Directing and Performance
Education: PhD., University of Colorado-Boulder
Office: SB 211
Phone: 815-753-8074
E-mail: pridge@niu.edu
Patricia Ridge is a Professor and Head of Performance and Theatre Studies at Northern Illinois University School of Theatre and Dance. Dr. Ridge is a professional storyteller and has been the featured storyteller at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, The Brookfield Zoo, The Harold Washington Library in Chicago, The National Storytelling Festival as part of the Original Story Swap Showcase, The Fox Valley Folk Music and Storytelling Festival and at numerous festivals, coffeehouses, schools, museums and libraries. She also teaches workshops nationally, in storytelling performance. She has been nominated for an Oracle Award for excellence in Storytelling by the National Storytelling Association.
Professor Ridge also specializes in directing plays of social and political significance and has recently been awarded the Northern Illinois University Eychaner Award “in recognition of her dedication to challenging students and audiences alike to see beyond prejudice and intolerance to our common humanity.” Her work as a theatre Artist has been chosen to represent the Outstanding Contributions by Women Artists Exhibit for the Golda Mier Collection housed at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.