007/FA |
T/D-230 | World Theatre I | 1 | 2006/FA |
T/D-376 | Advanced Acting | 1 | 2002/SP |
T/D-314 | Directing Practicum | 1 | 2001/JN |
T/D-120 | Puppet-Making and Performance | 1 | 2001/JN |
T/D-116 | Irish Theatre | 1 | 2000/JN |