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Academics - Theater Faculty & Staff

Academics - Theater Faculty & Staff

Michael S. Abbott

Professor of Theater, Music Department Chair

CONTACT:

Fine Arts Center M123
765-361-6448
abbottm@wabash.edu

Picture of Abbott, Michael S.

I am an alumnus of Wabash (class of ’85), and I’ve chaired the Theater Department since 2000. I specialize in teaching film studies, acting and directing, and I love taking students with me to see productions in the area and abroad. I’m also a professional stage director with a keen interest in developing new scripts and screenplays.

Since 2007 I’ve written and hosted the Brainy Gamer blog and podcast (www.brainygamer.com), the highest ranked single-author website devoted to video games in the world. The ongoing convergence among games, film, and theater fascinates me, and I always enjoy discussing gaming experiences with students and colleagues. If you enjoy narrative games, let’s talk!

I have presented papers and appeared on panels at The Society for Film Studies Conference, Game Developers Conference, Games, Learning and Society Conference, among others. This year I will deliver a keynote address at the Games and Ethics Symposium at DePauw, and I will serve as a judge for the Independent Games Festival in San Francisco and the IndieCade Festival in Los Angeles.

EDUCATION

1989 M.F.A. in Directing, Columbia University
1985 B.A., Wabash College

RECENT COURSE OFFERINGS

Introduction to Film
Directing
Seminars on art and history of electronic games
Dramaturgy
Introduction to Theater
Enduring Questions
Senior Theater Seminar
 

PODCAST

Professor Abbott and Brett Douville, the Presidential Fellow in Digital Arts and Human Values, discuss their love of video games and how that love translates to learning in and out of the classroom.

In this Podcast, Abbott discusses his 2014 production of Guys & Dolls.

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