Dr. Hilary J Gross PhD

Educational Professional and PhD at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Research

I am a specialist in the English professional theaters during the long 17th Century. My dissertation, “Staging Trans*formations: Gendered Embodiment and Drag Theatricality 1585-1714” focuses on drag performance in London’s early modern and restoration theaters. I am currently working on an article on Philaster, and am interested in the intersections of performance, gender, and affect in history.

Teaching

As an interdisciplinary teacher in the humanities and arts, my priority is creating opportunities for students to encounter genres, methods, and practices which expand their perspectives. Together, we trace the afterlives of history and its impact on our world.

Service

At Illinois, I led the Early Modern Workshop for 2 years, founded a Table Reading Group co-organized with Theatre Studies, and served as an elected representative to the English Department's Library Committee. I have also served as Co-President of the Graduate Employee’s Organization, a local of the Illinois Federation of Teachers.

Theatre

I work to embody Cecile de Banke's concept of the "scholar-player" by keeping a foot in literary research and a foot in theatrical praxis. I have directed, acted, stage managed, designed, consulted, dramaturged, and reviewed, and hope to continue to do so. My reviews for the Shakespeare 400 Chicago project can be found here.
Ask me about doing dramaturgy consulting or reviewing for your show.

Admin

I have 10 years of experience in higher education. I am the Online Learning Program Coordinator for the Dual Credit Initiative at Illinois currently, and have also worked as an Assistant Director for the Rhetoric Program, which represents the largest First Year Writing curriculum at the University. I have served on both programmatic committees like the Library Committee, the Rhetoric Advisory Committee, and a variety of labor committees, including GEO's Coordinating Committee, Personnel Committee, Constitution Committee, and Finance Committee.