Graduate Students in Residence

Amanda Black is a second-year Ph.D. student. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, Amanda received her B.A. in Theatre Arts with a focus on creative writing from Columbus State University and her M.F.A. in Dramatic Writing from the University of Southern California. As a playwright, she often explores the humor and violence that exist within the Black woman’s identity in America while playing with the Black gothic myths of the American South. Currently, Amanda teaches THFM 2020: Performance in Life and On Stage and serves as a graduate student representative for the Department of Theatre and Film. 

Chris Plonka was born and raised in Massachusetts and though his professional journey has taken him away from there, you can still find him rooting for all of Boston sports as a reminder of home. Chris received a BA in Arts Management from Stonehill College as well as an MFA in Acting from Indiana University - Bloomington.

As a scholar and an artist, he is interested in the exploration of an actor’s movement, studying a wide variety of movement techniques. In the past few years, Chris has leaned into this interest through his work as a fight choreographer and studying with the Society of American Fight Directors. Chris also has extensive experience as an actor and director stretching back 15 years. 

Sarah Nesselroade Hopson is a third-year PhD student originally from Lexington, Kentucky. Her research interests include historical reenactments and anti-racist performance pedagogy, and Theatre for Young Audiences among others. Her production credits include film, television, and stage performance, directing, and hair/makeup-design. Prior to her PhD work, she received her MA in Theatre from Bowling Green State University and her BA in Theatre and Cinema Performance from Asbury University. 

Outside of her studies, Sarah loves watching reality television, talking about the impact of the American Girl Doll empire, and using her Costco membership to the fullest extent.

Zahra Shirvani Saadatabadi is a Ph.D. student in Theatre at Bowling Green State University. She earned her B.A. and M.A. in Acting and Directing from the University of Tehran, Iran. Her research interests include gender and performance, Women’s and Gender Studies, embodiment in performance, critical theory, and contemporary Iranian performance. Since 2011, she has been active as both an actor and director, contributing to numerous productions at the University of Tehran. Her scholarly work has been published in journals including Journal of Woman in Culture and ArtsandJournal of Fine Arts: Performing Arts and Music. She currently teaches THEA 2020: Performance in Life and Onstage and recently served as Assistant Director for Swimming in the Shallows, directed by Dr. Lesa Lockford.

Ryan Hart graduated with his BA in Theatre from the University of Kentucky in 2024. During his time at UK he found a love for performance and pedagogy. He hopes to one day become a professor himself. Ryan has worked within the theatre space in a variety of different roles and takes pride in his well-rounded nature as an artist. He also has a deep love for improv and stage combat that he tries to bring into all his work. During his MA at BGSU he hopes to continue to broaden his knowledge and become a stronger theatre artist.

Sabrina Jackson graduated from the University of Kentucky with a BA in Theatre and a minor in creative writing. Within their degree they had an emphasis in performance and film making. They have interest in puppetry, activism through art, and bringing a whimsical perspective to the stage. They have experience working in many of the different theatre disciplines, and they have love for every role and position that makes a production happen. During their time as a graduate student, they hope to learn more about theatre and continue to blossom as a creative and a scholar. 

Graduated from Brigham Young University-Idaho in April 2026 with a bachelor's degree in Theatre Studies. She is a first-year M.A. Student who has worked various roles on shows in both Idaho and Ohio. Her roles have included Assistant Stage Manager, Dramaturg, Stagehand, and a member of the Makeup/Wig Crew. She has also directed short scenes from A Doll's House, The Servant of Two Masters, and Proof. She much prefers helping backstage than performing onstage. Outside of theatre, Shan enjoys writing, video gaming, and anything fantasy-related. 

Christopher James Smith holds a BFA in Acting from Otterbein University and is a second year MA Theatre student at BGSU. His interests as a theatre practitioner include working in devising ensembles, creating new works, theatre in found spaces, and staging nondramatic texts. He has worked as an actor and director in professional and collegiate settings.