Wesleyan Professor Stephen Wisker Showcases Research and New Book at National Shakespeare Conference

MACON, GA — Fresh off the publication of his latest book, Wesleyan College Assistant Professor of Theatre Dr. Stephen Wisker recently presented his research at the Shakespeare Association of America conference in Denver. There, he joined leading scholars from across the country in conversations shaping the future of Shakespeare studies.

     Wisker participated in a panel exploring audience dynamics in early modern theater, contributing research on the role of the clown as a bridge between performers and audiences, a focus that continues to shape both his scholarship and his teaching.

     “My research focuses on the clown as an intermediary between the stage and the audience,” Wisker said. “I’m interested in how that role can disrupt or reshape the relationship between performance and spectators.”

     In addition to presenting, Wisker also took part in the conference’s First Book Forum, where recently published authors share their work with fellow scholars. His participation marked a significant milestone following the 2025 publication of his book, Embracing Disruption: Clowning, Improvisation, and the Unscripted in Early Shakespearean Performance.

     Published by Routledge, Embracing Disruption examines how improvisational clowning shaped Shakespearean performance, revealing how unscripted, disruptive energy influenced both actors and audiences in the English Renaissance. The work builds on Wisker’s long-standing research into Shakespearean performance and clowning, positioning him among scholars reexamining how early modern theater functioned in practice.

     For Wisker, the conference was not only an opportunity to share his work, but also to engage in spontaneous, meaningful conversations and encounter new research experiences now informing his dynamic, performance-based approach to teaching at Wesleyan.

     “I’m hoping this seminar will give me ideas to do new things,” Wisker said. “My approach to teaching Shakespeare is very different.  I want to make it more playful and engaging in a way that surprises students.”

     Rather than asking students to simply read Shakespeare, Wisker encourages them to experience it through movement, performance, and experimentation. 

     At Wesleyan, that philosophy translates into dynamic, student-centered work. Wisker has already guided students through innovative adaptations of Shakespeare, including a recent Hamlet production featuring an all-gender cast and a creative reinterpretation of the play’s themes and structure.

     That same spirit of experimentation will be on display this spring when Wesleyan theatre students present 365 Buttons, a production composed of short, student-written plays performed in an interactive format where the audience determines the running order.

     “This is the first time, to my knowledge, that students have written their own material and presented it in this way,” Wisker said. “The audience becomes part of the experience; it’s about that relationship between the stage and the audience.”

     The production will take place in Wesleyan’s Black Box Theater from April 16th - 18th and reflects the College’s emphasis on creativity, collaboration, and experiential learning.

     As Wisker brings insights from the national stage back to campus, his work continues to strengthen Wesleyan’s theatre program, connecting cutting-edge scholarship with hands-on student experiences that challenge, engage, and inspire.

Students interested in theatre, performance, or creative writing are encouraged to explore upcoming opportunities within Wesleyan’s theatre program, including fall courses such as THE 125 Acting I and THE 110 Criticism and Practice, as well as participation in a faculty-directed production for academic credit (THE 235).