Harry Ransom University of Texas Visiting Scholar

04/10/2018

In 2017 I won a Harry Ransom Center Research Fellowship in the Humanities, supported by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Research Fellowship Endowment from the University of Texas at Austin.

Why the Harry Ransom Center? The Harry Ransom Center holds the abundant records of nineteenth century actresses–American especially–who moved between the live stage and early motion pictures. No one has yet attempted to illuminate their work. I saw the need to move away from the idea of the single actor or single director changing the theatrical (or early film) topocosm. Instead, I sought to identify change in a constellation of performers, artists, directors and thinkers who differently yet nevertheless collectively brought these changes, enabling the production of narrative film.

And, of course, for all Sarah Bernhardt fans: there is the Sarah Bernhardt Collection at the Center. So in addition to reading about other actress who moved between stage and screen, I could peruse these holdings. Bliss.


With the wonderful Katie Cooper at a baseball game!