From Behind the Scenes to Author 

Upper School Theatre Director Siouxsie Easter wrote a chapter on Emma Rice for The Routledge Anthology of Women’s Theatre Theory and Dramatic Criticism, the first wide-ranging anthology of theatre theory and dramatic criticism by women writers. A British actor, director and writer, Rice was hired as Artistic Director for Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in 2015. She stepped down in 2018 when the theatre’s board announced concerns over “authenticity” related to Shakespeare’s works and her use of “artificial lighting and sound.” Rice later shared in a letter that “I had to choose to leave because I choose myself and my work. Never think that my decision to step down in 2018 was simply and lights and sound, it was about personal trust and artistic freedom.” 

“It was so exciting to be able to contribute to this groundbreaking anthology and, in particular, to write about Emma Rice,” Easter said. “My directing has been influenced by Rice’s all-in approach to storytelling. I hope students and theatre enthusiasts alike will engage with this text to learn more about the powerful women in theatre."

This book presents important historical writings by women alongside brief essays to help you understand the context. It aims to show how women's contributions to theater and performance writing have often been overlooked in favor of male perspectives. The collection reveals that women have consistently written about theatre and performance in diverse ways.