Biography
Grace Kessler Overbeke is an Associate Professor of Theatre, Comedy Writing and Performance. Her teaching areas include Comedy Theory, Dramaturgy, and Theatre for Young Audiences.Ìý
She is the author ofÌýFirst Lady of Laughs: The Forgotten Story of Jean Carroll, America's First Jewish Woman Stand-Up Comedian (NYU Press, 2024)
Other publications appear inÌýWit Happens: Global Jewish HumorÌý(Wayne State Press, 2026), ³§³ó´Ç´Ú²¹°ù:ÌýAn Interdisciplinary Journal of Jewish Studies, Theatre Topics, ÌýTheatre Annual,ÌýThe New England Theatre Journal,ÌýTheatre Survey,ÌýStudies in American Humor, and The Jewish Forward.Ìý
As a dramaturg, she has worked with Duke University, Northwestern University, Adventure Stage Chicago, The Kennedy Center for Young Audiences, The Studio Theatre, Portland Stage Company, the La Jolla Playhouse, The Cleveland Playhouse, Theater Wit, and Theater J.
She received her B.A. in Theatre and English from Wesleyan University, and her M.A. and Ph.D. from Northwestern University's Interdisciplinary PhD in Theatre and Drama.Ìý
Instructional Areas
Comedy Studies, Theatre for Social Change, Jewish Performance, Theatre History
Creative Practice and Research Interests
American Studies, Jewish Studies, Theatre Studies, Comedy Studies, Dramaturgy
Degrees
B.A., Theater Wesleyan University 2008
M.A., Theatre Northwestern University 2015
Ph.D., Theatre & Drama Northwestern University 2019