Congratulations to professor Yuko Kurahashi, Ph.D. on her receipt of Kent State University's 2020 Outstanding Research and Scholarship Award for her exceptional contribution to theatre scholarship and research.
Professor Kurahashi's areas of specialty include multicultural theatre, community-based theatre, and intercultural theatre. She is the author of Asian American Culture on Stage: The History of the East West Players (Garland, 1999) and Multicultural Theatre (Kendall/Hunt, 2004 & 2006).
Most recently, she authored the first autobiography of world renown theatre artist Ping Chong. The Interdisciplinary Theatre of PING CHONG: Exploring Curiosity and Otherness on Stage, available now from McFarland Publishing, is the first-ever biography exploring the life of avant-garde artist and Presidential Medal of Freedom recipient Ping Chong. Kurahashi focuses on Chong's valuable contributions to modern theatre and, drawing on primary sources and her own attendance of Chong's productions, takes a broad and informative approach to his 48 years as a performer, playwright and director.
Professor Kurahashi also writes reviews and articles for scholarly journals and other venues. She regularly serves as a dramaturg and/or dramatrugy advisor for School of Theatre and Dance students.