My teaching and research now focus on the English Renaissance (especially Shakespeare and the drama) and news writing (especially the origins of the English newspaper and modern literary journalism). My long-term interest in theatre was stimulated by a 2004 NEH Seminar on Shakespearean staging that included a two-week experience at the recreated London Globe. Since then I’ve acted in a Luther production, directed Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice, and Much Ado About Nothing and written a play which has had three public readings. I also have a long-standing interest in factual writing, including news writing, personal essay, and travel writing.

Over the years I’ve gained much from extended travel (in Europe, China, and Central America) and from seven separate years studying, teaching, and researching in other places (Munich, Germany; Bogota, Colombia; Boston, Massachusetts; Durham, England; Austin, Texas; Santa Fe, New Mexico; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Nottingham, England).