Biography
Grace Edgar is a director, music director and intimacy choreographer. Before becoming the Director of Theatre at St. Mary’s University in San Antonio, Texas, she received her Doctorate of Musical Arts from the University of Houston and performed professionally with several companies, including Arizona Opera, Opera New Jersey, Austin Lyric Opera, Key West Pops Symphony, Bigfork Summer Playhouse and The Growing Stage.
Favorite directing credits include Godspell, The Magic Flute, Songs for a New World, The Pirates of Penzance, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Glass Menagerie and the premiere of A.L.I.C.E.; An Operatic Wonderland.
Her article “The Practical Applications of Viewpoints for Collegiate Opera and Musical Theatre” was published in The Journal of Singing.
Selected Professional Memberships
- Founder and Leader, Mothers in Academia Affinity Group, National Association of Teachers of Singing.
- Chair, Women in Theatre Committee, Southeastern Theatre.
- Educator Advocate, Theatrical Intimacy Education.
Selected Productions
- Director and Music Director, “Godspell,” Midwestern State University Texas.
- Music Director, “The Sound of Music,” Wichita Theatre.
- Director and Music Director, “Safe Hands,” Seattle Public Theater. (West Coast Premiere)
- Director and Music Director, “The Pirates of Penzance,” Midwestern State University Texas.
- Director, “A.L.I.C.E.; An Operatic Wonderland,” Red River Lyric Opera (Festival Premiere)
- Music Director, “Freaky Friday,” Bigfork Summer Playhouse.
- Director, “Seussical,” Louisiana Arts Grants.
- Director and Music Director, “Songs for a New World,” Northwestern State University.
Selected Publications
Edgar, G.C. and Claassen, M. (2026) “Playing Childlessness;” Motherhood in Performing Arts Academia. “Theatre Topics.”
Edgar, G.C. (2022). Practical Application of Viewpoints for Collegiate Musical Theatre and Opera. “Journal of Singing.”
Edgar, G. C. (2015). “Star Cross’d Lovers:” William Shakespeare, Harriet Smithson and Hector Berlioz, and the Conundrum of “Roméo et Juliette.” Dissertation; University of Houston.
Selected Presentations
Edgar, G.C., Claassen, M., Guerin, A., and Matthews, J. (2025) “Women, Tenure and Promotion.” Southeastern Theatre Conference.
Edgar, G.C., Hamilton, S., Rikard, L., and Shively, K. (2025) “Techniques and Tools for Promoting Consent Based Cultures.” Southeastern Theatre Conference.
Edgar, G.C., Goetz, S., and Magid, B. (2025) “Musical Directing and Collaborations.” Musical Theatre Educators’ Alliance.
Edgar, G.C. (2024) “Techniques and Tools for Promoting Consent Based Cultures in High Schools.” Texas Thespians.
Edgar, G.C. (2024) “Playing Childlessness; Motherhood in Performing Arts Academia.” National Association for Teachers of Singing National Conference.