Professor Spotlight

Chris Gallerani '15 is a senior Theater major. He is currently working on his honors thesis with advisors Dr. Irma Mayorga and Professor Aaron Thomas. Chris shares his story about working closely with a Dartmouth Professor:

Upon hearing that Aaron Thomas would be visiting Dartmouth again and teaching his Sex and Drama class, I was ecstatic. Aaron taught me theater history of the ³Middle Ages,² from British Renaissance drama through Restoration Comedy and Japanese Kabuki theater, happening across the globe concurrent with these Western traditions. Aaron took "non cannonical" texts and applied a thorough study contextualizing these works within the societies from which they came; works normally not read by students, or otherwise considered boring and strange, fed lively and engaging class discussion.

Having just submitted a proposal for my Honors Thesis project and about to embark on my study abroad in London with the department, I looked to Aaron for help getting started. "Send me queer things," I emailed him. "I want as much theory as I can try to understand." We corresponded throughout the summer, Aaron sending me articles regarding queer literary and dramatic theory, me sending what few responses I could alongside my busy conservatory syllabus. Since my return to Dartmouth and my ongoing work on a solo performance, Aaron has emerged not only as an invaluable resource but also as a dear friend and confidante. His and Dr. Mayorga¹s support and guidance throughout this process have been and continue to be instrumental in constructing my understanding of the solo performance art form and the opportunities it makes available to the actor-writer. Had it not been for Aaron and Dr. Mayorga, I may never have accessed this vibrant performance style.

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