Dr. Shana Cooper

Associate Professor

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Biography

Shana Cooper is an Associate Professor in the School of Communication at Northwestern University, specializing in directing. She is known for her directing credits in both classic and contemporary works across the country, including New York productions such as Julius Caesar and the world premiere of Barbara Hammond’s Terra Firma Off-Broadway. Her regional productions feature collaborations with esteemed theaters like the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Chicago Shakespeare Theater, Old Globe, and American Conservatory Theater, among others. Cooper is a co-founder of the New Theater House and served as the Associate Artistic Director of Cal Shakes from 2000 to 2004. She has received several prestigious awards, including the 2010 Princess Grace Award and the 2014 Leadership U Grant funded by the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. She is also a recipient of the Julian Milton Kaufman Memorial Prize from the Yale School of Drama and the Drama League Directing Fellowship. Her educational background includes an MFA from Yale School of Drama and a BA from Willamette University. Upcoming projects include directing Winter’s Tale at American Players Theater.

Research Interests

Experience

Associate Professor

— Present

Northwestern University • Evanston, IL

Leads the Directing M.F.A. program and teaches courses in directing.

Awards

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Leadership U Grant

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Princess Grace Award

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Julian Milton Kaufman Memorial Prize

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Drama League Directing Fellowship

Requirements for Northwestern University

Doctorate Program
Requirements
GPA Requirement
Required:3
TOEFL
Total
Required:90
IELTS
Overall
Required:7
Prerequisites
U.S. Bachelor's degree or equivalent
Application Checklist
  • Online application
  • Transcripts
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose
  • Resume/CV
  • TOEFL/IELTS scores (if applicable)
Specialization Notes

Standard PhD requirements for TGS departments including Chemistry, Physics, and Sociology.