Paul Ferguson

Professor
Performance Studies

Current Research: Stage adaptation and directing of contemporary Southern literature

Grant Funding: Funding for many past productions from New York and regional sources

Recent Publications: "The Christmas Letters," a musical stage adaptation of the novel by Lee Smith

Courses Regularly Taught: Introduction to Performance of Literature; Advanced Writing & Directing for Performance; Performance of Children's Literature; Seminar in Directing; Southern Writers in Performance

Future/Projected Courses: The Aesthetics of Presentational Theatre; Spoken Word Performance

Areas of Specialization: Directing; adaptation for stage and film; children's theatre; contemporary Southern fiction; narrative music theatre

Honors: NCA 2006 Leslie Irene Coger Award for career distinguished achievement in live performance; Indie Arts Award for contributions to regional theatre; multiple teaching awards at UNC, UT-Austin, and University of South Florida; and member of The Dramatists Guild

Professional Service: Past President & current member of the Board of Directors for the North Carolina Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts; member, Steering Committee for the UNC program in Screen and Stage Writing; Advisory Board member, Sanctuary Theatre Company, New York, NY. 

Current/Recent Work with Graduate Students: Masters thesis advisor for many graduate students interested in adaptation, directing, and acting

Community Service: Founder, Southern Writers in Performance Series; Founding Artistic Director, Tar Heel Tale Tellers; Multiple fundraising performances for UNC Children's Hospital, NC Humanities Council, and the Center for Child & Family Health