Maegan Azar

Maegan Azar

Associate Professor of Acting & Directing; Theatre Arts Department Chair

Curriculum Vitae Website
swipe to see more

Maegan McNerney Azar began her theatre career when she was nine years old as an orphan in the musical ANNIE. Since then, she has participated in community, educational, and professional theatre in states across the country. Currently, she is an Associate Professor of Acting & Directing at Furman.

A Florida native, Azar grew up on Matlacha, a small fishing island on the Southwest gulf coast. After graduating with honors from Mariner High School (FL), Azar enrolled at East Tennessee State University (ETSU). A member of the University Honors Scholar program, Azar played on the university's NCAA Division I volleyball team. Studying under Pat Cronin, Azar worked tirelessly to become a well-rounded theatre artist--not just an actor--by studying design, theatre history, and stage management in addition to her primary acting classes. She graduated with a bachelor of science in theatre in 2003 with summa cum laude honors.

From Tennessee, she traveled to Alabama to study Acting Pedagogy at The University of Alabama (UA). Under the tutelage of Ed Williams, Peder Melhuse, Tiza Garland, and Seth Panitch, this program uniquely melded her passion for acting and her passion for teaching. The Department of Theatre and Dance afforded her the opportunity to emphasize in theatre movement, through which she studied stage combat, period styles, jazz, ballet, mask work, Laban, musical theatre, voice, and directing.

During school, Azar began her career in the professional theatre, gaining experience in summer stock outdoor theatre venues in North Carolina and Ohio. Since graduating, she has worked for SummerTide Theatre, Seaside Repertory Theatre, California Theatre Center, The Warehouse Theatre, Centre Stage South Carolina, and Lean Ensemble Theater as both actor and teacher. She has also studied with the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust (Stratford-upon-Avon, UK) and Accademia dell'Arte (Arezzo, Italy), Hamilton Camp at the Paul Sills' Wisconsin Theatre Game Center, and Ballroom Dancing at the Fred Astaire Studios (Santa Clara, CA).

In 2006, Azar was appointed as the education director at California Theatre Center. Azar not only developed every piece of education material for the center, but she also worked as an actor and director for the company's professional productions. In 2007, Azar also had the opportunity to design curriculum for second-language English students that was then presented on the first-ever American youth theatre tour to China. Azar's conservatory students have gone on to attend top theatre schools such as University of Southern California, American Musical and Dramatic Academy, and Carnegie Mellon.

Currently, Maegan is the Associate Professor of Acting & Directing at Furman University, Past-President of the South Carolina Theatre Association, and Vice President of Administration of the Southeastern Theatre Conference Executive Committee. In addition, she serves Furman as a faculty member for the Women's Leadership Institute and as a Summer Advisor. Through her courses at Furman, Azar attempts to engage individual growth through theatre as a professional art form. In so doing, she hopes that students will carry their appreciation of theatre beyond the university grounds to a wider world in need of exploring the human spirit.

Honors

  • ETSU Bud Frank Award for Excellence (2003)
  • ETSU Outstanding Student in Theatre Award (2003)
  • UA Marian Gallaway Award for Distinguished Graduate Acting (2006)
  • Standout Comedy Production for Black Comedy/White Liars in Silicon Valley Small Theatre Awards (2010)
  • ETSU Department of Communication & Performance Theatre Hall of Fame (2017)

Education

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

ACTING

  • "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
  • Director of John Proctor is the Villain for Furman Theatre Arts (2019)
  • Director of Daddy Long Legs for Furman Theatre Arts (2018)
  • Director of The Tin Woman for Centre Stage South Carolina (2018)
  • Co-director of Romeo & Juliet with Thomas Azar for Furman Theatre Arts (2017)
  • Director of Sisters of Swing for Centre Stage South Carolina (2016)
  • Director of HAIR for Furman Theatre Arts (2015)
  • Director and Choreographer of The Threepenny Opera for Furman Theatre Arts (2015)
  • Director of smudge for Centre Stage South Carolina's Fringe Series (2014)
  • Director of These Shining Lives for Furman Theatre Arts (2014)
  • Director of Julius Caesar for The Warehouse Theatre's Educational Touring Series (2013)​
  • Director of The Winter's Tale​ for Furman Theatre Arts (2013)
  • Assistant Director & Movement Coach of Eurydice at The Warehouse Theatre (2013)
  • Director & Choreographer of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee for Furman Theatre Arts (2011)
  • Director & Choreographer of Lysistrata for Furman Theatre Arts (2011)
  • Director of Twentieth Century at California Theatre Center (2010)
  • Director of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat ​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?’”

0