About Rachel
Rachel E. Blackburn is an interdisciplinary scholar, artist, and educator with a Ph.D. in Theatre & Performance Studies and an M.F.A. in Theatre Pedagogy. Her research and creative practice focus on the intersections of performance, digital culture, pedagogy, and intersectionality.
With extensive experience in higher education, Rachel has taught at universities across North America, developing innovative courses that bridge academic theory and creative practice. Her work explores how performance can challenge normative constructions of identity and create space for diverse voices in academic and artistic contexts.
Key Research Interests
- Theatre & Digital Performance – Exploring theatrical practice in digital spaces and the performance of identity online
- Intersectional Performance – How stand-up comedy, theatrical works, and solo performance challenge constructions of race, gender, and identity
- Arts Pedagogy – Interdisciplinary approaches to teaching performance, dramaturgy, and creative development
- Gender & Identity in Performance – Feminist directing practices and the representation of diverse identities on stage
- Stand-Up Comedy – The performance strategies of comedians addressing social and political issues
Education
Dissertation: "The Performance of Intersectionality on the 21st Century Stand-Up Comedy Stage"
Awards: Joseph R. Roach Dissertation Award, Ethel Hinds Burch Outstanding GTA in Theatre Award
Master's Thesis: "Fem and Funny: Three Women Who Changed the Face of Stand-Up Comedy"
Awarded "Excellence in Theatre" graduation distinction by Theatre VCU
Directed capstone production: "Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune"