Lily Z. Shell is a PhD Candidate in Interdisciplinary Theatre Studies with a doctoral minor in African-American Studies and a specialization in Black dramaturgies. Her work explores the role of the audience in contemporary Black theatre and performance in the United States, and the ways in which contemporary Black playwrights dramaturgically involve their audiences in their work. Research and practice interests include dramaturgy, audience studies, visual cultures, curatorial studies, directing, theatrical design, and the contemporary arts institution.
She received her MA in ITS in 2020 (MA Thesis: “‘Theatre That Works:’ The Role of Audience Embodied Identity in Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ An Octoroon and Jackie Sibblies Drury’s Fairview“), and her BA in American Studies from Vassar College in 2016.
Lily’s professional background is in costume design, and she is an alumna of the Professional Apprenticeship Program in Costumes at the Juilliard School. Costume design and dramaturgy work includes collaboration with dancer and choreographer Emily Wexler on Birdsong (2023, Center for Performance Research, New York) and Soundview (2021, Summer on the Hudson, New York).