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About Diane C. Merchant, Ph.D.

Dr. Merchant’s work as an educator and researcher focuses on the intersection of theory and practice within the discipline of theatre and includes dramaturgy and playwriting, theatre history and performance theory, directing, theatre of social change, educational theatre and arts administration. Dr. Merchant is a frequent presenter at conferences, especially involving the areas of theatre games and improvisation, dramaturgical research and practice, and experimental theatre. She works as a freelance dramaturg for such professional theatre companies as The Human Race Theatre Company and The Contemporary American Theatre Company. At Cedarville, Dr. Merchant directs mainstage theatre productions and senior theatre performance projects, and supervises student internships, particularly in arts administration.

Positions

Present Professor of Theatre, Cedarville University Department of Art, Design, and Theatre
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Professional Service and Affiliations

2022 - Present Member, Ohio Diversity Council
2021 - Present Member, Ohio Arts Council
2015 - Present Member, Association of Arts Administration Educators
2000 - Present Member, Americans for the Arts
1994 - Present Member, Association for Theatre in Higher Education
1994 - Present Member, Theatre Communications Group
1993 - Present Member, Literary Managers and Dramaturgs of the Americas
1996 - 2000 Member, Board of Executive Directors of Ohio Theatre Alliance
1996 - 2000 Member of Board of Executive Directors, Ohio Theatre Alliance
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Honors and Awards

  • Phi Kappa Phi Honorary Society for Excellence in Higher Education - 1994
  • Outstanding Overall Production, Miami Valley Awards of Excellence in Theatre (for Tuesdays with Morrie) - 2009
  • Award of Merit for Ensemble Acting, Miami Valley Awards of Excellence in Theatre (for The Importance of Being Earnest) - 2010
  • Teaching Collaboration Award, Cedarville University - 2017
  • Certificate of Merit for Ensemble Acting for The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)[Revised], Kennedy Center/American College Theatre Festival - 2017
  • Certificate of Recognition, The Nature Conservancy - 2020 & 2021

Courses

  • Directing I and II
  • Theatre History I and II
  • Dramaturgy
  • The Arts and Social Change
  • Seminar in Arts Administration
  • Introduction to Arts Law
  • Theatre for Young people
  • Playwrighting

Education

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Ph.D., The Ohio State University
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M.A., The Ohio State University
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B.A., Cedarville University
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Contact Information

Department of Art, Design, and Theatre
Cedarville University
HSC 253B
937-766-7963

Email:


Dissertation (1)

Book Reviews (2)

Conference Presentations (1)

Theatre Productions: Director (16)

Theatre Productions: Dramaturgy Coordinator (16)