Aubrey Whitlock, the newly appointed Director of Education Programs at the American Shakespeare Center, initially started at the center as a box office assistant in 2013. Transitioning to Team Education in 2018, Whitlock now has the opportunity to merge her passions for Shakespeare and pedagogy.
Hailing from California’s Central Valley, Whitlock holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre Arts from UC Santa Cruz, a master’s in teaching from Chapman University, and both an MLitt and a master’s of fine arts in Shakespeare and Performance from Mary Baldwin University. With a background as a full-time English and Drama teacher in middle and high schools, as well as experience as an actor, stage manager, director, and dramaturg, Whitlock brings a wealth of expertise to her new role.
Noteworthy achievements include being the co-creator of the popular podcast, The Hurly Burly Shakespeare Show. Passionate about promoting accessible public scholarship, Whitlock introduced initiatives such as Friday Night Lights On and the No Kidding Drama Club to broaden access to Shakespeare and the Blackfriars Playhouse.
Having joined the Education team under the guidance of former Director Sarah Enloe, Whitlock is known for her advocacy for inclusivity and accessibility in the realm of Shakespearean theater. Her top Shakespeare play is “All’s Well That Ends Well,” while she holds a fondness for Tom Stoppard’s “Arcadia” as her favorite non-Shakespearean play.