BIOGRAPHY

Alison Dobbins is a Professor of Integrated Performance Media design at Michigan State University. She received her M.F.A. in Digital Cinema from National University and her A.B. in Mathematics from Oberlin College.  She is the project director and creator of Dance Engine, Shark! The Interactive Musical, and BranchOut: interdisciplinary projects focused on exploring community building and audience engagement through the use of mobile applications, dance, music, and design.  She is also a projection designer and her recent work includes projection design for Mitch Albom’s Ernie and Hockey the Musical and world premieres at Flint Repertory Theatre and Williamston Theatre.

Alison joined the Michigan State University Theatre Department faculty in 2009 and was tenured in 2016 and has served as the Faculty Excellence Advocate for the College of Arts and Letters since 2020.  Mindfulness of diversity and community building are an essential part of Dobbins’ scholarship, teaching, and service.   Her research projects focus on the creation of community through performer/audience interactions.  She works with artistic collaborators from multiple disciplines at various institutions and includes these collaborations in her teaching.   She has successfully used her project management skills as she takes on more responsibility in both service and research; working to build bridges in curriculum, diverse and inclusive session offerings at USITT, and create equitable systems both for the college and university.