Dr. Kyle A. Thomas

Biography

Kyle A. Thomas is a specialist on directing and devising methods for postmodern theatre that are based upon historical performance practices. Specifically, Kyle focuses on the history of theatre and performance in the European Middle Ages, working closely with Dr. Carol Symes on productions of medieval plays in non-traditional locations such as The Play of Adam (New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, Cloisters); Babio (Newberry Library of Chicago); and the Mellon Foundation funded production, The Play About the Antichrist (“Performing the Middle Ages” Symposium at the University of Illinois). His work on contemporary performances of medieval plays has also led Kyle to develop an acting and devising technique that focuses on the resources of a community called the Theatre of the Commons. In addition to his research and directing, Kyle also maintains an active profile as a professional actor in theatre, film, and television.

Details

Education

• PhD, Theatre, 2018, University of Illinois
• MA, Theatre, 2012, University of Illinois
• BA, Musical Theatre, 2005, Ouachita Baptist University

Teaching

• THE 122 Tools of the Actor
• THE 130 Introduction to Script Analysis
• THE 222 Acting Fundamentals
• THE 323 Performance and Literature

Professional experience

• Viewpoints and devising theatre training with Anne Bogart, SITI Company
• Movement and devising theatre training with Struan Leslie, Royal Shakespeare Company

Directing

• The Heart of Robin Hood, Interlochen Center for the Arts
• Play of Adam,The New York Metropolitan Museum of Art
• Viva Verdi! A Night of Italian Opera, Lyric Theatre at Illinois
• Babio, The Newberry Library of Chicago
• I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, The Champaign-Urbana Theatre Company
• Floyd Collins, The Station Theatre
• The Play about the Antichrist,The University of Illinois

Research and publications

• The Play About the Antichrist (Ludus de Antichristo): A New Verse Translation, Edition, and Commentary. Co-authored with Carol Symes. Kalamazoo, MI: Medieval Institute Publications (forthcoming)
• "The Performing Arts and Their Audiences,” in A Cultural History of Leisure in the Medieval Age (500-1450), Peter Borsay and Jan Hein Furnée, eds. (New York: Bloomsbury Academic, forthcoming 2020)
• “Laying Down the RUG: Andrew Lloyd Webber, the Really Useful Group, and Musical Theatre in a Global Economy,” in The Palgrave Handbook of Musical Theatre Producers, Laura MacDonald and William Everett, eds.(New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2017)
• “The Medieval Space: Early Medieval Documents as Stages,” in Theatre Survey 59.1 (January 2018)
• “Theatre in a Mobile World: Critiquing Convention and Calling for Innovation,” online article at Howlround.com (June 3, 2015)
• “Finding the Practice in Your Theory – Getting a PhD in Theatre Today,” in TYA Today 28.2 (November 2014)
• “A Ph.D. in Theatre: Working in Theory to Work in Practice,” online article at Howlround.com (December 18, 2013)
• “Profile: Nedjeljko Fabrio’s The Reformers,” in Ecumenica: Journal of Theatre and Performance 5.2 (Fall 2012)