Maegan Azar

Maegan Azar

Professor of Acting & Directing; Theatre Arts Department Chair

Curriculum Vitae Website
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Maegan McNerney Azar (she/her) is the Chair of Furman University's Theatre Arts Department and Interdisciplinary Musical Theatre Minor. She has been a member of the faculty at Furman since 2010. She has been a faculty member for the Furman Center for Innovative Leadership's Women's Leadership Initiative since 2016. She is a Board Member of the Accademia dell'Arte in Arezzo, Italy. She is a member of Actors' Equity Association and National Alliance of Acting Teachers, as well as an Ensemble Member of Lean Ensemble Theater in Hilton Head, SC. Her freelance work is regularly seen at Lean Ensemble Theater, Centre Stage South Carolina, Greenville Theatre, and The Warehouse Theatre. Maegan is also a Past President of South Carolina Theatre Association (SCTA) and a Past President of the Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC), the nation’s largest network of theatre practitioners. Maegan has trained with Tectonic Theatre Project’s Moment Work Institute, Double Edge Theatre, Accademia dell’Arte, The Shakespeare Birthplace Trust in Stratford-upon-Avon, and The Wisconsin Theatre Games Center.

Select directing credits include: The Taming and Every Brilliant Thing (Lean Ensemble Theater); Driving Miss Daisy (Greenville Theatre); Sisters of Swing, Four Seasons, and smudge (Centre Stage South Carolina); Othello co-directed with Anne Kelly Tromsness & Julius Caesar (The Warehouse Theatre Educational Tour); Love & Information, John Proctor is the Villain, Daddy Long Legs, Romeo & Juliet co-directed with Thomas Azar, Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical, and The Prom (Furman); Antigone, Still Life with Iris, and The Comedy of Errors (California Theatre Center).

As an actor, Maegan’s work has been seen in as "Lina" in Cry It Out and "Ghost of Christmas Past and Mrs. Cratchit" in the radio play version of A Christmas Carol (Lean Ensemble Theater); "Jessie" in Sweat, "Harper" in Angels in America Parts I & II, and "Portia" in The Merchant of Venice (The Warehouse Theatre); "Mrs. Van Buren" in Intimate Apparel, "Lainie" in Two Rooms, and "Marcia" in Identity Crisis (Centre Stage SC); and "Clea" in Black Comedy, "Mirandolina" in Liberty Inn, and "Natasha" in Rough Crossing (California Theatre Center).

Honors and Awards

  • Southeastern Theatre Conference (SETC) Suzanne M. Davis Award (2023)
  • South Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (SCICU) Excellence in Teaching Award (2020)
  • ETSU Department of Communication & Performance Theatre Hall of Fame (2016)
  • Standout Comedy Production for Black Comedy/White Liars in Silicon Valley Small Theatre Awards (2010)
  • UA Marian Gallaway Award for Distinguished Graduate Acting (2006)
  • ETSU Outstanding Student in Theatre Award (2003)
  • ETSU Bud Frank Award for Excellence (2003)

Education

  • M.F.A. in Acting Pedagogy, The University of Alabama
  • B.S. in Theatre, East Tennessee State University

Research Interests

Professor Azar's research interests involve ensemble-based physical theatre, solo storytelling, and inclusive theatrical pedagogy.

Professional Activities 

ACTING

  • "Anne Hathaway" in Jane Anger directed by Anne Kelly Tromsness at The Warehouse Theatre (2025)
  • "Ghost of Christmas Past, Mrs. Cratchit, et al" in A Christmas Carol (radio play) directed by Matt Mundy at Lean Ensemble Theater (2020)
  • "Lina" in Cry It Out directed by Amanda Sox at Lean Ensemble Theater (2020)
  • "Jessie" in Sweat directed by Martin Damien Wilkins at The Warehouse Theatre (2018)
  • "Mrs. Van Buren" in Intimate Apparel directed by Kerrie Seymour at Centre Stage South Carolina (2017)
  • "Cindy" in Luna Gale directed by Anne Kelly Tromsness at Centre Stage South Carolina (2016)
  • "Lainie" in Two Rooms directed by Kent Brown at Centre Stage South Carolina (2015)
  • "Harper" in Angels in America Parts I & II directed by Jayce T. Tromsness at The Warehouse Theatre (2014)
  • "The Resurrection of Lazarus" in Mistero Buffo with Michele Bottini at Accademia dell'Arte Dario Fo Project (2013)
  • "Portia" in The Merchant of Venice directed by Jayce T. Tromsness at The Warehouse Theatre (2012)
  • "Boston/Katie" in Something More Than a Game directed by Chip Egan at The Warehouse Theatre (2011)
  • "Marcia" in Identity Crisis directed by Peter Saputo at Centre Stage South Carolina (2011)
  • "Titania" in A Midsummer Night's Dream directed by Gayle Cornelison at California Theatre Center (2010)
  • "DeeDee" in Where or When? directed by Mike Ward at The Magic Theatre (2009)
  • "Mirandolina" in Liberty Inn directed by Will Huddleston at California Theatre Center (2008)
DIRECTING
  • What the Constitution Means to Me by Heidi Schreck for Furman Theatre Arts & Lean Ensemble Theater (2024)
  • Driving Miss Daisy by Alfred Uhry for Greenville Theatre (2024)
  • Four Seasons by Randall David Cook for Centre Stage South Carolina (2023)
  • The Prom for Furman Theatre Arts (2023)
  • The Taming by Lauren Gunderson for Lean Ensemble Theater (2022)
  • As You Like It (musical adaptation) by Shaina Taub & Laurie Woolery for Furman Theatre Arts (2021)
  • Love & Information by Caryl Churchill for Furman Theatre Arts (2020)
  • Every Brilliant Thing by Duncan Macmillan & Jonny Donahoe for Lean Ensemble Theater (2019)
  • Pippin by Stephen Schwartz & Roger O. Hirson for Furman Theatre Arts (2019)
  • John Proctor is the Villain by Kimberly Belflower for Furman Theatre Arts (2019)
  • Daddy Long Legs by John Caird for Furman Theatre Arts (2018)
  • The Tin Woman by Sean Grennan for Centre Stage South Carolina (2018)
  • Co-director of Othello with Anne Kelly Tromsness for The Warehouse Theatre's Educational Tour (2017)
  • Co-director of Romeo & Juliet with Thomas Azar for Furman Theatre Arts (2017)
  • Sisters of Swing by Bob Beverage for Centre Stage South Carolina (2016)
  • HAIR by Gerome Ragni, James Rado, and Galt MacDermot for Furman Theatre Arts (2015)
  • Director and Choreographer of The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill for Furman Theatre Arts (2015)
  • smudge by Rachel Axler for Centre Stage South Carolina's Fringe Series (2014)
  • These Shining Lives by Melanie Marnich for Furman Theatre Arts (2014)
  • Julius Caesar for The Warehouse Theatre's Educational Touring Series (2013)​
  • The Winter's Tale​ for Furman Theatre Arts (2013)
  • Assistant Director & Movement Coach of Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl at The Warehouse Theatre (2013)
  • Director & Choreographer of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee by Rachel Sheinkin for Furman Theatre Arts (2011)
  • Director & Choreographer of Lysistrata by Aristophanes for Furman Theatre Arts (2011)
  • Twentieth Century by Ken Ludwig at California Theatre Center (2010)
  • Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat by Tim Rice ​at California Theatre Center (2010)

Presentations

  • Southeastern Theatre Conference; Knoxville, Tennessee (February/March 2019)
    “Parent and Working Artist” roundtable with Molly Claassen (Columbus State Univeristy)
    Johanna Maynard Edwards (Women’s Theatre Festival), and Jenna Tamisea Elser (GLOW Lyric Theatre)
  • “The Farm Theater College Collaboration: Students & New Play Development” panel discussion with Jennifer Goff & Matthew Hallock (Centre College), David Charles (Rollins College), and Padraic Lillis (The Farm Theater)
  • American University of Sharjah’s International Theatre Festival; Sharjah, United Arab Emirates (February 2019)
    “Thinking Like a Director: Collaborative Concept-Making” “Thinking Like an Artist: Literal & Essential Elements for Actors”
  • Southeastern Theatre Conference; Greensboro, North Carolina (March 2016)
    “Exploring Literal and Essential in Physical Storytelling” with Thomas Azar (The Warehouse Theatre)
  • Southeastern Theatre Conference; Chattanooga, Tennessee (March 2015)
    “The ‘Director Proof’ Actor: Translating Your Technique to Rehearsal” with Kevin Otos (Elon University)
  • “Mask for First-Timers: Communication through the Physical” South Carolina Theatre Association Convention; Charleston, South Carolina (November 2013)
  • “Devising with Physical Theatre” with Thomas Azar (The Warehouse Theatre)
  • The Warehouse Theatre Professional Development Series; Greenville, South Carolina (June 2013)
  • “The Actor Rehearses: Maximizing the Creative Process” with Paul Savas (The Warehouse Theatre), Shannon Robert and Kerrie Seymour (Clemson University)
  • East Tennessee State University Academic Excellence Convocation; Johnson City, Tennessee (April 2013)
  • Keynote Address: “Do That Which Humbles You”
  • Southeastern Theatre Conference; Louisville, Kentucky (March 2013)
    “Building Your Own Lazzi: The Comic Interruption Made Modern” with Kevin Otos (Elon University)
  • Southeastern Theatre Conference; Chattanooga, Tennessee (March 2012)
    “Sensitivity and Reconceptualization: Responsibilities of the Director in Non-Traditional Casting” with Steve Burch (University of Alabama), Chris Hardin (Austin Peay State University), Gaye Jeffers and Steve Ray (University of Tennessee - Chattanooga)
  • Peace Center for the Performing Arts Opera in Cinema Pre-Show Conversations; Greenville, South Carolina (January 2012)
    “Film and Stage Adaptations of the Cinderella Story” as an introduction to Cendrillon
  • South Carolina Theatre Association Convention; Rock Hill, South Carolina (November 2011)
    “Laban’s Efforts as Audition Tricks”
  • Southeastern Theatre Conference; Atlanta, Georgia (March 2011)
    “Commedia dell’Arte: Stock Characters for Today” with Chris Hardin (Austin Peay State University)
  • South Carolina Theatre Association Convention; Spartanburg, South Carolina (November 2010)
    “Suzuki Statues”
  • Southeastern Theatre Conference; Lexington, Kentucky (March 2010)
    “Masks for the Performer, Teacher, and Director who’s been Handed a Mask and Thought, ‘Now What?’”

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