Associate Professor of English Drama
Terri Bourus, Ph.D. is passionate about researching and performing Shakespeare. Bourus is a bibliographer, editor, and performer. Her research interests focus on early modern drama, and its integration into late 16th and early 17th century culture.
Bourus’ study of Shakespeare has brought international attention to IU Indianapolis. She is the author of the acclaimed book, Young Shakespeare’s Young Hamlet, which examines the earliest printed version of Hamlet, biographical details of Shakespeare’s life, and outside influences to determine why the first version was so different from two subsequent editions. Bourus also serves as one of 3 general editors for the New Oxford Shakespeare Project, an initiative headed by Oxford University Press to publish an entirely new print and digital edition of the complete works of William Shakespeare in 2016. Whereas previous editions have presented Shakespeare’s plays as literature to be read, the new edition will consider both reading and performing. The project’s senior general editor, Gary Taylor of Florida State University, chose Bourus for one of the editor roles due to her scholarly research and experience as a Shakespeare performer. As Director of the New Oxford Shakespeare Project at IU Indianapolis, Bourus leads a staff of 5 editors. She also mentors graduate and undergraduate students on the art of Shakespeare editing.
Bourus created Hoosier Bard Productions to give IU Indianapolis students the opportunity to work in theater, developing skills as actors and stage crew. Through Bourus’s efforts, a 260 seat theater opened on IU Indianapolis’s campus in 2013.
Bourus earned her Ph.D. from Northern Illinois University. She is the recipient of seven Teaching Excellence Awards and a Research Trailblazer Award.
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