Lisa Hodge Kander, Ph.D.

Lecturer, Theatre History
[email protected]

Lisa Hodge Kander (she/her) was hired at Oakland University in 2021. Holding a Ph.D. from Wayne State University in Theatre Directing, Kander is also a graduate of Michigan State University (BA), Drama Studio of London, and a licentiate in Speech and Drama from the Royal Academy of Music in London. In June 2005, she completed a month's study at the Moscow Art Theatre School. Kander has taught theater classes and workshops for Michigan State University Extension, Oakland University, Rochester University, Wayne State University and Americorps.

Kander has produced, directed or performed in more than 100 plays. Directing credits include Matrix Theatre and the Theatre Company of University of Detroit Mercy as well as taking original productions to the London Ontario Fringe Festival. In addition to directing and producing, she has also written a number of original works, including Julia, inspired by Julius Caesar and reworked with a setting in girl gangs; Nightlight: Vampires Afraid of the Dork, a spoof of the Twilight series; and The Faust Project, a modern-day reimagining of the Faust legend. Kander is the founder of Class Act Drama 4-H (winner of the 2000 State Award in Project Area) and of Michigan Youth Theater (MYT), an all-youth theater troupe and an original Site of Promise for America's Promise of Metro Detroit. Kander is a winner of the 2002 National Points of Light Award for her work in youth theater. In 2002, the MYT all-youth production of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible,” directed by Kander, was named one of Flint’s Ten Best Plays for the year. The production of “Bent,” directed by Kander for Flint City Theatre, won the same honor in 2005.