Professor, Director, Performance-Based Activist
Brittney S. Harris
Professor, Director, Performance-Based Activist
Creative Scholarship/Works Highlights: Summer 2026
Creative Scholarship Overview for Summer 2026:
Highlighted
May-July 2026, LEAD FACILITATOR
Successfully facilitated over 15 Communicating Science summer workshops and seminars for several engineering summer programs, including Virginia Tech’s Fralin Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship (SURF). The program culminated in a facilitated public exploration of undergraduate student poster sessions and created opportunities for continued engagement through the Center for Communicating Science’s Undergraduate Nutshell Games in Spring 2027.
July 2026
Attended “Dramaturgy is Ideology,” a performative intensive at Mixed Blood Theatre in Minneapolis, MN, facilitated by Julian Boal as part of the Pedagogy and Theatre of the Oppressed (PTO) post-conference intensive. Explored societal contradictions, counter-narratives, and the performance of oppressive states through narrative, underscored by applied theatre practice.
August 2026, LEAD PRESENTER and CO-COLLABORATOR
Presented as part of Cube Fest 2026, August 21–23, in collaboration with the Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech, the Virginia Tech Center for Humanities, and the Institute for Creativity, Arts, and Technology (ICAT):
- Presenting “Where the Poem Lives: Spoken Word, Image, and Sound,” a masterclass exploring the intersections of spoken word, visual imagery, and sound.
- Co-collaborator on The Declaration of Independence: Spatial Audio Remix, an immersive experience featuring overlapping voices, revisions, echoes, and silences that explores the layered sounds of American freedom.
Chapter Publication: ‘Embodying the Headlines’ | Routledge Press
My chapters, “Embodying the Headlines: Performing Sandra Bland” and the roundtable “Performing Black Feminism,” are now available in Applied Theatre and Racial Justice: Care, Community, Change.
This work asks what it means to move beyond the headline and toward the human, to carry the weight of what is reported and reframe it through performance, storytelling, and justice.
Directed The Gingham Dog, VT Theatre Mainstage
For the 2025-2026 mainstage season for VT Theatre, I directed The Gingham Dog by Lanford Wilson. This play is an intimate, psychologically driven ensemble work that explores power, identity, and the quiet unraveling of relationships under pressure.
Feb. 24-28, Squires Studio Theatre, Virginia Tech Blacksburg Campus
Project Highlight: Nikki Giovanni Immersive Experience
“It becomes an act of keeping her spirit in motion and her legacy vibrantly alive, inviting us to witness, imagine, and carry her vision forward with intention.”
The Nikki Giovanni Immersive Experience is a multi-sensory tribute created through ICAT at Virginia Tech in collaboration with SOPA and SOVA faculty and students. Developed from February through the fall of 2025, the project draws from Giovanni’s vocal archive to blend her recorded poetry with original soundscapes, motion graphics, and embodied movement. The installation opens December 9 at The CUBE Center for the Arts at Virginia Tech, marking the one-year anniversary of her passing.
Artistic Direction: Meaghan Dee, Charles Nichols, Brittney S. Harris, Trevor Finney
Poetic Arrangement: Charles Nichols, Brittney S. Harris
Embodied Movement: Brittney S. Harris
Field Work Highlight: 4-VA Collaborative Research Grant, Summer 2025
As a co-research contributor with Dr. Rachel Rhoades at James Madison University (JMU), Voices Unbound: Reclaiming Youth Identity, Expression, and Belonging in a Post-COVID World is this summer’s participatory action research project engaging teens in the Harrisonburg region and Greater New River Valley through creative wellness and devised theatre.
This is our 2nd year in a row receiving this grant!
In response to the U.S. Surgeon General’s 2023 advisory declaring loneliness and isolation a public health epidemic, this project aims to strengthen youth well-being by centering identity, creative expression, and connection. Through personal storytelling and ensemble performance, teens reclaim their voices, deepen their sense of belonging, and take on visible roles as artists and changemakers in their communities by culminating in a public theatre piece and facilitated dialogue.
Playwright Highlight: The Request (or Prison Fan Fiction), Seattle, WA
My full-length play, The Request (or Prison Fan Fiction), will be workshopped at The Shattered Glass Project in Seattle, WA.
From late March through May 2025, I’ll be collaborating under the direction of Jordan-Michael Whidbey with a remarkable group of artists to refine and develop the piece, culminating in a staged reading followed by a feedback session using Liz Lerman’s Critical Response Process.
The Shattered Glass Project is dedicated to uplifting theatre that amplifies underheard voices, and I’m deeply honored for the opportunity to grow this work in alignment with that mission.
More about TSGP: https://www.shatteredglassproject.org/2025-plays-in-progress
Article Feature: 'Here Us Out' | Theatre Topics
My article featurette, ‘Here Us Out: Building Inclusive Theatre Classrooms through Community Agreements’, is now available in Theatre Topics (Johns Hopkins University Press), Volume 35.1, as part of ‘Paragraphs on the Pedagogy of the Now.’
This piece explores how community agreements can transform theatre classrooms into more inclusive, equitable, and collaborative spaces.
Creative Scholarship Highlights: Devising Initiative Coordinator, KCACTF 4
As the Devising Initiative Coordinator for KCACTF Region 4, I played a pivotal role in shaping the Festival 57 student experience, collaborating with the Regional Committee to foster an inclusive and equitable environment. Serving the U.S. Southeast, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, I helped design programming that reflected this year’s devising theme, Lost and Found.
Hosted in Greensboro, NC, I coordinated four teams from diverse institutions, UNCG, NC A&T, Bluegrass Community and Technical College, and Georgia Southern University—guiding them through masterclass workshops on ensemble-based devising and theatre’s relationship with the environment. I also curated two showcase opportunities: one featuring invited respondents led by CRP Liz Lerman and another attended by approximately 60 participants.
The festival concluded with each team receiving a Certificate of Engagement, reinforcing a collaborative and impactful experience.
New Dual Role Appointment, Virginia Tech
Starting in Fall 2024, I accepted a dual-role appointment as an Assistant Professor of Applied Theatre and the newly designated Co-Director of Research for the Center for Communicating Science at Virginia Tech.
My primary research and scholarship will center on Applied Collaborative Techniques, Communicating Science, Performance as Activism, and Applied Theatre, focusing on performance and community engagement.
Featured Article: The Umbrella Method
My article, Creative Discourse: The Umbrella Method, is now available in Yale THEATER magazine, Volume 54.2 on 'Devising Futures' published by Duke University Press.
This piece highlights my original creative framework method for developing narrative-based solo and ensemble theatre works based on autobiography or editorial materials called the 'Umbrella Method'. I devised this approach in 2019 as part of my creative research and scholarship over the past few years. I continue to use it in all of my community-based projects.
Field Work Highlight: 4-VA Collaborative Research Grant
Co-research contributor with Dr. Rachel Rhoades at James Madison University (JMU), ' The River of Life'- Utilizing Devised Theatre for Equity and Community Development: Newcomers Translate Experiential Knowledge through Embodied Storytelling' is a summer intensive participatory action research initiative launched in June 2024 focused on creating theater performances based on the experiences of newcomers (refugees).
We aim to evaluate the impact of the theater-making process and performance and ensuing dialogue on newcomers' confidence, building a sense of community and belonging, and promoting active participation in advancing equity in their professional lives and personal endeavors.
Featured Playwriting Highlight: The Request (or Prison Fan Fiction)
My full-length play, The Request (or Prison Fan Fiction), has been accepted into the renowned The Workshop Theater 2024 Winter Intensive cohort (NYC).
Since January 2024, I've been working with a cohort of tremendously talented creatives and playwrights from NY to LA who've been instrumental in finessing and workshopping this piece to a final draft. I've learned so much and gained an even more profound respect for the playwriting process.
More about WTWI:
https://www.workshoptheater.org/intensives/workshop-intensives-winter-2024
PROJECT HIGHLIGHT: Intersections: Art, Activism, & Advocacy Weekend
Partnering with the Little Theatre of Norfolk (LTN), Intersections: Art, Activism, & Advocacy Weekend is a two-day event cultivating necessary conversations about the importance of mental health, the unbreakable image of the black woman, social justice, the power of narrative-based storytelling, and utilizing art as a form of social resistance.
Joined by community organizations (Teens with a Purpose and Opera for Us) that provide the resources to assist our communities with the issues that we face daily.
A staged reading of my one-woman show, 'The Intersection: The Sandra Bland' will be featured followed by an audience dialogue highlighting the importance of creative wellness and mental health.
Premiere of EXODUS: HOMECOMING Documentary
January 2024 screening premiere of the documentary EXODUS: HOMECOMING partnered with The Inheritance Theater Project and WHRO in examining the history and lived experiences of the people of Hampton Roads in relationship to the themes and narrative of the book of Exodus.
Serving as the 'Assistant Director' on this project, I'm truly proud of our 757 community for this major accomplishment. Documentary will be available on WHRO TV- 15 starting at the end of January.
2023 Emmy Award Winner for Societal Concerns (Short Form Content) with WHRO Public Media for Exodus: Homecoming!
Read more about my creative research on Exodus: Homecoming Project
Center for Artistic Activism (C4AA) Faculty Fellow
Selected as a 2024 Center for Artistic Activism Faculty Fellow (C4AA). The fellowship focus is their Unstoppable Voters program, which is an expansive 'non-partisan voting initiative supporting creative risk-taking, strategic, ambitious organizations, people, and projects that protect voters and voting in the U.S. Out of a national search and application process, 9 faculty fellows were selected.
Through innovative research and providing free resources, the Center for Artistic Activism has helped build, sustain, and develop the field of artistic activism, specializing in helping advocacy groups use creativity and culture to implement impactful campaigns.
Faculty Highlight: proposed a 'pro-voter nonpartisan interdisciplinary collaboration initiative' integrating the information and materials from C4AA in my advanced acting courses for Spring and Fall 2024 to highlight the pivotal role the performing arts play in promoting social justice, as well as civil, environmental, and human rights, to foster civic engagement, dialogue, and community problem-solving.
More about C4AA: https://c4aa.org/
FEATURED ARTICLE: Professor Shows Theater’s Power to Transform
Featured by the ODU College of Arts and Letters, this article addresses my artistic process and experiences from working with ASYV in Rwanda, Africa to NEH devised theatre summer institute with Pig Iron and now with directing 'Blood at the Root' for ODURep Theatre.
Highlight from the feature:
“Harris asked the young people to express concepts like joy or pain using only their bodies. They would show what oppression meant to them, then the opposite, liberation. "The work itself should lend to some kind of artistic enlightening or opening," Harris said. "I don't want this work to be triggering. But let's create not just a safe space but a sacred space to explore that."
Directed Blood at the Root, ODURep Theatre
For the Fall 2023 mainstage season for ODURep Theatre, I directed Blood at the Root by Dominique Morisseau. Navigated as a stylized ensemble movement-based play, this play scrutinizes the intrinsic links between justice, bias, and identity.
N.E.H. Higher Education Faculty Fellow
Selected as a National Endowment for the Humanities Higher Education Faculty Fellow for Summer 2023.
Hosted by Pig Iron Theatre Company in Philadelphia, PA, this summer’s institute focus is ‘Preserving and Transmitting American Ensemble-Based Devised Theatre.’ Out of over 100 applicants, 25 fellows were selected. NEH Summer Institutes allow higher education faculty to enrich and revitalize their teaching by studying humanities topics that bear upon undergraduate education.
Devised theatre is perpetually progressing, and I’m thrilled to be at the forefront of this conservation with fellow artists and practitioners who want to delve deep into a critical examination of ensemble-based devised theatre, past and present, and foster new collaborations beyond our niches and communities.
More about this institute: https://pigiron.org/pig-iron-neh-institute
INTERNATIONAL DEVISED THEATRE PROJECT: ASYV & In[HEIR]itance Project
In May 2023, I will have the honor to co-direct and devise abroad in Rwanda Africa at the ‘Agahozo Shalom Youth Village’ in partnership with the In[HEIR]itance Project as part of an artistic delegation from the United States.
Our final project was titled 'AHAZAZA: Looking to the Future'.
As an international-based devised theatre initiative/project, we will be working with students and staff at ASYV to create a brand-new piece of theater that will focus on exploring the ways collective creativity has the power to build relationships and community. The focus of this project will be utilizing art for equity, confidence, and healing mirroring the values of ASYV and inviting the students to determine what those words mean to them.
This process will also support skill building for participants in public speaking, storytelling, and confidence communicating in English. Read our weekly blog!
Featured Masterclass: Devised Theatre
Hosted by the Zeiders American Dream Theater (aka The Z), this masterclass led by Asst. Professor of Theatre Brittney Harris provides insight about Devised Theater and all the ways it can help us talk about the important issues of our time.
A little about the Z:
Zeiders American Dream Theater is a professional, non-profit theater that introduces new works and emerging artists, presents unique artistic experiences, and inspires creative growth in the Hampton Roads Community. The Z’s founding principles are that creativity drives the growth of individuals and communities; and that the imagination, passion, and discipline of creation are universal requirements for all successful endeavors, artistic and otherwise.
NEW DEVISED PIECE: Silhouettes: Cut to Black
Project Title- Silhouettes: Cut to Black, The Kara Walker Project
Commissioned as a part of ROUGE productions ‘arts in the community’ series, this ensemble-based devised theatre work culminates in a moving performance demonstrating some of the ways visual artist Kara Walker's black resistance work resonates today in our region of Coastal Virginia.
I devised the concept and directed this project.
Premieres April 1st. Read full production details here
Featured Scholar: Arts & Letters Junior Faculty Forum
ODU Institute for the Humanities presents the 2023 College of Arts & Letters Junior Faculty Forum. This annual workshop brings together junior scholars to present their research in an informal, collegial atmosphere.
Presentation title:
Embodying the #Hashtag: Performance as Activism
4 NEW WORKSHOPS OFFERED!
I offer workshops on the development, consulting, and building of narrative-based solo performance and devised theatre for individuals, students (6th thru college-aged), community orgs, and ensemble building:
River Stories: Reflective Narrative Exploration
Flying Solo: Solo Performance Exploration
Dare to Devise: Ensemble-based Devised Theatre Exploration
Resilient Stillness: Image Theatre Exploration
For booking, pricing, or any other workshop inquiries, contact here.
Winner for Best Woman Director for 'Pedigree', Changefest 2022
With over 130 films selected for the festival and out of 7 esteemed nominees, Pedigree won for ‘Best Woman Director’ and I was invited as a guest panelist for the 11th Int’l Social Change Film Festival (Changefest) 2022 ATL premiere.
So proud of our Pedigree team and grateful to the @changefestfilmfestival & @atlsocialchange for the artistic process discussion and platform for this work!
NEW WORKS: Tag! You're It!
For Fall 2022, I’ve been commissioned to direct/create/devise ‘Tag! You’re It!’ is an interactive, ensemble-based devised theatre piece utilizing the Boalian technique of Image Theatre. In a 4-week rehearsal process, our ensemble cast will create and devise original text/literature (poetry/rap, choreography, etc.) that explores issues of individualism, unmasking/unveiling of freedom, creative self-expression through performance, exploration, resistance, and protest.
The collective ensemble will culminate in creating a living “mural” that will live on in the minds of audience members long afterward.
Read full production details here