Meet the Team

Colleen Kim Daniher is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. Her research spans Asia and the Americas and focuses on the consolidation and contestation of categories of race, gender, and nation through performance practices from the age of 19th-century “new” imperialisms to the present. Her writing has appeared in Theatre Journal, TDR, Women & Performance, e-misférica, Theatre Research in Canada, and Canadian Theatre Review. In 2021 her article “Looking at Pauline Johnson: Gender, Race, and Delsartism’s Legible Body” won the Outstanding Article Award from the Association for Theatre in Higher Education. She is currently completing a book manuscript on the mixed-race femme performer and the colonial cartographies of popular American entertainment. With Marlis Schweitzer, she is the co-editor of Women’s Innovations in Theatre, Dance, and Performance, vol. 1 Performers.

Marlis Schweitzer is Professor of Theatre and Performance Studies at York University in Toronto, Canada and currently holds a York Research Chair (Tier 2) in Theatre and Performance History. Her most recent book, Bloody Tyrants and Little Pickles: Stage Roles of Anglo-American Girls in the Nineteenth Century (2020), received the George Freedley Memorial Award from the Theatre Library Association and was named a finalist for the 2021 ATHE Outstanding Book Award. Marlis is past editor of Theatre Research in Canada and Theatre Survey and is a member of the Royal Society of Canada’s College of New Scholars, Artists and Scientists. With Colleen Kim Daniher, she is a co-editor of Women’s Innovations in Theatre, Dance, and Performance, vol. 1 Performers.

Amélie Duguay is a Master of Arts in Communication Studies student at Wilfrid Laurier University. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from McMaster University in the spring of 2023 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies, and a minor in Linguistics. Her involvement in the dance and theatre world from a young age sparked her passion for the arts. During her undergrad, Amélie worked with the executive team for the MAC Dance Recreational Dance Team as the Head Choreographer Coordinator. Her research aims to focus on disciplining the representation of gender in popular media, specifically analyzing the choreography, costumes, and judges’ commentary on So You Think You Can Dance?

Timna is a second-year undergraduate student at Wilfrid Laurier University, double majoring in Communication Studies and Cultural Studies. She is one of the 2022-2023 recipients of the Laurier Scholars Award for the Faculty of Arts. Timna demonstrates leadership across Laurier as an executive member of various clubs and associations and represents the university in her work as a Campus Ambassador. Recently, she was recognized by the Recruitment and Admissions team as 2023/2024 Rookie of the Year and continues to demonstrate her commitment to the university and its efforts in her every day. Beyond this, Timna was awarded second place for the university’s 2022/2023 Library Undergraduate Research Award for her work uncovering the relationship between the American Civil Rights Movement and rise of television in the home. As a lover of learning and the arts, Timna is excited to continue her career in academia as a part this team.

Mialy is a second-year undergraduate student at Wilfrid Laurier University, double majoring in Communication Studies and Cultural Studies with a minor in Film Studies. She is among the 2022-2023 recipients of the Laurier Scholars Award. With a passion for pursuing diversity and inclusion, Mialy connects with a multitude of Laurier’s culture clubs to support their initiatives and strive towards a more inclusive space on campus. As a lover of all things art, Mialy is honoured to join this team as a Research Assistant.

Julia Usher is a theatre artist who specializes in devised theatre. She is one of the creators of an original devised theatre show called 45 Minutes that premiered in the 2024 Devised Theatre Festival at York University. She is participating in a youth experimental arts mentorship program in which she has the opportunity to go into classrooms and teach theatre workshops. She has also worked with Young People’s Theatre on a youth playwriting project for their “Three Up” program. Julia has experience with dramaturgy, as she was an assistant dramaturg for a show in the 2023 Toronto Fringe Festival. Julia took part in a new play workshop at Theatre Passe Muraille with focus on physical theatre. Another passion of hers is writing, especially poetry and spoken word. Julia is also a theatre history research assistant for a project that revolves around breaking stereotypes in Canadian theatre casting practices, spaces, and performances.