SUSAN MARRASH-MINNERLYProfessor of Theatre

Department of CommunicationsWest Virginia State UniversityInstitute, West Virginia 25112

(304) 766-5110minnerly@wvstateu.edu

EDUCATION

MFA, Acting/Directing 1981University of VirginiaThesis Production: The Direction of Midland, an original Script

Converse College 1973BA, Theatre and EnglishDublin, Ireland – interim program through Converse College

The American Academy of Dramatic Arts1973

New York

TEACHING

West Virginia State UniversityDepartment of Communications

Professor August, 2010

Chair October 2007-August, 2010

Tenured June, 2007

Associate Professor 2004-2010Assistant Professor 2001-

2004Adjunct 1999-

2001Courses Taught: Art of the Theatre (C170); Principles and Theories of Acting (C270); Advanced Theatre Studies (C470); Theatre Production (C475); Voice and Diction (C106); Race, Gender and Identity in a Diverse Society (GE200); Auditions Skills (C299); Race, Gender and Ethnicity in the Media (MS 635); Directing Actors for Film and Video (MS 678), Speech Communication (C100)

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Curriculum Development: developed and taught graduate course, Race, Gender, and Ethnicity in the Media (MS 635)Productions Directed:

The Fantasticks April 2016

Title of Show October 2015

An Enemy of the People November 2014

Little Shop of Horrors April 16 – 19, 2014

Hairspray November 2012

Dead White Males May2012

Why Torture Is Wrong, and December 2011

The People Who Love Them Black Eagles

March, 2011 The Bluest Eye December

2010 The African Company Presents December

2009Richard III

University of North Carolina at CharlotteDepartment of Dance and Theatre

Assistant Professor 1990-1997

Lecturer 1986-1990

Adjunct 1985-1986Courses Taught: Acting I, Fundamentals/Improvisation; Acting III, Character Development; Acting IV, Meisner Technique; Acting V, Period Styles; Audition Techniques; Theatre History I and II; Acting for Non-Theatre Majors; Introduction to Theatre; Scene Study; Music Theatre Techniques; Improvisation; Theatrical Makeup; Directing Problems: Acting for Businesspeople

Curriculum Development: Chair of department curriculum committee 1995-96 and supervised restructuring of entire program from BCA degree to BA degree. Developed new course, Auditions Techniques. Authored revision of acting curriculum including Acting course I, II, III, IV, V, Internship in Theatre.

Additional Teaching Experience North Carolina Wesleyan College, Rocky Mount, North Carolina

1981Adjunct, Introduction to Theatre

University of Virginia 1979-1981

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Graduate Teaching AssociateIntroduction to Acting and Directing – required for all undergraduate drama majors

CREATIVE/SCHOLARLY

(Complete performance resume at end of CV)

Reader for CONTINUUM: a Journal of African Diaspora Drama, Theatre and Performance. CONTINUUM links the past, present and future of scholarly inquiry into the history, theory and criticism that serves our discipline. CONTINUUM is an online scholarly refereed journal produced by Black Theatre Network.

Spokesperson, nationally distributed dvd, The Affordable Care Act: Faces of Reform in West Virginia

May, 2011 Facilitator, “Rebuilding society after conflict,” international roundtable with

theatre professionals from Romania, Iraq, Zimbabwe, Cuba and USATheatre Without Borders Conference, New York, New York September , 2010

“A Shelter in Place and Time: An Ethnomimetic Study of Community’Southeastern Theatre Conference, Chattanooga March 2012

Opinion Piece in “National Diversity Forum,” Fall 2009Alliance for Inclusion in the Artshttp://www.inclusioninthearts.org/NationalDiversityForum.htm

“An Actor Is Not A Camera” 2009West Virginia Filmmakers Guild, Sutton, West Virginia

Marrash-Minnerly, Susan. “It’s Okay to be Angry.” The Elephant in the Playroom.

Ed. Denise Brodey. New York: Penguin/Hudson, 2007. pp.73-75. Print. Director of The Exonerated

2007Charleston Stage Company

o Awards, Southeastern Theatre Conference, Community Theatre Festival

March 2008Best Play Best DirectorBest Ensemble CastExcellence in Acting Awards for three actors

“Performing History: 2007

An Interdisciplinary Collaborative Approach to Academic Research and Pedagogy” co-presenter (with Dr.Chuck Smith, political science)

o Southeastern Theatre Conference, Atlanta, Georgia

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o Aannual banquet of Marshall University’s political science honor society, Pi Sigma Alpha

o Annual meeting of WV Political Science Association 2008

“ Anne Bogart: Theatre Should Explore More and Explain Less.” Southern Theatre XLVII 3 (2006): 18 – 23. Co-authored with Dr. David Wohl

“The Medium Has A Message” co-presenter (with Dr. Marc Porter, film) 2005

Southeastern Theatre Conference, Greensboro, North Carolina “Inclusion not Intrusion: A New Paradigm of Disability Takes Center Stage”

co-presenter, Southeastern Theatre Conference, Chattanooga, Tennessee 2004

“Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Agents…and Now’s Your Chance To Ask” presenter, Southeastern Theatre ConferenceArlington, Virginia

2003 “Exploring the Rhythm of A Character”

West Virginia Theatre Conference, Buckhannon, West Virginia 2002

“Syrian Theatre: A Renaissance of Identity.” Al-Hayat al-Masrahiya(Theatre Life). Damascus, Syrian Arab Republic: Higher Institute of Performing Arts, 1995.

“The Old Inner/Outer.” Creative Loafing Magazine. April 20, 1994(theatre review)

SERVICE

West Virginia State UniversityUniversity:

Appointed, Student Hearing Committee 2015-16

Appointed, Provost Search Committee 2013-14

Executive Committee, Faculty Senate 2012-2016

Retention Committee 2010-2013 Black and Gold Gala Committee 2013-

14 Elected by full faculty to Presidential search steering committee

2011 Cultural Activities Committee, Chair 2008-

2011 Ad hoc committee to Revise the Draft Policy

2007-2008On Release Time for Department Chairs(Appointed by Vice President for Academic Affairs)

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Adjunct and Part-time Faculty Task Force 2008

(Appointed by Vice President for Academic Affairs) Secretary, Faculty Senate

2006-2007 Vice-Chair Faculty Senate Executive Committee

2003-2005 Faculty Senate representative

2002-2008 Chair, Faculty Senate ad hoc Faculty Rights Committee

2003-2005 All University Council

2003-2004 Institutional Review Board

2003-2005 Budget Advisory Committee

2003-2005 Faculty Lectures:

“The Self-Sovereignty of Elizabeth Cady Stanton “with Dr. Chuck Smith 2006

“The Medium Has A Message” with Dr. Marc Porter 2005

Student Mentoring Program 2001-2002

Department: Chair 2007-

2010 Thesis/Project Proposal Committee 2006-

2011 Graduate Thesis Committee 2004-2005,

2006-07 Advisor, Box Five Theatre Troupe

2011-present Advisor, Alpha Psi Omega National Honorary Theatre Society

2001-04

Professional: Member Robert Porterfield Scholarship Committee

2008Southeastern Theatre Conference

Adjudicator, High School Play festival, West Virginia Theatre Conference (WVTC)

2008 Responsible for the creation and maintenance of

2006The West Virginia Theatre Conference website

Editor, The Call Board, newsletter for the 2004-2008West Virginia Theatre Conference

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President, West Virginia Theatre Conference 2004-2005Reestablished organizational newsletter

Vice-President/Convention Host, West Virginia Theatre 2003-2004Conference

Artistic Co-Director, Charleston Stage Company 2002-2003

Adjudicator, American College Theatre festival (ACTF) 2004, 1987-1993

Community: Board of Directors, Charleston Stage Company

2003-2005 Artistic Development Committee, Kanawha Players (Charleston, WV)

2004-2006 Adjudicator, West Virginia State Thespian Festival

2002 Panelist, “Different Ways of Seeing”

2001Discussion of Robert Wilson’s work and its connection with his son with autism, Christopher Knowles, Huntington (W.V.) Museum of Art

University of North Carolina at CharlotteUniversity:

Chair, College of Arts and Sciences Course and 1992-1993Curriculum Committee. As Chair, authorized and followed through to approval two amendments to the by-laws of the committee (removed gender specific language and changed quorum)

College of Arts and Sciences Course and Curriculum Committee 1991-1995

College of Arts and Sciences SACS Self-Study Committee 1990-1991

Graduation Nomenclator 1991-1996

Faculty Council 1988-1989

Presentations:Honors Cultural Enrichment Seminar

What Fresh Hell Is This? 1995

“Chekhov’s The Three Sisters” 1994

“A Director’s View of The Heidi Chronicles” 1993

“The State of Theatre in Charlotte” 1992

“A Director’s View of Extremities” 1991

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“The Status of Women in the English 1990

Restoration As Reflected in Aphra Behn’sThe Rover”

ARTS Senior Seminar“Graduate School for the Artist”

1991

Department: Chair, Curriculum Committee 1992-

1996Oversaw rewriting of entire degree program and change from BCA to BA

Co-Chair, Departmental Self-Study 1993-1997

Search Committee for Assistant Professor of Directing 1993-1994

Secured $10,000 in-kind donation from NationsBank 1993

(now Bank of America) for design and printing of department logo, posters, programs, brochures

Search Committee for Departmental Chair 1991-1992

Organized and implemented “Her ArtStory” 1990-1991A series celebrating women in the arts

Chair, Search Committee for Lecturer, Vocal Specialist 1990-1991

Executive Committee 1989

Music Theatre Degree Committee 1988

Professional: Actor in Spoon River Anthology

1996Fund-raiser for “Stage One, a Non-Profit Umbrella For Theatrical Beginnings”

Audition Adjudicator, North Carolina Theatre Conference (NCTC) 1993

NCTC and ACTF Committees, 1990NCTC Annual Convention

Regional Selection Committee, ACTF , Auburn University 1988

Adjudicator, ACTF Irene Ryan Regional CompetitionUNC Greensboro

1989Auburn University

1988

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Adjudicator, Queens College Festival of the Arts 1989

Adjudicator, NCTC AACT/FEST Competition 1988

Public Relations Key, Southeastern Theatre Conference 1986

Community: Adjudicator, “First Nighters” Annual Awards

1996-1997Theatre Charlotte 1994-1995

Board of Directors, Spirit Square Center for the Arts 1985-1991Charlotte, North CarolinaAppointed to two terms by the Mecklenburg County Commission

o Vice-Chair, Board of Directors 1990-1991

Responsible for Support Organizations and Arts Resource Center Committees Chair, Individual Membership drive, raised approximately $140,000

o Finance Committee, Board of Directors, 1988-1990

o Vice-Chair, Education Committee, 1987-1988

o Fund-raising Campaign, 1991

o Artistic Advisory Board 1989-1991

Performed “In Their Own Voices”1991

A benefit for the homeless shelter for women and children Lecture to Senior Scholars, “The Role of a Director”

1989

Residencies and Master Classes Converse College, Spartanburg, South Carolina

1998“Student/Faculty Collaboration on a Research Project”

Higher Institute of Performing Arts1994

Damascus, SyriaThree-week residency by invitation from the Syrian Government, Minister of Culture

Queens College 1991Lecture/Demonstration, “Bringing A Character to Life” Part of a series involving artists from a variety of disciplines

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Charlotte Opera, Charlotte, North Carolina1984

Master class for chorus members, “Acting for Singers” Spirit Square Center for the Arts

1984-1985Acting for Businesspeople, Introduction to Acting

Southern Park Music School 1978

Charlotte, North Carolina“Acting for Singers”

Grants Secured and am administrating $25,000 for Essential Stages: The Donna

Skeen Theatre Artist Enrichment Series 2016-17

Secured and administrated $50,000 private donation for Essential Stages: The Donna Skeen Visiting Theatre Artists Series

2014-15 Secured and administrated $28,000 funding from a private donor to

convert an existing space at WVSU into a student black box theatre 2012

Regional Artist Grant 1996-1997Awarded by Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) Arts and Science Council for production of You Might As Well Live

UNC Charlotte International Programs1994

Three-week residency in Syria UNC Charlotte College of Arts and Science

1994Three-week residency in Syria

Professional Seminars Attended West Virginia Great Teachers Seminar 2002 Modern Masters 1995

“Anne Bogart – A Mid-Career Celebration”, Actor’s Theatre of LouisvilleLouisville, Kentucky

Workshop with Martha Clarke 1994“The Process of Artistic Collaboration” UNC Charlotte

Consulting Book Review for McGraw-Hill 2005

Review of prospective text The Spirit of the Undergraduate Acting Student Cultural Planning Process

1996-1997Invited participant in the initiation of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg (N.C.) Arts and Science Council third Cultural Planning Process

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Arts and Science Council

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Arts in Education Grants Committee 1993-1994

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Arts and Science Council 1992-1993Arts in Education Committee

Charlotte Arts Commission 1988-1989Advisory Committee for Charlotte’s 2% for public art projects

PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONSActor’s Equity AssociationBlack Theatre NetworkJTA – agent for film and commercial workScreen Actor’s Guild (currently inactive)Southeastern Theatre ConferenceTheatre Communications Group

SPECIAL RECOGNITION

Named Best Professor, West Virginia State University2014

Southeastern Theatre Conference March 2008Community Theatre FestivalAwards for The ExoneratedBest PlayBest DirectorBest Ensemble CastExcellence in Acting Awards for three actors

Career Achievement Award 2003

Converse College Alumnae Association Mentor of the Year

1996UNC Charlotte Department of Dance and Theatre

Mentor of Outstanding Seniors 1996, 1995,1992As awarded by the General Alumni Association Of UNC Charlotte

Featured in The Theatre Magazine of 1994The Ministry of Culture, Damascus, Syria“Susan Marrash-Minnerly: A Syrian Face Shining In America”

Thirty-minute interview on Syrian National Television 1994

Channel 2 by Dr. Yahya Al-Ridi Featured in Spirit Square Center for the Arts Magazine

1993

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“Susan Marrash-Minnerly: She’s Got Her Act Together” Best Director/play of the Year Award

1985They’re Playing Our SongTheatre Charlotte

Creative Loafing Magazine o Best Supporting Actress in a Musical

1992o Best Actress of the Season

1991o One of the Ten Best Plays of 1991, Extremities

1991(director, UNC Charlotte)

o One of the Five Best Plays of 1990, 1990

The Girl In Pink (director, Charlotte Repertory Theatre)o Best Actress in a Musical

1989A…My Name Is Alice

Who’s Who Among Students in American 1973

Colleges and Universities

PROFESSIONAL STAGE AND FILM WORK

Performances of You Might As Well LiveYou Might As Well Live is a one-woman show based on the life and work of Dorothy Parker. I conceived the project in 1993 and was motivated to begin the process after a workshop with Martha Clarke. Research, writing (in collaboration with a student playwright), revisions, and test performances took place until 1997. The play had its professional premiere with Charlotte Repertory Theatre on February 7, 1997 and had a limited run at Third Eye Repertory in New York also in February 1997. I engaged a student crew (stage manager, technical director, lighting and sound technicians) to accompany me on this trip.Third Eye Repertory

1997Converse College 1998Charlotte Repertory Theatre

1997Charlotte (NC Writer’s Club)

1997Borders Books and Music 1997Charlotte Symphony Guild

1997Friends of the Library Annual Meeting, Queens College

1997

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Off-Off BroadwayTHIRD EYE REPERTORYYou Might As Well Live Dorothy Parker 1997

Regional TheatresWEST VIRGINIA PUBLIC THEATRE, MORGANTOWN, WVSeven Brides…* Mrs. Bixby 1998Singin’ in the Rain* Dora Bailey/Miss Dinsmore

1998

CHARLOTTE REPERTORY THEATRE, CHARLOTTE, N.C.You Might As Well Live* Dorothy Parker 1997Light Up The Sky* Stella 1993Lend Me A Tenor* Julia 1991Tartuffe Mme. Pernelle

1990Nuptials Jeanette 1989

BLOWING ROCK (N.C.) STAGE COMPANYNunsense Sister Hubert

1989(Music Director: Michael Rice, original Broadway orchestrator)

The Musical Comedy Murders Bernice 1987Of 1940

EAST CAROLINA SUMMER THEATRE, GREENVILLE N.C.The Robber Bridegroom* Salome

1985A Funny Thing… * Domina 1985Pippin+ Berthe

1983A Little Night Music+ Mme. Armfeldt

1983No, No Nanette+ Pauline 1983+ Choreographer: Mavis Ray Music Director: Michael Biagi

CPCC SUMMER THEATRE, CHARLOTTE, N.C. Something’s Afoot* Miss Tweed

1993On the 20th Century* Letitia Primrose

1992Into the Woods Jack’s Mother

1991Rumors Claire 1991Something’s Afoot Lettie 1978

INNOVATIVE THEATRE, CHARLOTTE, N.C.

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Roses for Roy Lee Alma 1991Tale of the Last Formicans Cathy

1990

TANK THEATRE, ROCKY MOUNT, N.C.Gypsy Mama Rose 1983The Effect of Gamma Rays… Beatrice

1982

ADDITIONAL WORK, CHARLOTTE, N.C.A Funny Thing… Domina 1997 StageWorks CoImprovability improvisation

1991 Touring companyWhat Fresh Hell Is This? Dorothy Parker 1995Oh Dad, Poor Dad… Mme. Rosepettle

1990Tartuffe Mme Pernelle

1987 UNC CharlotteFiddler on the Roof Yente

1990 Stage Door Dinner TheatreEbenezer Scrooge Mrs. Scab 1984

North Carolina Stage CompanyThe Good Doctor Defenseless Creature

1978Actor’s Contemporary Ensemble

*These roles performed under contracts with Actor’s Equity Association

COMMUNITY THEATRE – Charleston, West VirginiaThe Twilight Zone Elva 2015A Delicate Balance Agnes 2013A Body of Water Avis 2009Buried Child Hallie 2006Romeo and Juliet Nurse 2005Honk! The Musical Queenie 2005Working Delores 2004Private Eyes Cory 2001

PROFESSIONAL DIRECTINGCHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIAThe Exonerated Charleston Stage Company

2007Ain’t Misbehavin’ Charleston Stage Company

2003Return to the Forbidden Planet Charleston Stage Company

2002Sylvia Kanawha Players 1998

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CHARLOTTE, N.C.The Girl In Pink Charlotte Repertory Theatre

1990New Play Festival

The Comedy of Errors Charlotte Shakespeare Company1987

Really Rosie Charlotte Children’s Theatre1985

They’re Playing Our Song Theatre Charlotte 1985Norman, Is That You? Theatre Charlotte 1984On A Snowy Day Charlotte Children’s Theatre

1978Love Rides the Rails Charlotte Children’s Theatre

1975Lonely Planet UNC Charlotte

1997Eating Raoul UNC Charlotte

1994The Three Sisters UNC Charlotte

1993The Heidi Chronicles UNC Charlotte

1992Extremities UNC Charlotte

1991The Skin of Our Teeth UNC Charlotte

1990The Rover UNC Charlotte

1989The Birds UNC Charlotte

1988Little Shop of Horrors UNC Charlotte

1987The Merry Wives of Windsor UNC Charlotte

1987

COMMERCIALS AND INDUSTRIAL FILMSPRINCIPAL ROLES -- NATIONALChar-Broil (SAG)Dash detergentMcDonald’s(SAG)Miles LaboratoriesInternational HardwareBon AmiAqua Fresh toothpasteMontgomery WardFlintstone VitaminsNational Humane SocietySimac PastaUpjohn (voice-over)

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PRINCIPAL ROLES -- REGIONALCAMC Patient Simulation programWest Virginia Lottery (AFTRA contract)Edgewood SummitWest Virginia Trade UnionsGiant/Martin grocery stores(SAG)Hickory Furniture MartLexcom – also a personal appearance as part of Lexcom’s Customer Appreciation DayUpstate South Carolina Medical Center – winner 1990 national advertising award by Healthcare Marketing ReportCentral Piedmont Community CollegeState of South CarolinaFirst Union National Bank (2 films)North Carolina federal BankCarolina Chevrolet DealersLeonard AluminumHungry Bull restaurantsSkyline Pontiac (5 commercials)CIT Financial ServicesNorth Carolina School System – School Bus Safety