Kyle A. Thomas

Biography

Kyle received his Ph.D. in Theatre from the University of Illinois in 2018, with the award of departmental distinction for his work in dramaturgy and directing. As a specialist in medieval drama, theatre, and performance, his scholarly efforts sit precisely at the intersection of practice and research. His work centers on developing postmodern approaches for performing of historical—and particularly—medieval plays. His work is exemplified in his direction of the Play of Adam at the Metropolitan Museum of Art Cloisters (NYC), Babio for the Newberry Library (Chicago), and the Mellon Foundation-funded production, Play About the Antichrist for the “Performing the Middle Ages” Symposium at the University of Illinois. Kyle has synthesized much of this work in his forthcoming book (with new English translation by Carol Symes), The Play About the Antichrist (Ludus de Antichristo): A Historical Exegesis, Performance Dramaturgy, and Latin Edition. He is also the Chief Editor of the international journal, ROMARD: Research on Medieval and Renaissance Drama. Further scholarly efforts include research into the economics of the theatre industry, especially commercial theatre. His chapter contribution to the Palgrave Handbook of Musical Theater Producers details the global marketing strategies of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Really Useful Group. His efforts to produce public-facing scholarship on theatre can be seen on his YouTube channel, The Theatre History Professor and heard on The Teaching Drama Podcast. He is also a recurring expert featured on the Discovery Channel's Mysteries of the Abandoned: Hidden America.

Details

Education

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