PhD,
University
of
Western
Ontario
MA, York
University
BA,
York
University
Extension:
48219
Email: megan.selinger@uwaterloo.ca
Biography
My academic journey has taken me all around Southwestern Ontario. I grew up just a short distance away from Waterloo in Listowel, Ontario. I completed my BA at York University, double majoring in both Theatre and English, and my M.A. in English, also at York. I completed my Ph.D. at the University of Western Ontario, specializing in Shakespeare and Performance Theory. Additionally, I have interests in contemporary theatre with a particular focus on modern Shakespearean adaptation as well as 19th century female gothic writing and madness.
I have worked as a technical writer at Blackberry and specialize in teaching Communications to STEM and Business students. I have a strong interest in analyzing and understanding the communication barriers and challenges that are developing due to social media as well as the responsibilities and autonomy of audience member across all forms of communication.
Fellowships & Awards
- Western Graduate Thesis Research Award, University of Western Ontario, 2013.
- Ontario Graduate Scholarship (OGS), University of Western Ontario, 2011-2012.
- Chair’s Entrance Scholarship, University of Western Ontario, 2010.
Current research
My primary research in early modern drama investigates how performance disrupts the stability of play endings and enhances the narrative of the plays themselves. I specifically look at the lingering questions or problems at the end of Shakespeare’s texts, and discuss how performance tackles these issues.
My current projects are split into two areas. One project looks at outlier performances of Shakespearean productions that have endings which deviated significantly from the rest of their respective productions. These productions created an altered experience for the audience in attendance that night. I am interested in understanding, firstly, what range of deviation is considered normal for productions and secondly, what an audience member experiences when they are alerted to the uniqueness of their particular performance. My second project explores textually modified endings in Shakespearean performances and how these “adaptations” fight against the expected ending to provide a subversive or political message.
Research Areas
- Renaissance & Reformation drama and literature – especially Shakespeare
- Performance Studies
- Narrative theory
- Canadian drama
- Professional writing and communication – especially document design, usability, and multimedia production
- Victorian literature
- Gothic studies