JULIENNE A. GREER
CURRICULUM VITAE
Juliennegreer@gmail.com
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT:
Associate Chair of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
Associate Professor of Theatre Arts: Social Robotics and Performance,
Director, Emotional Robotics Living Laboratory,
BA Area Head of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
College of Liberal Arts,
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
SPECIALIZATIONS: Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Social Robotics, Performance, Applied Drama
CURRENT RESEARCH: Applying performance theory and theatre methodology to artificial intelligence and social robotics creating trust and authentically emotional interactions between humans and robots.
Dr. Julienne A. Greer is an inter-disciplinary scholar + artist working at the emerging intersection of social robotics and theatre. Her primary focus is Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) to “humanize” a social robot’s performance to the nuances and subtleties of human behavior. Social awareness and empathetic response in robotics platforms are key to their successful use by humans. Principal research interests include character and personality development for artificial intelligence, social robotics, performance theory, applied drama, empathy application, embodied emotion, and acting theory techniques targeted toward an application between human beings and technology. She is a collaborator with many diverse disciplines including engineering, social work, computer science, education, disabilities studies, psychology, and healthcare, solving problems through innovation for education and research.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
DEGREES HELD
2013 Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities (Ph.D.) - Aesthetic Studies,
School of Arts and Humanities,
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas.
5 Years, Interdisciplinary Foci: Humanities, Performance, and Game Studies.
Dissertation: Affective Connections: Performance Studies, Videogames, and Digital Characters.
Dr. Monica Evans, Supervising Professor
Abstract: A multi-disciplinary analysis of existing performance techniques from theatre and cinema studies re-contextualized to apply to the emerging emotional bond in videogames between the game player and a digital character. It is my perspective that the affective bond between the game player and the digital character in a game is as vital and essential to the experience of playing the game as the affective relationship between the performer and the audience in a play or film.
2005 Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) in Media Arts
Bob Schieffer College of Communication,
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
Thesis: Feminism and Sexuality in Charlie’s Angels: Building a New Paradigm for Enjoying Action Heroines.
Dr. Joel Timmer, Supervising Professor
Abstract: An analysis of the first season of the 1970s Charlie’s Angels television series in order to reveal elements of feminism leading to an inclusion of glamour and sexuality in the criteria for feminist texts to recoup and own images that have previously been viewed as misogynistic.
1986 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A.) in Drama,
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, New York, New York.
Areas of Concentration: Acting, Performance
1981 High School Diploma, Boylan Central Catholic School, Rockford, IL.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/UNION
1984-Present American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (A.F.T.R.A.)
The national union of professional television and radio actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG- AFTRA.
1987-Present Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.)
The national union of professional television and film actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG-AFTRA.
1999-Present Actor's Equity Association (A.E.A.)
The national union of professional actors and stage managers, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation.
2011-Present Interdisciplinary.net
A forum for the exchange and interaction of inter-disciplinary ideas, research and points of view that bear on a wide range of issues of concern and interest in the contemporary world.
GRANTS AWARDED
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2019) grant for Using Arts and Social Sciences to enhance social companion robots’ adaptive abilities to improve health outcomes. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, Computer Science and Engineering-College of Engineering, College of Science-Psychology and College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Study content: The objective of this proposal is a pilot study that examines the impact of a social robot, adaptive control methodologies, and applied theatre techniques, and exercise to impact prospective memory and physical goals in older adults (N = 20). This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform using innovative machine learning techniques that promote and allow the robot to adapt its interaction with the human dynamically to improve exercise goals among older adults. To achieve this, the proposed research is integrating arts-driven methodology, including trust and connection, and novel robot control and learning approaches for interactions between humans and robots to impact prospective memory.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2017 - present
NID - NIDILRR - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (WIT RERC). (UTA Site). Modeling socially assistive robotic caretakers for individuals with developmental disabilities having older adult caregivers. RERC on Wireless Inclusive Technologies. National Institute on Disability and Independent Living Research (NIDILRR), (9/30/21). Total Grant $4,525,000 (UTA, $108,000) the Primary Investigator is Dr. John Bricout of UTA’s School of Social Work. Dr. Ling Xu site PI.
Study content: Study aims to explore and create a collaborative relationship between a care recipient, an older adult caretaker, and a socially assistive robot (SAR) in order to develop engaging interaction for caregiver respite. Study will incorporate future work with Department of Theatre Arts NAO and Pepper robot units in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab, UT-Arlington. J. Greer, director.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2018 - 2021
Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities (NSF grant CNS-1757641)
REU - Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities. Summer program research internships for qualified undergraduates to participate in research in the field of assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Theatre arts methodology is applied as a platform for engagement, connection, and trust in human-robot interaction, one of several multi-disciplinary projects the participants will engage in during 10-week internship. Budget $318,778.
Study content: In this project, the CSE Department, in partnership with several other departments at UTA, will offer a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focusing on assistive technologies (AT) for people with disabilities (PWD). The proposed theme encompasses innovative and novel topics that can help PWD meet barriers of different kinds - attitudinal, architectural, and technological - in accessing employment, navigating public spaces, freely communicating, and living independently. During this summer, each student will be working in a multi-disciplinary setting and exposed to innovative and novel inter-disciplinary projects through research and prototyping. The REU participants will work on computer programming, algorithms, sensors, data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, sensors, sign language, facial recognition, emotion and behavior analysis, smart care, augmented reality, data analytics, robots, human-machine interaction.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2016
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded the second annual UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grant for Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. One of only four grants awarded to the UTA research community. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work.
Study content: The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. This study examines theater performance methodologies through a social robotic platform. This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults by incorporating arts-driven methodology. This grant will continue through 2016 and 2017.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing - 2018
Phase II – Shakespeare and Robots.
The proposal seeks to expand the Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults with participants that are diagnosed with mild cognitive decline. As PI on the original study, I am collaborating with the School of Social Work Presidential Fellows recipient, Dr. Noelle Fields, to test the outcomes of the study on a new participant sample at Brookdale Assisted Living in Arlington.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2015
Digital Arts and Humanities Initiatives (DAHI) A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI.
Primary investigator for an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts and UTA Research Institute (UTARI) from the University of Texas at Arlington. The team will conduct a pilot study in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) at three separate locations; Office of Student Disabilities, Lakewood Retirement Community, Theatre Arts main office. Awarded from the College of Liberal Arts, Jan. 15th, 2016.
Study content: This is a study to inform how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI. The scope of the project will be the development of a pilot study and data collection of human-robot responses from three separate locations and with dissimilar subjects. Measurement will be through an adaptation of the NARS (Negative Attitudes toward Robots Scale), visual qualitative observation, log entries of human-robot interactions during the study, and ambient sound recordings for the detection of laughter and vocal responses from participants. The innovative approach of this research comes from the interdisciplinary work of UTA Theatre Arts and UTARI, bringing together divergent disciplines of theater arts and robotics. This study builds on previous published work on social robots, voice, movement theatre techniques, and healthcare settings to further the body of HRI literature. The robot will be controlled through a “Wizard-of-Oz” methodology scenario performed by undergraduate research assistants under the supervision of faculty. The project will conduct an innovative investigation of the best social robot and HRI practices available at UT-Arlington (UTARI robotic platform laboratory) as well as best practices for improvisation/humor techniques, applied drama, and performance studies. Preliminary data will be collected to allow for future studies and breakthroughs in Human-Robot Interaction. This proposal is well-suited to add to a discussion of UT-Arlington’s strategic initiatives; Health and the Human Condition and Data-Driven Discovery.
ONGOING GRANT DEVELOPMENT
Purchased social robot, Little Sophia, (pending) from Hanson Robotics, Inc. for the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Robot will be used in grant development of design implications of social robots and children with significant Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) themes.
GRANT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED and/or in DEVELOPMENT
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Research Enhance Program
Proposal submitted with Prof. Fillia Makedon. “InBlue: A smart system of sensors, theatre, and robots to help college depression”.
Depression is a leading cause of suicide and the second most common cause of death among college students. It is pervasive in colleges today and frequently goes undetected and untreated. The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that 39% of college students “felt so depressed that it was difficult to function” at least once during 2016-2017. College depression can lead to poor academic and work performance, substance abuse, social dysfunction, legal difficulties, gun violations, ill health, suicide attempts or completed suicide. Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include symptoms shown in Table 1. Identifying early warning signs of depression is crucial in preventing negative consequences and helping educators and mental health experts make targeted counselling and intervention decisions. To address college depression, it is of great interest to academia and the healthcare industry, to see how sensor technologies (e.g. mobile smartphones, wearable sensors, social robots) could be used to improve the wellbeing and mental health of users. Smartphones and wearables are excellent devices that can passively collect real time behavioural data, and be used to complement traditional depression diagnosis and monitoring, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
Keck Foundation – Undergraduate Categorization
One-page conceptual theme submitted to Randall Gentry, Dr. Duane Dimos, and Dr. Ann Cavallo. The proposal for Keck Foundation is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Building on the success of two pilot studies, a proposal is submitted by UTA to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene. The study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on an innovative five-point theatre model to decrease depression, loneliness, and increase engagement among older adults.
UTA Lead - 2018
NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
A collaboration external funding with TechComb, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and Univ. of Texas at Arlington. Greer is UTA Lead on the proposal. Title: Boosting STEM Patronage of Libraries and Museums through Interactive Social Robots.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Exploratory/Developmental Research (R21)
The proposal for NIH is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Focusing on the health benefits to the older adults and the success of two pilot studies, a proposal will be drafted to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene and the study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on the theatre methodology process of composing a live performance.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2017
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
Primary collaborator on the resubmission of an 18+ page proposal that comes under the AISL project type: (4) Innovations in Development. This project will incorporate robotics technology and advanced human robot interaction tools to help the audience build interest in STEM concepts, engage in hands-on activities to explore STEM potentials, and take part in a network of learners sharing their experience, ideas, and achievements in STEM. These three primary STEM objectives i.e. excitement, engagement, and expression, otherwise termed as E3, will be realized through a unique merger of theatre arts and robotics science methodologies into a metasystem of diverse autonomous robotic hardware and a novel platform agnostic human-robot interaction software. It is important to note this is a re-submission to NSF due in part to the positive response from NSF project managers regarding the core component of Theatre Arts Methodologies.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2016
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Smart and Autonomous Systems (S&AS)
This foundational proposal was a collaboration of UT-Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and UTARI (UTA research institute). The study will develop a new type of robot learning framework for next generation intelligent physical system. The proposed framework will implement a novel neuro-adaptive control technique for advanced human robot interaction, which will enable future robotic systems to derive seamless experiential learning from unaltered human behavior. Potential use case scenarios include a humanoid robot interacting with a diverse group of students and engaging them with innovative theatre methodology performance techniques in informative communication. Human aspects, such as trust, emotion-bias towards performance, and organic selection, are built into the analytical model for the proposed humanistic robot learning framework, which enables life-long evolution of the robot. The proposed project is driven by the motivation to make robots a part of the human society and not a parallel alien race, and, therefore, to evolve them through human ingenuity, emotions, and fallibility.
Principal Investigator (PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
An interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Theatre Arts and the Electrical Engineering Department at University of Texas at Arlington. Proposal was written and developed for UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with co-principal investigator, Dr. Dan Popa. Proposal received positive response and was within the top 10 proposals for the year. Proposal titled Live Theatre – Robot Live: a collaboration of robotics and performance.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will develop software to allow a robot to perform on-stage in a seminal role during the Mainstage season. This proposal will utilize faculty and student roles working in an inter-disciplinary environment.
Co-Principal investigator (Co-PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
Interdisciplinary collaboration between Department of Theatre Arts, UTARI, and the Director of the Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington. Wrote and developed a grant proposal for UTA’s Inter-Disciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with Kris Doelling, research scientist II, Manoj Mittal, research scientist II and Co-PI, Dr. Sarah F. Rose. Proposal titled Cyber Human Relationships: Engineering a relational model using theatre arts methodology structured to improve health and the human condition.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will engineer a cyber-human relational model using theatre arts methodology in order to address significant gaps in the current state of healthcare. We believe theatre arts, social robotics and relational methodologies are emerging as innovative components of healthcare for persons with disabilities.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) Panelist Reviewer
Invited to be a review panelist for proposals for the National Robotics Initiative 2.0 – a highly competitive funding opportunity for NSF totaling $35,000,000 billion in funds.
PUBLICATIONS, JOURNAL ARTICLES, and PAPERS
PAPERS
Paper, Second Author. Assistive Technology. 2021. The “humane in the loop”: inclusive research design and policy approaches to foster capacity building assistive technologies in the Covid-19 era.
Paper, Lead Author. Wireless Inclusive RERC 2021 One Forum, Atlanta, GA, 2021 – Conference theme: Include. Innovate. Transform. Theatre and robots: envisioning interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the stage. Conference proceedings.
Journal, Co-Author. Aging and Mental Health. 2019. Shall I compare thee…to a robot?: An exploratory pilot study using participatory arts and social robotics to improve psychological well-being in later life. Impact Factor: 2.956.
Paper, Lead Author. The 28th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication - RO-MAN 2019, New Delhi, India – Conference theme: Responsible robotics and AI for the real world. Shakespeare and Robots: Participatory performance art for older adults. Published in conference proceedings.
Paper, Lead Author. 1st Annual IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication conference. Laguna Hills, CA. Promoting Theatre Methodology for expressive robot movement and behavior.
Abstract, Co-Author. Innovation In Aging, 2019, Vol. 3, No. S1. NAO takes a bow: Using social robots to enhance the mood of older adults living in residential care settings.
Paper, Co-Author. 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics – IMSCI 2018. Robot Theatre to Boost Excitement, Engagement, and Expression (E3) of STEM., Orlando, FL. July 8 – 11, 2018. Conference proceedings.
Paper, Author. RO-MAN 2017, Lisbon, Portugal - Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life – Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Peer-reviewed full paper. Conference proceedings.
Paper and Journal, Author. International Conference on Social Robotics (icsr 2014). Building Emotional Authenticity Between Humans and Robots. Author. University of Technology Sydney epress. Sydney, Australia. 2014. Conference proceedings.
BOOK CHAPTER
Author, contributing to chapter in Exploring Videogames: Culture, Design, and Identity, edited by Nick Webber and Daniel Riha. Invited to expand accepted paper for the 2011 International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom. Published by Inter-Disciplinary Press. Introduction by Nick Webber follows, ‘Videogame Cultures: includes work from Julienne Greer, from Ben Abraham, from me, and from Daniel Riha. Greer’s chapter on digital companions encourages us to think about videogames as cultural objects with which players interact; here, games provide companions in which players become emotionally invested, even though these companions may in fact prove to be opponents. Many of these companions are carefully designed, playing on cultural referents to encourage certain kinds of responses from players – an instinct to nurture, say, or to love. Indeed, as Greer reports, scholars have been surprised by the strength of the bonds that are created by these companions, which produce meaningful relationships for the player in a similar way to those formed between humans and robots. For Greer, such relationships also have the quality of authenticity, in the pleasure of the emotional connection and the communication of one’s thoughts, rejecting Turkle’s perspective that authenticity here is found in the comprehension and acceptance of the relationship by both parties.
Pending Book Chapter Fall 2022: All the worlds a stage: Health/Art techniques between humans and robots
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE, PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, and/or
PAPERS
NEW DELHI, INDIA 2019
Invited presenter to Ashoka University. Ashoka University is a research-based private university located outside of Delhi in the Sonipat, Haryana, India. It is an emerging university with a close collaboration of Liberal Arts and STEM collaborations. Presentation included meetings with faculty, Dean of International Student Affairs, and 45+ student attended 1 ½ hour in duration focusing on the current state-of-the-art of social robotics and theatre methodology. Invitation was initiated by President Vistasp Karbhari, University of Texas at Arlington.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA 2018
Facilitator of student-led skype interview in Spanish. Colombia science-based educational website. Topic – Emotional Robotics Living Lab and theatre and robots.
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Guest and Paper presentation: RO-MAN 2017- Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life - The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Paper title, Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. Peer-reviewed full paper with conference proceedings publication.
KOREA – U.S.
Guest and Paper presentation: United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (UKC 2016) - United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is jointly organized by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) and The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) held on August 10 – August 13, 2016, Dallas, TX. The theme of UKC 2016 is “Enriching Lives through Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship” and its goal is to promote solving issues of the world through science, technology, and entrepreneurship to greatly improve the quality of people’s lives. The UKC 2016 is the flagship and largest academic conference between the United States and Korea.
LONDON, U.K.
Guest Speaker and presentation: The Robotics Innovation Show. 2015 Invited speaker and presenter at “The Robotics Innovation Show 2015” at ExCel in London, United Kingdom. October 20-21, 2015. Presentation content: “Empathy and Embodiment: Understanding humans in order to understand social robots.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Conference on Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) Invited Social Robotics Conference article/paper, "Building emotional authenticity between humans and robots." Paper was accepted at the International Conference of Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) - Social Intelligence in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 27 – 29. Selected to present an interactive workshop.
OXFORD, U.K.
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference. Invited Game Studies Conference article/paper, "Digital companions: analyzing the emotive connection between players and non-player companions in video game space." Paper was accepted at the International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom, 2011. Conference sponsored by Inter-Disciplinary.net: A Global Network for Dynamic Research and Publishing. Member of Inter-Disciplinary.net.
NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, WORKSHOP and/or
PAPER
2022 3rd IEEE TransdisciplinaryAI2022. Laguna Hills, CA.. Co-program chair of TransAI. .
2021 2st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and
2019 Urban Serving Universities (USU) Social Determinants of Health workshop. Cincinnati, OH. Invited to participate in a cohort of University of Texas at Arlington faculty and executive administration including Theatre Arts, Associate Vice-President of Research, Civil Engineering, School of Social Work, and College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Workshop content covered assimilation of the creative process for innovative ideas to help address public health problems – specifically for UTA, social isolation.
2019 1st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and behavior. Co-located with Transdisciplinary conference 2020. Currently invited to be co-program chair of AI and Humanities for Transdisciplinary 2020 and Humanized Computing and Communication 2020.
2018 The Gerontological Society of America's 70th Annual Scientific Meeting. Boston, MA, Nov. 14 – 18. Poster Acceptance, Abstract required for acceptance.
Abstract title: “Shall I compare thee to a …robot? The use of creative arts and social robotics with older adults.”
Abstract:
Research suggests that creative engagement in later life has a positive effect on mood in older adults. Research has also utilized social robots to address the psychosocial needs of older adults. However, few studies have linked participatory arts (e. g. theatre) as the creative engagement activity using a social robotic platform with older adults. An interdisciplinary team designed and implemented an intervention integrating theater and social robotics with the aim of improving the mood of study participants. A purposive sample of older adults age 65 and older (N = 8) participated in this pilot study. Participants completed 3 sessions of the Shakespearean theatre and social robotics intervention using the robot, Nao. Mixed methods included interview questions as well as short survey measures of depression, loneliness, and a simplified face scale for mood pre and post intervention. Results from the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests suggested that the overall level of depression of the participants was reduced significantly after session 1 (z = -2. 33, p < . 05), after session 2 (z = -2. 04, p < . 05), and after session 3 (z = -2. 00, p < . 05). Scores on the loneliness and the simplified face scale also decreased after the three sessions, however, the changes were not statistically significant. Qualitative findings suggest that participants were highly engaged, comfortable, and receptive to the intervention. We discuss the promising aspects and limitations of this innovative study, the utility of social robotics for providing artistic engagement for older adults, and implications for interdisciplinary practice.
2018 IMSCI, The 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics: Orlando, FL. Co-Author. Paper Invitation and Acceptance: This paper presents a novel framework for advancing informal STEM learning in kids between the ages of 10 and 15, using robotics as a platform, enabler, as well as channel for STEM. Being a cross-disciplinary technology, Robotics not only connects theory and applications of science, mathematics, and engineering fundamentals, but also delivers instant gratification from the efforts put in, through active hands-on human-robot interaction. Supported by multiple real-world feasibility studies, the presented framework hypothesizes that if made easy to build, teach, interact, and play with robots, it can be a potent facilitator of STEM, especially in young children – an age group which is naturally curious and enthusiastic about new findings. July 8 – 11 2018.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Kitty Bomb.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Paper presentation and Coordinator of Dramaturgy group. A recontextualization of Erving Goffman’s work.
2017 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Censor. Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting award
REGIONAL SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, PANELIST and/or
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Presentation for TCU ethics module for training “empathetic scholars”. June 2020.
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Demonstration of NAO the robot to the inaugural class of TCU’s medical school training “empathetic scholars” as the next generation of medical healers. October 2019.
Presentation: Girl Scout of Dallas Inaugural Grand Opening STEM Center. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and therapeutic robotic cat for opening day of 75-acre Girl Scout STEM Center. Community outreach to young women and girls on the interdisciplinary nature of emotional robotics at UTA. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Research Center Symposium Guest Luncheon. Invited by FWMSH as guest to lunch and research symposium with faculty from Baylor, UNT, and Stephen F. Austin universities. NAO demonstration. Key outreach for Museums for presentation in Informal Learning sites. May 2018.
Keynote Speaker: Arlington Kiwanis Club. Keynote speaker for lunch. How theatre methodologies can impact social robotics. Community outreach to older adults who are key subjects in robotics research. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Business Press - Entrepreneur Breakfast. Demonstration of NAO social robot in collaboration with UTARI. Community outreach with key Fort Worth business executives. Executive Director UTARI in attendance – Mickey McCabe. April 2018.
Presentation: Texas Dallas Library National Conference. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and robotic therapeutic cat. Invited by Dean of UTA library, Dr. Rebecca Bichel. A half-day demonstration to 500+ attendees. Mentored three UTA students in demonstration and presentation of key UTA research and social robot values. April 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival. Presentation of social robot, JIBO, for a half-day demonstration at the University of Texas at Arlington Communications tent. Community outreach on behalf of the STEM interdisciplinary values at UTA. April 2018.
Guest Speaker and Presentation: Arlington Public Library (New York Avenue location). Presentation to APL group, Girls Who Code, with social robot, NAO. March 2018.
Presentation at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. NAO presentation with UTARI team. October 2017. Community outreach for higher visibility of UTA in the DFW area and interdisciplinary concepts of Theatre and Social Robotics for children. Presentation with AISL sponsor, FWMSH, continues to create bridges in the community between UTA and DFW informal education sites.
Guest Speaker and MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS: Arlington Public Library. In preparation for the AISL 2.4 million submission to NSF, community outreach and sponsored partners were cultivated with various DFW organizations. Arlington Public Library was featured strongly in the bridge building. Multiple presentation at various libraries for the dates; Sept. 11, 14, 19, and Oct. 9, among others.
Guest Speaker & Panelist: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Rising Tide Initiative Launch and Panel Discussion. An inaugural evening with the theme of Emerging Technologies: Meeting our Future. The Rising Tide Initiative has a mission to enhance entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology in Fort Worth and Tarrant County through a vibrant and collaborative technological ecosystem. April 2017. http://www.fortworthbusiness.com/news/fwmsh-hosting-rising-tide-initiative-event-friday/article_d12988e2-2a90-11e7-b0c5-f3f5c3095f6f.html
Guest Speaker/Panelist: Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous (LASERs). Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous event at University of North Texas this fall, also known as LASERs. LASERs are an exciting event series at the intersection of arts and sciences that bring together leading experts to talk about their work and experiences at the forefront of discovery and creativity. Each evening event includes presenters from the sciences, technology, industry, and the arts who offer expertise from an angle that connect to the mixed-discipline community from the arts, sciences, industry, and technology in attendance. Dr. Greer was one of three invited guest speakers and panelists. October 2016. Video content at http://arteca.mit.edu/video/julienne-greer-laser
Collaborator: Invited by David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics to presentation, “SXSW Interactive” in Austin, Texas. Invitation given to increase possible collaboration between Hanson Robotics and Dr. Greer’s emotional work in social robotics. Discussion with Hanson and attendance at a private viewing of research with Hanson robot, Philip K. Dick, Android. March 2016.
University of Texas at Arlington SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, and/or PANELIST
Keynote Speaker: iStart Valley. Innovative ideas. Transferring ideas into StartUps. A MAVS100 company. August, 2021.
Science Café Presenter: UTA Libraries zoom outreach to science and technology interests students and general public. A 45-min. live zoom presentation with real-time questions regarding Social Robotics and Theatre integration. April, 2020
Keynote Speaker: UTA CPE Department of Accounting Scholarship Banquet Gala. Keynote speaker for evenSciencing gala. Empathy and Embodiment: How theatre methodology informs social robotics. May 2018.
Guest Speaker: TEDxUTA. Live streaming presentation. Titled Will a robot be your next best friend? to a live audience at TEDxUTA at conference venue. April 2018.
Emotional Robotics Living Lab: Director. Formal Opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at Preston Hall, Room 304 to 30+ invitees including Office of Research, Office of Communications, College of Liberal Arts Dean’s office and Dept. of Theatre Arts. Hands-on activities and presentations including NAO, Pepper, Jibo, and Joy-for-all robotic cat. March 2018.
Guest Speaker: Healthline Meeting. Human-Robot Interaction: Social Robots and Healthcare. Invited by Health Libraries Information Network. January 2018.
Presentation: School of Social Work Meet and Greet for Research. 3 Slides, 3 minutes. An interdisciplinary meeting organized to present interdisciplinary work for collaboration with the SSW. January 2018.
Invited Guest Speaker and Presentation. One of 5 faculty members invited to present, the only member from the College of Liberal Arts, by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon, Dean of CoLA. Presentation was attended by University of Texas at Arlington President Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, Vice President of Research, Dr. Dimos, and honored guests, 7 executive VIPs from UT Systems health. NAO presentation of health-related work with IRP funded grant, Shakespeare and Robots. November 2017.
Guest Speaker: Digital Arts and Humanities Initiative (DAHI) Speaker Series. The DAHI team will present the findings of the study A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI in the University of Texas at Arlington Library 6th floor Parlor. April 2017.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. Second year of presenting the robot, Nao, to 500+ middle and high school students. Presentation included multiple groups rotating in for a demonstration ranging from 12 minutes to 30 minutes. Demonstration included verbal commands, human-to-robot interaction, various animations including, Puppet, Air Guitar, Rowing the Boat, and concluded with Shakespearean Sonnet 18. April 2017.
Speaker and Silver Sponsor: University of Texas at Arlington INNOVATION DAY A high school and college student competition featuring student and faculty startup pitches. Department of Theatre Arts participated as a silver sponsor alongside UTARI. Presentations were made by Dr. Greer with NAO the robot on theatre methodologies in social robotics. Conference is an annual event held on February 2017.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington, Honors College Colloquium Series – Will a Robot be your Next Friend? How theatre methodologies are utilized to enhance the relationship in human-robot interaction (HRI). The pros and cons of social robots entering the U.S. market in 2017. And, an introduction to the Department of Theatre’s research robot, Nao. This presentation was part of a monthly colloquium hosted by the Honors College in which a member of the UTA faculty discusses his or her research. Greer presentation given to honors students (30+) on research with the robot, Nao, which stands at the intersections of Theatre, Computer Science, Psychology, and Healthcare. Kevin Gustafson, Interim Dean of the Honors College, “Yours was easily among the most engaging of the more than twenty colloquia we have sponsored over the past four years.” December 2016.
Invited Panelist: Research Integrity Symposium. Research Integrity Symposium sponsored by the Steering Committee that manages the Responsible Conduct of Research Training Program (RCR) at University of Texas at Arlington. This year’s theme will be Collaborative Research. The issued to be discussed will be: research integrity, responsible conduct, management of collaborations, formal agreements as well as informal arrangements addressing matters such as authorship, roles and responsibilities, research compliance, and mentoring of trainees. October 2016.
Guest Speaker: Invited to present on the intersection of social robotics and theatre at the College of Business, Accounting Departments’ CPE Day at University of Texas at Arlington on August 2016.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. I began work with UTARI collaborating and developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. Invited ten Theatre Arts undergraduate students to UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot. April 2016.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington. Focus on Faculty. Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 2016. https://library.uta.edu/events/focus-faculty-julienne-greer
Panelist: Invited Research Discussant & Panel member. Fixed: The Science Fiction of Human Enhancement. Interdisciplinary panel. Invited by the Director of Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington to participate on a panel with UTA faculty John Bricout, associate dean of the School of Social Work, and Janet Morrow, disabilities studies adjunct professor. Moderated discussion and talk back after a viewing of the film, March 2015.
PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY AWARDS AND HONORS
2019 - University of Texas at Arlington, 2019 COLA Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure Track Faculty, “selected because of your outstanding record of teaching as well as your interdisciplinary approach to teaching theatre arts through social robotics and performance
2016 - University of Texas at Arlington, Focus on Faculty Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 20th, 2016.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Endowment Award given by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon and the Dean's Office of the College of Liberal Arts - Endowment Award for Research and Creative Activity - toward the purchase of Pepper, the emotional robot, from SoftBank Robotics for use in a multi-disciplinary Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) course created by Dr. Julienne Greer titled Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited speaker to AGS staff luncheon on behalf of Department of Theatre Arts, publicity and university outreach for Theatre Arts 2015-2016 season.
2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited participant in inaugural grant writing group. Five faculty participants were chosen to interact with senior grant writers, Office of Development and Office of the Provost, Division of Faculty Affairs.
2014 - Star-Telegram Best Actress in a Performance - 2014 as Juliana Singleton in Dallas-Fort Worth premier of The Other Place by Sharr White, Circle Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas.
2011 - University of Texas at Dallas Travel/Professional Development Award. Travel expenses to Oxford, University in England, United Kingdom. Mansfield College. Videogame Cultures is a premier game studies conference in Europe.
2001 Best Actress in a Play, Stage West, Honor from Board of Directors. Blanche Dubois, in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
AWARDS/HONORS
Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure-Track Faculty, 2019. University of Texas at Arlington, College of Liberal Arts, Dept. of Theatre Arts.
Outstanding Mainstage Production, 2014-15 Season, MAVPLAYS, Dept. of Theatre Arts’ Student/Faculty Awards. April, 2015. Producer: MAVPLAYS; Director: Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets.
Most Inspiring Professor, Nominee 2004, Department of Theatre, Texas Christian University.
Panhellenic Council Awards.
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
INTERNATIONAL
ITALY – April 2018
Disablog.it. Provide assistive technology to disabled people through the study of disability itself. “Le tecnologie assistive, comprese quelle basate sull’intelligenza artificiale, possono svolgere un ruolo importante nel plasmare il modo in cui le persone con disabilità sono in grado di muoversi nelle attività quotidiane. Tuttavia, ciò che può sembrare una buona idea per un ingegnere potrebbe non essere una realtà di fatto quando una persona con disabilità cerca di utilizzare la tecnologia.”
http://www.disablog.it/fornire-tecnologia-assistiva-alle-persone-disabili-tramite-lo-studio-della-disabilita-stessa/
KOREA - November 2017
Irobotnews.com. 텍사스알링턴대, 로봇-인간 정서 교감 연구 Human Emotional Empathy Research.
“Our idea is not to replace people, but to meet the gap," said UTA director of theater arts and professor Julienne Greer. "Above all, through performing arts we wish to interact with robots and people of various ages to create a solidarity of trust and emotion."
http://www.irobotnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12256
FRANCE – November 2017
InfoHighTech.com. LE NOUVEAU LABORATOIRE DE ROBOTIQUE ÉMOTIONNELLE ÉTUDIE L’INTERACTION HOMME-ROBOT. [The New Laboratory of Emotional Robotics Study in the interaction of human-robot]
“Julienne Greer et ses collègues Ling Xu et Noelle Fields, deux professeurs adjoints à la School of Social Work de l’UTA, et Kris Doelling, ingénieur de recherche à l’UTA Research Institute (UTARI), ont récemment mené une étude auprès d’adultes âgés dans un établissement indépendant au Texas. Le robot et les adultes ont interagi en utilisant des sonnets bien connus de Shakespeare. Cette étude, financée par une subvention de 20 000 dollars du Programme de recherche interdisciplinaire de l’UTA, a révélé qu’après trois semaines d’interactions, il y avait une baisse significative de la dépression et une augmentation de l’engagement social humain-robot chez ces personnes âgées.”
https://www.infohightech.com/le-nouveau-laboratoire-de-robotique-emotionnelle-etudie-linteraction-homme-robot/
BELGIUM – April 2017
Human 2.0 – Exploring Cyborgs. Lectures – Expo – Film.
In partial requirements for his master’s degree at The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, abbreviated KU Leuven, alum Andrew Beckman, organized with his peers, an evening of cyborg culture. Dr. Greer participated via video with NAO the robot. “What is a cyborg? What isn’t a cyborg a human 2.0? Where do we draw the line that separates humans from cyborgs?
https://www.facebook.com/events/439715329714287/
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
NATIONAL
National media and news outlets which ran UTA press release(s) story of the opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab and the analysis of Shakespeare and Robots research study:
UTA Communication analytics reported $100,000 advertising buys for TV spots featuring Dr. Greer’s work and Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
April 2018 – EurekaAlert! Science News. UTA grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/uota-ugt041318.php
April 2018 – PHYS.ORG. Grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be Integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://phys.org/wire-news/285330818/grant-to-help-minority-students-link-assistive-technology-with-d.html
April 2018 – DisabledWorld.com. UTA Grant to Help Minority Students Link Assistive Technology with Disabilities Studies. “Assistive technology program will teach undergraduate students, especially minority and female students and those with disabilities, how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities.
https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/finance/uta-grant.php
January 2018 – Xconomy. UTA Using Robots, Shakespeare to Study Ways to Address Loneliness. Angela Shah.
“A study at the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington is exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression…UTA’s living lab, which is made up of spaces set up to look like a person’s home – is part of a multidisciplinary effort that includes professors in theatre arts, social work, and engineering.”
https://www.xconomy.com/texas/2018/01/19/uta-using-robots-shakespeare-to-study-ways-to-address-loneliness/
January 2018 – KRWG New Mexico State: Justin Martin talks with Julienne Greer, director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington, about the emotional side of robots.
Audio:
http://krwg.org/post/local-newscast-1-53
November 2017 – EurekAlert! The Global Sources for Science News. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support. “The ideas here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,” said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uota-uer111317.php
November 2017 – Robotics Tomorrow. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. The new lab will feature two robots from SoftBank Robotics, NAO and Pepper. Pepper is a 4-foot humanoid robot with large, expressive eyes and lifelike gestures that can connect with people on an emotional level. NAO is a smaller humanoid robot, designed to be an interactive companion.”
https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/article/2017/11/uta%EF%BF%BD%EF%BF%BDs-emotional-robotics-living-lab-will-research-how-robots-can-be-integrated-into-homes-as-companions-and-caregivers/11072
November 2017 - PHYS.ORG. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? ‘We want to look at what it means to have a robot in the room, and plan to use theatre methodology to make that experience as engaging as possible," Greer added. ‘Both robots are also actively used in the curriculum of the course I teach, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre every semester, which involves hands-on student/robot interactions.’”
https://phys.org/wire-news/272048432/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-compani.html
November 2017 – TIEECO.org Silicon Valley. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “The new lab is studying whether or not a robot can fill in the emotional gap needed to be a companion or caretaker to humans.”
https://www.tieeco.org/ecosystem/news/n/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds
November 2017 – Robotics Trends. New Emotional Robotics Lab to Study Human-Robot Interaction. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots.” http://conflict.md/2017/11/15/new-emotional-robotics-lab-to-study-human-robot-interaction/
November 2017 – ASEE First Bell. University of Texas Using Literature to Forge Emotional Bonds Between Humans, Robots. The Dallas Morning News (11/20, Brumfield) reports the University of Texas at Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab “is using the work of none other than William Shakespeare” to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safety with humans and to “learn how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional as well as physical support.” The piece quotes UTA theater arts professor Julienne Greer saying, “The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap. We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.” http://mailview.bulletinmedia.com/mailview.aspx?m=2017112101asee&r=6106399-da88&render=y
November 2017 – News Cision. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “The lab is designed with home spaces for older adults featuring mid-century furniture as well as a more modern play space for projects using children or younger adults.”
http://news.cision.com/university-of-texas-at-arlington/r/uta-s-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companions-caregivers,c2390637
November 2017 – PublicNow.com. Robots and Theatre. NAO and Pepper in the new lab. How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers?
http://www.publicnow.com/view/3E87CF16C169F1B824FAEBA8EC850949936A99B5?2017-11-13-20:30:17+00:00-xxx5895
November 2017 – DailyTopicI. Texas-based Emotional Robotics Living Lab Creates Caregiver Robots - Robotics. “Public research school University of Texas at Arlington opened its Emotional Robotics Living Lab to determine how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional support or to serve as caregivers.”
http://dailytopici.com/news/view/8270
November 2017 – CQRCENGAGE.com. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? “The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA's Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://cqrcengage.com/auvsi/app/document/25102365?1
November 2017 – McKnight’s Senior Living. Universities study robots to help senior living residents. Lois A. Bowers. “Independent living and assisted living communities are serving as testing grounds as University of Texas at Arlington researchers try to develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers. Researchers hope the efforts meet resident needs and help operators address labor challenges.”
https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/universities-study-robots-to-help-senior-living-residents/article/707478/
November 2017 – AZOrobotics.com. New Emotional Robotic Living Lab will Investigate the Integration of Robots into Homes. “We are now looking to make the experience more immersive so that the robot and the adults play out an entire scene of Shakespeare together…we hypothesize that the more immersive the theatre intervention, the deeper and more positive the responses in older adults will be in regards to depression and social engagement’”
https://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=9587
November 2017 – ScienMag Science Magazine. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to Focus on Robots as Companions/Caregivers. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://scienmag.com/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companionscaregivers/
November 2017 – Bob Heyer-Gray. Librarian at University of California – Davis. University of Texas using literature to forge emotional bonds between humans, robots. “Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is ‘using the work of no other than William Shakespeare’ to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safely with humans.”
November 2017 – BotWeb.net. The latest robotics news from around the web. “‘The idea here is not to replace humans, but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.”
October 2017 – LeadingAge.com. Robots and Self-Driving Taxis on the Rise in Senior Living by Donna Childress. Companion robots and others offer large potential to engage older adults. “NAO, which challenged the residents to give the final lines of a Shakespeare sonnet and can do things like shake hands and join residents for tai chi, was a hit… ‘Older adults really did find this futuristic machine…quite fascinating…I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’” https://www.leadingage.org/cast/robots-and-self-driving-taxis-rise-senior-living
October 2017 – Andrea Hektner.com. Repeat after me, robots are not humans. “Within her area of study, Greer dedicates herself to understanding all the facets underlining the many ways in which humans interact with one another…The interesting concept of Greer’s work is that humans must first understand humanity in order to make way for the incoming generation of robots, which she argues can be achieved through the theatrical arts.”
https://andreahektner.com/2016/06/20/repeat-after-me-robots-are-not-humans/
September 2017 – Seniorhousingnews.com. Senior Living Sees Slow But Steady Robot Revolution by Tim Regan. “Most recently, a Brookdale community in Arlington, Texas, hosted researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), to determine whether reciting Shakespeare with a robot could lessen symptoms of depression and increase engagement for seniors… ‘Will more assisted living facilities see robots in this way, not just for service, but also as companions? I absolutely think so,” she says. “I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’”
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/09/15/senior-living-sees-slow-steady-robot-revolution/
August 2017 – Brookdale.com, Brookdale Senior Living Solutions; Technology and Innovation Section by Andrew Smith. NAO takes a bow: Meet the robot engaging seniors in the arts. Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. “The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,” said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA. For three weeks, eight Brookdale residents spent an hour each week reciting Shakespeare with NAO. NAO recited the first 12 lines of Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) with all the drama of a professional actor and then asked the residents to complete the last two lines. While some residents were hesitant at first, the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Based on the data from our study, findings suggest that there was a significant increase in engagement and a significant decrease in depression,” said Dr. Greer. “We learned that social robots are poised to become viable collaborative companions in places like Brookdale.” The poetry performance was just the beginning of NAO’s interaction. The robot can shake hands, accompany seniors on a walk, perform Tai Chi and tell stories. The versatility was a hit with residents…NAO is a perfect example of how something that seems so simple (a Shakespeare reciting robot) can significantly improve quality of life. It also demonstrates that seniors, just like the rest of us, get excited and engaged with novel technologies. https://www.brookdalenews.com/nao-takes-bow-meet-robot-engaging-seniors-in-arts.htm
March 2017 – FOX 10, MyFoxZone. KIDY San Angelo, TX. Robots Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly… ‘Researchers are using a robot reciting Shakespeare with senior citizens, in what is known as ‘participatory art.’”
https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416978351
March 2017 – FOX 15, MyFoxZone. KXVA Abilene, TX. Robot Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly.’”
Article and Video:
https://www.fox15abilene.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416977500
January 2016 – DISCOVERY.COM Discovery News. Why We Want Our Robots to Like Us. Glenn McDonald. “Julienne Greer, a theater professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has a unique insight into the issue of Human Robot Interaction, or HRI. In recent years, Greer and her students have worked directly with computer scientists and engineers in the U-T system, creating the new class Humans and Robots to explore the emerging emotional connections between people and machines. ‘My time spent in theatre arts seems to indicate that we are all wired to connect to empathetic human experiences, especially emotional experiences, and we feel the most 'like ourselves' when we do,’ Greer says.” [Discovery News source has changed the following link is correct for the original article.]
https://engineering.nd.edu/news-publications/engineering-in-the-news/why-we-want-our-robots-to-like-us
November 2014 – NDTV.com, The Future Awaits the Rise of Affectionate Robots. “A new study into a robot named Pepper who has been hailed as an emotionally responsive humanoid robot, can help scientists build more affection robots.”
http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/the-future-awaits-the-rise-of-affectionate-robots-703178
November 2014 – The Aurora Fox Arts Center. From STEM to STEAM, Theatre and Robots? “Performing Arts and ‘Theatre’ hold a regular spot on lists like Forbes’ “The Ten Worst College Majors” and The Daily Beast’s “The Thirteen Most Useless Majors”. But Julienne Greer sees that changing…When Julienne Greer heard about the new “emotional” robots coming out of Japan (like Aldebaran’s Pepper) she was intrigued. These robots are designed to be in-home companions that can read people’s moods and respond appropriately…The take-away? An actress (with a Theatre degree) is successfully working with scientists to develop super cool technology. Looks like that major wasn’t so useless after all.” [Link has expired as of 7/18/18]
http://aurorafoxartscenter.org/cms/2014/11/25/from-stem-to-steam/
November 2014 – Cosmos Magazine, How to Make Robots More Like Humans. “Actor, producer and director Julienne Greer is helping engineers build more responsive robots…Part of her work involves categorizing behaviors and gestures and understanding how these gestures can create emotion in humans. Robot engineers may be able to apply these principles when programming robots… ‘Performance, connection and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots.’”
https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/how-to-make-robots-more-like-humans
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
REGIONAL – DFW
April 2018 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Developing Assistive Technologies Program with $381K Grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded the grant to fund the program that will teach undergraduate students, particularly minority and female students with disabilities, how to design the assistive technology. Ishfaq Ahmad, professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department is the principal investigator, UTA said. Other co-principal investigators are Julienne Greer, assistant professor in theater arts; and assistant professors of computer science and engineering Manfred Huber and Vassilis Athitsos.
https://dallasinnovates.com/381k-grant-help-develop-uta-assistive-technologies-program/
December 2017 – KERANews.org. Robots Reciting Shakespeare with Seniors in UTA Study Hints at Future Companion Role. Justin Martin and Molly Evans. “Robots are assuming more and more roles in our daily lives…In the study, older adults interacted with a robot using Shakespearean sonnets. The study comes from UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which explores the bigger idea of robots as companions and caregivers in the future. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre arts and the lab’s director, explains how one of the robots, called NAO, was used in the study… ‘It was not just reciting Shakespeare. We made this study because we wanted the robot to participate with the older adult. Now, when someone is participating in an art, they’re not just looking at that painting, they’re not just listening to that music. They are actually in a process of doing, and that was shown to have incredibly positive results.’” Article, Video, and Audio files to follow:
http://keranews.org/post/robots-reciting-shakespeare-seniors-uta-study-hints-future-companion-role
Youtube – 10 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A7I_peskTk
December 2017 – Arlington Voice. Robotics theatrics pairs UTA research with Arlington seniors. “NAO is one of two advanced robots used in the lab to test the emotional engagement between man and machine. It’s (NAO) arm, no longer than that of a toddler, reaches toward the sky as it recites Shakespeare Sonnet 18… ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer day.’”
https://arlingtonvoice.com/arlington/education/2017/12/02/robotic-theatrics-pairs-uta-research-arlington-seniors
November 2017 – Star-Telegram News. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? Bill Hana. “NAO, a 23-inch tall robot, performs a 30-second Tai Chi routine, gracefully moving its arms up in the air. At the same time, Kevyn Martinez, a 20-year-old communications major at the University of Texas at Arlington, stands behind the small robot, mirroring its movements. The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/arlington/article186305888.html
November 2017 – DallasNews.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says. Loyd Brumfield. “We all know that robots with human-like functions are coming. But as we have learned in everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Westworld, how do we know they can be trusted. Maybe artists hold the key to that answer more so than scientists or engineers. ‘The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theater arts at UTA and director of the lab. ‘We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2017/11/20/robots-caregivers-afraid-uta-says
November 2017 – PressReader.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20171121/282110636909639
November 2017 – NBC DFW Channel 5 News. Shakespeare Performing Robots Show Promise for Mental Health in UTA Study. Tim Ciesco. “A theater arts professor, a mechanical engineering student, and a small robot all meet in a classroom. That's not the opening line of an obscure joke -- it's what actually happens inside UT-Arlington's new Emotional Robotics Living Lab… ‘Theater arts is a discipline of connection, empathy, voice, movement, relationship -- and in the end trust,’ said Greer. ‘I think it's stimulating. I think by utilizing arts content it's more life-like.’” Article and Video follows:
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Shakespeare-Performing-Robots-Show-Promise-for-Mental-Health-in-UTA-Study-458674103.html
November 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11&21 News. UTA Working to Make Robots Become More Human. Robbie Owens. “Once the stuff of science fiction, robots today run our factories and touch nearly aspect of our lives. Now, an interdisciplinary research project at University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) looks to explore what could happen if robots can learn to touch our hearts. Dr. Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, and Director of the university’s ‘Living Lab’ where participants interact with the robots in a home-like setting… ‘We can bring all the things that make theater so human: the ability to connect, the ability to understand another human being’s life… empathy… I am programming robots that will allow you to stay in your home longer,’ said Dr. Greer, ‘When I say that, that’s when people go: `how quickly can you get them to me?’”
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/11/14/uta-robots-human/
November 2017 – WALA Fox Channel 10, Alabama. Robots with Emotions?
“Social companion robots with the goal to let people live independently into later life.” https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30774829?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Fox 13, Tampa, Florida. “Students and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington are trying to create robots that have emotions.”
Video with UTA Dept. of Theatre Arts students:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30775344?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “In the study, a robot and adults interacted using sonnets from Shakespeare, and researchers found that after three weeks, there was a major drop in depression and an increase in robot-human social engagement among the older adults.”
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds/
November 2017 – KRLD 1080 am RADIO. Audio interview on the opening of Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Audio:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30692189?token=2912f455-cfc2-4423-9da3-adfec9cb7a4b
November 2017 – Arlington-TX.gov. UTA Launches Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support… ‘We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/11/14/uta-launches-emotional-robotics-living-lab/
November 2017 – Texas Digital Humanities Consortium. Promoting digital research in Texas and beyond. Lisa Spiro. “Dr. Julienne Greer was awarded one of UTA’s second annual Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grants for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults.” She leads an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. Dr. Greer and colleagues also received funding for A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI, which examines how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI.”
https://www.txdhc.org/members/lspiro/activity/1273/
September 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11 “Dr. Julienne Greer, an Assistant Professor of Social Robotics and Performance, says they are using something called participatory arts to help robots interact with senior citizens…The content of the art is said to enhance a person’s cognitive skills, as well as offer companionship for older adults… ‘We want the older adults to feel engaged in an art form…we are very hopeful the same positive results that happen in human to human models will happen with a human to robot model…’ Theater for Psychological Well-Being. The goal is to provide an intervention tool for early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Team: Dr. Julienne Greer, UTA College of Theatre Arts, Dr. Noelle Fields, UTA School of Social Work. Sponsor: UTA: Interdisciplinary Research Program.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=3xzNF16ZBqo
April 2017 – CW33 To Bot or not to Bot: Meet the little robot who can perform Shakespeare! Chris Skupien. “Here in the 21st century, robots are nothing new. But have you ever seen one recite a sonnet? ‘This robot is considered a social or companion robot…This is the robot that might be a friend and that is where the theatre methodology comes in.’”
Article and Video:
http://cw33.com/2017/04/27/to-bot-or-not-to-bot-meet-the-little-robot-who-can-perform-shakespeare/
Dec. 2016 – Star-Telegram by Sara Pintilie. Shall AI compare thee? UTA robot recites Shakespeare for science. Star-Telegram article/video initially requested by Dr. Vistap Karbhari, President of UT-Arlington.
“University of Texas at Arlington’s Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts: social robotics and performance, wants to use NAO and Shakespeare to help older adults in a new interdisciplinary study. Interdisciplinary research can promote a new way to tackle a problem or a fresh approach to age-old questions. It can produce exciting and refreshing elements, like a Shakespeare-reciting robot. Greer’s study, when it begins in April, will have older adults listen as NAO recites the first 12 lines of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, and the people will recite the last two lines. ‘The pilot date will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults, the study says.’”
Article and Video:
http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article120016593.html
Dec. 2016 – Dallas Observer. The University of Texas at Arlington’s Theatre Department has a new student – a Robot by Pablo Arauz. “Nao the robot is a little over a month old but can already recite poetry as if it feels passion… Greer is an assistant professor of theater and an actor. Her life’s work has been to study how humans interact with other humans, but recently she’s been exploring a whole new territory: How humans interact with machines and the experience involved in understanding this relationship – that’s right, a relationship with a machine. Her specialty is an interdisciplinary research area called theater and social robotics that explores how robots can reflect human emotion by applying traditional acting methods.”
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-university-of-texas-at-arlingtons-theater-department-has-a-new-student-a-robot-8987400
December 2016 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Theatre Prof Will Use Robot in Study on Human-Machine Connection. UTA professor Julienne Greer will use an autonomous humanoid robot in an upcoming study exploring the connection between humans and machines.
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-theater-prof-will-use-robot-in-study-on-human-machine-connection/
February 2016 – Fox News4ward, February 7th and 13th, 2016, Robots with Human Emotions, by Dan Godwin. “It may sound like science fiction, but more and more these days robots are exhibiting human qualities. And in many homes, they serve as companions for people. In this FOX 4Ward segment, Dan Godwin talks with Dr. Julienne Greer, a local expert who is helping guide that progress in a positive direction.”
http://www.fox4news.com/news/fox-4-features/86482879-story
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
UTA IN THE NEWS
April 20th, 2018 – UTA In the News
Technologies in Disabilities grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded a $381,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant from the National Science Foundation, Dallas Innovates.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/04/20.php
January 22nd, 2018 – UTA In the News
“Robots are being created to help with tasks like disinfecting hospital rooms or alerting patients when it’s time to take medications, Xconomy.com reported. A study at UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is even exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre at UTA, serves as the director of the lab, which was launched in November.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/01/22.php
December 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts in UTA’s College of Liberal Arts, appeared on KERA 90.1 FM discussing her research in the field of social and emotional robotics. She found that interactions with robots had a positive impact on the lives of senior citizens in an assisted living facility. Greer is the director of UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/15.php
December 4st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Arlington Voice reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/04.php
December 1st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Robotics Tomorrow reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/01.php
November 27th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Robotics Living Lab
“The Star-Telegram reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/27.php
November 22nd, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Innovates, ASEE First Bell,
China's Irobotnews and France's Infohightech reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/22.php
November 20th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC 5 reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/20.php
November 17th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab continued to attract national attention with KTVT Fox 13 in Tampa, Fla., WALA Fox 10 in Mobile, Ala., Robotics Trends, Azorobotics and many other media outlets covering the start of the lab, which will investigate what the future will look like with robots.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/17.php
November 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Researchers at UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab are investigating what the future will look like with robots. They're also examining how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support, KTVT CBS 11, KRLD 1080 AM, ArlingtonTx.gov, CBSDFW.com, McKnight’s Senior Living, ScienMag and Phys.org reported. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts, is directing the new lab.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/15.php
UTA PRESS RELEASES
January 2020 – UTA Press Release. UTA takes on loneliness crisis. Dana Jennings. “We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life,” said Greer, who also is director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “Theater has a way of giving more depth to one’s identity and creating a deeper sense of self-expression. Robots do not judge or get their feelings hurt, thus creating a safe space for people to be expressive.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/news-releases/2020/01/09/social-isolation
April 2018 – UTA Press Release. UTA researchers earn grant to teach minority undergraduates how to link assistive technology, artificial intelligence and disability studies. Herb Booth. University of Texas at Arlington computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor…were awarded a three-year, $318,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2018/04/nsf-adaptive-tech-undergrad.php
November 2017 – UTA Press Release. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. Louisa Kellie.
“Greer and an interdisciplinary team recently carried out a study with older adults at an independent living facility in Texas where the robot and adults interacted using well-known sonnets from Shakespeare. This study, which was funded with a seed grant from UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program, found that after three weeks of interactions, there was a significant drop in depression and increase in human-robot social engagement among those older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2017/11/Greer%20release%20robots.php
November 2017 - UTA Newsroom. Sonnet Technology. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor in the UTA Department of Theatre Arts, is combining Shakespeare and state-of-the-art robots to reduce depression and increase engagement among older adults. The interdisciplinary team includes researchers from UTA's School of Social Work and the UTA Research Institute. The research team recently opened an emotional robotics living lab to understand how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers.
https://www.uta.edu/news/video/2017/11/Shakespeare-Robot.php
Youtube: 1.23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=olH9WOR9GtE
November 2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, News Release UT Arlington Theatre Arts research provides insight into human behavior for scientists, engineers who build social robots by Bridget Lewis. News release was picked up by multiple science websites including; Phys.org, esciencenews.com, sciencenewsline.com, techsharx.com, cosmosmagazine.com, inas.in (Indo-Asian news service) as well as a Lithuanian news site, robotika.it (Menininkės įžvalgos pravers robotų kūrėjams). “The fascinating aspect of sensory (data) work is how it opens the imagination to the cognitive work our senses do all day, every day to connect us to our world. The subject becomes aware of new sensory stimuli, which in turn creates an emotional response.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2014/11/Greer-social-robotics.php
August 2016 – NEWS RELEASE UTA Awards Four 2016 Inter-disciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016). UTA awarded grants for innovative ideas that address high-priority issues in society. I was granted one of only four awards University-wide for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on the psychological well-being of older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2016/08/IRP%202016.php
UTA MAGAZINE - PRINT
UTA – The University of Texas at Arlington Magazine, Pioneers of the 21st Century. Antwan Williams. “They’re doing so with the help of 2-foot tall robot named NAO that performs Shakespearean sonnets… ‘all these awards represent important research innovations and could create a real impact in society’ says Duane Dimos, vice president for research.’”
http://www.uta.edu/utamagazine/spring-2018/features/pioneers-of-the-21st-century.php
May 2015 – INQUIRY - The Research Magazine for University of Texas at Arlington, I, Robot, Engineers look to theatre techniques to create more responsive machines. “Performance, connection, and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots…We must be specific in programming robots to respond to, and eventually learn from, the human relationships they will be a part of.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/inquiry/spring15/faculty/i-robot.php
UTA MAVWIRE
April 2018. Assistive Technologies Studies. “Computer scientists and faculty with the disabilities studies minor will create a campus-wide program to teach how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers.”
https://www.uta.edu/enews/mavwire/2018/04/23.html
UTA COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS NEWSROOM and CoLA Magazine
June 2018 – CoLA Magazine. UTA Faculty Pursue DATA DRIVEN DISCOVERY. NSF grant Focuses on Research in Assistive Technology. "Greer, an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, has received numerous grants for creating distinctive social applications for robots...'Dr. Rose and Dr. Greer specialize in cutting edge scholarship.'"
https://www.yumpu.com/en/embed/view/J8fLIC0n7AvhREm9
November 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Newsroom. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is open and ready for a close-up! “Arlington’s new Emotion Robotics Living Lab opened fall semester 2017 and features two robots designed to connect with humans on an emotional level and act as companions. The new lab gives hands-on experience working with the robots to UTA students enrolled in Dr. Julienne Greer’s Theatre Arts Course, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre. The lab space, which has recently piqued the interest of the local media, The class is open to all students, regardless of major, interested in learning more about companion robots and the place they will hold in our future. Greer said, “The interdisciplinary nature of the lab and the course is one of the innovative qualities and what seems to interest the public and the media.” In the last two days, Greer and the Robotics Living Lab team have spoken with CBS Channel 11, NBC Channel 5, and the Star-telegram about the new lab and course initiatives with very positive receptions. The flurry of activity follows UTA’s press release on the new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer said, “People are very interesting in social robots, it is exciting to share this news and where UTA is headed in this field with the DFW community.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2017/11/16/ut-arlingtons-emotion-robotics-living-lab-is-open-and-ready-for-a-close-up/
August 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Annual Magazine. “This report about the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington spotlights achievements within the college during the last year. There is no better illustration of the talent among our students and mentorship by our faculty and staff, then the example of…interacting with a Shakespeare-intoning robot.” Elizabeth Cawthon, Dean. CoLA.
http://www.uta.edu/libarts/_downloads/CoLAMagazine/CoLAMagazine_WebEdition.pdf
September 2016 – NEWS RELEASE College of Liberal Arts. IRP Awards. “UTA has awarded four seed grants to interdisciplinary research projects that address growing problems such as loneliness among the elderly, the need for sustainable green education spaces, the health crisis among urban American Indians or the mechanisms behind heart failure among the elderly.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/uta-awards-four-2016-interdisciplinary-research-program-grants-for-innovative-ideas-that-address-high-priority-issues-in-society/
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Live radio interview for College of Liberal Art’s 50th anniversary and welcome back event with UTA Radio, “UTA and The Department of Theatre Arts are incredibly forward-thinking. We’ve purchased a social robot for use in the classroom…How robots essentially ‘perform’ for humans and how humans emotionally respond to robots, is my primary research interest.” (Greer)
UTA NEWSPAPER - THE SHORTHORN
May, 2022 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Professor combines theatre and robotics to reflect human connection. Ayesha Hana Shaji. “Social robots, also known as emotional robots, are machines that can communication socially with human being said Julienne Greer…Greer found a way to bring together her seemingly odd combination of passions, theatre and robotics.”https://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/professor-combines-theater-and-robotics-to-reflect-human-connection/article_6720a5e6-aec2-11ec-b8f5-cb82ea484fd9.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students find relief through art. Amanda Padilla. “Greer emphasized these two concepts. She said people are wired to connect with each other, they have a need and a desire to connect as humans. By engaging in the arts, they learn to trust something. For Greer, people learn to trust each other.In a play, many people come together to create a show. The director, the stage manager, the cast, the technicians; all of these people have to trust their connection to create something together.” http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-find-relief-through-art/article_134f4e52-d083-11e8-b182-23d30eda925c.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, Interdisciplinary team studies robots. Spencer Brewer. “These machines will somehow be a reflection of us as humans,” Greer said. The Emotional Robotics Living Lab focuses on social robots, or robots that will interact socially with people in their homes and workplaces in the future.
“I like to talk about it because it’s not a phone, it’s not a human, and it’s not the television turned on at home,” Greer said. “It is something else, and I’m really interested in what that something else is and how we will interact with it, and what that means, then, about us.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/interdisciplinary-team-studies-robots/article_ebf6f774-c673-11e8-9252-5f7e76848ca0.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Rebekah Morr. “The Living Lab is home to two robots: NAO and Pepper. Both are social and companion robots who can respond autonomously to faces and sounds…Pepper can be classified as an emotional robot because it can detect emotional expressions and tension in a person’s voice.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/article_f32a4568-cfe4-11e7-8be9-13610f80f16f.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Duy Vu. “Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts and Emotional Robotics Living Lab director, explains the functionality of Pepper, a social companion robot, on Nov. 21 in the lab at Preston Hall.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/image_ac03b0f0-cf00-11e7-af15-cf6b2e776c41.html
April 2017 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students, Faculty meet Piebot. “Julienne Greer, theatre arts assistant professor, presented her humanlike robot, called PieBot at UTA’s iDAH speaker series…PieBot was built to eliminate human apathy toward robots and foster a sense of nurturing empathy, Greer said. Greer pulled from different specialties, including from costume designers, programmers, and engineers. ‘Interdisciplinary isn’t just a buzzword, Greer said.’”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-faculty-meet-piebot/article_9ed3b58c-1b0b-11e7-aa25-bf218a04f8f4.html
September 2016 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Robot pairs with sonnets to assist elderly. Matt Fulkerson. “If you can take the world’s greatest wordsmith-literary-poet-playwright and you can bring a robot in and they can play that scene, that’ll be incredible,” she said. (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/robots-pair-with-sonnets-to-assist-elderly/article_74c49866-7f5b-11e6-8907-cfaea4359d90.html
September 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Theatre gets robot, which will appear in spring play. Sheliah Lindsey. “I believe robots are the future…They have so much potential. They can help keep the elderly in their homes longer. They can help children with disabilities.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/theatre-gets-robot-which-will-appear-in-spring-play/article_bc330eb6-502d-11e5-87a7-7fa707007332.html
March 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Film spurs discussion about disabilities, human enhancement. The Shorthorn released the story of the inter-disciplinary panel discussion titled, Dr. Greer, discussant (see Panels). In response to a question regarding human enhancement through robotics and how that identifies humans; “All of my inequalities make me an incredibly unique person…I own being this age, going through my life, having the experiences I’ve had, and doing this wonderful art, which is all about finding the interesting, unique, quirky parts of being a human being.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/film-spurs-discussion-about-disabilities-human-enhancement/article_a004f966-cd1f-11e4-b454-0bae11a94667.html
December 2014 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Lecturer blends theatre arts, robotics by Hannah-Beth Floyd. “I think we’re already well past the point where humans and technologies interact…Technology is a part of our life…(my work is essentially) taking decades of method work, performance technique, and using it to create the most authentic relationship between the human being and a robot.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/lecturer-blends-theater-arts-robotics/article_85eeab54-7a76-11e4-8344-3f24595643ac.html
UTA - INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATORS AND MEDIA
September 2018 – UTA Library Newsletter. User Engagement & Services. Building Partnerships and Lasting Friendships Through Technology. “During our tenure as Robot Ambassadors, we (Devon Peralta and Rene Taméz) formed an extraordinary working relationship with Dr. Julienne Greer, a multi-disciplinary scholar and professor who has been researching human/robot interactions. Dr. Greer was the first UTA Faculty to request the Robot Ambassadors in her classroom, where she was doing research on emotional support robots, for which she received a grant to start the UTA Emotional Robots Living Lab.”
June 2018 – Invited by Nova Coates, Computer Science and Engineering colleague to create a 20 sec. audio spot for CSE freshman highlight interdisciplinary work.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151850623@N06/42194854490/in/album-72157693832149860/
March 2018 – UTA Radio on Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Live broadcast aired March 22 2018.
January 2018 – Computer Science and Engineering – UT Arlington. Facebook. In Spring 2018, Dr. Julienne Greer teaches a course exploring social robotics and the roles robots will have in our lives from Disability Studies, Theatre Studies, and Humanities perspectives. The course includes hands-on work with the social robots, PEPPER, JIBO, and NAO in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. If you have any questions about this class please contact ltucker@uta.edu or Dr. Julienne Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre, Social Robotics and Performance.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cseutarlington/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1943693469037365
December 2017 – College of Engineering – IN THE NEWS. “Robotics Tomorrow reported…UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots.”
November 2017 – UTARI. Greer’s New Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UT Arlington assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2017/NBC5_nao.php
November 2017 – UTARI. Meet the robot engaging seniors in the Arts. “Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. ‘The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,’ said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA.”
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2018/Brookdale_2.php
November 2017 – UTARI. “Couldn't have scripted this Channel 5 news interview any better if you tried!” UTARI Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/posts/1611685888893622
November 2017 – School of Social Work. “The interdisciplinary team from UTA School of Social Work and UTARI researchers have come together for an amazing project! Check out what the SSW is doing!” SSW Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/UTASocialWork/posts/
October 2016 – UTARI. Facebook post of unveiling of NAO with collaborator UTARI, Dr. Julienne Greer at The University of Texas at Arlington Theatre Arts Department and Kris Doelling, Research Scientist at UTARI unpack a new addition – the NAO robot from Softbank Robotics…The social robot is set to be a key component for hands-on work for Dr. Greer’s interdisciplinary course, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre. https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/photos/pcb.1208605852534963/1208605765868305/?type=3
April 2016 – UTARI. National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI) Collaborator with UTARI developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. On April 6, 2016, 10 Theatre Arts undergraduate students assembled at UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot.
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, on-air interview for UTA News. Social robotics at UTA: “Buddy” and “Pepper” a social and an emotional robot acquired by Department of Theatre Arts for use in the classroom and innovative research.
https://utanews.com/2015/09/14/dr-julienne-greer-interview/
MEDIA
for
CREATIVE RESEARCH in PERFORMANCE
June 2017 – Dallas Morning News review of performance King o’ the Moon. Touching family tale with contemporary reverberations. “The mom, Ellen Pazinski (Julienne Greer) honors his spirit and keeps an income by running the family tavern…the fine cast shows off the playwrights deft blend of humor and pathos.”
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/theater/2017/06/18/touching-family-tale-contemporary-reverberations-king-o-moon-circle-theatre
June 2017 – Theatre Jones review of performance King o’ the Moon. Moon Beams. “Julienne Greer returns to play mother Ellen Pazinski for the third time, and she’s the show’s anchor. Her Ellen is steady and smart, a woman who raised four difficult children and doesn’t think life can surprise her. She’s a widow now, and runs the tavern with help from her husband’s best friend. David H.M. Lambert’s Walter is the ultimate nice guy, touching and funny in his attempts to get closer to Ellen and her prickly kids.”
http://www.theaterjones.com/ntx/reviews/20170620105834/2017-06-21/Circle-Theatre/King-O-the-Moon
June 2017 – Star-Telegram review of performance King o’ the Moon. King o’ the Moon captures America in 1969. “As was so often the case in the 1960s, the Pazinskis are all on journeys of their own. Ellen (Julienne Greer), the widow who heads the family, is coping with three grown children who are entering adulthood through different doors, and a mentally challenged son, Georgie, who will always be a child… Greer’s performance is so easy and smooth that the high quality of her work runs the risk of going unnoticed.”
http://www.star-telegram.com/living/article156977974.html
April 2014 A + C Acting in Texas: Julienne Greer at Circle Theatre. Interview with editor, Nancy Wozny of Arts and Culture Texas. Julienne Greer takes on the role of Juliana Smithton in Circle Theatre’s production of Sharr White’s, The Other Place. White chronicles the story of Smithton, a successful neurologist, who suffers from a devastating neurological event. “I used my early training (for characterization), which was a blend of both physical and more external representations…alongside internal or more emotionally behavioral choices.” (Greer)
http://artsandculturetx.com/acting-in-texas-julienne-greer-at-circle-theatre/
May 2005 Texas Christian University, interview with TCU Daily Skiff. ‘Toil and Trouble’ – Actors to perform part of Macbeth Halloween night. Prof. Julienne Greer conceived, developed, and directed a Macbeth selection titled “Bard on the Rocks” for TCU Provost Nowell Donovan. It has become an annual tradition. “The scene consists of the three witches and their encounter with Macbeth who is demanding to know if he will continue to be king…Later during the scene, apparitions or ghosts appear to him. It’s very spooky.” (Greer)
https://www.tcu360.com/story/toil-and-trouble-12292688/
UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACADEMIC AWARDS and HONORS
Samuel French Publishers, Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron
Listed in the published version of the stage play as Margaret Goggin. Worked with the playwright, Arthur Giron, in seminars and workshops during the rehearsal period to identify the play’s narrative and character arc. Becoming Memories was produced at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Acting Ensemble. Invitation only participation in an acting ensemble by iconic Broadway designer, producer, John Wulp. Acting ensemble was personally supervised by legendary playwright John Guare. Content of the seminar was a workshop of his work in the fourth play of Guare’s Lydie Breeze series.
New York University, Acting Ensemble.
Highlighted in a New York Times article titled, Where are all the new, young actors: at Tisch School of the Arts. Play: Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron.
ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHING
2020-Present Associate Chair Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
Associate Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Assistant Chair and Assistant Professor of the Department of Theatre Arts including curriculum planning, administrative responsibilities, liaison among students and the department, and performance-based courses, advanced performance, acting for voice and movement, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities.
2020-Present Area Head for BA program
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
I am the Area Head for the largest group of students in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. I mentor and guide BA students in their individual and chosen career trajectories. Opportunities within the Department include performance, stage combat, improvisation, and social robotics and technology.
2016-Present Assistant Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Professor advanced performance, acting for the stage and camera, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, Departmental courses, Dialects in Performance, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre: a course based on the emerging intersection of Theatre and Social Robotics. Head of publicity for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, committee member for Academic Curriculum, Research, Marketing, Performance, recruiting (see Service). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2012-2016 Senior Lecturer
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company & Maverick Dance Company
University of Texas at Arlington
Professor of beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting for the stage and the camera, directing for the stage, stage movement, voice training for the stage, dialects, theatre administration in publicity, marketing, and recruitment, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, dance for the actor. Chair and/or member of departmental, university and college committees (see “University Service”). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2000-2009 Adjunct Professor
Dept. of Film-Television-Digital Media -
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Department of Theatre –
College of Fine Arts
Texas Christian University
Professor of beginning and intermediate acting for the stage and the camera, acting for TV II, acting for the camera, improvisational comedy lab and lecture, soap opera lab and lecture, survey courses for cinema and theatre, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, and working actor seminar. Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2011-2013 Teaching Assistant
School of Arts and Humanities University of Texas at Dallas
Teacher’s Assistant for film theory, and history courses. Requested by Endowed Professor, Dr. Stephen Rabe
Dr. Shilyh Warren
Dr. Adrienne McLean
1999-Present Independent Arts Administration Consultant, based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Arts consulting provided for cultural, governmental and educational institutions in Texas. Consultations have involved organizational assessments, personnel assessments, development workshops, marketing/sales, bylaws analysis, budget preparation, unions, facilities planning, grant evaluation, membership and development.
1981-Present Professional Theatre and Film Artist, Illinois, Arizona, Los Angeles, New York, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. Presently based in Fort Worth, Texas. (Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Screenplay writer, and Producer: see Creative Activities/Research).
2008 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Seussical, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class.
Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Seussical, Jr.
2007 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Annie, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class. Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Annie, Jr.
The University of Texas at Arlington
Maverick Theatre Company
Theatre Arts Department
2012 - Present
COURSE INSTRUCTION
THEA 3314-001, Voice and Movement
Spring 2021 (10 students)
Spring 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2019 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4393-001, Voice and Movement, Special Topics
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4391, Special Topics: “Humans and Robots: The Future is Here”
Conference course and first semester of original curriculum on Social Robots and Theatre
Individual instruction; majors and minors.
Fall 2015 (10 students)
THEA 3351, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre (individual instruction)
Spring 2021 (9 students)
Fall 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2020 (12 students)
Spring 2019 (20 students)
Fall 2018 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (11 students)
Fall 2017 (15 students)
Spring 2017 (15 students)
Fall 2016 (23 students)
Spring 2016 (19 students)
THEA 3335, Dance for the Actor (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Spring 2013 (20 students)
THEA 3311, Vocal Performance II: Dialects (individual instruction; majors)
Spring 2016 (16 students)
Spring 2015 (14 students)
Spring 2014 (19 students)
Spring 2013 (16 students)
THEA 3308, Acting for the Camera: Acting III (majors, utilizing video technology)
Fall 2014 (11 students)
Fall 2013 (20 students)
Fall 2012 (21 students)
THEA 1343, Introduction to Theatre (University Core course: majors and minors)
Spring 2014 (21 students)
THEA 1342, Theatre and Film Appreciation (University Core course: majors and minors)
Fall 2013 (101 students)
Spring 2013 (92 students)
Fall 2012 (99 students)
THEA 1307, Acting I (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2018 (X Students)
Fall 2012 (14 students)
THEA 1303, Fundamentals of Presentation (University CORE course: majors and minors)
Formerly Vocal Performance I: Fundamentals
Fall 2017 (20 students)
Fall 2016 (15 students)
Fall 2015 (18 students)
Spring 2015 (16 students)
THEA 1300, First Year Seminar in Theatre Arts (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2014 (20 students)
Fall 2013 (10 students)
THEA 0181, Theatre Practicum (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Fall 2017 (33 students)
Spring 2017 (22 students)
Fall 2016 (17 students, 15 students)
Spring 2016 (17 students, 14 students)
Fall 2015 (16 students, 20 students)
Spring 2015 (17 students, 12 students)
Fall 2014 (26 students, 18 students)
Spring 2014 (24 students, 15 students)
Fall 2013 (21 students, 20 students)
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Radio-Television-Digital Media
2000-2009
COURSE INSTRUCTION
RTVF 30353, Acting for Television - Lecture and Lab (individual and co-instruction; majors)
Fall 2000 (18 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40353, Acting for the Camera - Lecture and Lab (individual instruction; majors)
Fall 2005 (20 students)
Fall 2004 (19 students)
Fall 2003 (20 students)
Fall 2002 (18 students)
Fall 2001 (20 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: SOAP OPERA
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class. It is a support to the production of the spring 2006 Soap Opera produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: IMPROV COMEDY
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class for the development of two improvisational comedy teams. The course is structured as a 16-week seminar and lab produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
College of Fine Arts
Department of Theatre
2005-2009
THEA 11303, “Acting I” Lecture (individual instruction, majors)
Spring 2009
THEA 10053, “Survey of Theatre Arts” Lecture (individual instruction, majors and non-majors)
Spring 2006
UNIVERSITY GUEST LECTURER
Tarrant Community College, Northeast Campus, Fall, 2001
Guest lecturer: “Acting I,” lecturer for basic acting beginning course. Discussed the benefits of stage work, memorization, motivation, and work as a stage actor (Prof. Jakie Cabe, instructor).
Texas Christian University, Spring, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Women and Media,” lecturer for Media Analysis course. Discussed the comparative images for women from the 1970s to the present day. Encouraged small group analysis of contemporary popular media and referenced feminist indicators found in the Charlie’s Angels television series in order to ascertain growth in feminist thought or culture from 1970s to 2000s. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Andrew Haskett instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Sex and Violence in Media,” lecturer on the feminist images found in the 1970 series, Charlie’s Angels, analyzing the sex and violence of 1970s detective genre and its’ use of the female image. Discussion included current social and cultural attitudes towards sex and violence and portrayal of current images in contemporary media as a comparison (Dr. Joel Timmer instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004 - 2007
Guest lecturer: "Aesthetics of Film,” lecturer for Prof. Richard Allen seminar focused on comparison of the craft of cinema and theatrical performance utilizing interactive tools which engage the class in a whole-body perspective of the rigors of acting for the camera. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Richard Allen instructor).
THEATRE FOR YOUTH COURSES TAUGHT
Much Ado About Shakespeare (Guest Artist, for fee)
MAAS Established in 2006 to train actors 14 – 18 years old in Shakespeare including outreach to regional schools and students.
Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX
"Shakespeare and Robotics" (ages 14-18; 17 students), June 9th – 28th, 2016.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 22 students), June 10th – 30th, 2013.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 27 students), June 11th – July 1st, 2012.
"Acting Games/Creative Drama" (ages 14-18; 20 students), June 6th – 26th, 2011.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION COURSES TAUGHT
English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition,
2014, Regional winner Trinity Valley School
2016, Fort Worth winner
Coaching and instruction to the first-place winner of Trinity Valley School’s Shakespeare monologue and sonnet for the regional Fort Worth and Dallas competition. Winner is afforded all-expenses paid trip to New York City, Lincoln Center for national competition.
Acting Instructor for Tony Greco
Tony Greco renowned private instructor of Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
1988 & 1994-1995
Sensory-based acting technique and acting scene work based on technique founded by Lee Strasberg, of The Actors Studio in New York, New York. Lee Strasberg is a founding member of the iconic Group Theatre (1936 – 1946) including such iconic members as Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and Harold Clurman and others. Content of courses included fundamental understanding of method technique as contextualized by Strasberg. Tony Greco is a member of The Actor’s Studio and was included in a small group of instructors to learn the method technique and to continue Lee Strasberg’s original artistic intent. Tony Greco teaches in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Denmark.
CREATIVE RESEARCH
Performance, Stage, Film, Direction, Writing, Producing, Sound Design
STAGE DIRECTING CREDITS
Director, “Balm in Gilead” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company as a recorded streamed production Nov. 20 – 22, 2020.
Director, “WAITING FOR LEFTY” by Clifford Odets. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts as a selected play in MAVPLAYS Mainstage season. April 15th through April 26th, 2015, Arlington, TX. (flexible, environmental space. Audience is seated on the stage to with performers and performers were seated in the audience to interact with audience), 2015.
Director, “BARD ON THE ROCKS: SELECTED SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH”
Produced by Texas Christian University’s Department of Theatre.
Halloween, October 31st, 2005. It has been performed annually by TCU Provost as Macbeth in recent years. Fort Worth, TX (flexible open to the environmental space. Set design utilized the Scottish rock formation known colloquially as Froghenge for performers and audience to interact), 2005
Director, “DURANG BY NIGHT” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Director, “HOMEFREE!” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Tony Greco.
Basement of SoHo Repertory Theatre, New York City, New York, 1987.
STAGE PRODUCING CREDITS
Producer, “MAVPLAYS,” produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts in the 2014-2015 Mainstage season, April 15th through April 26th, Arlington, Texas. Flexible, environmental space in a large black box, and additional small black box theatrical space, 2015.
Co-producer, “DURANG BY NIGHT,” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Producer, “SOAP OPERA & GIRLS WE HAVE KNOWN.” Produced by jg-gj productions with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Raised $6,500 for total budget of two one-act plays. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Held casting sessions for five diverse roles. Hired director, set designer and technical crew for each one act. Proscenium space in black box theatre, 1995.
Producer, “THE SECRET DIARY OF SONDRA WOODWARD.”
Organized fund-raising events for original one-woman musical. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Contacted major studios and received donation toward production budget, 1994.
Co-producer, “WOMEN OF MANHATTAN,” produced by Tony Greco and jg-gj productions. Performed at Prometheus Theatre, 43rd St., New York City, New York. Hired director, set designer, and obtained theater space while continuing principal actor rehearsals and participating in publicity campaign, 1993.
STAGE ACTING - PERFORMANCE CREDITS
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), National union of stage actors and stage managers.
1999 – Present
Professionally Qualified Member
Key: L.O.R.T. = League of Resident Theatres/Professional national resident theatre operating under an Actor's Equity Association, ongoing union contract for actors and stage managers. S.P.T. = operates under a Small Professional Theatre Equity union contract.
NATIONAL and REGIONAL ACTING & PERFORMANCE
TEXAS
Role Production Producer/Location/Yr./Equity Contract
Billy ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2021 (virtual)
Hafsa JUNE 8, 1920 Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2020 (virtual)
Jan BLACK SANTA Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Orlando, Florida 2019
Mrs. Webb OUR TOWN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX
Director: Matthew Gray
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2019
Kate Beeker THE KITTY BOMB Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Boston, MA 2018
Charlotte Coates THE CENSOR Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Winner of the Judith Royer Playwriting for
Excellence in Playwriting,
Las Vegas, NV, 2017
Ellen Pazinski KING O’ THE MOON Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2017
Judith Lees HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company
Arlington, Texas
Director: Dr. Natalie Gaupp
(Equity Guest Artist), 2016
World Premiere
Juliana Smithton THE OTHER PLACE Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2014
Recipient of 2014 Best of Culture award in Acting Critic’s Choice
Fort Worth Weekly newspaper
Blanche Dubois A STREETCAR NAMED Stage West Theater
DESIRE Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Jim Couvault
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2000
Recipient of 2000 Best Actress Award Stage West Theatre
Molly THE FRONT PAGE Dallas Theatre Center Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Richard Hamburger
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Thea HEDDA GABLER Dallas Theatre Center
Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Ron Daniels
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Bessie MARVIN’S ROOM Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2013
Helen Cohen ELLIS ISLAND Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, Texas
Composer Peter Boyer in attendance
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
A multi-media event in conjunction with FORT WORTH SYMPHONY
(Equity Contract; for fee), 2013
Ellen LAST MASS at ST. CASIMIRS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2012
Jill Koenig AD WARS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: John S. Davies
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee)
Attended by author Vince McKewin, 2004
Ellen OVER THE TAVERN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2010
NEW YORK CITY
Lucy SOAP OPERA tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York
Reviewed by Mel Gussow
New York Times
Ralph Pape, author WIKI page Director: Elizabeth Franzen (Equity waiver). 1990
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/30/theater/theater-in-review-438792.html
Remounted and produced at
(Soap Opera cont.) The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod.
JG-GJ executive producers
(Equity waiver) See Los Angeles, 1991.
Hester Prynn “A” THE SCARLET LETTER tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York Director: Tim Maner
(Equity waiver), 1989.
Lucy Crayford THE FROZEN DEEP A reading with Director Everett Quinton
New York, New York (Equity waiver), 1988.
Ophelia HAMLET New York Repertory Theatre New York, New York, 1987.
Alex Forrest FATAL ATTRACTION -
Murder Mystery John Goodman Productions Director: John Goodman West Chelsea Restaurant
Dinner Theatre Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
Mrs. McCabe MURDER MAYHEM Hasslefree Productions
Director: Trevor Hasselfree Film Studio Restaurant New York, New York
Dinner Theatre, Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
LOS ANGELES
Lucy SOAP OPERA Produced at
The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod. JG-GJ executive producers (Equity waiver), 1990.
Varya THE CHERRY ORCHARD Hudson Theatre
Los Angeles, California Director: Ron Livingston (Equity waiver), 1992.
Susan THE FUNERAL PARLOR The Complex
Los Angeles, California
(Equity waiver), 1995.
Penelope Toop SEE HOW THEY RUN Glendale Centre Theatre
Glendale, California (Equity waiver), 1994.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Guinevere CAMELOT Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Laurie OKLAHOMA! Weathervane Theatre
Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee) 1985.
Peep-bo THE MIKADO Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Mariane TARTUFFE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Marquise
of Parolignac CANDIDE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire
Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Ensemble THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
VIRGINIA
Roxane CYRANO DE BERGERAC Mill Mountain Theatre Roanoke, Virginia Director: Jere Hodgin
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1987.
ILLINOIS
Dinah Lord THE PHILADELPHIA STORY The New American Theatre
Rockford, Illinois
Director: Jim Sullivan/founder of N.A.T. (S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1979.
Ensemble THE ROPADI PLAYERS Rockford Park District
Musical Theatre Outreach Program Rockford, Illinois
Director: Andy French (Equity waiver, fee), 1975.
Selected University roles between 1981 and 1986
Frau Bergmann ……....... SPRING AWAKENING (Anne Bogart, director), New York University
Margaret Goggin ............ BECOMING MEMORIES (Kevin Kulhke, director) New York University
Housewife ...................... WORKING, New York University
Mina ............................... DRACULA, New York University
Joanna ……................... HOMEFREE! New York University
Ensemble ........................ PIPPIN (William Wesbrooks, director), Rockford College, IL
Ensemble ........................ JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Rock Valley College, IL
Lillian Hampton ............. STRANGE BEDFELLOWS (Elaine “EE” Moe, director), University of Arizona, Tucson
Dance Ensemble………. THE ENTERTAINERS, University of Arizona, Tucson
UNIVERSITY GUEST ACTOR
Judith Lees ......................... HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company MAVPLAYS The University of Texas at
Arlington, Department of Theatre Art, (Equity waiver). 2016.
UNIVERSITY GUEST READING
Invited to read at an honorary staged reading of Eugene O’Neill’s works by the O’Neill’s biographers Barbara and Arthur Gelb. The Gelb’s re-released their 1950s biography in 2000 with an expanded analysis of the life and work of Eugene O’Neill. Both Barbara and Arthur were in attendance at the Texas Christian University event in 2003.
PRODUCTION COACH
Acting Coach, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Anne Healy, Director).
Acting Coach, GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Andrew Gaupp, Director).
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA ACTING and PERFORMANCE
COMMERCIALS
INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL MEDIA
Selected commercial performance work between 1991 – 1999.
Reporter Spam
The Hormel Foods Corporation. Filmed in Los Angeles, California National and International commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
New Yorker Coke
The Coca-Cola Company Filmed at the Statue of Liberty New York, New York National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Burger King color-coded children’s lunch toys Burger King (BK) Corporation.
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Subaru of America – Fuji Heavy Industries
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Cowgirl Totino’s Pizza
General Mills Products
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Kraft Handi-snacks
Kraft Foods Group
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Hiker Outback Steakhouse
Bloomin’ Brands
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Ship Passenger S & W Food
Del Monte Foods
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
CBS Promo Promotion commercial spot for CBS Fall lineup of highly-rated programs Filmed in Los Angeles, California
Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Neighbors Dixie Paper Plates Dixie Paper Products Georgian-Pacific Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
SOAP OPERAS
Selected performance work on network soap opera television between 1982 and 1990.
Haley Recurring role ALL MY CHILDREN
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists;
Standard union fee)
Linda Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Hillary Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Campaign Organizer Day Player Contract ONE LIFE TO LIVE
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract; American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; Standard union fee)
Ensemble Extra work GUIDING LIGHT
Procter & Gamble Company Filmed in New York, New York (A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
Standard union fee)
TELEVISION
Alex Forrest LIVE WITH REGIS AND
KATHIE LEE
Filmed in New York, New York Promo for Fatal Attraction Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (SAG waiver contract)
FILM
WALL STREET Wall St. worker 20th Century Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
THREE MEN AND Photo Double (Nancy Travis) Buena Vista Pictures
A LITTLE LADY Director: Emile Ardolino
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
12 Julienne Larry Bridges Productions
Director: Larry Bridges
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Film and director Larry Bridges were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award , 2004. Film has been screened internationally to critical acclaim. (S.A.G. waiver contract; for fee)
Selected ensemble film roles in major feature films:
Goodfellas – Martin Scorsese, director
State of Grace – Phil Joanou, director
Hannah and her Sisters – Woody Allen
Cocktail – Roger Donaldson, director
Space Jam – Joe Pytka, director
Scrooged – Richard Donner, director Punchline – David Seltzer, director
All filmed in New York, New York except Space Jam, filmed in Los Angeles, California
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCING CREDITS
1999
Producer
As producer raised $25,500 for theatrical release of a 24-minute short film, The Hand of a Lifetime, shot independently in Los Angeles.
Coordinated all pre-production needs:
⦁ casting,
⦁ hiring crew
⦁ Director of Photography
⦁ Camera Operator
⦁ Sound and Foley Artist
⦁ Art director
⦁ Locations and permits
And including all post-production needs:
⦁ editing
⦁ sound design
⦁ titles
⦁ negative cutting
⦁ final answer print
The Hand of a Lifetime was accepted to the 1999 Fort Worth Film Festival and was highlighted in the Fort Worth Film Festival of 1999 and reviewed by Elvis Mitchell for the Star-Telegram Newspaper.
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTING AND WRITING CREDITS
1999
Director Screenplay Writer
Wrote and directed an original short independent film, The Hand of a Lifetime. The film’s narrative centered around a male protagonist’s first child being born and the comedic and heartfelt emotions that accompanied his eventual acceptance of fatherhood.
SOUND DESIGN FOR THE STAGE
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Co-Sound designer, MACBETH, New York University (N.Y.U.), Directed by John Rubenstein. Mainstage Theatre, Spring 1983.
ADJUDICATION AND EVALUATION
2016 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
2015 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (10 students).
2012 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (8 students).
2011 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
SERVICE: UNIVERSITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2019-20
⦁ Invitation from president of UTA Vistasp Karbhari to speak and present at Ashoka University near New Delhi during a conference in which I was attending. Ashoka is a premier university combining engineering and liberal arts.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Global Entrepreneur Week (GEW) committee member
⦁ EpICMavs presenter
⦁ Inspire for Faculty (IFF)
⦁ Live Theatre League member
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor fifteen students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2018-19
⦁ Invitation from Computer Science and Engineering Dept., Nova Coates, to help create short 20-second clips for Univ1311 that introduces students to UTA. CSE asked to include Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre course, THEA3351, as an innovative way to showcase interdisciplinary approaches to incoming Freshman’s learning paths. The video includes NAO robot doing Tai Chi with Dr. Greer voice as narration for multi-disciplinary collaboration among UTA disciplines.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ BA auditions for Dept. of Theatre Arts with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Reference letter for Detra Payne – National Alliance of Teachers – Lloyd Richards Teaching Fellowship
2017-18
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator and committee member. Point person for recruiting Judges for April Spotlight Conference. Support and coordination with CoLA marketing director. I mentored two theatre students for inaugural Spotlight conference. Both students won awards.
⦁ Invited by Dean Elisabeth Cawthon to informal meeting with Dean Anne Bavier of Nursing, Dr. Mickey McCabe, Executive Dir. of UTARI, Dr. Judy LeFlore, Associate Nursing Dean, and Harvard professors Dr. Janice Palaganas and Dr. Daniel Raemer, leaders in the simulation and technology center, for informal discussion of innovative techniques being implemented at UTA.
⦁ Invited to speak at TEDxUTA 2018.
⦁ Reviewed/rated 5 applications for Terry Foundation Scholars. Req. William Gunn.
⦁ Submitted review of Manuscript ID THRI-2018-0016, titled "Communicating a minimal robot’s intelligence, dominance and status through motion paths" for the journal Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction.
⦁ Invited to review National Science Foundation submissions for various grant submissions.
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Coordinated and led Dean’s week presentation with L. Tucker for counselors and advisors.
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Committee Member: REP/FDL faculty awards.
⦁ Faculty mentor nine students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Sponsor and attended Halloween evening performance of Macbeth (Killingsworth, dir.)
⦁ BA auditions with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2016-17
⦁ Chair, College of Liberal Arts Research Representative
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: CoLA, proposal reader for “Cure to Care” grants. iC2C.
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Invited guest luncheon speaker for UTA’s CPE Event, College of Business
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Dallas Summer Musicals conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2016-2017 season.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts Welcome Back table, Fall 2016.
2015-16
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington.
⦁ Chair, Recruitment Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: College of Liberal Arts Teacher’s Awards, Department of Theatre Arts Representative, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: Master’s Exploratory, Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ U.R.T.A. panel at UT-Arlington for three students attending graduate auditions.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Moonifieds conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2014-15
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2013-14
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee
⦁ Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2012-13
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor five students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UTA
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
PUBLIC RELATIONS and MARKETING
for
MAVERICK THEATRE COMPANY
and
MAVERICK DANCE COMPANY
producing entities for
THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2017-18
⦁ Chair, bi-monthly Public Relations meetings.
⦁ Author, Press Releases for 4 Mainstage production including plays and musicals, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence, MavLab production and Maverick Dance Company concerts. Facilitated information to 23+ media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2017-18 Season.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington for each Mainstage production, MavLab, and Maverick Dance company concert.
⦁ URTA – American Theatre Magazine
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ Coordinated and delivered 1500 seasonal brochures to MailPro for mailing.
⦁ Edited and compiled 4th quarter information on Dept. of Theatre Arts for Cathy Stein 817Alliance newsletter.
⦁ Collaborated with CoLA Marketing Director for marketing graphics redo, including written text and organizing photographs with the help of Kris O’Brien.
⦁ Helped coordinate and support Marketing Video “Get to know a Theatre Student.”
⦁ Coordinating press and marketing with Matthew Boyd, City of Arlington, marketing for D. Payne’s, Heal the Divide.
2016-17
⦁ Author, 2016-2017 Press Releases for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, producing entities of The Department of Theatre Arts, College of Liberal Arts. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2016-17 Season.
⦁ Department Representative, Arlington Arts League Gala Event and scholarship fundraiser.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2015-16
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2015-16 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisational comedy, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2014-15
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2014-15 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival Dance Texas
⦁ Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington
⦁ A + C Arts and Culture Texas
⦁ Stage Directions Magazine – Article on Dept. of Theatre Arts 3D Printer. Playbill.edu
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Voce Intimae
⦁ Trinity Valley High School playbill
⦁ All Saints Episcopal High School playbill
⦁ Betty Buckley Awards at Casa Manana Theatre
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2013-14
⦁ Author, Press Release for Mainstage play, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2013-14 Season.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Proud Organization
⦁ Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Dance Texas
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Stage Directions Magazine
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: BOARDS & COMMITTEES
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2016 – 2018 – Membership Chair
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2010 – 2014 – Upper School Tickets
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
TEXAS EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION (TETA) 2014 Approved Member
SCREEN ACTORS GUILD/AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A),
1984 - present
Current Approved Member
ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION (A.E.A), Current Member
1999 - present
Current Approved Member PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
ARLINGTON ARTS LEAGUE, Arlington, Texas
2014 -2016
Member of Arlington Arts League
PRESIDENT OF KINDERPLATZ OF FINE ARTS PARENT’S GROUP, Fort Worth, Texas
2003
President of a parent’s group in a private, pre-school dedicated to fine arts learning and growth in 2 – 5 year-old children.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & INSTITUTES
2003-Present Annual Giving Captains, Trinity Valley School, a private college-preparatory K-12 school in Fort Worth, Texas.
1987-90 Accepted Member of tiny mythic theatre company, NYU graduates’ affiliation, New York City, New York now known as HERE Performance Space, New York City, New York.JULIENNE A. GREER
CURRICULUM VITAE
August 2022 version
Birthplace: Farmington, Michigan, U.S.A.
Home Address: 7969 Morning Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76123
Home Phone: Metro (817) 454-1225
Office Address: University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts, Fine Arts Building, Room 268B, 502 S. Cooper Street,
Box 19103, Arlington, Texas 76019-0103
Office Phone: Metro (817) 272-0729 or Metro (817) 272-2650
Office Facsimile: Metro (817) 272-2697
E-mail: <jgreer@uta.edu>
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: Associate Chair of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
Associate Professor of Theatre Arts: Social Robotics and Performance,
Director, Emotional Robotics Living Laboratory,
BA Area Head of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
College of Liberal Arts,
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
SPECIALIZATIONS: Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Social Robotics, Performance, Applied Drama
CURRENT RESEARCH: Applying theatre and performance theory to artificial intelligence and social robotics creating trust and authentically emotional interactions between humans and robots.
Dr. Julienne A. Greer is an inter-disciplinary scholar + artist working at the emerging intersection of social robotics and theatre. Her primary focus is Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) to “humanize” a social robot’s performance to the nuances and subtleties of human behavior. Social awareness and empathetic response in robotics platforms are key to their successful use by humans. Principal research interests include character and personality development for artificial intelligence, social robotics, performance theory, applied drama, empathy application, embodied emotion, and acting theory techniques targeted toward an application between human beings and technology. She is a collaborator with many diverse disciplines including engineering, social work, computer science, education, disabilities studies, psychology, and healthcare, solving problems through innovation for education and research.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
DEGREES HELD
2013 Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities (Ph.D.) - Aesthetic Studies,
School of Arts and Humanities,
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas.
5 Years, Interdisciplinary Foci: Humanities, Performance, and Game Studies.
Dissertation: Affective Connections: Performance Studies, Videogames, and Digital Characters.
Dr. Monica Evans, Supervising Professor
Abstract: A multi-disciplinary analysis of existing performance techniques from theatre and cinema studies re-contextualized to apply to the emerging emotional bond in videogames between the game player and a digital character. It is my perspective that the affective bond between the game player and the digital character in a game is as vital and essential to the experience of playing the game as the affective relationship between the performer and the audience in a play or film.
2005 Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) in Media Arts
Bob Schieffer College of Communication,
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
Thesis: Feminism and Sexuality in Charlie’s Angels: Building a New Paradigm for Enjoying Action Heroines.
Dr. Joel Timmer, Supervising Professor
Abstract: An analysis of the first season of the 1970s Charlie’s Angels television series in order to reveal elements of feminism leading to an inclusion of glamour and sexuality in the criteria for feminist texts to recoup and own images that have previously been viewed as misogynistic.
1986 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A.) in Drama,
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, New York, New York.
Areas of Concentration: Acting, Performance
1981 High School Diploma, Boylan Central Catholic School, Rockford, IL.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/UNION
1984-Present American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (A.F.T.R.A.)
The national union of professional television and radio actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG- AFTRA.
1987-Present Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.)
The national union of professional television and film actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG-AFTRA.
1999-Present Actor's Equity Association (A.E.A.)
The national union of professional actors and stage managers, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation.
2011-Present Interdisciplinary.net
A forum for the exchange and interaction of inter-disciplinary ideas, research and points of view that bear on a wide range of issues of concern and interest in the contemporary world.
GRANTS AWARDED
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2019) grant for Using Arts and Social Sciences to enhance social companion robots’ adaptive abilities to improve health outcomes. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, Computer Science and Engineering-College of Engineering, College of Science-Psychology and College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Study content: The objective of this proposal is a pilot study that examines the impact of a social robot, adaptive control methodologies, and applied theatre techniques, and exercise to impact prospective memory and physical goals in older adults (N = 20). This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform using innovative machine learning techniques that promote and allow the robot to adapt its interaction with the human dynamically to improve exercise goals among older adults. To achieve this, the proposed research is integrating arts-driven methodology, including trust and connection, and novel robot control and learning approaches for interactions between humans and robots to impact prospective memory.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2017 - present
NID - NIDILRR - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (WIT RERC). (UTA Site). Modeling socially assistive robotic caretakers for individuals with developmental disabilities having older adult caregivers. RERC on Wireless Inclusive Technologies. National Institute on Disability and Independent Living Research (NIDILRR), (9/30/21). Total Grant $4,525,000 (UTA, $108,000) the Primary Investigator is Dr. John Bricout of UTA’s School of Social Work. Dr. Ling Xu site PI.
Study content: Study aims to explore and create a collaborative relationship between a care recipient, an older adult caretaker, and a socially assistive robot (SAR) in order to develop engaging interaction for caregiver respite. Study will incorporate future work with Department of Theatre Arts NAO and Pepper robot units in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab, UT-Arlington. J. Greer, director.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2018 - 2021
Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities (NSF grant CNS-1757641)
REU - Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities. Summer program research internships for qualified undergraduates to participate in research in the field of assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Theatre arts methodology is applied as a platform for engagement, connection, and trust in human-robot interaction, one of several multi-disciplinary projects the participants will engage in during 10-week internship. Budget $318,778.
Study content: In this project, the CSE Department, in partnership with several other departments at UTA, will offer a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focusing on assistive technologies (AT) for people with disabilities (PWD). The proposed theme encompasses innovative and novel topics that can help PWD meet barriers of different kinds - attitudinal, architectural, and technological - in accessing employment, navigating public spaces, freely communicating, and living independently. During this summer, each student will be working in a multi-disciplinary setting and exposed to innovative and novel inter-disciplinary projects through research and prototyping. The REU participants will work on computer programming, algorithms, sensors, data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, sensors, sign language, facial recognition, emotion and behavior analysis, smart care, augmented reality, data analytics, robots, human-machine interaction.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2016
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded the second annual UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grant for Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. One of only four grants awarded to the UTA research community. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work.
Study content: The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. This study examines theater performance methodologies through a social robotic platform. This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults by incorporating arts-driven methodology. This grant will continue through 2016 and 2017.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing - 2018
Phase II – Shakespeare and Robots.
The proposal seeks to expand the Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults with participants that are diagnosed with mild cognitive decline. As PI on the original study, I am collaborating with the School of Social Work Presidential Fellows recipient, Dr. Noelle Fields, to test the outcomes of the study on a new participant sample at Brookdale Assisted Living in Arlington.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2015
Digital Arts and Humanities Initiatives (DAHI) A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI.
Primary investigator for an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts and UTA Research Institute (UTARI) from the University of Texas at Arlington. The team will conduct a pilot study in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) at three separate locations; Office of Student Disabilities, Lakewood Retirement Community, Theatre Arts main office. Awarded from the College of Liberal Arts, Jan. 15th, 2016.
Study content: This is a study to inform how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI. The scope of the project will be the development of a pilot study and data collection of human-robot responses from three separate locations and with dissimilar subjects. Measurement will be through an adaptation of the NARS (Negative Attitudes toward Robots Scale), visual qualitative observation, log entries of human-robot interactions during the study, and ambient sound recordings for the detection of laughter and vocal responses from participants. The innovative approach of this research comes from the interdisciplinary work of UTA Theatre Arts and UTARI, bringing together divergent disciplines of theater arts and robotics. This study builds on previous published work on social robots, voice, movement theatre techniques, and healthcare settings to further the body of HRI literature. The robot will be controlled through a “Wizard-of-Oz” methodology scenario performed by undergraduate research assistants under the supervision of faculty. The project will conduct an innovative investigation of the best social robot and HRI practices available at UT-Arlington (UTARI robotic platform laboratory) as well as best practices for improvisation/humor techniques, applied drama, and performance studies. Preliminary data will be collected to allow for future studies and breakthroughs in Human-Robot Interaction. This proposal is well-suited to add to a discussion of UT-Arlington’s strategic initiatives; Health and the Human Condition and Data-Driven Discovery.
ONGOING GRANT DEVELOPMENT
Purchased social robot, Little Sophia, (pending) from Hanson Robotics, Inc. for the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Robot will be used in grant development of design implications of social robots and children with significant Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) themes.
GRANT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED and/or in DEVELOPMENT
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Research Enhance Program
Proposal submitted with Prof. Fillia Makedon. “InBlue: A smart system of sensors, theatre, and robots to help college depression”.
Depression is a leading cause of suicide and the second most common cause of death among college students. It is pervasive in colleges today and frequently goes undetected and untreated. The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that 39% of college students “felt so depressed that it was difficult to function” at least once during 2016-2017. College depression can lead to poor academic and work performance, substance abuse, social dysfunction, legal difficulties, gun violations, ill health, suicide attempts or completed suicide. Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include symptoms shown in Table 1. Identifying early warning signs of depression is crucial in preventing negative consequences and helping educators and mental health experts make targeted counselling and intervention decisions. To address college depression, it is of great interest to academia and the healthcare industry, to see how sensor technologies (e.g. mobile smartphones, wearable sensors, social robots) could be used to improve the wellbeing and mental health of users. Smartphones and wearables are excellent devices that can passively collect real time behavioural data, and be used to complement traditional depression diagnosis and monitoring, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
Keck Foundation – Undergraduate Categorization
One-page conceptual theme submitted to Randall Gentry, Dr. Duane Dimos, and Dr. Ann Cavallo. The proposal for Keck Foundation is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Building on the success of two pilot studies, a proposal is submitted by UTA to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene. The study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on an innovative five-point theatre model to decrease depression, loneliness, and increase engagement among older adults.
UTA Lead - 2018
NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
A collaboration external funding with TechComb, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and Univ. of Texas at Arlington. Greer is UTA Lead on the proposal. Title: Boosting STEM Patronage of Libraries and Museums through Interactive Social Robots.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Exploratory/Developmental Research (R21)
The proposal for NIH is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Focusing on the health benefits to the older adults and the success of two pilot studies, a proposal will be drafted to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene and the study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on the theatre methodology process of composing a live performance.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2017
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
Primary collaborator on the resubmission of an 18+ page proposal that comes under the AISL project type: (4) Innovations in Development. This project will incorporate robotics technology and advanced human robot interaction tools to help the audience build interest in STEM concepts, engage in hands-on activities to explore STEM potentials, and take part in a network of learners sharing their experience, ideas, and achievements in STEM. These three primary STEM objectives i.e. excitement, engagement, and expression, otherwise termed as E3, will be realized through a unique merger of theatre arts and robotics science methodologies into a metasystem of diverse autonomous robotic hardware and a novel platform agnostic human-robot interaction software. It is important to note this is a re-submission to NSF due in part to the positive response from NSF project managers regarding the core component of Theatre Arts Methodologies.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2016
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Smart and Autonomous Systems (S&AS)
This foundational proposal was a collaboration of UT-Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and UTARI (UTA research institute). The study will develop a new type of robot learning framework for next generation intelligent physical system. The proposed framework will implement a novel neuro-adaptive control technique for advanced human robot interaction, which will enable future robotic systems to derive seamless experiential learning from unaltered human behavior. Potential use case scenarios include a humanoid robot interacting with a diverse group of students and engaging them with innovative theatre methodology performance techniques in informative communication. Human aspects, such as trust, emotion-bias towards performance, and organic selection, are built into the analytical model for the proposed humanistic robot learning framework, which enables life-long evolution of the robot. The proposed project is driven by the motivation to make robots a part of the human society and not a parallel alien race, and, therefore, to evolve them through human ingenuity, emotions, and fallibility.
Principal Investigator (PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
An interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Theatre Arts and the Electrical Engineering Department at University of Texas at Arlington. Proposal was written and developed for UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with co-principal investigator, Dr. Dan Popa. Proposal received positive response and was within the top 10 proposals for the year. Proposal titled Live Theatre – Robot Live: a collaboration of robotics and performance.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will develop software to allow a robot to perform on-stage in a seminal role during the Mainstage season. This proposal will utilize faculty and student roles working in an inter-disciplinary environment.
Co-Principal investigator (Co-PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
Interdisciplinary collaboration between Department of Theatre Arts, UTARI, and the Director of the Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington. Wrote and developed a grant proposal for UTA’s Inter-Disciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with Kris Doelling, research scientist II, Manoj Mittal, research scientist II and Co-PI, Dr. Sarah F. Rose. Proposal titled Cyber Human Relationships: Engineering a relational model using theatre arts methodology structured to improve health and the human condition.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will engineer a cyber-human relational model using theatre arts methodology in order to address significant gaps in the current state of healthcare. We believe theatre arts, social robotics and relational methodologies are emerging as innovative components of healthcare for persons with disabilities.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) Panelist Reviewer
Invited to be a review panelist for proposals for the National Robotics Initiative 2.0 – a highly competitive funding opportunity for NSF totaling $35,000,000 billion in funds.
PUBLICATIONS, JOURNAL ARTICLES, and PAPERS
PAPERS
Paper, Second Author. Assistive Technology. 2021. The “humane in the loop”: inclusive research design and policy approaches to foster capacity building assistive technologies in the Covid-19 era.
Paper, Lead Author. Wireless Inclusive RERC 2021 One Forum, Atlanta, GA, 2021 – Conference theme: Include. Innovate. Transform. Theatre and robots: envisioning interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the stage. Conference proceedings.
Journal, Co-Author. Aging and Mental Health. 2019. Shall I compare thee…to a robot?: An exploratory pilot study using participatory arts and social robotics to improve psychological well-being in later life. Impact Factor: 2.956.
Paper, Lead Author. The 28th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication - RO-MAN 2019, New Delhi, India – Conference theme: Responsible robotics and AI for the real world. Shakespeare and Robots: Participatory performance art for older adults. Published in conference proceedings.
Paper, Lead Author. 1st Annual IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication conference. Laguna Hills, CA. Promoting Theatre Methodology for expressive robot movement and behavior.
Abstract, Co-Author. Innovation In Aging, 2019, Vol. 3, No. S1. NAO takes a bow: Using social robots to enhance the mood of older adults living in residential care settings.
Paper, Co-Author. 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics – IMSCI 2018. Robot Theatre to Boost Excitement, Engagement, and Expression (E3) of STEM., Orlando, FL. July 8 – 11, 2018. Conference proceedings.
Paper, Author. RO-MAN 2017, Lisbon, Portugal - Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life – Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Peer-reviewed full paper. Conference proceedings.
Paper and Journal, Author. International Conference on Social Robotics (icsr 2014). Building Emotional Authenticity Between Humans and Robots. Author. University of Technology Sydney epress. Sydney, Australia. 2014. Conference proceedings.
BOOK CHAPTER
Author, contributing to chapter in Exploring Videogames: Culture, Design, and Identity, edited by Nick Webber and Daniel Riha. Invited to expand accepted paper for the 2011 International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom. Published by Inter-Disciplinary Press. Introduction by Nick Webber follows, ‘Videogame Cultures: includes work from Julienne Greer, from Ben Abraham, from me, and from Daniel Riha. Greer’s chapter on digital companions encourages us to think about videogames as cultural objects with which players interact; here, games provide companions in which players become emotionally invested, even though these companions may in fact prove to be opponents. Many of these companions are carefully designed, playing on cultural referents to encourage certain kinds of responses from players – an instinct to nurture, say, or to love. Indeed, as Greer reports, scholars have been surprised by the strength of the bonds that are created by these companions, which produce meaningful relationships for the player in a similar way to those formed between humans and robots. For Greer, such relationships also have the quality of authenticity, in the pleasure of the emotional connection and the communication of one’s thoughts, rejecting Turkle’s perspective that authenticity here is found in the comprehension and acceptance of the relationship by both parties.
Pending Book Chapter Fall 2022: All the worlds a stage: Health/Art techniques between humans and robots
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE, PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, and/or
PAPERS
NEW DELHI, INDIA 2019
Invited presenter to Ashoka University. Ashoka University is a research-based private university located outside of Delhi in the Sonipat, Haryana, India. It is an emerging university with a close collaboration of Liberal Arts and STEM collaborations. Presentation included meetings with faculty, Dean of International Student Affairs, and 45+ student attended 1 ½ hour in duration focusing on the current state-of-the-art of social robotics and theatre methodology. Invitation was initiated by President Vistasp Karbhari, University of Texas at Arlington.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA 2018
Facilitator of student-led skype interview in Spanish. Colombia science-based educational website. Topic – Emotional Robotics Living Lab and theatre and robots.
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Guest and Paper presentation: RO-MAN 2017- Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life - The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Paper title, Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. Peer-reviewed full paper with conference proceedings publication.
KOREA – U.S.
Guest and Paper presentation: United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (UKC 2016) - United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is jointly organized by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) and The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) held on August 10 – August 13, 2016, Dallas, TX. The theme of UKC 2016 is “Enriching Lives through Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship” and its goal is to promote solving issues of the world through science, technology, and entrepreneurship to greatly improve the quality of people’s lives. The UKC 2016 is the flagship and largest academic conference between the United States and Korea.
LONDON, U.K.
Guest Speaker and presentation: The Robotics Innovation Show. 2015 Invited speaker and presenter at “The Robotics Innovation Show 2015” at ExCel in London, United Kingdom. October 20-21, 2015. Presentation content: “Empathy and Embodiment: Understanding humans in order to understand social robots.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Conference on Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) Invited Social Robotics Conference article/paper, "Building emotional authenticity between humans and robots." Paper was accepted at the International Conference of Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) - Social Intelligence in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 27 – 29. Selected to present an interactive workshop.
OXFORD, U.K.
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference. Invited Game Studies Conference article/paper, "Digital companions: analyzing the emotive connection between players and non-player companions in video game space." Paper was accepted at the International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom, 2011. Conference sponsored by Inter-Disciplinary.net: A Global Network for Dynamic Research and Publishing. Member of Inter-Disciplinary.net.
NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, WORKSHOP and/or
PAPER
2022 3rd IEEE TransdisciplinaryAI2022. Laguna Hills, CA.. Co-program chair of TransAI. .
2021 2st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and
2019 Urban Serving Universities (USU) Social Determinants of Health workshop. Cincinnati, OH. Invited to participate in a cohort of University of Texas at Arlington faculty and executive administration including Theatre Arts, Associate Vice-President of Research, Civil Engineering, School of Social Work, and College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Workshop content covered assimilation of the creative process for innovative ideas to help address public health problems – specifically for UTA, social isolation.
2019 1st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and behavior. Co-located with Transdisciplinary conference 2020. Currently invited to be co-program chair of AI and Humanities for Transdisciplinary 2020 and Humanized Computing and Communication 2020.
2018 The Gerontological Society of America's 70th Annual Scientific Meeting. Boston, MA, Nov. 14 – 18. Poster Acceptance, Abstract required for acceptance.
Abstract title: “Shall I compare thee to a …robot? The use of creative arts and social robotics with older adults.”
Abstract:
Research suggests that creative engagement in later life has a positive effect on mood in older adults. Research has also utilized social robots to address the psychosocial needs of older adults. However, few studies have linked participatory arts (e. g. theatre) as the creative engagement activity using a social robotic platform with older adults. An interdisciplinary team designed and implemented an intervention integrating theater and social robotics with the aim of improving the mood of study participants. A purposive sample of older adults age 65 and older (N = 8) participated in this pilot study. Participants completed 3 sessions of the Shakespearean theatre and social robotics intervention using the robot, Nao. Mixed methods included interview questions as well as short survey measures of depression, loneliness, and a simplified face scale for mood pre and post intervention. Results from the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests suggested that the overall level of depression of the participants was reduced significantly after session 1 (z = -2. 33, p < . 05), after session 2 (z = -2. 04, p < . 05), and after session 3 (z = -2. 00, p < . 05). Scores on the loneliness and the simplified face scale also decreased after the three sessions, however, the changes were not statistically significant. Qualitative findings suggest that participants were highly engaged, comfortable, and receptive to the intervention. We discuss the promising aspects and limitations of this innovative study, the utility of social robotics for providing artistic engagement for older adults, and implications for interdisciplinary practice.
2018 IMSCI, The 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics: Orlando, FL. Co-Author. Paper Invitation and Acceptance: This paper presents a novel framework for advancing informal STEM learning in kids between the ages of 10 and 15, using robotics as a platform, enabler, as well as channel for STEM. Being a cross-disciplinary technology, Robotics not only connects theory and applications of science, mathematics, and engineering fundamentals, but also delivers instant gratification from the efforts put in, through active hands-on human-robot interaction. Supported by multiple real-world feasibility studies, the presented framework hypothesizes that if made easy to build, teach, interact, and play with robots, it can be a potent facilitator of STEM, especially in young children – an age group which is naturally curious and enthusiastic about new findings. July 8 – 11 2018.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Kitty Bomb.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Paper presentation and Coordinator of Dramaturgy group. A recontextualization of Erving Goffman’s work.
2017 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Censor. Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting award
REGIONAL SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, PANELIST and/or
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Presentation for TCU ethics module for training “empathetic scholars”. June 2020.
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Demonstration of NAO the robot to the inaugural class of TCU’s medical school training “empathetic scholars” as the next generation of medical healers. October 2019.
Presentation: Girl Scout of Dallas Inaugural Grand Opening STEM Center. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and therapeutic robotic cat for opening day of 75-acre Girl Scout STEM Center. Community outreach to young women and girls on the interdisciplinary nature of emotional robotics at UTA. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Research Center Symposium Guest Luncheon. Invited by FWMSH as guest to lunch and research symposium with faculty from Baylor, UNT, and Stephen F. Austin universities. NAO demonstration. Key outreach for Museums for presentation in Informal Learning sites. May 2018.
Keynote Speaker: Arlington Kiwanis Club. Keynote speaker for lunch. How theatre methodologies can impact social robotics. Community outreach to older adults who are key subjects in robotics research. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Business Press - Entrepreneur Breakfast. Demonstration of NAO social robot in collaboration with UTARI. Community outreach with key Fort Worth business executives. Executive Director UTARI in attendance – Mickey McCabe. April 2018.
Presentation: Texas Dallas Library National Conference. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and robotic therapeutic cat. Invited by Dean of UTA library, Dr. Rebecca Bichel. A half-day demonstration to 500+ attendees. Mentored three UTA students in demonstration and presentation of key UTA research and social robot values. April 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival. Presentation of social robot, JIBO, for a half-day demonstration at the University of Texas at Arlington Communications tent. Community outreach on behalf of the STEM interdisciplinary values at UTA. April 2018.
Guest Speaker and Presentation: Arlington Public Library (New York Avenue location). Presentation to APL group, Girls Who Code, with social robot, NAO. March 2018.
Presentation at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. NAO presentation with UTARI team. October 2017. Community outreach for higher visibility of UTA in the DFW area and interdisciplinary concepts of Theatre and Social Robotics for children. Presentation with AISL sponsor, FWMSH, continues to create bridges in the community between UTA and DFW informal education sites.
Guest Speaker and MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS: Arlington Public Library. In preparation for the AISL 2.4 million submission to NSF, community outreach and sponsored partners were cultivated with various DFW organizations. Arlington Public Library was featured strongly in the bridge building. Multiple presentation at various libraries for the dates; Sept. 11, 14, 19, and Oct. 9, among others.
Guest Speaker & Panelist: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Rising Tide Initiative Launch and Panel Discussion. An inaugural evening with the theme of Emerging Technologies: Meeting our Future. The Rising Tide Initiative has a mission to enhance entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology in Fort Worth and Tarrant County through a vibrant and collaborative technological ecosystem. April 2017. http://www.fortworthbusiness.com/news/fwmsh-hosting-rising-tide-initiative-event-friday/article_d12988e2-2a90-11e7-b0c5-f3f5c3095f6f.html
Guest Speaker/Panelist: Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous (LASERs). Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous event at University of North Texas this fall, also known as LASERs. LASERs are an exciting event series at the intersection of arts and sciences that bring together leading experts to talk about their work and experiences at the forefront of discovery and creativity. Each evening event includes presenters from the sciences, technology, industry, and the arts who offer expertise from an angle that connect to the mixed-discipline community from the arts, sciences, industry, and technology in attendance. Dr. Greer was one of three invited guest speakers and panelists. October 2016. Video content at http://arteca.mit.edu/video/julienne-greer-laser
Collaborator: Invited by David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics to presentation, “SXSW Interactive” in Austin, Texas. Invitation given to increase possible collaboration between Hanson Robotics and Dr. Greer’s emotional work in social robotics. Discussion with Hanson and attendance at a private viewing of research with Hanson robot, Philip K. Dick, Android. March 2016.
University of Texas at Arlington SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, and/or PANELIST
Keynote Speaker: iStart Valley. Innovative ideas. Transferring ideas into StartUps. A MAVS100 company. August, 2021.
Science Café Presenter: UTA Libraries zoom outreach to science and technology interests students and general public. A 45-min. live zoom presentation with real-time questions regarding Social Robotics and Theatre integration. April, 2020
Keynote Speaker: UTA CPE Department of Accounting Scholarship Banquet Gala. Keynote speaker for evenSciencing gala. Empathy and Embodiment: How theatre methodology informs social robotics. May 2018.
Guest Speaker: TEDxUTA. Live streaming presentation. Titled Will a robot be your next best friend? to a live audience at TEDxUTA at conference venue. April 2018.
Emotional Robotics Living Lab: Director. Formal Opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at Preston Hall, Room 304 to 30+ invitees including Office of Research, Office of Communications, College of Liberal Arts Dean’s office and Dept. of Theatre Arts. Hands-on activities and presentations including NAO, Pepper, Jibo, and Joy-for-all robotic cat. March 2018.
Guest Speaker: Healthline Meeting. Human-Robot Interaction: Social Robots and Healthcare. Invited by Health Libraries Information Network. January 2018.
Presentation: School of Social Work Meet and Greet for Research. 3 Slides, 3 minutes. An interdisciplinary meeting organized to present interdisciplinary work for collaboration with the SSW. January 2018.
Invited Guest Speaker and Presentation. One of 5 faculty members invited to present, the only member from the College of Liberal Arts, by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon, Dean of CoLA. Presentation was attended by University of Texas at Arlington President Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, Vice President of Research, Dr. Dimos, and honored guests, 7 executive VIPs from UT Systems health. NAO presentation of health-related work with IRP funded grant, Shakespeare and Robots. November 2017.
Guest Speaker: Digital Arts and Humanities Initiative (DAHI) Speaker Series. The DAHI team will present the findings of the study A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI in the University of Texas at Arlington Library 6th floor Parlor. April 2017.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. Second year of presenting the robot, Nao, to 500+ middle and high school students. Presentation included multiple groups rotating in for a demonstration ranging from 12 minutes to 30 minutes. Demonstration included verbal commands, human-to-robot interaction, various animations including, Puppet, Air Guitar, Rowing the Boat, and concluded with Shakespearean Sonnet 18. April 2017.
Speaker and Silver Sponsor: University of Texas at Arlington INNOVATION DAY A high school and college student competition featuring student and faculty startup pitches. Department of Theatre Arts participated as a silver sponsor alongside UTARI. Presentations were made by Dr. Greer with NAO the robot on theatre methodologies in social robotics. Conference is an annual event held on February 2017.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington, Honors College Colloquium Series – Will a Robot be your Next Friend? How theatre methodologies are utilized to enhance the relationship in human-robot interaction (HRI). The pros and cons of social robots entering the U.S. market in 2017. And, an introduction to the Department of Theatre’s research robot, Nao. This presentation was part of a monthly colloquium hosted by the Honors College in which a member of the UTA faculty discusses his or her research. Greer presentation given to honors students (30+) on research with the robot, Nao, which stands at the intersections of Theatre, Computer Science, Psychology, and Healthcare. Kevin Gustafson, Interim Dean of the Honors College, “Yours was easily among the most engaging of the more than twenty colloquia we have sponsored over the past four years.” December 2016.
Invited Panelist: Research Integrity Symposium. Research Integrity Symposium sponsored by the Steering Committee that manages the Responsible Conduct of Research Training Program (RCR) at University of Texas at Arlington. This year’s theme will be Collaborative Research. The issued to be discussed will be: research integrity, responsible conduct, management of collaborations, formal agreements as well as informal arrangements addressing matters such as authorship, roles and responsibilities, research compliance, and mentoring of trainees. October 2016.
Guest Speaker: Invited to present on the intersection of social robotics and theatre at the College of Business, Accounting Departments’ CPE Day at University of Texas at Arlington on August 2016.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. I began work with UTARI collaborating and developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. Invited ten Theatre Arts undergraduate students to UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot. April 2016.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington. Focus on Faculty. Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 2016. https://library.uta.edu/events/focus-faculty-julienne-greer
Panelist: Invited Research Discussant & Panel member. Fixed: The Science Fiction of Human Enhancement. Interdisciplinary panel. Invited by the Director of Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington to participate on a panel with UTA faculty John Bricout, associate dean of the School of Social Work, and Janet Morrow, disabilities studies adjunct professor. Moderated discussion and talk back after a viewing of the film, March 2015.
PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY AWARDS AND HONORS
2019 - University of Texas at Arlington, 2019 COLA Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure Track Faculty, “selected because of your outstanding record of teaching as well as your interdisciplinary approach to teaching theatre arts through social robotics and performance
2016 - University of Texas at Arlington, Focus on Faculty Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 20th, 2016.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Endowment Award given by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon and the Dean's Office of the College of Liberal Arts - Endowment Award for Research and Creative Activity - toward the purchase of Pepper, the emotional robot, from SoftBank Robotics for use in a multi-disciplinary Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) course created by Dr. Julienne Greer titled Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited speaker to AGS staff luncheon on behalf of Department of Theatre Arts, publicity and university outreach for Theatre Arts 2015-2016 season.
2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited participant in inaugural grant writing group. Five faculty participants were chosen to interact with senior grant writers, Office of Development and Office of the Provost, Division of Faculty Affairs.
2014 - Star-Telegram Best Actress in a Performance - 2014 as Juliana Singleton in Dallas-Fort Worth premier of The Other Place by Sharr White, Circle Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas.
2011 - University of Texas at Dallas Travel/Professional Development Award. Travel expenses to Oxford, University in England, United Kingdom. Mansfield College. Videogame Cultures is a premier game studies conference in Europe.
2001 Best Actress in a Play, Stage West, Honor from Board of Directors. Blanche Dubois, in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
AWARDS/HONORS
Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure-Track Faculty, 2019. University of Texas at Arlington, College of Liberal Arts, Dept. of Theatre Arts.
Outstanding Mainstage Production, 2014-15 Season, MAVPLAYS, Dept. of Theatre Arts’ Student/Faculty Awards. April, 2015. Producer: MAVPLAYS; Director: Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets.
Most Inspiring Professor, Nominee 2004, Department of Theatre, Texas Christian University.
Panhellenic Council Awards.
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
INTERNATIONAL
ITALY – April 2018
Disablog.it. Provide assistive technology to disabled people through the study of disability itself. “Le tecnologie assistive, comprese quelle basate sull’intelligenza artificiale, possono svolgere un ruolo importante nel plasmare il modo in cui le persone con disabilità sono in grado di muoversi nelle attività quotidiane. Tuttavia, ciò che può sembrare una buona idea per un ingegnere potrebbe non essere una realtà di fatto quando una persona con disabilità cerca di utilizzare la tecnologia.”
http://www.disablog.it/fornire-tecnologia-assistiva-alle-persone-disabili-tramite-lo-studio-della-disabilita-stessa/
KOREA - November 2017
Irobotnews.com. 텍사스알링턴대, 로봇-인간 정서 교감 연구 Human Emotional Empathy Research.
“Our idea is not to replace people, but to meet the gap," said UTA director of theater arts and professor Julienne Greer. "Above all, through performing arts we wish to interact with robots and people of various ages to create a solidarity of trust and emotion."
http://www.irobotnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12256
FRANCE – November 2017
InfoHighTech.com. LE NOUVEAU LABORATOIRE DE ROBOTIQUE ÉMOTIONNELLE ÉTUDIE L’INTERACTION HOMME-ROBOT. [The New Laboratory of Emotional Robotics Study in the interaction of human-robot]
“Julienne Greer et ses collègues Ling Xu et Noelle Fields, deux professeurs adjoints à la School of Social Work de l’UTA, et Kris Doelling, ingénieur de recherche à l’UTA Research Institute (UTARI), ont récemment mené une étude auprès d’adultes âgés dans un établissement indépendant au Texas. Le robot et les adultes ont interagi en utilisant des sonnets bien connus de Shakespeare. Cette étude, financée par une subvention de 20 000 dollars du Programme de recherche interdisciplinaire de l’UTA, a révélé qu’après trois semaines d’interactions, il y avait une baisse significative de la dépression et une augmentation de l’engagement social humain-robot chez ces personnes âgées.”
https://www.infohightech.com/le-nouveau-laboratoire-de-robotique-emotionnelle-etudie-linteraction-homme-robot/
BELGIUM – April 2017
Human 2.0 – Exploring Cyborgs. Lectures – Expo – Film.
In partial requirements for his master’s degree at The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, abbreviated KU Leuven, alum Andrew Beckman, organized with his peers, an evening of cyborg culture. Dr. Greer participated via video with NAO the robot. “What is a cyborg? What isn’t a cyborg a human 2.0? Where do we draw the line that separates humans from cyborgs?
https://www.facebook.com/events/439715329714287/
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
NATIONAL
National media and news outlets which ran UTA press release(s) story of the opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab and the analysis of Shakespeare and Robots research study:
UTA Communication analytics reported $100,000 advertising buys for TV spots featuring Dr. Greer’s work and Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
April 2018 – EurekaAlert! Science News. UTA grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/uota-ugt041318.php
April 2018 – PHYS.ORG. Grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be Integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://phys.org/wire-news/285330818/grant-to-help-minority-students-link-assistive-technology-with-d.html
April 2018 – DisabledWorld.com. UTA Grant to Help Minority Students Link Assistive Technology with Disabilities Studies. “Assistive technology program will teach undergraduate students, especially minority and female students and those with disabilities, how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities.
https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/finance/uta-grant.php
January 2018 – Xconomy. UTA Using Robots, Shakespeare to Study Ways to Address Loneliness. Angela Shah.
“A study at the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington is exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression…UTA’s living lab, which is made up of spaces set up to look like a person’s home – is part of a multidisciplinary effort that includes professors in theatre arts, social work, and engineering.”
https://www.xconomy.com/texas/2018/01/19/uta-using-robots-shakespeare-to-study-ways-to-address-loneliness/
January 2018 – KRWG New Mexico State: Justin Martin talks with Julienne Greer, director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington, about the emotional side of robots.
Audio:
http://krwg.org/post/local-newscast-1-53
November 2017 – EurekAlert! The Global Sources for Science News. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support. “The ideas here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,” said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uota-uer111317.php
November 2017 – Robotics Tomorrow. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. The new lab will feature two robots from SoftBank Robotics, NAO and Pepper. Pepper is a 4-foot humanoid robot with large, expressive eyes and lifelike gestures that can connect with people on an emotional level. NAO is a smaller humanoid robot, designed to be an interactive companion.”
https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/article/2017/11/uta%EF%BF%BD%EF%BF%BDs-emotional-robotics-living-lab-will-research-how-robots-can-be-integrated-into-homes-as-companions-and-caregivers/11072
November 2017 - PHYS.ORG. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? ‘We want to look at what it means to have a robot in the room, and plan to use theatre methodology to make that experience as engaging as possible," Greer added. ‘Both robots are also actively used in the curriculum of the course I teach, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre every semester, which involves hands-on student/robot interactions.’”
https://phys.org/wire-news/272048432/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-compani.html
November 2017 – TIEECO.org Silicon Valley. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “The new lab is studying whether or not a robot can fill in the emotional gap needed to be a companion or caretaker to humans.”
https://www.tieeco.org/ecosystem/news/n/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds
November 2017 – Robotics Trends. New Emotional Robotics Lab to Study Human-Robot Interaction. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots.” http://conflict.md/2017/11/15/new-emotional-robotics-lab-to-study-human-robot-interaction/
November 2017 – ASEE First Bell. University of Texas Using Literature to Forge Emotional Bonds Between Humans, Robots. The Dallas Morning News (11/20, Brumfield) reports the University of Texas at Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab “is using the work of none other than William Shakespeare” to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safety with humans and to “learn how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional as well as physical support.” The piece quotes UTA theater arts professor Julienne Greer saying, “The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap. We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.” http://mailview.bulletinmedia.com/mailview.aspx?m=2017112101asee&r=6106399-da88&render=y
November 2017 – News Cision. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “The lab is designed with home spaces for older adults featuring mid-century furniture as well as a more modern play space for projects using children or younger adults.”
http://news.cision.com/university-of-texas-at-arlington/r/uta-s-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companions-caregivers,c2390637
November 2017 – PublicNow.com. Robots and Theatre. NAO and Pepper in the new lab. How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers?
http://www.publicnow.com/view/3E87CF16C169F1B824FAEBA8EC850949936A99B5?2017-11-13-20:30:17+00:00-xxx5895
November 2017 – DailyTopicI. Texas-based Emotional Robotics Living Lab Creates Caregiver Robots - Robotics. “Public research school University of Texas at Arlington opened its Emotional Robotics Living Lab to determine how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional support or to serve as caregivers.”
http://dailytopici.com/news/view/8270
November 2017 – CQRCENGAGE.com. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? “The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA's Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://cqrcengage.com/auvsi/app/document/25102365?1
November 2017 – McKnight’s Senior Living. Universities study robots to help senior living residents. Lois A. Bowers. “Independent living and assisted living communities are serving as testing grounds as University of Texas at Arlington researchers try to develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers. Researchers hope the efforts meet resident needs and help operators address labor challenges.”
https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/universities-study-robots-to-help-senior-living-residents/article/707478/
November 2017 – AZOrobotics.com. New Emotional Robotic Living Lab will Investigate the Integration of Robots into Homes. “We are now looking to make the experience more immersive so that the robot and the adults play out an entire scene of Shakespeare together…we hypothesize that the more immersive the theatre intervention, the deeper and more positive the responses in older adults will be in regards to depression and social engagement’”
https://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=9587
November 2017 – ScienMag Science Magazine. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to Focus on Robots as Companions/Caregivers. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://scienmag.com/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companionscaregivers/
November 2017 – Bob Heyer-Gray. Librarian at University of California – Davis. University of Texas using literature to forge emotional bonds between humans, robots. “Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is ‘using the work of no other than William Shakespeare’ to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safely with humans.”
November 2017 – BotWeb.net. The latest robotics news from around the web. “‘The idea here is not to replace humans, but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.”
October 2017 – LeadingAge.com. Robots and Self-Driving Taxis on the Rise in Senior Living by Donna Childress. Companion robots and others offer large potential to engage older adults. “NAO, which challenged the residents to give the final lines of a Shakespeare sonnet and can do things like shake hands and join residents for tai chi, was a hit… ‘Older adults really did find this futuristic machine…quite fascinating…I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’” https://www.leadingage.org/cast/robots-and-self-driving-taxis-rise-senior-living
October 2017 – Andrea Hektner.com. Repeat after me, robots are not humans. “Within her area of study, Greer dedicates herself to understanding all the facets underlining the many ways in which humans interact with one another…The interesting concept of Greer’s work is that humans must first understand humanity in order to make way for the incoming generation of robots, which she argues can be achieved through the theatrical arts.”
https://andreahektner.com/2016/06/20/repeat-after-me-robots-are-not-humans/
September 2017 – Seniorhousingnews.com. Senior Living Sees Slow But Steady Robot Revolution by Tim Regan. “Most recently, a Brookdale community in Arlington, Texas, hosted researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), to determine whether reciting Shakespeare with a robot could lessen symptoms of depression and increase engagement for seniors… ‘Will more assisted living facilities see robots in this way, not just for service, but also as companions? I absolutely think so,” she says. “I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’”
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/09/15/senior-living-sees-slow-steady-robot-revolution/
August 2017 – Brookdale.com, Brookdale Senior Living Solutions; Technology and Innovation Section by Andrew Smith. NAO takes a bow: Meet the robot engaging seniors in the arts. Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. “The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,” said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA. For three weeks, eight Brookdale residents spent an hour each week reciting Shakespeare with NAO. NAO recited the first 12 lines of Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) with all the drama of a professional actor and then asked the residents to complete the last two lines. While some residents were hesitant at first, the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Based on the data from our study, findings suggest that there was a significant increase in engagement and a significant decrease in depression,” said Dr. Greer. “We learned that social robots are poised to become viable collaborative companions in places like Brookdale.” The poetry performance was just the beginning of NAO’s interaction. The robot can shake hands, accompany seniors on a walk, perform Tai Chi and tell stories. The versatility was a hit with residents…NAO is a perfect example of how something that seems so simple (a Shakespeare reciting robot) can significantly improve quality of life. It also demonstrates that seniors, just like the rest of us, get excited and engaged with novel technologies. https://www.brookdalenews.com/nao-takes-bow-meet-robot-engaging-seniors-in-arts.htm
March 2017 – FOX 10, MyFoxZone. KIDY San Angelo, TX. Robots Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly… ‘Researchers are using a robot reciting Shakespeare with senior citizens, in what is known as ‘participatory art.’”
https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416978351
March 2017 – FOX 15, MyFoxZone. KXVA Abilene, TX. Robot Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly.’”
Article and Video:
https://www.fox15abilene.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416977500
January 2016 – DISCOVERY.COM Discovery News. Why We Want Our Robots to Like Us. Glenn McDonald. “Julienne Greer, a theater professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has a unique insight into the issue of Human Robot Interaction, or HRI. In recent years, Greer and her students have worked directly with computer scientists and engineers in the U-T system, creating the new class Humans and Robots to explore the emerging emotional connections between people and machines. ‘My time spent in theatre arts seems to indicate that we are all wired to connect to empathetic human experiences, especially emotional experiences, and we feel the most 'like ourselves' when we do,’ Greer says.” [Discovery News source has changed the following link is correct for the original article.]
https://engineering.nd.edu/news-publications/engineering-in-the-news/why-we-want-our-robots-to-like-us
November 2014 – NDTV.com, The Future Awaits the Rise of Affectionate Robots. “A new study into a robot named Pepper who has been hailed as an emotionally responsive humanoid robot, can help scientists build more affection robots.”
http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/the-future-awaits-the-rise-of-affectionate-robots-703178
November 2014 – The Aurora Fox Arts Center. From STEM to STEAM, Theatre and Robots? “Performing Arts and ‘Theatre’ hold a regular spot on lists like Forbes’ “The Ten Worst College Majors” and The Daily Beast’s “The Thirteen Most Useless Majors”. But Julienne Greer sees that changing…When Julienne Greer heard about the new “emotional” robots coming out of Japan (like Aldebaran’s Pepper) she was intrigued. These robots are designed to be in-home companions that can read people’s moods and respond appropriately…The take-away? An actress (with a Theatre degree) is successfully working with scientists to develop super cool technology. Looks like that major wasn’t so useless after all.” [Link has expired as of 7/18/18]
http://aurorafoxartscenter.org/cms/2014/11/25/from-stem-to-steam/
November 2014 – Cosmos Magazine, How to Make Robots More Like Humans. “Actor, producer and director Julienne Greer is helping engineers build more responsive robots…Part of her work involves categorizing behaviors and gestures and understanding how these gestures can create emotion in humans. Robot engineers may be able to apply these principles when programming robots… ‘Performance, connection and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots.’”
https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/how-to-make-robots-more-like-humans
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
REGIONAL – DFW
April 2018 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Developing Assistive Technologies Program with $381K Grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded the grant to fund the program that will teach undergraduate students, particularly minority and female students with disabilities, how to design the assistive technology. Ishfaq Ahmad, professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department is the principal investigator, UTA said. Other co-principal investigators are Julienne Greer, assistant professor in theater arts; and assistant professors of computer science and engineering Manfred Huber and Vassilis Athitsos.
https://dallasinnovates.com/381k-grant-help-develop-uta-assistive-technologies-program/
December 2017 – KERANews.org. Robots Reciting Shakespeare with Seniors in UTA Study Hints at Future Companion Role. Justin Martin and Molly Evans. “Robots are assuming more and more roles in our daily lives…In the study, older adults interacted with a robot using Shakespearean sonnets. The study comes from UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which explores the bigger idea of robots as companions and caregivers in the future. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre arts and the lab’s director, explains how one of the robots, called NAO, was used in the study… ‘It was not just reciting Shakespeare. We made this study because we wanted the robot to participate with the older adult. Now, when someone is participating in an art, they’re not just looking at that painting, they’re not just listening to that music. They are actually in a process of doing, and that was shown to have incredibly positive results.’” Article, Video, and Audio files to follow:
http://keranews.org/post/robots-reciting-shakespeare-seniors-uta-study-hints-future-companion-role
Youtube – 10 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A7I_peskTk
December 2017 – Arlington Voice. Robotics theatrics pairs UTA research with Arlington seniors. “NAO is one of two advanced robots used in the lab to test the emotional engagement between man and machine. It’s (NAO) arm, no longer than that of a toddler, reaches toward the sky as it recites Shakespeare Sonnet 18… ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer day.’”
https://arlingtonvoice.com/arlington/education/2017/12/02/robotic-theatrics-pairs-uta-research-arlington-seniors
November 2017 – Star-Telegram News. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? Bill Hana. “NAO, a 23-inch tall robot, performs a 30-second Tai Chi routine, gracefully moving its arms up in the air. At the same time, Kevyn Martinez, a 20-year-old communications major at the University of Texas at Arlington, stands behind the small robot, mirroring its movements. The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/arlington/article186305888.html
November 2017 – DallasNews.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says. Loyd Brumfield. “We all know that robots with human-like functions are coming. But as we have learned in everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Westworld, how do we know they can be trusted. Maybe artists hold the key to that answer more so than scientists or engineers. ‘The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theater arts at UTA and director of the lab. ‘We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2017/11/20/robots-caregivers-afraid-uta-says
November 2017 – PressReader.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20171121/282110636909639
November 2017 – NBC DFW Channel 5 News. Shakespeare Performing Robots Show Promise for Mental Health in UTA Study. Tim Ciesco. “A theater arts professor, a mechanical engineering student, and a small robot all meet in a classroom. That's not the opening line of an obscure joke -- it's what actually happens inside UT-Arlington's new Emotional Robotics Living Lab… ‘Theater arts is a discipline of connection, empathy, voice, movement, relationship -- and in the end trust,’ said Greer. ‘I think it's stimulating. I think by utilizing arts content it's more life-like.’” Article and Video follows:
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Shakespeare-Performing-Robots-Show-Promise-for-Mental-Health-in-UTA-Study-458674103.html
November 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11&21 News. UTA Working to Make Robots Become More Human. Robbie Owens. “Once the stuff of science fiction, robots today run our factories and touch nearly aspect of our lives. Now, an interdisciplinary research project at University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) looks to explore what could happen if robots can learn to touch our hearts. Dr. Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, and Director of the university’s ‘Living Lab’ where participants interact with the robots in a home-like setting… ‘We can bring all the things that make theater so human: the ability to connect, the ability to understand another human being’s life… empathy… I am programming robots that will allow you to stay in your home longer,’ said Dr. Greer, ‘When I say that, that’s when people go: `how quickly can you get them to me?’”
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/11/14/uta-robots-human/
November 2017 – WALA Fox Channel 10, Alabama. Robots with Emotions?
“Social companion robots with the goal to let people live independently into later life.” https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30774829?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Fox 13, Tampa, Florida. “Students and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington are trying to create robots that have emotions.”
Video with UTA Dept. of Theatre Arts students:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30775344?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “In the study, a robot and adults interacted using sonnets from Shakespeare, and researchers found that after three weeks, there was a major drop in depression and an increase in robot-human social engagement among the older adults.”
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds/
November 2017 – KRLD 1080 am RADIO. Audio interview on the opening of Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Audio:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30692189?token=2912f455-cfc2-4423-9da3-adfec9cb7a4b
November 2017 – Arlington-TX.gov. UTA Launches Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support… ‘We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/11/14/uta-launches-emotional-robotics-living-lab/
November 2017 – Texas Digital Humanities Consortium. Promoting digital research in Texas and beyond. Lisa Spiro. “Dr. Julienne Greer was awarded one of UTA’s second annual Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grants for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults.” She leads an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. Dr. Greer and colleagues also received funding for A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI, which examines how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI.”
https://www.txdhc.org/members/lspiro/activity/1273/
September 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11 “Dr. Julienne Greer, an Assistant Professor of Social Robotics and Performance, says they are using something called participatory arts to help robots interact with senior citizens…The content of the art is said to enhance a person’s cognitive skills, as well as offer companionship for older adults… ‘We want the older adults to feel engaged in an art form…we are very hopeful the same positive results that happen in human to human models will happen with a human to robot model…’ Theater for Psychological Well-Being. The goal is to provide an intervention tool for early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Team: Dr. Julienne Greer, UTA College of Theatre Arts, Dr. Noelle Fields, UTA School of Social Work. Sponsor: UTA: Interdisciplinary Research Program.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=3xzNF16ZBqo
April 2017 – CW33 To Bot or not to Bot: Meet the little robot who can perform Shakespeare! Chris Skupien. “Here in the 21st century, robots are nothing new. But have you ever seen one recite a sonnet? ‘This robot is considered a social or companion robot…This is the robot that might be a friend and that is where the theatre methodology comes in.’”
Article and Video:
http://cw33.com/2017/04/27/to-bot-or-not-to-bot-meet-the-little-robot-who-can-perform-shakespeare/
Dec. 2016 – Star-Telegram by Sara Pintilie. Shall AI compare thee? UTA robot recites Shakespeare for science. Star-Telegram article/video initially requested by Dr. Vistap Karbhari, President of UT-Arlington.
“University of Texas at Arlington’s Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts: social robotics and performance, wants to use NAO and Shakespeare to help older adults in a new interdisciplinary study. Interdisciplinary research can promote a new way to tackle a problem or a fresh approach to age-old questions. It can produce exciting and refreshing elements, like a Shakespeare-reciting robot. Greer’s study, when it begins in April, will have older adults listen as NAO recites the first 12 lines of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, and the people will recite the last two lines. ‘The pilot date will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults, the study says.’”
Article and Video:
http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article120016593.html
Dec. 2016 – Dallas Observer. The University of Texas at Arlington’s Theatre Department has a new student – a Robot by Pablo Arauz. “Nao the robot is a little over a month old but can already recite poetry as if it feels passion… Greer is an assistant professor of theater and an actor. Her life’s work has been to study how humans interact with other humans, but recently she’s been exploring a whole new territory: How humans interact with machines and the experience involved in understanding this relationship – that’s right, a relationship with a machine. Her specialty is an interdisciplinary research area called theater and social robotics that explores how robots can reflect human emotion by applying traditional acting methods.”
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-university-of-texas-at-arlingtons-theater-department-has-a-new-student-a-robot-8987400
December 2016 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Theatre Prof Will Use Robot in Study on Human-Machine Connection. UTA professor Julienne Greer will use an autonomous humanoid robot in an upcoming study exploring the connection between humans and machines.
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-theater-prof-will-use-robot-in-study-on-human-machine-connection/
February 2016 – Fox News4ward, February 7th and 13th, 2016, Robots with Human Emotions, by Dan Godwin. “It may sound like science fiction, but more and more these days robots are exhibiting human qualities. And in many homes, they serve as companions for people. In this FOX 4Ward segment, Dan Godwin talks with Dr. Julienne Greer, a local expert who is helping guide that progress in a positive direction.”
http://www.fox4news.com/news/fox-4-features/86482879-story
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
UTA IN THE NEWS
April 20th, 2018 – UTA In the News
Technologies in Disabilities grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded a $381,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant from the National Science Foundation, Dallas Innovates.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/04/20.php
January 22nd, 2018 – UTA In the News
“Robots are being created to help with tasks like disinfecting hospital rooms or alerting patients when it’s time to take medications, Xconomy.com reported. A study at UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is even exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre at UTA, serves as the director of the lab, which was launched in November.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/01/22.php
December 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts in UTA’s College of Liberal Arts, appeared on KERA 90.1 FM discussing her research in the field of social and emotional robotics. She found that interactions with robots had a positive impact on the lives of senior citizens in an assisted living facility. Greer is the director of UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/15.php
December 4st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Arlington Voice reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/04.php
December 1st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Robotics Tomorrow reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/01.php
November 27th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Robotics Living Lab
“The Star-Telegram reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/27.php
November 22nd, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Innovates, ASEE First Bell,
China's Irobotnews and France's Infohightech reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/22.php
November 20th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC 5 reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/20.php
November 17th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab continued to attract national attention with KTVT Fox 13 in Tampa, Fla., WALA Fox 10 in Mobile, Ala., Robotics Trends, Azorobotics and many other media outlets covering the start of the lab, which will investigate what the future will look like with robots.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/17.php
November 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Researchers at UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab are investigating what the future will look like with robots. They're also examining how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support, KTVT CBS 11, KRLD 1080 AM, ArlingtonTx.gov, CBSDFW.com, McKnight’s Senior Living, ScienMag and Phys.org reported. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts, is directing the new lab.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/15.php
UTA PRESS RELEASES
January 2020 – UTA Press Release. UTA takes on loneliness crisis. Dana Jennings. “We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life,” said Greer, who also is director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “Theater has a way of giving more depth to one’s identity and creating a deeper sense of self-expression. Robots do not judge or get their feelings hurt, thus creating a safe space for people to be expressive.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/news-releases/2020/01/09/social-isolation
April 2018 – UTA Press Release. UTA researchers earn grant to teach minority undergraduates how to link assistive technology, artificial intelligence and disability studies. Herb Booth. University of Texas at Arlington computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor…were awarded a three-year, $318,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2018/04/nsf-adaptive-tech-undergrad.php
November 2017 – UTA Press Release. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. Louisa Kellie.
“Greer and an interdisciplinary team recently carried out a study with older adults at an independent living facility in Texas where the robot and adults interacted using well-known sonnets from Shakespeare. This study, which was funded with a seed grant from UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program, found that after three weeks of interactions, there was a significant drop in depression and increase in human-robot social engagement among those older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2017/11/Greer%20release%20robots.php
November 2017 - UTA Newsroom. Sonnet Technology. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor in the UTA Department of Theatre Arts, is combining Shakespeare and state-of-the-art robots to reduce depression and increase engagement among older adults. The interdisciplinary team includes researchers from UTA's School of Social Work and the UTA Research Institute. The research team recently opened an emotional robotics living lab to understand how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers.
https://www.uta.edu/news/video/2017/11/Shakespeare-Robot.php
Youtube: 1.23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=olH9WOR9GtE
November 2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, News Release UT Arlington Theatre Arts research provides insight into human behavior for scientists, engineers who build social robots by Bridget Lewis. News release was picked up by multiple science websites including; Phys.org, esciencenews.com, sciencenewsline.com, techsharx.com, cosmosmagazine.com, inas.in (Indo-Asian news service) as well as a Lithuanian news site, robotika.it (Menininkės įžvalgos pravers robotų kūrėjams). “The fascinating aspect of sensory (data) work is how it opens the imagination to the cognitive work our senses do all day, every day to connect us to our world. The subject becomes aware of new sensory stimuli, which in turn creates an emotional response.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2014/11/Greer-social-robotics.php
August 2016 – NEWS RELEASE UTA Awards Four 2016 Inter-disciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016). UTA awarded grants for innovative ideas that address high-priority issues in society. I was granted one of only four awards University-wide for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on the psychological well-being of older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2016/08/IRP%202016.php
UTA MAGAZINE - PRINT
UTA – The University of Texas at Arlington Magazine, Pioneers of the 21st Century. Antwan Williams. “They’re doing so with the help of 2-foot tall robot named NAO that performs Shakespearean sonnets… ‘all these awards represent important research innovations and could create a real impact in society’ says Duane Dimos, vice president for research.’”
http://www.uta.edu/utamagazine/spring-2018/features/pioneers-of-the-21st-century.php
May 2015 – INQUIRY - The Research Magazine for University of Texas at Arlington, I, Robot, Engineers look to theatre techniques to create more responsive machines. “Performance, connection, and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots…We must be specific in programming robots to respond to, and eventually learn from, the human relationships they will be a part of.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/inquiry/spring15/faculty/i-robot.php
UTA MAVWIRE
April 2018. Assistive Technologies Studies. “Computer scientists and faculty with the disabilities studies minor will create a campus-wide program to teach how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers.”
https://www.uta.edu/enews/mavwire/2018/04/23.html
UTA COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS NEWSROOM and CoLA Magazine
June 2018 – CoLA Magazine. UTA Faculty Pursue DATA DRIVEN DISCOVERY. NSF grant Focuses on Research in Assistive Technology. "Greer, an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, has received numerous grants for creating distinctive social applications for robots...'Dr. Rose and Dr. Greer specialize in cutting edge scholarship.'"
https://www.yumpu.com/en/embed/view/J8fLIC0n7AvhREm9
November 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Newsroom. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is open and ready for a close-up! “Arlington’s new Emotion Robotics Living Lab opened fall semester 2017 and features two robots designed to connect with humans on an emotional level and act as companions. The new lab gives hands-on experience working with the robots to UTA students enrolled in Dr. Julienne Greer’s Theatre Arts Course, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre. The lab space, which has recently piqued the interest of the local media, The class is open to all students, regardless of major, interested in learning more about companion robots and the place they will hold in our future. Greer said, “The interdisciplinary nature of the lab and the course is one of the innovative qualities and what seems to interest the public and the media.” In the last two days, Greer and the Robotics Living Lab team have spoken with CBS Channel 11, NBC Channel 5, and the Star-telegram about the new lab and course initiatives with very positive receptions. The flurry of activity follows UTA’s press release on the new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer said, “People are very interesting in social robots, it is exciting to share this news and where UTA is headed in this field with the DFW community.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2017/11/16/ut-arlingtons-emotion-robotics-living-lab-is-open-and-ready-for-a-close-up/
August 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Annual Magazine. “This report about the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington spotlights achievements within the college during the last year. There is no better illustration of the talent among our students and mentorship by our faculty and staff, then the example of…interacting with a Shakespeare-intoning robot.” Elizabeth Cawthon, Dean. CoLA.
http://www.uta.edu/libarts/_downloads/CoLAMagazine/CoLAMagazine_WebEdition.pdf
September 2016 – NEWS RELEASE College of Liberal Arts. IRP Awards. “UTA has awarded four seed grants to interdisciplinary research projects that address growing problems such as loneliness among the elderly, the need for sustainable green education spaces, the health crisis among urban American Indians or the mechanisms behind heart failure among the elderly.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/uta-awards-four-2016-interdisciplinary-research-program-grants-for-innovative-ideas-that-address-high-priority-issues-in-society/
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Live radio interview for College of Liberal Art’s 50th anniversary and welcome back event with UTA Radio, “UTA and The Department of Theatre Arts are incredibly forward-thinking. We’ve purchased a social robot for use in the classroom…How robots essentially ‘perform’ for humans and how humans emotionally respond to robots, is my primary research interest.” (Greer)
UTA NEWSPAPER - THE SHORTHORN
May, 2022 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Professor combines theatre and robotics to reflect human connection. Ayesha Hana Shaji. “Social robots, also known as emotional robots, are machines that can communication socially with human being said Julienne Greer…Greer found a way to bring together her seemingly odd combination of passions, theatre and robotics.”https://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/professor-combines-theater-and-robotics-to-reflect-human-connection/article_6720a5e6-aec2-11ec-b8f5-cb82ea484fd9.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students find relief through art. Amanda Padilla. “Greer emphasized these two concepts. She said people are wired to connect with each other, they have a need and a desire to connect as humans. By engaging in the arts, they learn to trust something. For Greer, people learn to trust each other.In a play, many people come together to create a show. The director, the stage manager, the cast, the technicians; all of these people have to trust their connection to create something together.” http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-find-relief-through-art/article_134f4e52-d083-11e8-b182-23d30eda925c.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, Interdisciplinary team studies robots. Spencer Brewer. “These machines will somehow be a reflection of us as humans,” Greer said. The Emotional Robotics Living Lab focuses on social robots, or robots that will interact socially with people in their homes and workplaces in the future.
“I like to talk about it because it’s not a phone, it’s not a human, and it’s not the television turned on at home,” Greer said. “It is something else, and I’m really interested in what that something else is and how we will interact with it, and what that means, then, about us.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/interdisciplinary-team-studies-robots/article_ebf6f774-c673-11e8-9252-5f7e76848ca0.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Rebekah Morr. “The Living Lab is home to two robots: NAO and Pepper. Both are social and companion robots who can respond autonomously to faces and sounds…Pepper can be classified as an emotional robot because it can detect emotional expressions and tension in a person’s voice.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/article_f32a4568-cfe4-11e7-8be9-13610f80f16f.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Duy Vu. “Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts and Emotional Robotics Living Lab director, explains the functionality of Pepper, a social companion robot, on Nov. 21 in the lab at Preston Hall.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/image_ac03b0f0-cf00-11e7-af15-cf6b2e776c41.html
April 2017 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students, Faculty meet Piebot. “Julienne Greer, theatre arts assistant professor, presented her humanlike robot, called PieBot at UTA’s iDAH speaker series…PieBot was built to eliminate human apathy toward robots and foster a sense of nurturing empathy, Greer said. Greer pulled from different specialties, including from costume designers, programmers, and engineers. ‘Interdisciplinary isn’t just a buzzword, Greer said.’”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-faculty-meet-piebot/article_9ed3b58c-1b0b-11e7-aa25-bf218a04f8f4.html
September 2016 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Robot pairs with sonnets to assist elderly. Matt Fulkerson. “If you can take the world’s greatest wordsmith-literary-poet-playwright and you can bring a robot in and they can play that scene, that’ll be incredible,” she said. (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/robots-pair-with-sonnets-to-assist-elderly/article_74c49866-7f5b-11e6-8907-cfaea4359d90.html
September 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Theatre gets robot, which will appear in spring play. Sheliah Lindsey. “I believe robots are the future…They have so much potential. They can help keep the elderly in their homes longer. They can help children with disabilities.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/theatre-gets-robot-which-will-appear-in-spring-play/article_bc330eb6-502d-11e5-87a7-7fa707007332.html
March 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Film spurs discussion about disabilities, human enhancement. The Shorthorn released the story of the inter-disciplinary panel discussion titled, Dr. Greer, discussant (see Panels). In response to a question regarding human enhancement through robotics and how that identifies humans; “All of my inequalities make me an incredibly unique person…I own being this age, going through my life, having the experiences I’ve had, and doing this wonderful art, which is all about finding the interesting, unique, quirky parts of being a human being.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/film-spurs-discussion-about-disabilities-human-enhancement/article_a004f966-cd1f-11e4-b454-0bae11a94667.html
December 2014 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Lecturer blends theatre arts, robotics by Hannah-Beth Floyd. “I think we’re already well past the point where humans and technologies interact…Technology is a part of our life…(my work is essentially) taking decades of method work, performance technique, and using it to create the most authentic relationship between the human being and a robot.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/lecturer-blends-theater-arts-robotics/article_85eeab54-7a76-11e4-8344-3f24595643ac.html
UTA - INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATORS AND MEDIA
September 2018 – UTA Library Newsletter. User Engagement & Services. Building Partnerships and Lasting Friendships Through Technology. “During our tenure as Robot Ambassadors, we (Devon Peralta and Rene Taméz) formed an extraordinary working relationship with Dr. Julienne Greer, a multi-disciplinary scholar and professor who has been researching human/robot interactions. Dr. Greer was the first UTA Faculty to request the Robot Ambassadors in her classroom, where she was doing research on emotional support robots, for which she received a grant to start the UTA Emotional Robots Living Lab.”
June 2018 – Invited by Nova Coates, Computer Science and Engineering colleague to create a 20 sec. audio spot for CSE freshman highlight interdisciplinary work.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151850623@N06/42194854490/in/album-72157693832149860/
March 2018 – UTA Radio on Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Live broadcast aired March 22 2018.
January 2018 – Computer Science and Engineering – UT Arlington. Facebook. In Spring 2018, Dr. Julienne Greer teaches a course exploring social robotics and the roles robots will have in our lives from Disability Studies, Theatre Studies, and Humanities perspectives. The course includes hands-on work with the social robots, PEPPER, JIBO, and NAO in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. If you have any questions about this class please contact ltucker@uta.edu or Dr. Julienne Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre, Social Robotics and Performance.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cseutarlington/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1943693469037365
December 2017 – College of Engineering – IN THE NEWS. “Robotics Tomorrow reported…UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots.”
November 2017 – UTARI. Greer’s New Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UT Arlington assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2017/NBC5_nao.php
November 2017 – UTARI. Meet the robot engaging seniors in the Arts. “Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. ‘The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,’ said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA.”
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2018/Brookdale_2.php
November 2017 – UTARI. “Couldn't have scripted this Channel 5 news interview any better if you tried!” UTARI Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/posts/1611685888893622
November 2017 – School of Social Work. “The interdisciplinary team from UTA School of Social Work and UTARI researchers have come together for an amazing project! Check out what the SSW is doing!” SSW Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/UTASocialWork/posts/
October 2016 – UTARI. Facebook post of unveiling of NAO with collaborator UTARI, Dr. Julienne Greer at The University of Texas at Arlington Theatre Arts Department and Kris Doelling, Research Scientist at UTARI unpack a new addition – the NAO robot from Softbank Robotics…The social robot is set to be a key component for hands-on work for Dr. Greer’s interdisciplinary course, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre. https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/photos/pcb.1208605852534963/1208605765868305/?type=3
April 2016 – UTARI. National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI) Collaborator with UTARI developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. On April 6, 2016, 10 Theatre Arts undergraduate students assembled at UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot.
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, on-air interview for UTA News. Social robotics at UTA: “Buddy” and “Pepper” a social and an emotional robot acquired by Department of Theatre Arts for use in the classroom and innovative research.
https://utanews.com/2015/09/14/dr-julienne-greer-interview/
MEDIA
for
CREATIVE RESEARCH in PERFORMANCE
June 2017 – Dallas Morning News review of performance King o’ the Moon. Touching family tale with contemporary reverberations. “The mom, Ellen Pazinski (Julienne Greer) honors his spirit and keeps an income by running the family tavern…the fine cast shows off the playwrights deft blend of humor and pathos.”
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/theater/2017/06/18/touching-family-tale-contemporary-reverberations-king-o-moon-circle-theatre
June 2017 – Theatre Jones review of performance King o’ the Moon. Moon Beams. “Julienne Greer returns to play mother Ellen Pazinski for the third time, and she’s the show’s anchor. Her Ellen is steady and smart, a woman who raised four difficult children and doesn’t think life can surprise her. She’s a widow now, and runs the tavern with help from her husband’s best friend. David H.M. Lambert’s Walter is the ultimate nice guy, touching and funny in his attempts to get closer to Ellen and her prickly kids.”
http://www.theaterjones.com/ntx/reviews/20170620105834/2017-06-21/Circle-Theatre/King-O-the-Moon
June 2017 – Star-Telegram review of performance King o’ the Moon. King o’ the Moon captures America in 1969. “As was so often the case in the 1960s, the Pazinskis are all on journeys of their own. Ellen (Julienne Greer), the widow who heads the family, is coping with three grown children who are entering adulthood through different doors, and a mentally challenged son, Georgie, who will always be a child… Greer’s performance is so easy and smooth that the high quality of her work runs the risk of going unnoticed.”
http://www.star-telegram.com/living/article156977974.html
April 2014 A + C Acting in Texas: Julienne Greer at Circle Theatre. Interview with editor, Nancy Wozny of Arts and Culture Texas. Julienne Greer takes on the role of Juliana Smithton in Circle Theatre’s production of Sharr White’s, The Other Place. White chronicles the story of Smithton, a successful neurologist, who suffers from a devastating neurological event. “I used my early training (for characterization), which was a blend of both physical and more external representations…alongside internal or more emotionally behavioral choices.” (Greer)
http://artsandculturetx.com/acting-in-texas-julienne-greer-at-circle-theatre/
May 2005 Texas Christian University, interview with TCU Daily Skiff. ‘Toil and Trouble’ – Actors to perform part of Macbeth Halloween night. Prof. Julienne Greer conceived, developed, and directed a Macbeth selection titled “Bard on the Rocks” for TCU Provost Nowell Donovan. It has become an annual tradition. “The scene consists of the three witches and their encounter with Macbeth who is demanding to know if he will continue to be king…Later during the scene, apparitions or ghosts appear to him. It’s very spooky.” (Greer)
https://www.tcu360.com/story/toil-and-trouble-12292688/
UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACADEMIC AWARDS and HONORS
Samuel French Publishers, Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron
Listed in the published version of the stage play as Margaret Goggin. Worked with the playwright, Arthur Giron, in seminars and workshops during the rehearsal period to identify the play’s narrative and character arc. Becoming Memories was produced at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Acting Ensemble. Invitation only participation in an acting ensemble by iconic Broadway designer, producer, John Wulp. Acting ensemble was personally supervised by legendary playwright John Guare. Content of the seminar was a workshop of his work in the fourth play of Guare’s Lydie Breeze series.
New York University, Acting Ensemble.
Highlighted in a New York Times article titled, Where are all the new, young actors: at Tisch School of the Arts. Play: Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron.
ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHING
2020-Present Associate Chair Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
Associate Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Assistant Chair and Assistant Professor of the Department of Theatre Arts including curriculum planning, administrative responsibilities, liaison among students and the department, and performance-based courses, advanced performance, acting for voice and movement, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities.
2020-Present Area Head for BA program
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
I am the Area Head for the largest group of students in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. I mentor and guide BA students in their individual and chosen career trajectories. Opportunities within the Department include performance, stage combat, improvisation, and social robotics and technology.
2016-Present Assistant Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Professor advanced performance, acting for the stage and camera, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, Departmental courses, Dialects in Performance, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre: a course based on the emerging intersection of Theatre and Social Robotics. Head of publicity for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, committee member for Academic Curriculum, Research, Marketing, Performance, recruiting (see Service). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2012-2016 Senior Lecturer
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company & Maverick Dance Company
University of Texas at Arlington
Professor of beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting for the stage and the camera, directing for the stage, stage movement, voice training for the stage, dialects, theatre administration in publicity, marketing, and recruitment, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, dance for the actor. Chair and/or member of departmental, university and college committees (see “University Service”). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2000-2009 Adjunct Professor
Dept. of Film-Television-Digital Media -
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Department of Theatre –
College of Fine Arts
Texas Christian University
Professor of beginning and intermediate acting for the stage and the camera, acting for TV II, acting for the camera, improvisational comedy lab and lecture, soap opera lab and lecture, survey courses for cinema and theatre, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, and working actor seminar. Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2011-2013 Teaching Assistant
School of Arts and Humanities University of Texas at Dallas
Teacher’s Assistant for film theory, and history courses. Requested by Endowed Professor, Dr. Stephen Rabe
Dr. Shilyh Warren
Dr. Adrienne McLean
1999-Present Independent Arts Administration Consultant, based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Arts consulting provided for cultural, governmental and educational institutions in Texas. Consultations have involved organizational assessments, personnel assessments, development workshops, marketing/sales, bylaws analysis, budget preparation, unions, facilities planning, grant evaluation, membership and development.
1981-Present Professional Theatre and Film Artist, Illinois, Arizona, Los Angeles, New York, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. Presently based in Fort Worth, Texas. (Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Screenplay writer, and Producer: see Creative Activities/Research).
2008 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Seussical, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class.
Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Seussical, Jr.
2007 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Annie, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class. Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Annie, Jr.
The University of Texas at Arlington
Maverick Theatre Company
Theatre Arts Department
2012 - Present
COURSE INSTRUCTION
THEA 3314-001, Voice and Movement
Spring 2021 (10 students)
Spring 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2019 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4393-001, Voice and Movement, Special Topics
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4391, Special Topics: “Humans and Robots: The Future is Here”
Conference course and first semester of original curriculum on Social Robots and Theatre
Individual instruction; majors and minors.
Fall 2015 (10 students)
THEA 3351, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre (individual instruction)
Spring 2021 (9 students)
Fall 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2020 (12 students)
Spring 2019 (20 students)
Fall 2018 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (11 students)
Fall 2017 (15 students)
Spring 2017 (15 students)
Fall 2016 (23 students)
Spring 2016 (19 students)
THEA 3335, Dance for the Actor (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Spring 2013 (20 students)
THEA 3311, Vocal Performance II: Dialects (individual instruction; majors)
Spring 2016 (16 students)
Spring 2015 (14 students)
Spring 2014 (19 students)
Spring 2013 (16 students)
THEA 3308, Acting for the Camera: Acting III (majors, utilizing video technology)
Fall 2014 (11 students)
Fall 2013 (20 students)
Fall 2012 (21 students)
THEA 1343, Introduction to Theatre (University Core course: majors and minors)
Spring 2014 (21 students)
THEA 1342, Theatre and Film Appreciation (University Core course: majors and minors)
Fall 2013 (101 students)
Spring 2013 (92 students)
Fall 2012 (99 students)
THEA 1307, Acting I (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2018 (X Students)
Fall 2012 (14 students)
THEA 1303, Fundamentals of Presentation (University CORE course: majors and minors)
Formerly Vocal Performance I: Fundamentals
Fall 2017 (20 students)
Fall 2016 (15 students)
Fall 2015 (18 students)
Spring 2015 (16 students)
THEA 1300, First Year Seminar in Theatre Arts (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2014 (20 students)
Fall 2013 (10 students)
THEA 0181, Theatre Practicum (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Fall 2017 (33 students)
Spring 2017 (22 students)
Fall 2016 (17 students, 15 students)
Spring 2016 (17 students, 14 students)
Fall 2015 (16 students, 20 students)
Spring 2015 (17 students, 12 students)
Fall 2014 (26 students, 18 students)
Spring 2014 (24 students, 15 students)
Fall 2013 (21 students, 20 students)
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Radio-Television-Digital Media
2000-2009
COURSE INSTRUCTION
RTVF 30353, Acting for Television - Lecture and Lab (individual and co-instruction; majors)
Fall 2000 (18 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40353, Acting for the Camera - Lecture and Lab (individual instruction; majors)
Fall 2005 (20 students)
Fall 2004 (19 students)
Fall 2003 (20 students)
Fall 2002 (18 students)
Fall 2001 (20 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: SOAP OPERA
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class. It is a support to the production of the spring 2006 Soap Opera produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: IMPROV COMEDY
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class for the development of two improvisational comedy teams. The course is structured as a 16-week seminar and lab produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
College of Fine Arts
Department of Theatre
2005-2009
THEA 11303, “Acting I” Lecture (individual instruction, majors)
Spring 2009
THEA 10053, “Survey of Theatre Arts” Lecture (individual instruction, majors and non-majors)
Spring 2006
UNIVERSITY GUEST LECTURER
Tarrant Community College, Northeast Campus, Fall, 2001
Guest lecturer: “Acting I,” lecturer for basic acting beginning course. Discussed the benefits of stage work, memorization, motivation, and work as a stage actor (Prof. Jakie Cabe, instructor).
Texas Christian University, Spring, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Women and Media,” lecturer for Media Analysis course. Discussed the comparative images for women from the 1970s to the present day. Encouraged small group analysis of contemporary popular media and referenced feminist indicators found in the Charlie’s Angels television series in order to ascertain growth in feminist thought or culture from 1970s to 2000s. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Andrew Haskett instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Sex and Violence in Media,” lecturer on the feminist images found in the 1970 series, Charlie’s Angels, analyzing the sex and violence of 1970s detective genre and its’ use of the female image. Discussion included current social and cultural attitudes towards sex and violence and portrayal of current images in contemporary media as a comparison (Dr. Joel Timmer instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004 - 2007
Guest lecturer: "Aesthetics of Film,” lecturer for Prof. Richard Allen seminar focused on comparison of the craft of cinema and theatrical performance utilizing interactive tools which engage the class in a whole-body perspective of the rigors of acting for the camera. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Richard Allen instructor).
THEATRE FOR YOUTH COURSES TAUGHT
Much Ado About Shakespeare (Guest Artist, for fee)
MAAS Established in 2006 to train actors 14 – 18 years old in Shakespeare including outreach to regional schools and students.
Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX
"Shakespeare and Robotics" (ages 14-18; 17 students), June 9th – 28th, 2016.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 22 students), June 10th – 30th, 2013.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 27 students), June 11th – July 1st, 2012.
"Acting Games/Creative Drama" (ages 14-18; 20 students), June 6th – 26th, 2011.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION COURSES TAUGHT
English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition,
2014, Regional winner Trinity Valley School
2016, Fort Worth winner
Coaching and instruction to the first-place winner of Trinity Valley School’s Shakespeare monologue and sonnet for the regional Fort Worth and Dallas competition. Winner is afforded all-expenses paid trip to New York City, Lincoln Center for national competition.
Acting Instructor for Tony Greco
Tony Greco renowned private instructor of Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
1988 & 1994-1995
Sensory-based acting technique and acting scene work based on technique founded by Lee Strasberg, of The Actors Studio in New York, New York. Lee Strasberg is a founding member of the iconic Group Theatre (1936 – 1946) including such iconic members as Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and Harold Clurman and others. Content of courses included fundamental understanding of method technique as contextualized by Strasberg. Tony Greco is a member of The Actor’s Studio and was included in a small group of instructors to learn the method technique and to continue Lee Strasberg’s original artistic intent. Tony Greco teaches in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Denmark.
CREATIVE RESEARCH
Performance, Stage, Film, Direction, Writing, Producing, Sound Design
STAGE DIRECTING CREDITS
Director, “Balm in Gilead” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company as a recorded streamed production Nov. 20 – 22, 2020.
Director, “WAITING FOR LEFTY” by Clifford Odets. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts as a selected play in MAVPLAYS Mainstage season. April 15th through April 26th, 2015, Arlington, TX. (flexible, environmental space. Audience is seated on the stage to with performers and performers were seated in the audience to interact with audience), 2015.
Director, “BARD ON THE ROCKS: SELECTED SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH”
Produced by Texas Christian University’s Department of Theatre.
Halloween, October 31st, 2005. It has been performed annually by TCU Provost as Macbeth in recent years. Fort Worth, TX (flexible open to the environmental space. Set design utilized the Scottish rock formation known colloquially as Froghenge for performers and audience to interact), 2005
Director, “DURANG BY NIGHT” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Director, “HOMEFREE!” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Tony Greco.
Basement of SoHo Repertory Theatre, New York City, New York, 1987.
STAGE PRODUCING CREDITS
Producer, “MAVPLAYS,” produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts in the 2014-2015 Mainstage season, April 15th through April 26th, Arlington, Texas. Flexible, environmental space in a large black box, and additional small black box theatrical space, 2015.
Co-producer, “DURANG BY NIGHT,” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Producer, “SOAP OPERA & GIRLS WE HAVE KNOWN.” Produced by jg-gj productions with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Raised $6,500 for total budget of two one-act plays. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Held casting sessions for five diverse roles. Hired director, set designer and technical crew for each one act. Proscenium space in black box theatre, 1995.
Producer, “THE SECRET DIARY OF SONDRA WOODWARD.”
Organized fund-raising events for original one-woman musical. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Contacted major studios and received donation toward production budget, 1994.
Co-producer, “WOMEN OF MANHATTAN,” produced by Tony Greco and jg-gj productions. Performed at Prometheus Theatre, 43rd St., New York City, New York. Hired director, set designer, and obtained theater space while continuing principal actor rehearsals and participating in publicity campaign, 1993.
STAGE ACTING - PERFORMANCE CREDITS
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), National union of stage actors and stage managers.
1999 – Present
Professionally Qualified Member
Key: L.O.R.T. = League of Resident Theatres/Professional national resident theatre operating under an Actor's Equity Association, ongoing union contract for actors and stage managers. S.P.T. = operates under a Small Professional Theatre Equity union contract.
NATIONAL and REGIONAL ACTING & PERFORMANCE
TEXAS
Role Production Producer/Location/Yr./Equity Contract
Billy ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2021 (virtual)
Hafsa JUNE 8, 1920 Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2020 (virtual)
Jan BLACK SANTA Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Orlando, Florida 2019
Mrs. Webb OUR TOWN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX
Director: Matthew Gray
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2019
Kate Beeker THE KITTY BOMB Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Boston, MA 2018
Charlotte Coates THE CENSOR Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Winner of the Judith Royer Playwriting for
Excellence in Playwriting,
Las Vegas, NV, 2017
Ellen Pazinski KING O’ THE MOON Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2017
Judith Lees HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company
Arlington, Texas
Director: Dr. Natalie Gaupp
(Equity Guest Artist), 2016
World Premiere
Juliana Smithton THE OTHER PLACE Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2014
Recipient of 2014 Best of Culture award in Acting Critic’s Choice
Fort Worth Weekly newspaper
Blanche Dubois A STREETCAR NAMED Stage West Theater
DESIRE Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Jim Couvault
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2000
Recipient of 2000 Best Actress Award Stage West Theatre
Molly THE FRONT PAGE Dallas Theatre Center Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Richard Hamburger
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Thea HEDDA GABLER Dallas Theatre Center
Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Ron Daniels
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Bessie MARVIN’S ROOM Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2013
Helen Cohen ELLIS ISLAND Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, Texas
Composer Peter Boyer in attendance
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
A multi-media event in conjunction with FORT WORTH SYMPHONY
(Equity Contract; for fee), 2013
Ellen LAST MASS at ST. CASIMIRS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2012
Jill Koenig AD WARS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: John S. Davies
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee)
Attended by author Vince McKewin, 2004
Ellen OVER THE TAVERN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2010
NEW YORK CITY
Lucy SOAP OPERA tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York
Reviewed by Mel Gussow
New York Times
Ralph Pape, author WIKI page Director: Elizabeth Franzen (Equity waiver). 1990
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/30/theater/theater-in-review-438792.html
Remounted and produced at
(Soap Opera cont.) The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod.
JG-GJ executive producers
(Equity waiver) See Los Angeles, 1991.
Hester Prynn “A” THE SCARLET LETTER tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York Director: Tim Maner
(Equity waiver), 1989.
Lucy Crayford THE FROZEN DEEP A reading with Director Everett Quinton
New York, New York (Equity waiver), 1988.
Ophelia HAMLET New York Repertory Theatre New York, New York, 1987.
Alex Forrest FATAL ATTRACTION -
Murder Mystery John Goodman Productions Director: John Goodman West Chelsea Restaurant
Dinner Theatre Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
Mrs. McCabe MURDER MAYHEM Hasslefree Productions
Director: Trevor Hasselfree Film Studio Restaurant New York, New York
Dinner Theatre, Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
LOS ANGELES
Lucy SOAP OPERA Produced at
The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod. JG-GJ executive producers (Equity waiver), 1990.
Varya THE CHERRY ORCHARD Hudson Theatre
Los Angeles, California Director: Ron Livingston (Equity waiver), 1992.
Susan THE FUNERAL PARLOR The Complex
Los Angeles, California
(Equity waiver), 1995.
Penelope Toop SEE HOW THEY RUN Glendale Centre Theatre
Glendale, California (Equity waiver), 1994.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Guinevere CAMELOT Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Laurie OKLAHOMA! Weathervane Theatre
Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee) 1985.
Peep-bo THE MIKADO Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Mariane TARTUFFE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Marquise
of Parolignac CANDIDE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire
Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Ensemble THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
VIRGINIA
Roxane CYRANO DE BERGERAC Mill Mountain Theatre Roanoke, Virginia Director: Jere Hodgin
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1987.
ILLINOIS
Dinah Lord THE PHILADELPHIA STORY The New American Theatre
Rockford, Illinois
Director: Jim Sullivan/founder of N.A.T. (S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1979.
Ensemble THE ROPADI PLAYERS Rockford Park District
Musical Theatre Outreach Program Rockford, Illinois
Director: Andy French (Equity waiver, fee), 1975.
Selected University roles between 1981 and 1986
Frau Bergmann ……....... SPRING AWAKENING (Anne Bogart, director), New York University
Margaret Goggin ............ BECOMING MEMORIES (Kevin Kulhke, director) New York University
Housewife ...................... WORKING, New York University
Mina ............................... DRACULA, New York University
Joanna ……................... HOMEFREE! New York University
Ensemble ........................ PIPPIN (William Wesbrooks, director), Rockford College, IL
Ensemble ........................ JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Rock Valley College, IL
Lillian Hampton ............. STRANGE BEDFELLOWS (Elaine “EE” Moe, director), University of Arizona, Tucson
Dance Ensemble………. THE ENTERTAINERS, University of Arizona, Tucson
UNIVERSITY GUEST ACTOR
Judith Lees ......................... HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company MAVPLAYS The University of Texas at
Arlington, Department of Theatre Art, (Equity waiver). 2016.
UNIVERSITY GUEST READING
Invited to read at an honorary staged reading of Eugene O’Neill’s works by the O’Neill’s biographers Barbara and Arthur Gelb. The Gelb’s re-released their 1950s biography in 2000 with an expanded analysis of the life and work of Eugene O’Neill. Both Barbara and Arthur were in attendance at the Texas Christian University event in 2003.
PRODUCTION COACH
Acting Coach, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Anne Healy, Director).
Acting Coach, GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Andrew Gaupp, Director).
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA ACTING and PERFORMANCE
COMMERCIALS
INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL MEDIA
Selected commercial performance work between 1991 – 1999.
Reporter Spam
The Hormel Foods Corporation. Filmed in Los Angeles, California National and International commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
New Yorker Coke
The Coca-Cola Company Filmed at the Statue of Liberty New York, New York National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Burger King color-coded children’s lunch toys Burger King (BK) Corporation.
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Subaru of America – Fuji Heavy Industries
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Cowgirl Totino’s Pizza
General Mills Products
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Kraft Handi-snacks
Kraft Foods Group
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Hiker Outback Steakhouse
Bloomin’ Brands
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Ship Passenger S & W Food
Del Monte Foods
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
CBS Promo Promotion commercial spot for CBS Fall lineup of highly-rated programs Filmed in Los Angeles, California
Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Neighbors Dixie Paper Plates Dixie Paper Products Georgian-Pacific Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
SOAP OPERAS
Selected performance work on network soap opera television between 1982 and 1990.
Haley Recurring role ALL MY CHILDREN
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists;
Standard union fee)
Linda Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Hillary Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Campaign Organizer Day Player Contract ONE LIFE TO LIVE
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract; American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; Standard union fee)
Ensemble Extra work GUIDING LIGHT
Procter & Gamble Company Filmed in New York, New York (A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
Standard union fee)
TELEVISION
Alex Forrest LIVE WITH REGIS AND
KATHIE LEE
Filmed in New York, New York Promo for Fatal Attraction Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (SAG waiver contract)
FILM
WALL STREET Wall St. worker 20th Century Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
THREE MEN AND Photo Double (Nancy Travis) Buena Vista Pictures
A LITTLE LADY Director: Emile Ardolino
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
12 Julienne Larry Bridges Productions
Director: Larry Bridges
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Film and director Larry Bridges were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award , 2004. Film has been screened internationally to critical acclaim. (S.A.G. waiver contract; for fee)
Selected ensemble film roles in major feature films:
Goodfellas – Martin Scorsese, director
State of Grace – Phil Joanou, director
Hannah and her Sisters – Woody Allen
Cocktail – Roger Donaldson, director
Space Jam – Joe Pytka, director
Scrooged – Richard Donner, director Punchline – David Seltzer, director
All filmed in New York, New York except Space Jam, filmed in Los Angeles, California
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCING CREDITS
1999
Producer
As producer raised $25,500 for theatrical release of a 24-minute short film, The Hand of a Lifetime, shot independently in Los Angeles.
Coordinated all pre-production needs:
⦁ casting,
⦁ hiring crew
⦁ Director of Photography
⦁ Camera Operator
⦁ Sound and Foley Artist
⦁ Art director
⦁ Locations and permits
And including all post-production needs:
⦁ editing
⦁ sound design
⦁ titles
⦁ negative cutting
⦁ final answer print
The Hand of a Lifetime was accepted to the 1999 Fort Worth Film Festival and was highlighted in the Fort Worth Film Festival of 1999 and reviewed by Elvis Mitchell for the Star-Telegram Newspaper.
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTING AND WRITING CREDITS
1999
Director Screenplay Writer
Wrote and directed an original short independent film, The Hand of a Lifetime. The film’s narrative centered around a male protagonist’s first child being born and the comedic and heartfelt emotions that accompanied his eventual acceptance of fatherhood.
SOUND DESIGN FOR THE STAGE
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Co-Sound designer, MACBETH, New York University (N.Y.U.), Directed by John Rubenstein. Mainstage Theatre, Spring 1983.
ADJUDICATION AND EVALUATION
2016 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
2015 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (10 students).
2012 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (8 students).
2011 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
SERVICE: UNIVERSITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2019-20
⦁ Invitation from president of UTA Vistasp Karbhari to speak and present at Ashoka University near New Delhi during a conference in which I was attending. Ashoka is a premier university combining engineering and liberal arts.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Global Entrepreneur Week (GEW) committee member
⦁ EpICMavs presenter
⦁ Inspire for Faculty (IFF)
⦁ Live Theatre League member
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor fifteen students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2018-19
⦁ Invitation from Computer Science and Engineering Dept., Nova Coates, to help create short 20-second clips for Univ1311 that introduces students to UTA. CSE asked to include Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre course, THEA3351, as an innovative way to showcase interdisciplinary approaches to incoming Freshman’s learning paths. The video includes NAO robot doing Tai Chi with Dr. Greer voice as narration for multi-disciplinary collaboration among UTA disciplines.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ BA auditions for Dept. of Theatre Arts with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Reference letter for Detra Payne – National Alliance of Teachers – Lloyd Richards Teaching Fellowship
2017-18
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator and committee member. Point person for recruiting Judges for April Spotlight Conference. Support and coordination with CoLA marketing director. I mentored two theatre students for inaugural Spotlight conference. Both students won awards.
⦁ Invited by Dean Elisabeth Cawthon to informal meeting with Dean Anne Bavier of Nursing, Dr. Mickey McCabe, Executive Dir. of UTARI, Dr. Judy LeFlore, Associate Nursing Dean, and Harvard professors Dr. Janice Palaganas and Dr. Daniel Raemer, leaders in the simulation and technology center, for informal discussion of innovative techniques being implemented at UTA.
⦁ Invited to speak at TEDxUTA 2018.
⦁ Reviewed/rated 5 applications for Terry Foundation Scholars. Req. William Gunn.
⦁ Submitted review of Manuscript ID THRI-2018-0016, titled "Communicating a minimal robot’s intelligence, dominance and status through motion paths" for the journal Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction.
⦁ Invited to review National Science Foundation submissions for various grant submissions.
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Coordinated and led Dean’s week presentation with L. Tucker for counselors and advisors.
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Committee Member: REP/FDL faculty awards.
⦁ Faculty mentor nine students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Sponsor and attended Halloween evening performance of Macbeth (Killingsworth, dir.)
⦁ BA auditions with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2016-17
⦁ Chair, College of Liberal Arts Research Representative
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: CoLA, proposal reader for “Cure to Care” grants. iC2C.
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Invited guest luncheon speaker for UTA’s CPE Event, College of Business
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Dallas Summer Musicals conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2016-2017 season.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts Welcome Back table, Fall 2016.
2015-16
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington.
⦁ Chair, Recruitment Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: College of Liberal Arts Teacher’s Awards, Department of Theatre Arts Representative, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: Master’s Exploratory, Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ U.R.T.A. panel at UT-Arlington for three students attending graduate auditions.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Moonifieds conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2014-15
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2013-14
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee
⦁ Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2012-13
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor five students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UTA
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
PUBLIC RELATIONS and MARKETING
for
MAVERICK THEATRE COMPANY
and
MAVERICK DANCE COMPANY
producing entities for
THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2017-18
⦁ Chair, bi-monthly Public Relations meetings.
⦁ Author, Press Releases for 4 Mainstage production including plays and musicals, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence, MavLab production and Maverick Dance Company concerts. Facilitated information to 23+ media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2017-18 Season.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington for each Mainstage production, MavLab, and Maverick Dance company concert.
⦁ URTA – American Theatre Magazine
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ Coordinated and delivered 1500 seasonal brochures to MailPro for mailing.
⦁ Edited and compiled 4th quarter information on Dept. of Theatre Arts for Cathy Stein 817Alliance newsletter.
⦁ Collaborated with CoLA Marketing Director for marketing graphics redo, including written text and organizing photographs with the help of Kris O’Brien.
⦁ Helped coordinate and support Marketing Video “Get to know a Theatre Student.”
⦁ Coordinating press and marketing with Matthew Boyd, City of Arlington, marketing for D. Payne’s, Heal the Divide.
2016-17
⦁ Author, 2016-2017 Press Releases for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, producing entities of The Department of Theatre Arts, College of Liberal Arts. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2016-17 Season.
⦁ Department Representative, Arlington Arts League Gala Event and scholarship fundraiser.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2015-16
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2015-16 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisational comedy, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2014-15
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2014-15 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival Dance Texas
⦁ Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington
⦁ A + C Arts and Culture Texas
⦁ Stage Directions Magazine – Article on Dept. of Theatre Arts 3D Printer. Playbill.edu
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Voce Intimae
⦁ Trinity Valley High School playbill
⦁ All Saints Episcopal High School playbill
⦁ Betty Buckley Awards at Casa Manana Theatre
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2013-14
⦁ Author, Press Release for Mainstage play, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2013-14 Season.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Proud Organization
⦁ Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Dance Texas
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Stage Directions Magazine
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: BOARDS & COMMITTEES
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2016 – 2018 – Membership Chair
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2010 – 2014 – Upper School Tickets
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
TEXAS EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION (TETA) 2014 Approved Member
SCREEN ACTORS GUILD/AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A),
1984 - present
Current Approved Member
ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION (A.E.A), Current Member
1999 - present
Current Approved Member PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
ARLINGTON ARTS LEAGUE, Arlington, Texas
2014 -2016
Member of Arlington Arts League
PRESIDENT OF KINDERPLATZ OF FINE ARTS PARENT’S GROUP, Fort Worth, Texas
2003
President of a parent’s group in a private, pre-school dedicated to fine arts learning and growth in 2 – 5 year-old children.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & INSTITUTES
2003-Present Annual Giving Captains, Trinity Valley School, a private college-preparatory K-12 school in Fort Worth, Texas.
1987-90 Accepted Member of tiny mythic theatre company, NYU graduates’ affiliation, New York City, New York now known as HERE Performance Space, New York City, New York.JULIENNE A. GREER
CURRICULUM VITAE
August 2022 version
Birthplace: Farmington, Michigan, U.S.A.
Home Address: 7969 Morning Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76123
Home Phone: Metro (817) 454-1225
Office Address: University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts, Fine Arts Building, Room 268B, 502 S. Cooper Street,
Box 19103, Arlington, Texas 76019-0103
Office Phone: Metro (817) 272-0729 or Metro (817) 272-2650
Office Facsimile: Metro (817) 272-2697
E-mail: <jgreer@uta.edu>
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: Associate Chair of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
Associate Professor of Theatre Arts: Social Robotics and Performance,
Director, Emotional Robotics Living Laboratory,
BA Area Head of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
College of Liberal Arts,
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
SPECIALIZATIONS: Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Social Robotics, Performance, Applied Drama
CURRENT RESEARCH: Applying theatre and performance theory to artificial intelligence and social robotics creating trust and authentically emotional interactions between humans and robots.
Dr. Julienne A. Greer is an inter-disciplinary scholar + artist working at the emerging intersection of social robotics and theatre. Her primary focus is Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) to “humanize” a social robot’s performance to the nuances and subtleties of human behavior. Social awareness and empathetic response in robotics platforms are key to their successful use by humans. Principal research interests include character and personality development for artificial intelligence, social robotics, performance theory, applied drama, empathy application, embodied emotion, and acting theory techniques targeted toward an application between human beings and technology. She is a collaborator with many diverse disciplines including engineering, social work, computer science, education, disabilities studies, psychology, and healthcare, solving problems through innovation for education and research.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
DEGREES HELD
2013 Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities (Ph.D.) - Aesthetic Studies,
School of Arts and Humanities,
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas.
5 Years, Interdisciplinary Foci: Humanities, Performance, and Game Studies.
Dissertation: Affective Connections: Performance Studies, Videogames, and Digital Characters.
Dr. Monica Evans, Supervising Professor
Abstract: A multi-disciplinary analysis of existing performance techniques from theatre and cinema studies re-contextualized to apply to the emerging emotional bond in videogames between the game player and a digital character. It is my perspective that the affective bond between the game player and the digital character in a game is as vital and essential to the experience of playing the game as the affective relationship between the performer and the audience in a play or film.
2005 Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) in Media Arts
Bob Schieffer College of Communication,
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
Thesis: Feminism and Sexuality in Charlie’s Angels: Building a New Paradigm for Enjoying Action Heroines.
Dr. Joel Timmer, Supervising Professor
Abstract: An analysis of the first season of the 1970s Charlie’s Angels television series in order to reveal elements of feminism leading to an inclusion of glamour and sexuality in the criteria for feminist texts to recoup and own images that have previously been viewed as misogynistic.
1986 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A.) in Drama,
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, New York, New York.
Areas of Concentration: Acting, Performance
1981 High School Diploma, Boylan Central Catholic School, Rockford, IL.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/UNION
1984-Present American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (A.F.T.R.A.)
The national union of professional television and radio actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG- AFTRA.
1987-Present Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.)
The national union of professional television and film actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG-AFTRA.
1999-Present Actor's Equity Association (A.E.A.)
The national union of professional actors and stage managers, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation.
2011-Present Interdisciplinary.net
A forum for the exchange and interaction of inter-disciplinary ideas, research and points of view that bear on a wide range of issues of concern and interest in the contemporary world.
GRANTS AWARDED
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2019) grant for Using Arts and Social Sciences to enhance social companion robots’ adaptive abilities to improve health outcomes. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, Computer Science and Engineering-College of Engineering, College of Science-Psychology and College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Study content: The objective of this proposal is a pilot study that examines the impact of a social robot, adaptive control methodologies, and applied theatre techniques, and exercise to impact prospective memory and physical goals in older adults (N = 20). This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform using innovative machine learning techniques that promote and allow the robot to adapt its interaction with the human dynamically to improve exercise goals among older adults. To achieve this, the proposed research is integrating arts-driven methodology, including trust and connection, and novel robot control and learning approaches for interactions between humans and robots to impact prospective memory.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2017 - present
NID - NIDILRR - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (WIT RERC). (UTA Site). Modeling socially assistive robotic caretakers for individuals with developmental disabilities having older adult caregivers. RERC on Wireless Inclusive Technologies. National Institute on Disability and Independent Living Research (NIDILRR), (9/30/21). Total Grant $4,525,000 (UTA, $108,000) the Primary Investigator is Dr. John Bricout of UTA’s School of Social Work. Dr. Ling Xu site PI.
Study content: Study aims to explore and create a collaborative relationship between a care recipient, an older adult caretaker, and a socially assistive robot (SAR) in order to develop engaging interaction for caregiver respite. Study will incorporate future work with Department of Theatre Arts NAO and Pepper robot units in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab, UT-Arlington. J. Greer, director.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2018 - 2021
Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities (NSF grant CNS-1757641)
REU - Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities. Summer program research internships for qualified undergraduates to participate in research in the field of assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Theatre arts methodology is applied as a platform for engagement, connection, and trust in human-robot interaction, one of several multi-disciplinary projects the participants will engage in during 10-week internship. Budget $318,778.
Study content: In this project, the CSE Department, in partnership with several other departments at UTA, will offer a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focusing on assistive technologies (AT) for people with disabilities (PWD). The proposed theme encompasses innovative and novel topics that can help PWD meet barriers of different kinds - attitudinal, architectural, and technological - in accessing employment, navigating public spaces, freely communicating, and living independently. During this summer, each student will be working in a multi-disciplinary setting and exposed to innovative and novel inter-disciplinary projects through research and prototyping. The REU participants will work on computer programming, algorithms, sensors, data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, sensors, sign language, facial recognition, emotion and behavior analysis, smart care, augmented reality, data analytics, robots, human-machine interaction.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2016
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded the second annual UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grant for Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. One of only four grants awarded to the UTA research community. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work.
Study content: The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. This study examines theater performance methodologies through a social robotic platform. This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults by incorporating arts-driven methodology. This grant will continue through 2016 and 2017.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing - 2018
Phase II – Shakespeare and Robots.
The proposal seeks to expand the Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults with participants that are diagnosed with mild cognitive decline. As PI on the original study, I am collaborating with the School of Social Work Presidential Fellows recipient, Dr. Noelle Fields, to test the outcomes of the study on a new participant sample at Brookdale Assisted Living in Arlington.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2015
Digital Arts and Humanities Initiatives (DAHI) A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI.
Primary investigator for an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts and UTA Research Institute (UTARI) from the University of Texas at Arlington. The team will conduct a pilot study in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) at three separate locations; Office of Student Disabilities, Lakewood Retirement Community, Theatre Arts main office. Awarded from the College of Liberal Arts, Jan. 15th, 2016.
Study content: This is a study to inform how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI. The scope of the project will be the development of a pilot study and data collection of human-robot responses from three separate locations and with dissimilar subjects. Measurement will be through an adaptation of the NARS (Negative Attitudes toward Robots Scale), visual qualitative observation, log entries of human-robot interactions during the study, and ambient sound recordings for the detection of laughter and vocal responses from participants. The innovative approach of this research comes from the interdisciplinary work of UTA Theatre Arts and UTARI, bringing together divergent disciplines of theater arts and robotics. This study builds on previous published work on social robots, voice, movement theatre techniques, and healthcare settings to further the body of HRI literature. The robot will be controlled through a “Wizard-of-Oz” methodology scenario performed by undergraduate research assistants under the supervision of faculty. The project will conduct an innovative investigation of the best social robot and HRI practices available at UT-Arlington (UTARI robotic platform laboratory) as well as best practices for improvisation/humor techniques, applied drama, and performance studies. Preliminary data will be collected to allow for future studies and breakthroughs in Human-Robot Interaction. This proposal is well-suited to add to a discussion of UT-Arlington’s strategic initiatives; Health and the Human Condition and Data-Driven Discovery.
ONGOING GRANT DEVELOPMENT
Purchased social robot, Little Sophia, (pending) from Hanson Robotics, Inc. for the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Robot will be used in grant development of design implications of social robots and children with significant Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) themes.
GRANT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED and/or in DEVELOPMENT
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Research Enhance Program
Proposal submitted with Prof. Fillia Makedon. “InBlue: A smart system of sensors, theatre, and robots to help college depression”.
Depression is a leading cause of suicide and the second most common cause of death among college students. It is pervasive in colleges today and frequently goes undetected and untreated. The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that 39% of college students “felt so depressed that it was difficult to function” at least once during 2016-2017. College depression can lead to poor academic and work performance, substance abuse, social dysfunction, legal difficulties, gun violations, ill health, suicide attempts or completed suicide. Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include symptoms shown in Table 1. Identifying early warning signs of depression is crucial in preventing negative consequences and helping educators and mental health experts make targeted counselling and intervention decisions. To address college depression, it is of great interest to academia and the healthcare industry, to see how sensor technologies (e.g. mobile smartphones, wearable sensors, social robots) could be used to improve the wellbeing and mental health of users. Smartphones and wearables are excellent devices that can passively collect real time behavioural data, and be used to complement traditional depression diagnosis and monitoring, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
Keck Foundation – Undergraduate Categorization
One-page conceptual theme submitted to Randall Gentry, Dr. Duane Dimos, and Dr. Ann Cavallo. The proposal for Keck Foundation is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Building on the success of two pilot studies, a proposal is submitted by UTA to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene. The study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on an innovative five-point theatre model to decrease depression, loneliness, and increase engagement among older adults.
UTA Lead - 2018
NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
A collaboration external funding with TechComb, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and Univ. of Texas at Arlington. Greer is UTA Lead on the proposal. Title: Boosting STEM Patronage of Libraries and Museums through Interactive Social Robots.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Exploratory/Developmental Research (R21)
The proposal for NIH is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Focusing on the health benefits to the older adults and the success of two pilot studies, a proposal will be drafted to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene and the study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on the theatre methodology process of composing a live performance.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2017
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
Primary collaborator on the resubmission of an 18+ page proposal that comes under the AISL project type: (4) Innovations in Development. This project will incorporate robotics technology and advanced human robot interaction tools to help the audience build interest in STEM concepts, engage in hands-on activities to explore STEM potentials, and take part in a network of learners sharing their experience, ideas, and achievements in STEM. These three primary STEM objectives i.e. excitement, engagement, and expression, otherwise termed as E3, will be realized through a unique merger of theatre arts and robotics science methodologies into a metasystem of diverse autonomous robotic hardware and a novel platform agnostic human-robot interaction software. It is important to note this is a re-submission to NSF due in part to the positive response from NSF project managers regarding the core component of Theatre Arts Methodologies.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2016
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Smart and Autonomous Systems (S&AS)
This foundational proposal was a collaboration of UT-Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and UTARI (UTA research institute). The study will develop a new type of robot learning framework for next generation intelligent physical system. The proposed framework will implement a novel neuro-adaptive control technique for advanced human robot interaction, which will enable future robotic systems to derive seamless experiential learning from unaltered human behavior. Potential use case scenarios include a humanoid robot interacting with a diverse group of students and engaging them with innovative theatre methodology performance techniques in informative communication. Human aspects, such as trust, emotion-bias towards performance, and organic selection, are built into the analytical model for the proposed humanistic robot learning framework, which enables life-long evolution of the robot. The proposed project is driven by the motivation to make robots a part of the human society and not a parallel alien race, and, therefore, to evolve them through human ingenuity, emotions, and fallibility.
Principal Investigator (PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
An interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Theatre Arts and the Electrical Engineering Department at University of Texas at Arlington. Proposal was written and developed for UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with co-principal investigator, Dr. Dan Popa. Proposal received positive response and was within the top 10 proposals for the year. Proposal titled Live Theatre – Robot Live: a collaboration of robotics and performance.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will develop software to allow a robot to perform on-stage in a seminal role during the Mainstage season. This proposal will utilize faculty and student roles working in an inter-disciplinary environment.
Co-Principal investigator (Co-PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
Interdisciplinary collaboration between Department of Theatre Arts, UTARI, and the Director of the Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington. Wrote and developed a grant proposal for UTA’s Inter-Disciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with Kris Doelling, research scientist II, Manoj Mittal, research scientist II and Co-PI, Dr. Sarah F. Rose. Proposal titled Cyber Human Relationships: Engineering a relational model using theatre arts methodology structured to improve health and the human condition.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will engineer a cyber-human relational model using theatre arts methodology in order to address significant gaps in the current state of healthcare. We believe theatre arts, social robotics and relational methodologies are emerging as innovative components of healthcare for persons with disabilities.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) Panelist Reviewer
Invited to be a review panelist for proposals for the National Robotics Initiative 2.0 – a highly competitive funding opportunity for NSF totaling $35,000,000 billion in funds.
PUBLICATIONS, JOURNAL ARTICLES, and PAPERS
PAPERS
Paper, Second Author. Assistive Technology. 2021. The “humane in the loop”: inclusive research design and policy approaches to foster capacity building assistive technologies in the Covid-19 era.
Paper, Lead Author. Wireless Inclusive RERC 2021 One Forum, Atlanta, GA, 2021 – Conference theme: Include. Innovate. Transform. Theatre and robots: envisioning interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the stage. Conference proceedings.
Journal, Co-Author. Aging and Mental Health. 2019. Shall I compare thee…to a robot?: An exploratory pilot study using participatory arts and social robotics to improve psychological well-being in later life. Impact Factor: 2.956.
Paper, Lead Author. The 28th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication - RO-MAN 2019, New Delhi, India – Conference theme: Responsible robotics and AI for the real world. Shakespeare and Robots: Participatory performance art for older adults. Published in conference proceedings.
Paper, Lead Author. 1st Annual IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication conference. Laguna Hills, CA. Promoting Theatre Methodology for expressive robot movement and behavior.
Abstract, Co-Author. Innovation In Aging, 2019, Vol. 3, No. S1. NAO takes a bow: Using social robots to enhance the mood of older adults living in residential care settings.
Paper, Co-Author. 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics – IMSCI 2018. Robot Theatre to Boost Excitement, Engagement, and Expression (E3) of STEM., Orlando, FL. July 8 – 11, 2018. Conference proceedings.
Paper, Author. RO-MAN 2017, Lisbon, Portugal - Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life – Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Peer-reviewed full paper. Conference proceedings.
Paper and Journal, Author. International Conference on Social Robotics (icsr 2014). Building Emotional Authenticity Between Humans and Robots. Author. University of Technology Sydney epress. Sydney, Australia. 2014. Conference proceedings.
BOOK CHAPTER
Author, contributing to chapter in Exploring Videogames: Culture, Design, and Identity, edited by Nick Webber and Daniel Riha. Invited to expand accepted paper for the 2011 International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom. Published by Inter-Disciplinary Press. Introduction by Nick Webber follows, ‘Videogame Cultures: includes work from Julienne Greer, from Ben Abraham, from me, and from Daniel Riha. Greer’s chapter on digital companions encourages us to think about videogames as cultural objects with which players interact; here, games provide companions in which players become emotionally invested, even though these companions may in fact prove to be opponents. Many of these companions are carefully designed, playing on cultural referents to encourage certain kinds of responses from players – an instinct to nurture, say, or to love. Indeed, as Greer reports, scholars have been surprised by the strength of the bonds that are created by these companions, which produce meaningful relationships for the player in a similar way to those formed between humans and robots. For Greer, such relationships also have the quality of authenticity, in the pleasure of the emotional connection and the communication of one’s thoughts, rejecting Turkle’s perspective that authenticity here is found in the comprehension and acceptance of the relationship by both parties.
Pending Book Chapter Fall 2022: All the worlds a stage: Health/Art techniques between humans and robots
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE, PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, and/or
PAPERS
NEW DELHI, INDIA 2019
Invited presenter to Ashoka University. Ashoka University is a research-based private university located outside of Delhi in the Sonipat, Haryana, India. It is an emerging university with a close collaboration of Liberal Arts and STEM collaborations. Presentation included meetings with faculty, Dean of International Student Affairs, and 45+ student attended 1 ½ hour in duration focusing on the current state-of-the-art of social robotics and theatre methodology. Invitation was initiated by President Vistasp Karbhari, University of Texas at Arlington.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA 2018
Facilitator of student-led skype interview in Spanish. Colombia science-based educational website. Topic – Emotional Robotics Living Lab and theatre and robots.
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Guest and Paper presentation: RO-MAN 2017- Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life - The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Paper title, Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. Peer-reviewed full paper with conference proceedings publication.
KOREA – U.S.
Guest and Paper presentation: United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (UKC 2016) - United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is jointly organized by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) and The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) held on August 10 – August 13, 2016, Dallas, TX. The theme of UKC 2016 is “Enriching Lives through Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship” and its goal is to promote solving issues of the world through science, technology, and entrepreneurship to greatly improve the quality of people’s lives. The UKC 2016 is the flagship and largest academic conference between the United States and Korea.
LONDON, U.K.
Guest Speaker and presentation: The Robotics Innovation Show. 2015 Invited speaker and presenter at “The Robotics Innovation Show 2015” at ExCel in London, United Kingdom. October 20-21, 2015. Presentation content: “Empathy and Embodiment: Understanding humans in order to understand social robots.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Conference on Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) Invited Social Robotics Conference article/paper, "Building emotional authenticity between humans and robots." Paper was accepted at the International Conference of Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) - Social Intelligence in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 27 – 29. Selected to present an interactive workshop.
OXFORD, U.K.
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference. Invited Game Studies Conference article/paper, "Digital companions: analyzing the emotive connection between players and non-player companions in video game space." Paper was accepted at the International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom, 2011. Conference sponsored by Inter-Disciplinary.net: A Global Network for Dynamic Research and Publishing. Member of Inter-Disciplinary.net.
NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, WORKSHOP and/or
PAPER
2022 3rd IEEE TransdisciplinaryAI2022. Laguna Hills, CA.. Co-program chair of TransAI. .
2021 2st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and
2019 Urban Serving Universities (USU) Social Determinants of Health workshop. Cincinnati, OH. Invited to participate in a cohort of University of Texas at Arlington faculty and executive administration including Theatre Arts, Associate Vice-President of Research, Civil Engineering, School of Social Work, and College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Workshop content covered assimilation of the creative process for innovative ideas to help address public health problems – specifically for UTA, social isolation.
2019 1st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and behavior. Co-located with Transdisciplinary conference 2020. Currently invited to be co-program chair of AI and Humanities for Transdisciplinary 2020 and Humanized Computing and Communication 2020.
2018 The Gerontological Society of America's 70th Annual Scientific Meeting. Boston, MA, Nov. 14 – 18. Poster Acceptance, Abstract required for acceptance.
Abstract title: “Shall I compare thee to a …robot? The use of creative arts and social robotics with older adults.”
Abstract:
Research suggests that creative engagement in later life has a positive effect on mood in older adults. Research has also utilized social robots to address the psychosocial needs of older adults. However, few studies have linked participatory arts (e. g. theatre) as the creative engagement activity using a social robotic platform with older adults. An interdisciplinary team designed and implemented an intervention integrating theater and social robotics with the aim of improving the mood of study participants. A purposive sample of older adults age 65 and older (N = 8) participated in this pilot study. Participants completed 3 sessions of the Shakespearean theatre and social robotics intervention using the robot, Nao. Mixed methods included interview questions as well as short survey measures of depression, loneliness, and a simplified face scale for mood pre and post intervention. Results from the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests suggested that the overall level of depression of the participants was reduced significantly after session 1 (z = -2. 33, p < . 05), after session 2 (z = -2. 04, p < . 05), and after session 3 (z = -2. 00, p < . 05). Scores on the loneliness and the simplified face scale also decreased after the three sessions, however, the changes were not statistically significant. Qualitative findings suggest that participants were highly engaged, comfortable, and receptive to the intervention. We discuss the promising aspects and limitations of this innovative study, the utility of social robotics for providing artistic engagement for older adults, and implications for interdisciplinary practice.
2018 IMSCI, The 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics: Orlando, FL. Co-Author. Paper Invitation and Acceptance: This paper presents a novel framework for advancing informal STEM learning in kids between the ages of 10 and 15, using robotics as a platform, enabler, as well as channel for STEM. Being a cross-disciplinary technology, Robotics not only connects theory and applications of science, mathematics, and engineering fundamentals, but also delivers instant gratification from the efforts put in, through active hands-on human-robot interaction. Supported by multiple real-world feasibility studies, the presented framework hypothesizes that if made easy to build, teach, interact, and play with robots, it can be a potent facilitator of STEM, especially in young children – an age group which is naturally curious and enthusiastic about new findings. July 8 – 11 2018.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Kitty Bomb.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Paper presentation and Coordinator of Dramaturgy group. A recontextualization of Erving Goffman’s work.
2017 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Censor. Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting award
REGIONAL SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, PANELIST and/or
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Presentation for TCU ethics module for training “empathetic scholars”. June 2020.
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Demonstration of NAO the robot to the inaugural class of TCU’s medical school training “empathetic scholars” as the next generation of medical healers. October 2019.
Presentation: Girl Scout of Dallas Inaugural Grand Opening STEM Center. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and therapeutic robotic cat for opening day of 75-acre Girl Scout STEM Center. Community outreach to young women and girls on the interdisciplinary nature of emotional robotics at UTA. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Research Center Symposium Guest Luncheon. Invited by FWMSH as guest to lunch and research symposium with faculty from Baylor, UNT, and Stephen F. Austin universities. NAO demonstration. Key outreach for Museums for presentation in Informal Learning sites. May 2018.
Keynote Speaker: Arlington Kiwanis Club. Keynote speaker for lunch. How theatre methodologies can impact social robotics. Community outreach to older adults who are key subjects in robotics research. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Business Press - Entrepreneur Breakfast. Demonstration of NAO social robot in collaboration with UTARI. Community outreach with key Fort Worth business executives. Executive Director UTARI in attendance – Mickey McCabe. April 2018.
Presentation: Texas Dallas Library National Conference. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and robotic therapeutic cat. Invited by Dean of UTA library, Dr. Rebecca Bichel. A half-day demonstration to 500+ attendees. Mentored three UTA students in demonstration and presentation of key UTA research and social robot values. April 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival. Presentation of social robot, JIBO, for a half-day demonstration at the University of Texas at Arlington Communications tent. Community outreach on behalf of the STEM interdisciplinary values at UTA. April 2018.
Guest Speaker and Presentation: Arlington Public Library (New York Avenue location). Presentation to APL group, Girls Who Code, with social robot, NAO. March 2018.
Presentation at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. NAO presentation with UTARI team. October 2017. Community outreach for higher visibility of UTA in the DFW area and interdisciplinary concepts of Theatre and Social Robotics for children. Presentation with AISL sponsor, FWMSH, continues to create bridges in the community between UTA and DFW informal education sites.
Guest Speaker and MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS: Arlington Public Library. In preparation for the AISL 2.4 million submission to NSF, community outreach and sponsored partners were cultivated with various DFW organizations. Arlington Public Library was featured strongly in the bridge building. Multiple presentation at various libraries for the dates; Sept. 11, 14, 19, and Oct. 9, among others.
Guest Speaker & Panelist: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Rising Tide Initiative Launch and Panel Discussion. An inaugural evening with the theme of Emerging Technologies: Meeting our Future. The Rising Tide Initiative has a mission to enhance entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology in Fort Worth and Tarrant County through a vibrant and collaborative technological ecosystem. April 2017. http://www.fortworthbusiness.com/news/fwmsh-hosting-rising-tide-initiative-event-friday/article_d12988e2-2a90-11e7-b0c5-f3f5c3095f6f.html
Guest Speaker/Panelist: Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous (LASERs). Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous event at University of North Texas this fall, also known as LASERs. LASERs are an exciting event series at the intersection of arts and sciences that bring together leading experts to talk about their work and experiences at the forefront of discovery and creativity. Each evening event includes presenters from the sciences, technology, industry, and the arts who offer expertise from an angle that connect to the mixed-discipline community from the arts, sciences, industry, and technology in attendance. Dr. Greer was one of three invited guest speakers and panelists. October 2016. Video content at http://arteca.mit.edu/video/julienne-greer-laser
Collaborator: Invited by David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics to presentation, “SXSW Interactive” in Austin, Texas. Invitation given to increase possible collaboration between Hanson Robotics and Dr. Greer’s emotional work in social robotics. Discussion with Hanson and attendance at a private viewing of research with Hanson robot, Philip K. Dick, Android. March 2016.
University of Texas at Arlington SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, and/or PANELIST
Keynote Speaker: iStart Valley. Innovative ideas. Transferring ideas into StartUps. A MAVS100 company. August, 2021.
Science Café Presenter: UTA Libraries zoom outreach to science and technology interests students and general public. A 45-min. live zoom presentation with real-time questions regarding Social Robotics and Theatre integration. April, 2020
Keynote Speaker: UTA CPE Department of Accounting Scholarship Banquet Gala. Keynote speaker for evenSciencing gala. Empathy and Embodiment: How theatre methodology informs social robotics. May 2018.
Guest Speaker: TEDxUTA. Live streaming presentation. Titled Will a robot be your next best friend? to a live audience at TEDxUTA at conference venue. April 2018.
Emotional Robotics Living Lab: Director. Formal Opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at Preston Hall, Room 304 to 30+ invitees including Office of Research, Office of Communications, College of Liberal Arts Dean’s office and Dept. of Theatre Arts. Hands-on activities and presentations including NAO, Pepper, Jibo, and Joy-for-all robotic cat. March 2018.
Guest Speaker: Healthline Meeting. Human-Robot Interaction: Social Robots and Healthcare. Invited by Health Libraries Information Network. January 2018.
Presentation: School of Social Work Meet and Greet for Research. 3 Slides, 3 minutes. An interdisciplinary meeting organized to present interdisciplinary work for collaboration with the SSW. January 2018.
Invited Guest Speaker and Presentation. One of 5 faculty members invited to present, the only member from the College of Liberal Arts, by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon, Dean of CoLA. Presentation was attended by University of Texas at Arlington President Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, Vice President of Research, Dr. Dimos, and honored guests, 7 executive VIPs from UT Systems health. NAO presentation of health-related work with IRP funded grant, Shakespeare and Robots. November 2017.
Guest Speaker: Digital Arts and Humanities Initiative (DAHI) Speaker Series. The DAHI team will present the findings of the study A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI in the University of Texas at Arlington Library 6th floor Parlor. April 2017.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. Second year of presenting the robot, Nao, to 500+ middle and high school students. Presentation included multiple groups rotating in for a demonstration ranging from 12 minutes to 30 minutes. Demonstration included verbal commands, human-to-robot interaction, various animations including, Puppet, Air Guitar, Rowing the Boat, and concluded with Shakespearean Sonnet 18. April 2017.
Speaker and Silver Sponsor: University of Texas at Arlington INNOVATION DAY A high school and college student competition featuring student and faculty startup pitches. Department of Theatre Arts participated as a silver sponsor alongside UTARI. Presentations were made by Dr. Greer with NAO the robot on theatre methodologies in social robotics. Conference is an annual event held on February 2017.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington, Honors College Colloquium Series – Will a Robot be your Next Friend? How theatre methodologies are utilized to enhance the relationship in human-robot interaction (HRI). The pros and cons of social robots entering the U.S. market in 2017. And, an introduction to the Department of Theatre’s research robot, Nao. This presentation was part of a monthly colloquium hosted by the Honors College in which a member of the UTA faculty discusses his or her research. Greer presentation given to honors students (30+) on research with the robot, Nao, which stands at the intersections of Theatre, Computer Science, Psychology, and Healthcare. Kevin Gustafson, Interim Dean of the Honors College, “Yours was easily among the most engaging of the more than twenty colloquia we have sponsored over the past four years.” December 2016.
Invited Panelist: Research Integrity Symposium. Research Integrity Symposium sponsored by the Steering Committee that manages the Responsible Conduct of Research Training Program (RCR) at University of Texas at Arlington. This year’s theme will be Collaborative Research. The issued to be discussed will be: research integrity, responsible conduct, management of collaborations, formal agreements as well as informal arrangements addressing matters such as authorship, roles and responsibilities, research compliance, and mentoring of trainees. October 2016.
Guest Speaker: Invited to present on the intersection of social robotics and theatre at the College of Business, Accounting Departments’ CPE Day at University of Texas at Arlington on August 2016.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. I began work with UTARI collaborating and developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. Invited ten Theatre Arts undergraduate students to UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot. April 2016.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington. Focus on Faculty. Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 2016. https://library.uta.edu/events/focus-faculty-julienne-greer
Panelist: Invited Research Discussant & Panel member. Fixed: The Science Fiction of Human Enhancement. Interdisciplinary panel. Invited by the Director of Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington to participate on a panel with UTA faculty John Bricout, associate dean of the School of Social Work, and Janet Morrow, disabilities studies adjunct professor. Moderated discussion and talk back after a viewing of the film, March 2015.
PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY AWARDS AND HONORS
2019 - University of Texas at Arlington, 2019 COLA Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure Track Faculty, “selected because of your outstanding record of teaching as well as your interdisciplinary approach to teaching theatre arts through social robotics and performance
2016 - University of Texas at Arlington, Focus on Faculty Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 20th, 2016.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Endowment Award given by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon and the Dean's Office of the College of Liberal Arts - Endowment Award for Research and Creative Activity - toward the purchase of Pepper, the emotional robot, from SoftBank Robotics for use in a multi-disciplinary Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) course created by Dr. Julienne Greer titled Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited speaker to AGS staff luncheon on behalf of Department of Theatre Arts, publicity and university outreach for Theatre Arts 2015-2016 season.
2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited participant in inaugural grant writing group. Five faculty participants were chosen to interact with senior grant writers, Office of Development and Office of the Provost, Division of Faculty Affairs.
2014 - Star-Telegram Best Actress in a Performance - 2014 as Juliana Singleton in Dallas-Fort Worth premier of The Other Place by Sharr White, Circle Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas.
2011 - University of Texas at Dallas Travel/Professional Development Award. Travel expenses to Oxford, University in England, United Kingdom. Mansfield College. Videogame Cultures is a premier game studies conference in Europe.
2001 Best Actress in a Play, Stage West, Honor from Board of Directors. Blanche Dubois, in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
AWARDS/HONORS
Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure-Track Faculty, 2019. University of Texas at Arlington, College of Liberal Arts, Dept. of Theatre Arts.
Outstanding Mainstage Production, 2014-15 Season, MAVPLAYS, Dept. of Theatre Arts’ Student/Faculty Awards. April, 2015. Producer: MAVPLAYS; Director: Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets.
Most Inspiring Professor, Nominee 2004, Department of Theatre, Texas Christian University.
Panhellenic Council Awards.
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
INTERNATIONAL
ITALY – April 2018
Disablog.it. Provide assistive technology to disabled people through the study of disability itself. “Le tecnologie assistive, comprese quelle basate sull’intelligenza artificiale, possono svolgere un ruolo importante nel plasmare il modo in cui le persone con disabilità sono in grado di muoversi nelle attività quotidiane. Tuttavia, ciò che può sembrare una buona idea per un ingegnere potrebbe non essere una realtà di fatto quando una persona con disabilità cerca di utilizzare la tecnologia.”
http://www.disablog.it/fornire-tecnologia-assistiva-alle-persone-disabili-tramite-lo-studio-della-disabilita-stessa/
KOREA - November 2017
Irobotnews.com. 텍사스알링턴대, 로봇-인간 정서 교감 연구 Human Emotional Empathy Research.
“Our idea is not to replace people, but to meet the gap," said UTA director of theater arts and professor Julienne Greer. "Above all, through performing arts we wish to interact with robots and people of various ages to create a solidarity of trust and emotion."
http://www.irobotnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12256
FRANCE – November 2017
InfoHighTech.com. LE NOUVEAU LABORATOIRE DE ROBOTIQUE ÉMOTIONNELLE ÉTUDIE L’INTERACTION HOMME-ROBOT. [The New Laboratory of Emotional Robotics Study in the interaction of human-robot]
“Julienne Greer et ses collègues Ling Xu et Noelle Fields, deux professeurs adjoints à la School of Social Work de l’UTA, et Kris Doelling, ingénieur de recherche à l’UTA Research Institute (UTARI), ont récemment mené une étude auprès d’adultes âgés dans un établissement indépendant au Texas. Le robot et les adultes ont interagi en utilisant des sonnets bien connus de Shakespeare. Cette étude, financée par une subvention de 20 000 dollars du Programme de recherche interdisciplinaire de l’UTA, a révélé qu’après trois semaines d’interactions, il y avait une baisse significative de la dépression et une augmentation de l’engagement social humain-robot chez ces personnes âgées.”
https://www.infohightech.com/le-nouveau-laboratoire-de-robotique-emotionnelle-etudie-linteraction-homme-robot/
BELGIUM – April 2017
Human 2.0 – Exploring Cyborgs. Lectures – Expo – Film.
In partial requirements for his master’s degree at The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, abbreviated KU Leuven, alum Andrew Beckman, organized with his peers, an evening of cyborg culture. Dr. Greer participated via video with NAO the robot. “What is a cyborg? What isn’t a cyborg a human 2.0? Where do we draw the line that separates humans from cyborgs?
https://www.facebook.com/events/439715329714287/
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
NATIONAL
National media and news outlets which ran UTA press release(s) story of the opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab and the analysis of Shakespeare and Robots research study:
UTA Communication analytics reported $100,000 advertising buys for TV spots featuring Dr. Greer’s work and Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
April 2018 – EurekaAlert! Science News. UTA grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/uota-ugt041318.php
April 2018 – PHYS.ORG. Grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be Integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://phys.org/wire-news/285330818/grant-to-help-minority-students-link-assistive-technology-with-d.html
April 2018 – DisabledWorld.com. UTA Grant to Help Minority Students Link Assistive Technology with Disabilities Studies. “Assistive technology program will teach undergraduate students, especially minority and female students and those with disabilities, how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities.
https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/finance/uta-grant.php
January 2018 – Xconomy. UTA Using Robots, Shakespeare to Study Ways to Address Loneliness. Angela Shah.
“A study at the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington is exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression…UTA’s living lab, which is made up of spaces set up to look like a person’s home – is part of a multidisciplinary effort that includes professors in theatre arts, social work, and engineering.”
https://www.xconomy.com/texas/2018/01/19/uta-using-robots-shakespeare-to-study-ways-to-address-loneliness/
January 2018 – KRWG New Mexico State: Justin Martin talks with Julienne Greer, director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington, about the emotional side of robots.
Audio:
http://krwg.org/post/local-newscast-1-53
November 2017 – EurekAlert! The Global Sources for Science News. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support. “The ideas here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,” said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uota-uer111317.php
November 2017 – Robotics Tomorrow. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. The new lab will feature two robots from SoftBank Robotics, NAO and Pepper. Pepper is a 4-foot humanoid robot with large, expressive eyes and lifelike gestures that can connect with people on an emotional level. NAO is a smaller humanoid robot, designed to be an interactive companion.”
https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/article/2017/11/uta%EF%BF%BD%EF%BF%BDs-emotional-robotics-living-lab-will-research-how-robots-can-be-integrated-into-homes-as-companions-and-caregivers/11072
November 2017 - PHYS.ORG. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? ‘We want to look at what it means to have a robot in the room, and plan to use theatre methodology to make that experience as engaging as possible," Greer added. ‘Both robots are also actively used in the curriculum of the course I teach, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre every semester, which involves hands-on student/robot interactions.’”
https://phys.org/wire-news/272048432/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-compani.html
November 2017 – TIEECO.org Silicon Valley. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “The new lab is studying whether or not a robot can fill in the emotional gap needed to be a companion or caretaker to humans.”
https://www.tieeco.org/ecosystem/news/n/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds
November 2017 – Robotics Trends. New Emotional Robotics Lab to Study Human-Robot Interaction. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots.” http://conflict.md/2017/11/15/new-emotional-robotics-lab-to-study-human-robot-interaction/
November 2017 – ASEE First Bell. University of Texas Using Literature to Forge Emotional Bonds Between Humans, Robots. The Dallas Morning News (11/20, Brumfield) reports the University of Texas at Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab “is using the work of none other than William Shakespeare” to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safety with humans and to “learn how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional as well as physical support.” The piece quotes UTA theater arts professor Julienne Greer saying, “The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap. We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.” http://mailview.bulletinmedia.com/mailview.aspx?m=2017112101asee&r=6106399-da88&render=y
November 2017 – News Cision. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “The lab is designed with home spaces for older adults featuring mid-century furniture as well as a more modern play space for projects using children or younger adults.”
http://news.cision.com/university-of-texas-at-arlington/r/uta-s-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companions-caregivers,c2390637
November 2017 – PublicNow.com. Robots and Theatre. NAO and Pepper in the new lab. How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers?
http://www.publicnow.com/view/3E87CF16C169F1B824FAEBA8EC850949936A99B5?2017-11-13-20:30:17+00:00-xxx5895
November 2017 – DailyTopicI. Texas-based Emotional Robotics Living Lab Creates Caregiver Robots - Robotics. “Public research school University of Texas at Arlington opened its Emotional Robotics Living Lab to determine how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional support or to serve as caregivers.”
http://dailytopici.com/news/view/8270
November 2017 – CQRCENGAGE.com. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? “The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA's Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://cqrcengage.com/auvsi/app/document/25102365?1
November 2017 – McKnight’s Senior Living. Universities study robots to help senior living residents. Lois A. Bowers. “Independent living and assisted living communities are serving as testing grounds as University of Texas at Arlington researchers try to develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers. Researchers hope the efforts meet resident needs and help operators address labor challenges.”
https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/universities-study-robots-to-help-senior-living-residents/article/707478/
November 2017 – AZOrobotics.com. New Emotional Robotic Living Lab will Investigate the Integration of Robots into Homes. “We are now looking to make the experience more immersive so that the robot and the adults play out an entire scene of Shakespeare together…we hypothesize that the more immersive the theatre intervention, the deeper and more positive the responses in older adults will be in regards to depression and social engagement’”
https://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=9587
November 2017 – ScienMag Science Magazine. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to Focus on Robots as Companions/Caregivers. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://scienmag.com/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companionscaregivers/
November 2017 – Bob Heyer-Gray. Librarian at University of California – Davis. University of Texas using literature to forge emotional bonds between humans, robots. “Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is ‘using the work of no other than William Shakespeare’ to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safely with humans.”
November 2017 – BotWeb.net. The latest robotics news from around the web. “‘The idea here is not to replace humans, but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.”
October 2017 – LeadingAge.com. Robots and Self-Driving Taxis on the Rise in Senior Living by Donna Childress. Companion robots and others offer large potential to engage older adults. “NAO, which challenged the residents to give the final lines of a Shakespeare sonnet and can do things like shake hands and join residents for tai chi, was a hit… ‘Older adults really did find this futuristic machine…quite fascinating…I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’” https://www.leadingage.org/cast/robots-and-self-driving-taxis-rise-senior-living
October 2017 – Andrea Hektner.com. Repeat after me, robots are not humans. “Within her area of study, Greer dedicates herself to understanding all the facets underlining the many ways in which humans interact with one another…The interesting concept of Greer’s work is that humans must first understand humanity in order to make way for the incoming generation of robots, which she argues can be achieved through the theatrical arts.”
https://andreahektner.com/2016/06/20/repeat-after-me-robots-are-not-humans/
September 2017 – Seniorhousingnews.com. Senior Living Sees Slow But Steady Robot Revolution by Tim Regan. “Most recently, a Brookdale community in Arlington, Texas, hosted researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), to determine whether reciting Shakespeare with a robot could lessen symptoms of depression and increase engagement for seniors… ‘Will more assisted living facilities see robots in this way, not just for service, but also as companions? I absolutely think so,” she says. “I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’”
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/09/15/senior-living-sees-slow-steady-robot-revolution/
August 2017 – Brookdale.com, Brookdale Senior Living Solutions; Technology and Innovation Section by Andrew Smith. NAO takes a bow: Meet the robot engaging seniors in the arts. Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. “The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,” said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA. For three weeks, eight Brookdale residents spent an hour each week reciting Shakespeare with NAO. NAO recited the first 12 lines of Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) with all the drama of a professional actor and then asked the residents to complete the last two lines. While some residents were hesitant at first, the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Based on the data from our study, findings suggest that there was a significant increase in engagement and a significant decrease in depression,” said Dr. Greer. “We learned that social robots are poised to become viable collaborative companions in places like Brookdale.” The poetry performance was just the beginning of NAO’s interaction. The robot can shake hands, accompany seniors on a walk, perform Tai Chi and tell stories. The versatility was a hit with residents…NAO is a perfect example of how something that seems so simple (a Shakespeare reciting robot) can significantly improve quality of life. It also demonstrates that seniors, just like the rest of us, get excited and engaged with novel technologies. https://www.brookdalenews.com/nao-takes-bow-meet-robot-engaging-seniors-in-arts.htm
March 2017 – FOX 10, MyFoxZone. KIDY San Angelo, TX. Robots Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly… ‘Researchers are using a robot reciting Shakespeare with senior citizens, in what is known as ‘participatory art.’”
https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416978351
March 2017 – FOX 15, MyFoxZone. KXVA Abilene, TX. Robot Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly.’”
Article and Video:
https://www.fox15abilene.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416977500
January 2016 – DISCOVERY.COM Discovery News. Why We Want Our Robots to Like Us. Glenn McDonald. “Julienne Greer, a theater professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has a unique insight into the issue of Human Robot Interaction, or HRI. In recent years, Greer and her students have worked directly with computer scientists and engineers in the U-T system, creating the new class Humans and Robots to explore the emerging emotional connections between people and machines. ‘My time spent in theatre arts seems to indicate that we are all wired to connect to empathetic human experiences, especially emotional experiences, and we feel the most 'like ourselves' when we do,’ Greer says.” [Discovery News source has changed the following link is correct for the original article.]
https://engineering.nd.edu/news-publications/engineering-in-the-news/why-we-want-our-robots-to-like-us
November 2014 – NDTV.com, The Future Awaits the Rise of Affectionate Robots. “A new study into a robot named Pepper who has been hailed as an emotionally responsive humanoid robot, can help scientists build more affection robots.”
http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/the-future-awaits-the-rise-of-affectionate-robots-703178
November 2014 – The Aurora Fox Arts Center. From STEM to STEAM, Theatre and Robots? “Performing Arts and ‘Theatre’ hold a regular spot on lists like Forbes’ “The Ten Worst College Majors” and The Daily Beast’s “The Thirteen Most Useless Majors”. But Julienne Greer sees that changing…When Julienne Greer heard about the new “emotional” robots coming out of Japan (like Aldebaran’s Pepper) she was intrigued. These robots are designed to be in-home companions that can read people’s moods and respond appropriately…The take-away? An actress (with a Theatre degree) is successfully working with scientists to develop super cool technology. Looks like that major wasn’t so useless after all.” [Link has expired as of 7/18/18]
http://aurorafoxartscenter.org/cms/2014/11/25/from-stem-to-steam/
November 2014 – Cosmos Magazine, How to Make Robots More Like Humans. “Actor, producer and director Julienne Greer is helping engineers build more responsive robots…Part of her work involves categorizing behaviors and gestures and understanding how these gestures can create emotion in humans. Robot engineers may be able to apply these principles when programming robots… ‘Performance, connection and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots.’”
https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/how-to-make-robots-more-like-humans
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
REGIONAL – DFW
April 2018 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Developing Assistive Technologies Program with $381K Grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded the grant to fund the program that will teach undergraduate students, particularly minority and female students with disabilities, how to design the assistive technology. Ishfaq Ahmad, professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department is the principal investigator, UTA said. Other co-principal investigators are Julienne Greer, assistant professor in theater arts; and assistant professors of computer science and engineering Manfred Huber and Vassilis Athitsos.
https://dallasinnovates.com/381k-grant-help-develop-uta-assistive-technologies-program/
December 2017 – KERANews.org. Robots Reciting Shakespeare with Seniors in UTA Study Hints at Future Companion Role. Justin Martin and Molly Evans. “Robots are assuming more and more roles in our daily lives…In the study, older adults interacted with a robot using Shakespearean sonnets. The study comes from UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which explores the bigger idea of robots as companions and caregivers in the future. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre arts and the lab’s director, explains how one of the robots, called NAO, was used in the study… ‘It was not just reciting Shakespeare. We made this study because we wanted the robot to participate with the older adult. Now, when someone is participating in an art, they’re not just looking at that painting, they’re not just listening to that music. They are actually in a process of doing, and that was shown to have incredibly positive results.’” Article, Video, and Audio files to follow:
http://keranews.org/post/robots-reciting-shakespeare-seniors-uta-study-hints-future-companion-role
Youtube – 10 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A7I_peskTk
December 2017 – Arlington Voice. Robotics theatrics pairs UTA research with Arlington seniors. “NAO is one of two advanced robots used in the lab to test the emotional engagement between man and machine. It’s (NAO) arm, no longer than that of a toddler, reaches toward the sky as it recites Shakespeare Sonnet 18… ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer day.’”
https://arlingtonvoice.com/arlington/education/2017/12/02/robotic-theatrics-pairs-uta-research-arlington-seniors
November 2017 – Star-Telegram News. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? Bill Hana. “NAO, a 23-inch tall robot, performs a 30-second Tai Chi routine, gracefully moving its arms up in the air. At the same time, Kevyn Martinez, a 20-year-old communications major at the University of Texas at Arlington, stands behind the small robot, mirroring its movements. The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/arlington/article186305888.html
November 2017 – DallasNews.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says. Loyd Brumfield. “We all know that robots with human-like functions are coming. But as we have learned in everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Westworld, how do we know they can be trusted. Maybe artists hold the key to that answer more so than scientists or engineers. ‘The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theater arts at UTA and director of the lab. ‘We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2017/11/20/robots-caregivers-afraid-uta-says
November 2017 – PressReader.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20171121/282110636909639
November 2017 – NBC DFW Channel 5 News. Shakespeare Performing Robots Show Promise for Mental Health in UTA Study. Tim Ciesco. “A theater arts professor, a mechanical engineering student, and a small robot all meet in a classroom. That's not the opening line of an obscure joke -- it's what actually happens inside UT-Arlington's new Emotional Robotics Living Lab… ‘Theater arts is a discipline of connection, empathy, voice, movement, relationship -- and in the end trust,’ said Greer. ‘I think it's stimulating. I think by utilizing arts content it's more life-like.’” Article and Video follows:
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Shakespeare-Performing-Robots-Show-Promise-for-Mental-Health-in-UTA-Study-458674103.html
November 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11&21 News. UTA Working to Make Robots Become More Human. Robbie Owens. “Once the stuff of science fiction, robots today run our factories and touch nearly aspect of our lives. Now, an interdisciplinary research project at University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) looks to explore what could happen if robots can learn to touch our hearts. Dr. Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, and Director of the university’s ‘Living Lab’ where participants interact with the robots in a home-like setting… ‘We can bring all the things that make theater so human: the ability to connect, the ability to understand another human being’s life… empathy… I am programming robots that will allow you to stay in your home longer,’ said Dr. Greer, ‘When I say that, that’s when people go: `how quickly can you get them to me?’”
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/11/14/uta-robots-human/
November 2017 – WALA Fox Channel 10, Alabama. Robots with Emotions?
“Social companion robots with the goal to let people live independently into later life.” https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30774829?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Fox 13, Tampa, Florida. “Students and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington are trying to create robots that have emotions.”
Video with UTA Dept. of Theatre Arts students:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30775344?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “In the study, a robot and adults interacted using sonnets from Shakespeare, and researchers found that after three weeks, there was a major drop in depression and an increase in robot-human social engagement among the older adults.”
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds/
November 2017 – KRLD 1080 am RADIO. Audio interview on the opening of Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Audio:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30692189?token=2912f455-cfc2-4423-9da3-adfec9cb7a4b
November 2017 – Arlington-TX.gov. UTA Launches Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support… ‘We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/11/14/uta-launches-emotional-robotics-living-lab/
November 2017 – Texas Digital Humanities Consortium. Promoting digital research in Texas and beyond. Lisa Spiro. “Dr. Julienne Greer was awarded one of UTA’s second annual Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grants for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults.” She leads an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. Dr. Greer and colleagues also received funding for A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI, which examines how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI.”
https://www.txdhc.org/members/lspiro/activity/1273/
September 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11 “Dr. Julienne Greer, an Assistant Professor of Social Robotics and Performance, says they are using something called participatory arts to help robots interact with senior citizens…The content of the art is said to enhance a person’s cognitive skills, as well as offer companionship for older adults… ‘We want the older adults to feel engaged in an art form…we are very hopeful the same positive results that happen in human to human models will happen with a human to robot model…’ Theater for Psychological Well-Being. The goal is to provide an intervention tool for early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Team: Dr. Julienne Greer, UTA College of Theatre Arts, Dr. Noelle Fields, UTA School of Social Work. Sponsor: UTA: Interdisciplinary Research Program.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=3xzNF16ZBqo
April 2017 – CW33 To Bot or not to Bot: Meet the little robot who can perform Shakespeare! Chris Skupien. “Here in the 21st century, robots are nothing new. But have you ever seen one recite a sonnet? ‘This robot is considered a social or companion robot…This is the robot that might be a friend and that is where the theatre methodology comes in.’”
Article and Video:
http://cw33.com/2017/04/27/to-bot-or-not-to-bot-meet-the-little-robot-who-can-perform-shakespeare/
Dec. 2016 – Star-Telegram by Sara Pintilie. Shall AI compare thee? UTA robot recites Shakespeare for science. Star-Telegram article/video initially requested by Dr. Vistap Karbhari, President of UT-Arlington.
“University of Texas at Arlington’s Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts: social robotics and performance, wants to use NAO and Shakespeare to help older adults in a new interdisciplinary study. Interdisciplinary research can promote a new way to tackle a problem or a fresh approach to age-old questions. It can produce exciting and refreshing elements, like a Shakespeare-reciting robot. Greer’s study, when it begins in April, will have older adults listen as NAO recites the first 12 lines of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, and the people will recite the last two lines. ‘The pilot date will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults, the study says.’”
Article and Video:
http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article120016593.html
Dec. 2016 – Dallas Observer. The University of Texas at Arlington’s Theatre Department has a new student – a Robot by Pablo Arauz. “Nao the robot is a little over a month old but can already recite poetry as if it feels passion… Greer is an assistant professor of theater and an actor. Her life’s work has been to study how humans interact with other humans, but recently she’s been exploring a whole new territory: How humans interact with machines and the experience involved in understanding this relationship – that’s right, a relationship with a machine. Her specialty is an interdisciplinary research area called theater and social robotics that explores how robots can reflect human emotion by applying traditional acting methods.”
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-university-of-texas-at-arlingtons-theater-department-has-a-new-student-a-robot-8987400
December 2016 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Theatre Prof Will Use Robot in Study on Human-Machine Connection. UTA professor Julienne Greer will use an autonomous humanoid robot in an upcoming study exploring the connection between humans and machines.
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-theater-prof-will-use-robot-in-study-on-human-machine-connection/
February 2016 – Fox News4ward, February 7th and 13th, 2016, Robots with Human Emotions, by Dan Godwin. “It may sound like science fiction, but more and more these days robots are exhibiting human qualities. And in many homes, they serve as companions for people. In this FOX 4Ward segment, Dan Godwin talks with Dr. Julienne Greer, a local expert who is helping guide that progress in a positive direction.”
http://www.fox4news.com/news/fox-4-features/86482879-story
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
UTA IN THE NEWS
April 20th, 2018 – UTA In the News
Technologies in Disabilities grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded a $381,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant from the National Science Foundation, Dallas Innovates.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/04/20.php
January 22nd, 2018 – UTA In the News
“Robots are being created to help with tasks like disinfecting hospital rooms or alerting patients when it’s time to take medications, Xconomy.com reported. A study at UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is even exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre at UTA, serves as the director of the lab, which was launched in November.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/01/22.php
December 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts in UTA’s College of Liberal Arts, appeared on KERA 90.1 FM discussing her research in the field of social and emotional robotics. She found that interactions with robots had a positive impact on the lives of senior citizens in an assisted living facility. Greer is the director of UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/15.php
December 4st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Arlington Voice reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/04.php
December 1st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Robotics Tomorrow reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/01.php
November 27th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Robotics Living Lab
“The Star-Telegram reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/27.php
November 22nd, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Innovates, ASEE First Bell,
China's Irobotnews and France's Infohightech reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/22.php
November 20th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC 5 reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/20.php
November 17th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab continued to attract national attention with KTVT Fox 13 in Tampa, Fla., WALA Fox 10 in Mobile, Ala., Robotics Trends, Azorobotics and many other media outlets covering the start of the lab, which will investigate what the future will look like with robots.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/17.php
November 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Researchers at UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab are investigating what the future will look like with robots. They're also examining how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support, KTVT CBS 11, KRLD 1080 AM, ArlingtonTx.gov, CBSDFW.com, McKnight’s Senior Living, ScienMag and Phys.org reported. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts, is directing the new lab.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/15.php
UTA PRESS RELEASES
January 2020 – UTA Press Release. UTA takes on loneliness crisis. Dana Jennings. “We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life,” said Greer, who also is director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “Theater has a way of giving more depth to one’s identity and creating a deeper sense of self-expression. Robots do not judge or get their feelings hurt, thus creating a safe space for people to be expressive.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/news-releases/2020/01/09/social-isolation
April 2018 – UTA Press Release. UTA researchers earn grant to teach minority undergraduates how to link assistive technology, artificial intelligence and disability studies. Herb Booth. University of Texas at Arlington computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor…were awarded a three-year, $318,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2018/04/nsf-adaptive-tech-undergrad.php
November 2017 – UTA Press Release. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. Louisa Kellie.
“Greer and an interdisciplinary team recently carried out a study with older adults at an independent living facility in Texas where the robot and adults interacted using well-known sonnets from Shakespeare. This study, which was funded with a seed grant from UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program, found that after three weeks of interactions, there was a significant drop in depression and increase in human-robot social engagement among those older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2017/11/Greer%20release%20robots.php
November 2017 - UTA Newsroom. Sonnet Technology. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor in the UTA Department of Theatre Arts, is combining Shakespeare and state-of-the-art robots to reduce depression and increase engagement among older adults. The interdisciplinary team includes researchers from UTA's School of Social Work and the UTA Research Institute. The research team recently opened an emotional robotics living lab to understand how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers.
https://www.uta.edu/news/video/2017/11/Shakespeare-Robot.php
Youtube: 1.23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=olH9WOR9GtE
November 2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, News Release UT Arlington Theatre Arts research provides insight into human behavior for scientists, engineers who build social robots by Bridget Lewis. News release was picked up by multiple science websites including; Phys.org, esciencenews.com, sciencenewsline.com, techsharx.com, cosmosmagazine.com, inas.in (Indo-Asian news service) as well as a Lithuanian news site, robotika.it (Menininkės įžvalgos pravers robotų kūrėjams). “The fascinating aspect of sensory (data) work is how it opens the imagination to the cognitive work our senses do all day, every day to connect us to our world. The subject becomes aware of new sensory stimuli, which in turn creates an emotional response.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2014/11/Greer-social-robotics.php
August 2016 – NEWS RELEASE UTA Awards Four 2016 Inter-disciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016). UTA awarded grants for innovative ideas that address high-priority issues in society. I was granted one of only four awards University-wide for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on the psychological well-being of older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2016/08/IRP%202016.php
UTA MAGAZINE - PRINT
UTA – The University of Texas at Arlington Magazine, Pioneers of the 21st Century. Antwan Williams. “They’re doing so with the help of 2-foot tall robot named NAO that performs Shakespearean sonnets… ‘all these awards represent important research innovations and could create a real impact in society’ says Duane Dimos, vice president for research.’”
http://www.uta.edu/utamagazine/spring-2018/features/pioneers-of-the-21st-century.php
May 2015 – INQUIRY - The Research Magazine for University of Texas at Arlington, I, Robot, Engineers look to theatre techniques to create more responsive machines. “Performance, connection, and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots…We must be specific in programming robots to respond to, and eventually learn from, the human relationships they will be a part of.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/inquiry/spring15/faculty/i-robot.php
UTA MAVWIRE
April 2018. Assistive Technologies Studies. “Computer scientists and faculty with the disabilities studies minor will create a campus-wide program to teach how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers.”
https://www.uta.edu/enews/mavwire/2018/04/23.html
UTA COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS NEWSROOM and CoLA Magazine
June 2018 – CoLA Magazine. UTA Faculty Pursue DATA DRIVEN DISCOVERY. NSF grant Focuses on Research in Assistive Technology. "Greer, an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, has received numerous grants for creating distinctive social applications for robots...'Dr. Rose and Dr. Greer specialize in cutting edge scholarship.'"
https://www.yumpu.com/en/embed/view/J8fLIC0n7AvhREm9
November 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Newsroom. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is open and ready for a close-up! “Arlington’s new Emotion Robotics Living Lab opened fall semester 2017 and features two robots designed to connect with humans on an emotional level and act as companions. The new lab gives hands-on experience working with the robots to UTA students enrolled in Dr. Julienne Greer’s Theatre Arts Course, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre. The lab space, which has recently piqued the interest of the local media, The class is open to all students, regardless of major, interested in learning more about companion robots and the place they will hold in our future. Greer said, “The interdisciplinary nature of the lab and the course is one of the innovative qualities and what seems to interest the public and the media.” In the last two days, Greer and the Robotics Living Lab team have spoken with CBS Channel 11, NBC Channel 5, and the Star-telegram about the new lab and course initiatives with very positive receptions. The flurry of activity follows UTA’s press release on the new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer said, “People are very interesting in social robots, it is exciting to share this news and where UTA is headed in this field with the DFW community.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2017/11/16/ut-arlingtons-emotion-robotics-living-lab-is-open-and-ready-for-a-close-up/
August 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Annual Magazine. “This report about the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington spotlights achievements within the college during the last year. There is no better illustration of the talent among our students and mentorship by our faculty and staff, then the example of…interacting with a Shakespeare-intoning robot.” Elizabeth Cawthon, Dean. CoLA.
http://www.uta.edu/libarts/_downloads/CoLAMagazine/CoLAMagazine_WebEdition.pdf
September 2016 – NEWS RELEASE College of Liberal Arts. IRP Awards. “UTA has awarded four seed grants to interdisciplinary research projects that address growing problems such as loneliness among the elderly, the need for sustainable green education spaces, the health crisis among urban American Indians or the mechanisms behind heart failure among the elderly.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/uta-awards-four-2016-interdisciplinary-research-program-grants-for-innovative-ideas-that-address-high-priority-issues-in-society/
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Live radio interview for College of Liberal Art’s 50th anniversary and welcome back event with UTA Radio, “UTA and The Department of Theatre Arts are incredibly forward-thinking. We’ve purchased a social robot for use in the classroom…How robots essentially ‘perform’ for humans and how humans emotionally respond to robots, is my primary research interest.” (Greer)
UTA NEWSPAPER - THE SHORTHORN
May, 2022 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Professor combines theatre and robotics to reflect human connection. Ayesha Hana Shaji. “Social robots, also known as emotional robots, are machines that can communication socially with human being said Julienne Greer…Greer found a way to bring together her seemingly odd combination of passions, theatre and robotics.”https://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/professor-combines-theater-and-robotics-to-reflect-human-connection/article_6720a5e6-aec2-11ec-b8f5-cb82ea484fd9.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students find relief through art. Amanda Padilla. “Greer emphasized these two concepts. She said people are wired to connect with each other, they have a need and a desire to connect as humans. By engaging in the arts, they learn to trust something. For Greer, people learn to trust each other.In a play, many people come together to create a show. The director, the stage manager, the cast, the technicians; all of these people have to trust their connection to create something together.” http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-find-relief-through-art/article_134f4e52-d083-11e8-b182-23d30eda925c.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, Interdisciplinary team studies robots. Spencer Brewer. “These machines will somehow be a reflection of us as humans,” Greer said. The Emotional Robotics Living Lab focuses on social robots, or robots that will interact socially with people in their homes and workplaces in the future.
“I like to talk about it because it’s not a phone, it’s not a human, and it’s not the television turned on at home,” Greer said. “It is something else, and I’m really interested in what that something else is and how we will interact with it, and what that means, then, about us.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/interdisciplinary-team-studies-robots/article_ebf6f774-c673-11e8-9252-5f7e76848ca0.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Rebekah Morr. “The Living Lab is home to two robots: NAO and Pepper. Both are social and companion robots who can respond autonomously to faces and sounds…Pepper can be classified as an emotional robot because it can detect emotional expressions and tension in a person’s voice.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/article_f32a4568-cfe4-11e7-8be9-13610f80f16f.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Duy Vu. “Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts and Emotional Robotics Living Lab director, explains the functionality of Pepper, a social companion robot, on Nov. 21 in the lab at Preston Hall.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/image_ac03b0f0-cf00-11e7-af15-cf6b2e776c41.html
April 2017 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students, Faculty meet Piebot. “Julienne Greer, theatre arts assistant professor, presented her humanlike robot, called PieBot at UTA’s iDAH speaker series…PieBot was built to eliminate human apathy toward robots and foster a sense of nurturing empathy, Greer said. Greer pulled from different specialties, including from costume designers, programmers, and engineers. ‘Interdisciplinary isn’t just a buzzword, Greer said.’”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-faculty-meet-piebot/article_9ed3b58c-1b0b-11e7-aa25-bf218a04f8f4.html
September 2016 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Robot pairs with sonnets to assist elderly. Matt Fulkerson. “If you can take the world’s greatest wordsmith-literary-poet-playwright and you can bring a robot in and they can play that scene, that’ll be incredible,” she said. (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/robots-pair-with-sonnets-to-assist-elderly/article_74c49866-7f5b-11e6-8907-cfaea4359d90.html
September 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Theatre gets robot, which will appear in spring play. Sheliah Lindsey. “I believe robots are the future…They have so much potential. They can help keep the elderly in their homes longer. They can help children with disabilities.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/theatre-gets-robot-which-will-appear-in-spring-play/article_bc330eb6-502d-11e5-87a7-7fa707007332.html
March 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Film spurs discussion about disabilities, human enhancement. The Shorthorn released the story of the inter-disciplinary panel discussion titled, Dr. Greer, discussant (see Panels). In response to a question regarding human enhancement through robotics and how that identifies humans; “All of my inequalities make me an incredibly unique person…I own being this age, going through my life, having the experiences I’ve had, and doing this wonderful art, which is all about finding the interesting, unique, quirky parts of being a human being.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/film-spurs-discussion-about-disabilities-human-enhancement/article_a004f966-cd1f-11e4-b454-0bae11a94667.html
December 2014 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Lecturer blends theatre arts, robotics by Hannah-Beth Floyd. “I think we’re already well past the point where humans and technologies interact…Technology is a part of our life…(my work is essentially) taking decades of method work, performance technique, and using it to create the most authentic relationship between the human being and a robot.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/lecturer-blends-theater-arts-robotics/article_85eeab54-7a76-11e4-8344-3f24595643ac.html
UTA - INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATORS AND MEDIA
September 2018 – UTA Library Newsletter. User Engagement & Services. Building Partnerships and Lasting Friendships Through Technology. “During our tenure as Robot Ambassadors, we (Devon Peralta and Rene Taméz) formed an extraordinary working relationship with Dr. Julienne Greer, a multi-disciplinary scholar and professor who has been researching human/robot interactions. Dr. Greer was the first UTA Faculty to request the Robot Ambassadors in her classroom, where she was doing research on emotional support robots, for which she received a grant to start the UTA Emotional Robots Living Lab.”
June 2018 – Invited by Nova Coates, Computer Science and Engineering colleague to create a 20 sec. audio spot for CSE freshman highlight interdisciplinary work.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151850623@N06/42194854490/in/album-72157693832149860/
March 2018 – UTA Radio on Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Live broadcast aired March 22 2018.
January 2018 – Computer Science and Engineering – UT Arlington. Facebook. In Spring 2018, Dr. Julienne Greer teaches a course exploring social robotics and the roles robots will have in our lives from Disability Studies, Theatre Studies, and Humanities perspectives. The course includes hands-on work with the social robots, PEPPER, JIBO, and NAO in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. If you have any questions about this class please contact ltucker@uta.edu or Dr. Julienne Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre, Social Robotics and Performance.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cseutarlington/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1943693469037365
December 2017 – College of Engineering – IN THE NEWS. “Robotics Tomorrow reported…UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots.”
November 2017 – UTARI. Greer’s New Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UT Arlington assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2017/NBC5_nao.php
November 2017 – UTARI. Meet the robot engaging seniors in the Arts. “Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. ‘The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,’ said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA.”
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2018/Brookdale_2.php
November 2017 – UTARI. “Couldn't have scripted this Channel 5 news interview any better if you tried!” UTARI Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/posts/1611685888893622
November 2017 – School of Social Work. “The interdisciplinary team from UTA School of Social Work and UTARI researchers have come together for an amazing project! Check out what the SSW is doing!” SSW Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/UTASocialWork/posts/
October 2016 – UTARI. Facebook post of unveiling of NAO with collaborator UTARI, Dr. Julienne Greer at The University of Texas at Arlington Theatre Arts Department and Kris Doelling, Research Scientist at UTARI unpack a new addition – the NAO robot from Softbank Robotics…The social robot is set to be a key component for hands-on work for Dr. Greer’s interdisciplinary course, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre. https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/photos/pcb.1208605852534963/1208605765868305/?type=3
April 2016 – UTARI. National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI) Collaborator with UTARI developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. On April 6, 2016, 10 Theatre Arts undergraduate students assembled at UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot.
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, on-air interview for UTA News. Social robotics at UTA: “Buddy” and “Pepper” a social and an emotional robot acquired by Department of Theatre Arts for use in the classroom and innovative research.
https://utanews.com/2015/09/14/dr-julienne-greer-interview/
MEDIA
for
CREATIVE RESEARCH in PERFORMANCE
June 2017 – Dallas Morning News review of performance King o’ the Moon. Touching family tale with contemporary reverberations. “The mom, Ellen Pazinski (Julienne Greer) honors his spirit and keeps an income by running the family tavern…the fine cast shows off the playwrights deft blend of humor and pathos.”
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/theater/2017/06/18/touching-family-tale-contemporary-reverberations-king-o-moon-circle-theatre
June 2017 – Theatre Jones review of performance King o’ the Moon. Moon Beams. “Julienne Greer returns to play mother Ellen Pazinski for the third time, and she’s the show’s anchor. Her Ellen is steady and smart, a woman who raised four difficult children and doesn’t think life can surprise her. She’s a widow now, and runs the tavern with help from her husband’s best friend. David H.M. Lambert’s Walter is the ultimate nice guy, touching and funny in his attempts to get closer to Ellen and her prickly kids.”
http://www.theaterjones.com/ntx/reviews/20170620105834/2017-06-21/Circle-Theatre/King-O-the-Moon
June 2017 – Star-Telegram review of performance King o’ the Moon. King o’ the Moon captures America in 1969. “As was so often the case in the 1960s, the Pazinskis are all on journeys of their own. Ellen (Julienne Greer), the widow who heads the family, is coping with three grown children who are entering adulthood through different doors, and a mentally challenged son, Georgie, who will always be a child… Greer’s performance is so easy and smooth that the high quality of her work runs the risk of going unnoticed.”
http://www.star-telegram.com/living/article156977974.html
April 2014 A + C Acting in Texas: Julienne Greer at Circle Theatre. Interview with editor, Nancy Wozny of Arts and Culture Texas. Julienne Greer takes on the role of Juliana Smithton in Circle Theatre’s production of Sharr White’s, The Other Place. White chronicles the story of Smithton, a successful neurologist, who suffers from a devastating neurological event. “I used my early training (for characterization), which was a blend of both physical and more external representations…alongside internal or more emotionally behavioral choices.” (Greer)
http://artsandculturetx.com/acting-in-texas-julienne-greer-at-circle-theatre/
May 2005 Texas Christian University, interview with TCU Daily Skiff. ‘Toil and Trouble’ – Actors to perform part of Macbeth Halloween night. Prof. Julienne Greer conceived, developed, and directed a Macbeth selection titled “Bard on the Rocks” for TCU Provost Nowell Donovan. It has become an annual tradition. “The scene consists of the three witches and their encounter with Macbeth who is demanding to know if he will continue to be king…Later during the scene, apparitions or ghosts appear to him. It’s very spooky.” (Greer)
https://www.tcu360.com/story/toil-and-trouble-12292688/
UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACADEMIC AWARDS and HONORS
Samuel French Publishers, Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron
Listed in the published version of the stage play as Margaret Goggin. Worked with the playwright, Arthur Giron, in seminars and workshops during the rehearsal period to identify the play’s narrative and character arc. Becoming Memories was produced at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Acting Ensemble. Invitation only participation in an acting ensemble by iconic Broadway designer, producer, John Wulp. Acting ensemble was personally supervised by legendary playwright John Guare. Content of the seminar was a workshop of his work in the fourth play of Guare’s Lydie Breeze series.
New York University, Acting Ensemble.
Highlighted in a New York Times article titled, Where are all the new, young actors: at Tisch School of the Arts. Play: Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron.
ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHING
2020-Present Associate Chair Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
Associate Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Assistant Chair and Assistant Professor of the Department of Theatre Arts including curriculum planning, administrative responsibilities, liaison among students and the department, and performance-based courses, advanced performance, acting for voice and movement, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities.
2020-Present Area Head for BA program
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
I am the Area Head for the largest group of students in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. I mentor and guide BA students in their individual and chosen career trajectories. Opportunities within the Department include performance, stage combat, improvisation, and social robotics and technology.
2016-Present Assistant Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Professor advanced performance, acting for the stage and camera, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, Departmental courses, Dialects in Performance, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre: a course based on the emerging intersection of Theatre and Social Robotics. Head of publicity for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, committee member for Academic Curriculum, Research, Marketing, Performance, recruiting (see Service). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2012-2016 Senior Lecturer
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company & Maverick Dance Company
University of Texas at Arlington
Professor of beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting for the stage and the camera, directing for the stage, stage movement, voice training for the stage, dialects, theatre administration in publicity, marketing, and recruitment, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, dance for the actor. Chair and/or member of departmental, university and college committees (see “University Service”). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2000-2009 Adjunct Professor
Dept. of Film-Television-Digital Media -
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Department of Theatre –
College of Fine Arts
Texas Christian University
Professor of beginning and intermediate acting for the stage and the camera, acting for TV II, acting for the camera, improvisational comedy lab and lecture, soap opera lab and lecture, survey courses for cinema and theatre, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, and working actor seminar. Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2011-2013 Teaching Assistant
School of Arts and Humanities University of Texas at Dallas
Teacher’s Assistant for film theory, and history courses. Requested by Endowed Professor, Dr. Stephen Rabe
Dr. Shilyh Warren
Dr. Adrienne McLean
1999-Present Independent Arts Administration Consultant, based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Arts consulting provided for cultural, governmental and educational institutions in Texas. Consultations have involved organizational assessments, personnel assessments, development workshops, marketing/sales, bylaws analysis, budget preparation, unions, facilities planning, grant evaluation, membership and development.
1981-Present Professional Theatre and Film Artist, Illinois, Arizona, Los Angeles, New York, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. Presently based in Fort Worth, Texas. (Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Screenplay writer, and Producer: see Creative Activities/Research).
2008 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Seussical, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class.
Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Seussical, Jr.
2007 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Annie, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class. Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Annie, Jr.
The University of Texas at Arlington
Maverick Theatre Company
Theatre Arts Department
2012 - Present
COURSE INSTRUCTION
THEA 3314-001, Voice and Movement
Spring 2021 (10 students)
Spring 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2019 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4393-001, Voice and Movement, Special Topics
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4391, Special Topics: “Humans and Robots: The Future is Here”
Conference course and first semester of original curriculum on Social Robots and Theatre
Individual instruction; majors and minors.
Fall 2015 (10 students)
THEA 3351, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre (individual instruction)
Spring 2021 (9 students)
Fall 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2020 (12 students)
Spring 2019 (20 students)
Fall 2018 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (11 students)
Fall 2017 (15 students)
Spring 2017 (15 students)
Fall 2016 (23 students)
Spring 2016 (19 students)
THEA 3335, Dance for the Actor (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Spring 2013 (20 students)
THEA 3311, Vocal Performance II: Dialects (individual instruction; majors)
Spring 2016 (16 students)
Spring 2015 (14 students)
Spring 2014 (19 students)
Spring 2013 (16 students)
THEA 3308, Acting for the Camera: Acting III (majors, utilizing video technology)
Fall 2014 (11 students)
Fall 2013 (20 students)
Fall 2012 (21 students)
THEA 1343, Introduction to Theatre (University Core course: majors and minors)
Spring 2014 (21 students)
THEA 1342, Theatre and Film Appreciation (University Core course: majors and minors)
Fall 2013 (101 students)
Spring 2013 (92 students)
Fall 2012 (99 students)
THEA 1307, Acting I (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2018 (X Students)
Fall 2012 (14 students)
THEA 1303, Fundamentals of Presentation (University CORE course: majors and minors)
Formerly Vocal Performance I: Fundamentals
Fall 2017 (20 students)
Fall 2016 (15 students)
Fall 2015 (18 students)
Spring 2015 (16 students)
THEA 1300, First Year Seminar in Theatre Arts (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2014 (20 students)
Fall 2013 (10 students)
THEA 0181, Theatre Practicum (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Fall 2017 (33 students)
Spring 2017 (22 students)
Fall 2016 (17 students, 15 students)
Spring 2016 (17 students, 14 students)
Fall 2015 (16 students, 20 students)
Spring 2015 (17 students, 12 students)
Fall 2014 (26 students, 18 students)
Spring 2014 (24 students, 15 students)
Fall 2013 (21 students, 20 students)
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Radio-Television-Digital Media
2000-2009
COURSE INSTRUCTION
RTVF 30353, Acting for Television - Lecture and Lab (individual and co-instruction; majors)
Fall 2000 (18 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40353, Acting for the Camera - Lecture and Lab (individual instruction; majors)
Fall 2005 (20 students)
Fall 2004 (19 students)
Fall 2003 (20 students)
Fall 2002 (18 students)
Fall 2001 (20 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: SOAP OPERA
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class. It is a support to the production of the spring 2006 Soap Opera produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: IMPROV COMEDY
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class for the development of two improvisational comedy teams. The course is structured as a 16-week seminar and lab produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
College of Fine Arts
Department of Theatre
2005-2009
THEA 11303, “Acting I” Lecture (individual instruction, majors)
Spring 2009
THEA 10053, “Survey of Theatre Arts” Lecture (individual instruction, majors and non-majors)
Spring 2006
UNIVERSITY GUEST LECTURER
Tarrant Community College, Northeast Campus, Fall, 2001
Guest lecturer: “Acting I,” lecturer for basic acting beginning course. Discussed the benefits of stage work, memorization, motivation, and work as a stage actor (Prof. Jakie Cabe, instructor).
Texas Christian University, Spring, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Women and Media,” lecturer for Media Analysis course. Discussed the comparative images for women from the 1970s to the present day. Encouraged small group analysis of contemporary popular media and referenced feminist indicators found in the Charlie’s Angels television series in order to ascertain growth in feminist thought or culture from 1970s to 2000s. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Andrew Haskett instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Sex and Violence in Media,” lecturer on the feminist images found in the 1970 series, Charlie’s Angels, analyzing the sex and violence of 1970s detective genre and its’ use of the female image. Discussion included current social and cultural attitudes towards sex and violence and portrayal of current images in contemporary media as a comparison (Dr. Joel Timmer instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004 - 2007
Guest lecturer: "Aesthetics of Film,” lecturer for Prof. Richard Allen seminar focused on comparison of the craft of cinema and theatrical performance utilizing interactive tools which engage the class in a whole-body perspective of the rigors of acting for the camera. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Richard Allen instructor).
THEATRE FOR YOUTH COURSES TAUGHT
Much Ado About Shakespeare (Guest Artist, for fee)
MAAS Established in 2006 to train actors 14 – 18 years old in Shakespeare including outreach to regional schools and students.
Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX
"Shakespeare and Robotics" (ages 14-18; 17 students), June 9th – 28th, 2016.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 22 students), June 10th – 30th, 2013.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 27 students), June 11th – July 1st, 2012.
"Acting Games/Creative Drama" (ages 14-18; 20 students), June 6th – 26th, 2011.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION COURSES TAUGHT
English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition,
2014, Regional winner Trinity Valley School
2016, Fort Worth winner
Coaching and instruction to the first-place winner of Trinity Valley School’s Shakespeare monologue and sonnet for the regional Fort Worth and Dallas competition. Winner is afforded all-expenses paid trip to New York City, Lincoln Center for national competition.
Acting Instructor for Tony Greco
Tony Greco renowned private instructor of Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
1988 & 1994-1995
Sensory-based acting technique and acting scene work based on technique founded by Lee Strasberg, of The Actors Studio in New York, New York. Lee Strasberg is a founding member of the iconic Group Theatre (1936 – 1946) including such iconic members as Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and Harold Clurman and others. Content of courses included fundamental understanding of method technique as contextualized by Strasberg. Tony Greco is a member of The Actor’s Studio and was included in a small group of instructors to learn the method technique and to continue Lee Strasberg’s original artistic intent. Tony Greco teaches in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Denmark.
CREATIVE RESEARCH
Performance, Stage, Film, Direction, Writing, Producing, Sound Design
STAGE DIRECTING CREDITS
Director, “Balm in Gilead” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company as a recorded streamed production Nov. 20 – 22, 2020.
Director, “WAITING FOR LEFTY” by Clifford Odets. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts as a selected play in MAVPLAYS Mainstage season. April 15th through April 26th, 2015, Arlington, TX. (flexible, environmental space. Audience is seated on the stage to with performers and performers were seated in the audience to interact with audience), 2015.
Director, “BARD ON THE ROCKS: SELECTED SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH”
Produced by Texas Christian University’s Department of Theatre.
Halloween, October 31st, 2005. It has been performed annually by TCU Provost as Macbeth in recent years. Fort Worth, TX (flexible open to the environmental space. Set design utilized the Scottish rock formation known colloquially as Froghenge for performers and audience to interact), 2005
Director, “DURANG BY NIGHT” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Director, “HOMEFREE!” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Tony Greco.
Basement of SoHo Repertory Theatre, New York City, New York, 1987.
STAGE PRODUCING CREDITS
Producer, “MAVPLAYS,” produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts in the 2014-2015 Mainstage season, April 15th through April 26th, Arlington, Texas. Flexible, environmental space in a large black box, and additional small black box theatrical space, 2015.
Co-producer, “DURANG BY NIGHT,” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Producer, “SOAP OPERA & GIRLS WE HAVE KNOWN.” Produced by jg-gj productions with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Raised $6,500 for total budget of two one-act plays. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Held casting sessions for five diverse roles. Hired director, set designer and technical crew for each one act. Proscenium space in black box theatre, 1995.
Producer, “THE SECRET DIARY OF SONDRA WOODWARD.”
Organized fund-raising events for original one-woman musical. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Contacted major studios and received donation toward production budget, 1994.
Co-producer, “WOMEN OF MANHATTAN,” produced by Tony Greco and jg-gj productions. Performed at Prometheus Theatre, 43rd St., New York City, New York. Hired director, set designer, and obtained theater space while continuing principal actor rehearsals and participating in publicity campaign, 1993.
STAGE ACTING - PERFORMANCE CREDITS
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), National union of stage actors and stage managers.
1999 – Present
Professionally Qualified Member
Key: L.O.R.T. = League of Resident Theatres/Professional national resident theatre operating under an Actor's Equity Association, ongoing union contract for actors and stage managers. S.P.T. = operates under a Small Professional Theatre Equity union contract.
NATIONAL and REGIONAL ACTING & PERFORMANCE
TEXAS
Role Production Producer/Location/Yr./Equity Contract
Billy ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2021 (virtual)
Hafsa JUNE 8, 1920 Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2020 (virtual)
Jan BLACK SANTA Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Orlando, Florida 2019
Mrs. Webb OUR TOWN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX
Director: Matthew Gray
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2019
Kate Beeker THE KITTY BOMB Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Boston, MA 2018
Charlotte Coates THE CENSOR Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Winner of the Judith Royer Playwriting for
Excellence in Playwriting,
Las Vegas, NV, 2017
Ellen Pazinski KING O’ THE MOON Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2017
Judith Lees HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company
Arlington, Texas
Director: Dr. Natalie Gaupp
(Equity Guest Artist), 2016
World Premiere
Juliana Smithton THE OTHER PLACE Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2014
Recipient of 2014 Best of Culture award in Acting Critic’s Choice
Fort Worth Weekly newspaper
Blanche Dubois A STREETCAR NAMED Stage West Theater
DESIRE Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Jim Couvault
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2000
Recipient of 2000 Best Actress Award Stage West Theatre
Molly THE FRONT PAGE Dallas Theatre Center Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Richard Hamburger
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Thea HEDDA GABLER Dallas Theatre Center
Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Ron Daniels
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Bessie MARVIN’S ROOM Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2013
Helen Cohen ELLIS ISLAND Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, Texas
Composer Peter Boyer in attendance
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
A multi-media event in conjunction with FORT WORTH SYMPHONY
(Equity Contract; for fee), 2013
Ellen LAST MASS at ST. CASIMIRS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2012
Jill Koenig AD WARS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: John S. Davies
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee)
Attended by author Vince McKewin, 2004
Ellen OVER THE TAVERN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2010
NEW YORK CITY
Lucy SOAP OPERA tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York
Reviewed by Mel Gussow
New York Times
Ralph Pape, author WIKI page Director: Elizabeth Franzen (Equity waiver). 1990
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/30/theater/theater-in-review-438792.html
Remounted and produced at
(Soap Opera cont.) The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod.
JG-GJ executive producers
(Equity waiver) See Los Angeles, 1991.
Hester Prynn “A” THE SCARLET LETTER tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York Director: Tim Maner
(Equity waiver), 1989.
Lucy Crayford THE FROZEN DEEP A reading with Director Everett Quinton
New York, New York (Equity waiver), 1988.
Ophelia HAMLET New York Repertory Theatre New York, New York, 1987.
Alex Forrest FATAL ATTRACTION -
Murder Mystery John Goodman Productions Director: John Goodman West Chelsea Restaurant
Dinner Theatre Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
Mrs. McCabe MURDER MAYHEM Hasslefree Productions
Director: Trevor Hasselfree Film Studio Restaurant New York, New York
Dinner Theatre, Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
LOS ANGELES
Lucy SOAP OPERA Produced at
The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod. JG-GJ executive producers (Equity waiver), 1990.
Varya THE CHERRY ORCHARD Hudson Theatre
Los Angeles, California Director: Ron Livingston (Equity waiver), 1992.
Susan THE FUNERAL PARLOR The Complex
Los Angeles, California
(Equity waiver), 1995.
Penelope Toop SEE HOW THEY RUN Glendale Centre Theatre
Glendale, California (Equity waiver), 1994.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Guinevere CAMELOT Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Laurie OKLAHOMA! Weathervane Theatre
Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee) 1985.
Peep-bo THE MIKADO Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Mariane TARTUFFE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Marquise
of Parolignac CANDIDE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire
Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Ensemble THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
VIRGINIA
Roxane CYRANO DE BERGERAC Mill Mountain Theatre Roanoke, Virginia Director: Jere Hodgin
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1987.
ILLINOIS
Dinah Lord THE PHILADELPHIA STORY The New American Theatre
Rockford, Illinois
Director: Jim Sullivan/founder of N.A.T. (S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1979.
Ensemble THE ROPADI PLAYERS Rockford Park District
Musical Theatre Outreach Program Rockford, Illinois
Director: Andy French (Equity waiver, fee), 1975.
Selected University roles between 1981 and 1986
Frau Bergmann ……....... SPRING AWAKENING (Anne Bogart, director), New York University
Margaret Goggin ............ BECOMING MEMORIES (Kevin Kulhke, director) New York University
Housewife ...................... WORKING, New York University
Mina ............................... DRACULA, New York University
Joanna ……................... HOMEFREE! New York University
Ensemble ........................ PIPPIN (William Wesbrooks, director), Rockford College, IL
Ensemble ........................ JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Rock Valley College, IL
Lillian Hampton ............. STRANGE BEDFELLOWS (Elaine “EE” Moe, director), University of Arizona, Tucson
Dance Ensemble………. THE ENTERTAINERS, University of Arizona, Tucson
UNIVERSITY GUEST ACTOR
Judith Lees ......................... HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company MAVPLAYS The University of Texas at
Arlington, Department of Theatre Art, (Equity waiver). 2016.
UNIVERSITY GUEST READING
Invited to read at an honorary staged reading of Eugene O’Neill’s works by the O’Neill’s biographers Barbara and Arthur Gelb. The Gelb’s re-released their 1950s biography in 2000 with an expanded analysis of the life and work of Eugene O’Neill. Both Barbara and Arthur were in attendance at the Texas Christian University event in 2003.
PRODUCTION COACH
Acting Coach, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Anne Healy, Director).
Acting Coach, GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Andrew Gaupp, Director).
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA ACTING and PERFORMANCE
COMMERCIALS
INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL MEDIA
Selected commercial performance work between 1991 – 1999.
Reporter Spam
The Hormel Foods Corporation. Filmed in Los Angeles, California National and International commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
New Yorker Coke
The Coca-Cola Company Filmed at the Statue of Liberty New York, New York National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Burger King color-coded children’s lunch toys Burger King (BK) Corporation.
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Subaru of America – Fuji Heavy Industries
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Cowgirl Totino’s Pizza
General Mills Products
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Kraft Handi-snacks
Kraft Foods Group
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Hiker Outback Steakhouse
Bloomin’ Brands
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Ship Passenger S & W Food
Del Monte Foods
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
CBS Promo Promotion commercial spot for CBS Fall lineup of highly-rated programs Filmed in Los Angeles, California
Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Neighbors Dixie Paper Plates Dixie Paper Products Georgian-Pacific Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
SOAP OPERAS
Selected performance work on network soap opera television between 1982 and 1990.
Haley Recurring role ALL MY CHILDREN
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists;
Standard union fee)
Linda Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Hillary Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Campaign Organizer Day Player Contract ONE LIFE TO LIVE
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract; American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; Standard union fee)
Ensemble Extra work GUIDING LIGHT
Procter & Gamble Company Filmed in New York, New York (A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
Standard union fee)
TELEVISION
Alex Forrest LIVE WITH REGIS AND
KATHIE LEE
Filmed in New York, New York Promo for Fatal Attraction Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (SAG waiver contract)
FILM
WALL STREET Wall St. worker 20th Century Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
THREE MEN AND Photo Double (Nancy Travis) Buena Vista Pictures
A LITTLE LADY Director: Emile Ardolino
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
12 Julienne Larry Bridges Productions
Director: Larry Bridges
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Film and director Larry Bridges were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award , 2004. Film has been screened internationally to critical acclaim. (S.A.G. waiver contract; for fee)
Selected ensemble film roles in major feature films:
Goodfellas – Martin Scorsese, director
State of Grace – Phil Joanou, director
Hannah and her Sisters – Woody Allen
Cocktail – Roger Donaldson, director
Space Jam – Joe Pytka, director
Scrooged – Richard Donner, director Punchline – David Seltzer, director
All filmed in New York, New York except Space Jam, filmed in Los Angeles, California
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCING CREDITS
1999
Producer
As producer raised $25,500 for theatrical release of a 24-minute short film, The Hand of a Lifetime, shot independently in Los Angeles.
Coordinated all pre-production needs:
⦁ casting,
⦁ hiring crew
⦁ Director of Photography
⦁ Camera Operator
⦁ Sound and Foley Artist
⦁ Art director
⦁ Locations and permits
And including all post-production needs:
⦁ editing
⦁ sound design
⦁ titles
⦁ negative cutting
⦁ final answer print
The Hand of a Lifetime was accepted to the 1999 Fort Worth Film Festival and was highlighted in the Fort Worth Film Festival of 1999 and reviewed by Elvis Mitchell for the Star-Telegram Newspaper.
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTING AND WRITING CREDITS
1999
Director Screenplay Writer
Wrote and directed an original short independent film, The Hand of a Lifetime. The film’s narrative centered around a male protagonist’s first child being born and the comedic and heartfelt emotions that accompanied his eventual acceptance of fatherhood.
SOUND DESIGN FOR THE STAGE
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Co-Sound designer, MACBETH, New York University (N.Y.U.), Directed by John Rubenstein. Mainstage Theatre, Spring 1983.
ADJUDICATION AND EVALUATION
2016 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
2015 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (10 students).
2012 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (8 students).
2011 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
SERVICE: UNIVERSITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2019-20
⦁ Invitation from president of UTA Vistasp Karbhari to speak and present at Ashoka University near New Delhi during a conference in which I was attending. Ashoka is a premier university combining engineering and liberal arts.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Global Entrepreneur Week (GEW) committee member
⦁ EpICMavs presenter
⦁ Inspire for Faculty (IFF)
⦁ Live Theatre League member
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor fifteen students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2018-19
⦁ Invitation from Computer Science and Engineering Dept., Nova Coates, to help create short 20-second clips for Univ1311 that introduces students to UTA. CSE asked to include Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre course, THEA3351, as an innovative way to showcase interdisciplinary approaches to incoming Freshman’s learning paths. The video includes NAO robot doing Tai Chi with Dr. Greer voice as narration for multi-disciplinary collaboration among UTA disciplines.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ BA auditions for Dept. of Theatre Arts with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Reference letter for Detra Payne – National Alliance of Teachers – Lloyd Richards Teaching Fellowship
2017-18
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator and committee member. Point person for recruiting Judges for April Spotlight Conference. Support and coordination with CoLA marketing director. I mentored two theatre students for inaugural Spotlight conference. Both students won awards.
⦁ Invited by Dean Elisabeth Cawthon to informal meeting with Dean Anne Bavier of Nursing, Dr. Mickey McCabe, Executive Dir. of UTARI, Dr. Judy LeFlore, Associate Nursing Dean, and Harvard professors Dr. Janice Palaganas and Dr. Daniel Raemer, leaders in the simulation and technology center, for informal discussion of innovative techniques being implemented at UTA.
⦁ Invited to speak at TEDxUTA 2018.
⦁ Reviewed/rated 5 applications for Terry Foundation Scholars. Req. William Gunn.
⦁ Submitted review of Manuscript ID THRI-2018-0016, titled "Communicating a minimal robot’s intelligence, dominance and status through motion paths" for the journal Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction.
⦁ Invited to review National Science Foundation submissions for various grant submissions.
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Coordinated and led Dean’s week presentation with L. Tucker for counselors and advisors.
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Committee Member: REP/FDL faculty awards.
⦁ Faculty mentor nine students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Sponsor and attended Halloween evening performance of Macbeth (Killingsworth, dir.)
⦁ BA auditions with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2016-17
⦁ Chair, College of Liberal Arts Research Representative
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: CoLA, proposal reader for “Cure to Care” grants. iC2C.
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Invited guest luncheon speaker for UTA’s CPE Event, College of Business
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Dallas Summer Musicals conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2016-2017 season.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts Welcome Back table, Fall 2016.
2015-16
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington.
⦁ Chair, Recruitment Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: College of Liberal Arts Teacher’s Awards, Department of Theatre Arts Representative, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: Master’s Exploratory, Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ U.R.T.A. panel at UT-Arlington for three students attending graduate auditions.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Moonifieds conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2014-15
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2013-14
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee
⦁ Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2012-13
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor five students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UTA
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
PUBLIC RELATIONS and MARKETING
for
MAVERICK THEATRE COMPANY
and
MAVERICK DANCE COMPANY
producing entities for
THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2017-18
⦁ Chair, bi-monthly Public Relations meetings.
⦁ Author, Press Releases for 4 Mainstage production including plays and musicals, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence, MavLab production and Maverick Dance Company concerts. Facilitated information to 23+ media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2017-18 Season.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington for each Mainstage production, MavLab, and Maverick Dance company concert.
⦁ URTA – American Theatre Magazine
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ Coordinated and delivered 1500 seasonal brochures to MailPro for mailing.
⦁ Edited and compiled 4th quarter information on Dept. of Theatre Arts for Cathy Stein 817Alliance newsletter.
⦁ Collaborated with CoLA Marketing Director for marketing graphics redo, including written text and organizing photographs with the help of Kris O’Brien.
⦁ Helped coordinate and support Marketing Video “Get to know a Theatre Student.”
⦁ Coordinating press and marketing with Matthew Boyd, City of Arlington, marketing for D. Payne’s, Heal the Divide.
2016-17
⦁ Author, 2016-2017 Press Releases for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, producing entities of The Department of Theatre Arts, College of Liberal Arts. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2016-17 Season.
⦁ Department Representative, Arlington Arts League Gala Event and scholarship fundraiser.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2015-16
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2015-16 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisational comedy, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2014-15
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2014-15 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival Dance Texas
⦁ Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington
⦁ A + C Arts and Culture Texas
⦁ Stage Directions Magazine – Article on Dept. of Theatre Arts 3D Printer. Playbill.edu
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Voce Intimae
⦁ Trinity Valley High School playbill
⦁ All Saints Episcopal High School playbill
⦁ Betty Buckley Awards at Casa Manana Theatre
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2013-14
⦁ Author, Press Release for Mainstage play, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2013-14 Season.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Proud Organization
⦁ Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Dance Texas
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Stage Directions Magazine
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: BOARDS & COMMITTEES
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2016 – 2018 – Membership Chair
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2010 – 2014 – Upper School Tickets
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
TEXAS EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION (TETA) 2014 Approved Member
SCREEN ACTORS GUILD/AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A),
1984 - present
Current Approved Member
ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION (A.E.A), Current Member
1999 - present
Current Approved Member PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
ARLINGTON ARTS LEAGUE, Arlington, Texas
2014 -2016
Member of Arlington Arts League
PRESIDENT OF KINDERPLATZ OF FINE ARTS PARENT’S GROUP, Fort Worth, Texas
2003
President of a parent’s group in a private, pre-school dedicated to fine arts learning and growth in 2 – 5 year-old children.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & INSTITUTES
2003-Present Annual Giving Captains, Trinity Valley School, a private college-preparatory K-12 school in Fort Worth, Texas.
1987-90 Accepted Member of tiny mythic theatre company, NYU graduates’ affiliation, New York City, New York now known as HERE Performance Space, New York City, New York.JULIENNE A. GREER
CURRICULUM VITAE
August 2022 version
Birthplace: Farmington, Michigan, U.S.A.
Home Address: 7969 Morning Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76123
Home Phone: Metro (817) 454-1225
Office Address: University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts, Fine Arts Building, Room 268B, 502 S. Cooper Street,
Box 19103, Arlington, Texas 76019-0103
Office Phone: Metro (817) 272-0729 or Metro (817) 272-2650
Office Facsimile: Metro (817) 272-2697
E-mail: <jgreer@uta.edu>
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: Associate Chair of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
Associate Professor of Theatre Arts: Social Robotics and Performance,
Director, Emotional Robotics Living Laboratory,
BA Area Head of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
College of Liberal Arts,
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
SPECIALIZATIONS: Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Social Robotics, Performance, Applied Drama
CURRENT RESEARCH: Applying theatre and performance theory to artificial intelligence and social robotics creating trust and authentically emotional interactions between humans and robots.
Dr. Julienne A. Greer is an inter-disciplinary scholar + artist working at the emerging intersection of social robotics and theatre. Her primary focus is Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) to “humanize” a social robot’s performance to the nuances and subtleties of human behavior. Social awareness and empathetic response in robotics platforms are key to their successful use by humans. Principal research interests include character and personality development for artificial intelligence, social robotics, performance theory, applied drama, empathy application, embodied emotion, and acting theory techniques targeted toward an application between human beings and technology. She is a collaborator with many diverse disciplines including engineering, social work, computer science, education, disabilities studies, psychology, and healthcare, solving problems through innovation for education and research.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
DEGREES HELD
2013 Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities (Ph.D.) - Aesthetic Studies,
School of Arts and Humanities,
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas.
5 Years, Interdisciplinary Foci: Humanities, Performance, and Game Studies.
Dissertation: Affective Connections: Performance Studies, Videogames, and Digital Characters.
Dr. Monica Evans, Supervising Professor
Abstract: A multi-disciplinary analysis of existing performance techniques from theatre and cinema studies re-contextualized to apply to the emerging emotional bond in videogames between the game player and a digital character. It is my perspective that the affective bond between the game player and the digital character in a game is as vital and essential to the experience of playing the game as the affective relationship between the performer and the audience in a play or film.
2005 Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) in Media Arts
Bob Schieffer College of Communication,
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
Thesis: Feminism and Sexuality in Charlie’s Angels: Building a New Paradigm for Enjoying Action Heroines.
Dr. Joel Timmer, Supervising Professor
Abstract: An analysis of the first season of the 1970s Charlie’s Angels television series in order to reveal elements of feminism leading to an inclusion of glamour and sexuality in the criteria for feminist texts to recoup and own images that have previously been viewed as misogynistic.
1986 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A.) in Drama,
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, New York, New York.
Areas of Concentration: Acting, Performance
1981 High School Diploma, Boylan Central Catholic School, Rockford, IL.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/UNION
1984-Present American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (A.F.T.R.A.)
The national union of professional television and radio actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG- AFTRA.
1987-Present Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.)
The national union of professional television and film actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG-AFTRA.
1999-Present Actor's Equity Association (A.E.A.)
The national union of professional actors and stage managers, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation.
2011-Present Interdisciplinary.net
A forum for the exchange and interaction of inter-disciplinary ideas, research and points of view that bear on a wide range of issues of concern and interest in the contemporary world.
GRANTS AWARDED
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2019) grant for Using Arts and Social Sciences to enhance social companion robots’ adaptive abilities to improve health outcomes. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, Computer Science and Engineering-College of Engineering, College of Science-Psychology and College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Study content: The objective of this proposal is a pilot study that examines the impact of a social robot, adaptive control methodologies, and applied theatre techniques, and exercise to impact prospective memory and physical goals in older adults (N = 20). This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform using innovative machine learning techniques that promote and allow the robot to adapt its interaction with the human dynamically to improve exercise goals among older adults. To achieve this, the proposed research is integrating arts-driven methodology, including trust and connection, and novel robot control and learning approaches for interactions between humans and robots to impact prospective memory.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2017 - present
NID - NIDILRR - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (WIT RERC). (UTA Site). Modeling socially assistive robotic caretakers for individuals with developmental disabilities having older adult caregivers. RERC on Wireless Inclusive Technologies. National Institute on Disability and Independent Living Research (NIDILRR), (9/30/21). Total Grant $4,525,000 (UTA, $108,000) the Primary Investigator is Dr. John Bricout of UTA’s School of Social Work. Dr. Ling Xu site PI.
Study content: Study aims to explore and create a collaborative relationship between a care recipient, an older adult caretaker, and a socially assistive robot (SAR) in order to develop engaging interaction for caregiver respite. Study will incorporate future work with Department of Theatre Arts NAO and Pepper robot units in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab, UT-Arlington. J. Greer, director.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2018 - 2021
Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities (NSF grant CNS-1757641)
REU - Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities. Summer program research internships for qualified undergraduates to participate in research in the field of assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Theatre arts methodology is applied as a platform for engagement, connection, and trust in human-robot interaction, one of several multi-disciplinary projects the participants will engage in during 10-week internship. Budget $318,778.
Study content: In this project, the CSE Department, in partnership with several other departments at UTA, will offer a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focusing on assistive technologies (AT) for people with disabilities (PWD). The proposed theme encompasses innovative and novel topics that can help PWD meet barriers of different kinds - attitudinal, architectural, and technological - in accessing employment, navigating public spaces, freely communicating, and living independently. During this summer, each student will be working in a multi-disciplinary setting and exposed to innovative and novel inter-disciplinary projects through research and prototyping. The REU participants will work on computer programming, algorithms, sensors, data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, sensors, sign language, facial recognition, emotion and behavior analysis, smart care, augmented reality, data analytics, robots, human-machine interaction.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2016
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded the second annual UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grant for Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. One of only four grants awarded to the UTA research community. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work.
Study content: The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. This study examines theater performance methodologies through a social robotic platform. This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults by incorporating arts-driven methodology. This grant will continue through 2016 and 2017.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing - 2018
Phase II – Shakespeare and Robots.
The proposal seeks to expand the Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults with participants that are diagnosed with mild cognitive decline. As PI on the original study, I am collaborating with the School of Social Work Presidential Fellows recipient, Dr. Noelle Fields, to test the outcomes of the study on a new participant sample at Brookdale Assisted Living in Arlington.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2015
Digital Arts and Humanities Initiatives (DAHI) A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI.
Primary investigator for an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts and UTA Research Institute (UTARI) from the University of Texas at Arlington. The team will conduct a pilot study in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) at three separate locations; Office of Student Disabilities, Lakewood Retirement Community, Theatre Arts main office. Awarded from the College of Liberal Arts, Jan. 15th, 2016.
Study content: This is a study to inform how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI. The scope of the project will be the development of a pilot study and data collection of human-robot responses from three separate locations and with dissimilar subjects. Measurement will be through an adaptation of the NARS (Negative Attitudes toward Robots Scale), visual qualitative observation, log entries of human-robot interactions during the study, and ambient sound recordings for the detection of laughter and vocal responses from participants. The innovative approach of this research comes from the interdisciplinary work of UTA Theatre Arts and UTARI, bringing together divergent disciplines of theater arts and robotics. This study builds on previous published work on social robots, voice, movement theatre techniques, and healthcare settings to further the body of HRI literature. The robot will be controlled through a “Wizard-of-Oz” methodology scenario performed by undergraduate research assistants under the supervision of faculty. The project will conduct an innovative investigation of the best social robot and HRI practices available at UT-Arlington (UTARI robotic platform laboratory) as well as best practices for improvisation/humor techniques, applied drama, and performance studies. Preliminary data will be collected to allow for future studies and breakthroughs in Human-Robot Interaction. This proposal is well-suited to add to a discussion of UT-Arlington’s strategic initiatives; Health and the Human Condition and Data-Driven Discovery.
ONGOING GRANT DEVELOPMENT
Purchased social robot, Little Sophia, (pending) from Hanson Robotics, Inc. for the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Robot will be used in grant development of design implications of social robots and children with significant Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) themes.
GRANT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED and/or in DEVELOPMENT
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Research Enhance Program
Proposal submitted with Prof. Fillia Makedon. “InBlue: A smart system of sensors, theatre, and robots to help college depression”.
Depression is a leading cause of suicide and the second most common cause of death among college students. It is pervasive in colleges today and frequently goes undetected and untreated. The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that 39% of college students “felt so depressed that it was difficult to function” at least once during 2016-2017. College depression can lead to poor academic and work performance, substance abuse, social dysfunction, legal difficulties, gun violations, ill health, suicide attempts or completed suicide. Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include symptoms shown in Table 1. Identifying early warning signs of depression is crucial in preventing negative consequences and helping educators and mental health experts make targeted counselling and intervention decisions. To address college depression, it is of great interest to academia and the healthcare industry, to see how sensor technologies (e.g. mobile smartphones, wearable sensors, social robots) could be used to improve the wellbeing and mental health of users. Smartphones and wearables are excellent devices that can passively collect real time behavioural data, and be used to complement traditional depression diagnosis and monitoring, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
Keck Foundation – Undergraduate Categorization
One-page conceptual theme submitted to Randall Gentry, Dr. Duane Dimos, and Dr. Ann Cavallo. The proposal for Keck Foundation is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Building on the success of two pilot studies, a proposal is submitted by UTA to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene. The study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on an innovative five-point theatre model to decrease depression, loneliness, and increase engagement among older adults.
UTA Lead - 2018
NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
A collaboration external funding with TechComb, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and Univ. of Texas at Arlington. Greer is UTA Lead on the proposal. Title: Boosting STEM Patronage of Libraries and Museums through Interactive Social Robots.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Exploratory/Developmental Research (R21)
The proposal for NIH is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Focusing on the health benefits to the older adults and the success of two pilot studies, a proposal will be drafted to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene and the study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on the theatre methodology process of composing a live performance.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2017
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
Primary collaborator on the resubmission of an 18+ page proposal that comes under the AISL project type: (4) Innovations in Development. This project will incorporate robotics technology and advanced human robot interaction tools to help the audience build interest in STEM concepts, engage in hands-on activities to explore STEM potentials, and take part in a network of learners sharing their experience, ideas, and achievements in STEM. These three primary STEM objectives i.e. excitement, engagement, and expression, otherwise termed as E3, will be realized through a unique merger of theatre arts and robotics science methodologies into a metasystem of diverse autonomous robotic hardware and a novel platform agnostic human-robot interaction software. It is important to note this is a re-submission to NSF due in part to the positive response from NSF project managers regarding the core component of Theatre Arts Methodologies.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2016
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Smart and Autonomous Systems (S&AS)
This foundational proposal was a collaboration of UT-Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and UTARI (UTA research institute). The study will develop a new type of robot learning framework for next generation intelligent physical system. The proposed framework will implement a novel neuro-adaptive control technique for advanced human robot interaction, which will enable future robotic systems to derive seamless experiential learning from unaltered human behavior. Potential use case scenarios include a humanoid robot interacting with a diverse group of students and engaging them with innovative theatre methodology performance techniques in informative communication. Human aspects, such as trust, emotion-bias towards performance, and organic selection, are built into the analytical model for the proposed humanistic robot learning framework, which enables life-long evolution of the robot. The proposed project is driven by the motivation to make robots a part of the human society and not a parallel alien race, and, therefore, to evolve them through human ingenuity, emotions, and fallibility.
Principal Investigator (PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
An interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Theatre Arts and the Electrical Engineering Department at University of Texas at Arlington. Proposal was written and developed for UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with co-principal investigator, Dr. Dan Popa. Proposal received positive response and was within the top 10 proposals for the year. Proposal titled Live Theatre – Robot Live: a collaboration of robotics and performance.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will develop software to allow a robot to perform on-stage in a seminal role during the Mainstage season. This proposal will utilize faculty and student roles working in an inter-disciplinary environment.
Co-Principal investigator (Co-PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
Interdisciplinary collaboration between Department of Theatre Arts, UTARI, and the Director of the Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington. Wrote and developed a grant proposal for UTA’s Inter-Disciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with Kris Doelling, research scientist II, Manoj Mittal, research scientist II and Co-PI, Dr. Sarah F. Rose. Proposal titled Cyber Human Relationships: Engineering a relational model using theatre arts methodology structured to improve health and the human condition.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will engineer a cyber-human relational model using theatre arts methodology in order to address significant gaps in the current state of healthcare. We believe theatre arts, social robotics and relational methodologies are emerging as innovative components of healthcare for persons with disabilities.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) Panelist Reviewer
Invited to be a review panelist for proposals for the National Robotics Initiative 2.0 – a highly competitive funding opportunity for NSF totaling $35,000,000 billion in funds.
PUBLICATIONS, JOURNAL ARTICLES, and PAPERS
PAPERS
Paper, Second Author. Assistive Technology. 2021. The “humane in the loop”: inclusive research design and policy approaches to foster capacity building assistive technologies in the Covid-19 era.
Paper, Lead Author. Wireless Inclusive RERC 2021 One Forum, Atlanta, GA, 2021 – Conference theme: Include. Innovate. Transform. Theatre and robots: envisioning interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the stage. Conference proceedings.
Journal, Co-Author. Aging and Mental Health. 2019. Shall I compare thee…to a robot?: An exploratory pilot study using participatory arts and social robotics to improve psychological well-being in later life. Impact Factor: 2.956.
Paper, Lead Author. The 28th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication - RO-MAN 2019, New Delhi, India – Conference theme: Responsible robotics and AI for the real world. Shakespeare and Robots: Participatory performance art for older adults. Published in conference proceedings.
Paper, Lead Author. 1st Annual IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication conference. Laguna Hills, CA. Promoting Theatre Methodology for expressive robot movement and behavior.
Abstract, Co-Author. Innovation In Aging, 2019, Vol. 3, No. S1. NAO takes a bow: Using social robots to enhance the mood of older adults living in residential care settings.
Paper, Co-Author. 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics – IMSCI 2018. Robot Theatre to Boost Excitement, Engagement, and Expression (E3) of STEM., Orlando, FL. July 8 – 11, 2018. Conference proceedings.
Paper, Author. RO-MAN 2017, Lisbon, Portugal - Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life – Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Peer-reviewed full paper. Conference proceedings.
Paper and Journal, Author. International Conference on Social Robotics (icsr 2014). Building Emotional Authenticity Between Humans and Robots. Author. University of Technology Sydney epress. Sydney, Australia. 2014. Conference proceedings.
BOOK CHAPTER
Author, contributing to chapter in Exploring Videogames: Culture, Design, and Identity, edited by Nick Webber and Daniel Riha. Invited to expand accepted paper for the 2011 International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom. Published by Inter-Disciplinary Press. Introduction by Nick Webber follows, ‘Videogame Cultures: includes work from Julienne Greer, from Ben Abraham, from me, and from Daniel Riha. Greer’s chapter on digital companions encourages us to think about videogames as cultural objects with which players interact; here, games provide companions in which players become emotionally invested, even though these companions may in fact prove to be opponents. Many of these companions are carefully designed, playing on cultural referents to encourage certain kinds of responses from players – an instinct to nurture, say, or to love. Indeed, as Greer reports, scholars have been surprised by the strength of the bonds that are created by these companions, which produce meaningful relationships for the player in a similar way to those formed between humans and robots. For Greer, such relationships also have the quality of authenticity, in the pleasure of the emotional connection and the communication of one’s thoughts, rejecting Turkle’s perspective that authenticity here is found in the comprehension and acceptance of the relationship by both parties.
Pending Book Chapter Fall 2022: All the worlds a stage: Health/Art techniques between humans and robots
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE, PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, and/or
PAPERS
NEW DELHI, INDIA 2019
Invited presenter to Ashoka University. Ashoka University is a research-based private university located outside of Delhi in the Sonipat, Haryana, India. It is an emerging university with a close collaboration of Liberal Arts and STEM collaborations. Presentation included meetings with faculty, Dean of International Student Affairs, and 45+ student attended 1 ½ hour in duration focusing on the current state-of-the-art of social robotics and theatre methodology. Invitation was initiated by President Vistasp Karbhari, University of Texas at Arlington.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA 2018
Facilitator of student-led skype interview in Spanish. Colombia science-based educational website. Topic – Emotional Robotics Living Lab and theatre and robots.
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Guest and Paper presentation: RO-MAN 2017- Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life - The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Paper title, Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. Peer-reviewed full paper with conference proceedings publication.
KOREA – U.S.
Guest and Paper presentation: United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (UKC 2016) - United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is jointly organized by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) and The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) held on August 10 – August 13, 2016, Dallas, TX. The theme of UKC 2016 is “Enriching Lives through Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship” and its goal is to promote solving issues of the world through science, technology, and entrepreneurship to greatly improve the quality of people’s lives. The UKC 2016 is the flagship and largest academic conference between the United States and Korea.
LONDON, U.K.
Guest Speaker and presentation: The Robotics Innovation Show. 2015 Invited speaker and presenter at “The Robotics Innovation Show 2015” at ExCel in London, United Kingdom. October 20-21, 2015. Presentation content: “Empathy and Embodiment: Understanding humans in order to understand social robots.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Conference on Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) Invited Social Robotics Conference article/paper, "Building emotional authenticity between humans and robots." Paper was accepted at the International Conference of Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) - Social Intelligence in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 27 – 29. Selected to present an interactive workshop.
OXFORD, U.K.
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference. Invited Game Studies Conference article/paper, "Digital companions: analyzing the emotive connection between players and non-player companions in video game space." Paper was accepted at the International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom, 2011. Conference sponsored by Inter-Disciplinary.net: A Global Network for Dynamic Research and Publishing. Member of Inter-Disciplinary.net.
NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, WORKSHOP and/or
PAPER
2022 3rd IEEE TransdisciplinaryAI2022. Laguna Hills, CA.. Co-program chair of TransAI. .
2021 2st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and
2019 Urban Serving Universities (USU) Social Determinants of Health workshop. Cincinnati, OH. Invited to participate in a cohort of University of Texas at Arlington faculty and executive administration including Theatre Arts, Associate Vice-President of Research, Civil Engineering, School of Social Work, and College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Workshop content covered assimilation of the creative process for innovative ideas to help address public health problems – specifically for UTA, social isolation.
2019 1st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and behavior. Co-located with Transdisciplinary conference 2020. Currently invited to be co-program chair of AI and Humanities for Transdisciplinary 2020 and Humanized Computing and Communication 2020.
2018 The Gerontological Society of America's 70th Annual Scientific Meeting. Boston, MA, Nov. 14 – 18. Poster Acceptance, Abstract required for acceptance.
Abstract title: “Shall I compare thee to a …robot? The use of creative arts and social robotics with older adults.”
Abstract:
Research suggests that creative engagement in later life has a positive effect on mood in older adults. Research has also utilized social robots to address the psychosocial needs of older adults. However, few studies have linked participatory arts (e. g. theatre) as the creative engagement activity using a social robotic platform with older adults. An interdisciplinary team designed and implemented an intervention integrating theater and social robotics with the aim of improving the mood of study participants. A purposive sample of older adults age 65 and older (N = 8) participated in this pilot study. Participants completed 3 sessions of the Shakespearean theatre and social robotics intervention using the robot, Nao. Mixed methods included interview questions as well as short survey measures of depression, loneliness, and a simplified face scale for mood pre and post intervention. Results from the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests suggested that the overall level of depression of the participants was reduced significantly after session 1 (z = -2. 33, p < . 05), after session 2 (z = -2. 04, p < . 05), and after session 3 (z = -2. 00, p < . 05). Scores on the loneliness and the simplified face scale also decreased after the three sessions, however, the changes were not statistically significant. Qualitative findings suggest that participants were highly engaged, comfortable, and receptive to the intervention. We discuss the promising aspects and limitations of this innovative study, the utility of social robotics for providing artistic engagement for older adults, and implications for interdisciplinary practice.
2018 IMSCI, The 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics: Orlando, FL. Co-Author. Paper Invitation and Acceptance: This paper presents a novel framework for advancing informal STEM learning in kids between the ages of 10 and 15, using robotics as a platform, enabler, as well as channel for STEM. Being a cross-disciplinary technology, Robotics not only connects theory and applications of science, mathematics, and engineering fundamentals, but also delivers instant gratification from the efforts put in, through active hands-on human-robot interaction. Supported by multiple real-world feasibility studies, the presented framework hypothesizes that if made easy to build, teach, interact, and play with robots, it can be a potent facilitator of STEM, especially in young children – an age group which is naturally curious and enthusiastic about new findings. July 8 – 11 2018.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Kitty Bomb.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Paper presentation and Coordinator of Dramaturgy group. A recontextualization of Erving Goffman’s work.
2017 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Censor. Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting award
REGIONAL SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, PANELIST and/or
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Presentation for TCU ethics module for training “empathetic scholars”. June 2020.
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Demonstration of NAO the robot to the inaugural class of TCU’s medical school training “empathetic scholars” as the next generation of medical healers. October 2019.
Presentation: Girl Scout of Dallas Inaugural Grand Opening STEM Center. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and therapeutic robotic cat for opening day of 75-acre Girl Scout STEM Center. Community outreach to young women and girls on the interdisciplinary nature of emotional robotics at UTA. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Research Center Symposium Guest Luncheon. Invited by FWMSH as guest to lunch and research symposium with faculty from Baylor, UNT, and Stephen F. Austin universities. NAO demonstration. Key outreach for Museums for presentation in Informal Learning sites. May 2018.
Keynote Speaker: Arlington Kiwanis Club. Keynote speaker for lunch. How theatre methodologies can impact social robotics. Community outreach to older adults who are key subjects in robotics research. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Business Press - Entrepreneur Breakfast. Demonstration of NAO social robot in collaboration with UTARI. Community outreach with key Fort Worth business executives. Executive Director UTARI in attendance – Mickey McCabe. April 2018.
Presentation: Texas Dallas Library National Conference. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and robotic therapeutic cat. Invited by Dean of UTA library, Dr. Rebecca Bichel. A half-day demonstration to 500+ attendees. Mentored three UTA students in demonstration and presentation of key UTA research and social robot values. April 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival. Presentation of social robot, JIBO, for a half-day demonstration at the University of Texas at Arlington Communications tent. Community outreach on behalf of the STEM interdisciplinary values at UTA. April 2018.
Guest Speaker and Presentation: Arlington Public Library (New York Avenue location). Presentation to APL group, Girls Who Code, with social robot, NAO. March 2018.
Presentation at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. NAO presentation with UTARI team. October 2017. Community outreach for higher visibility of UTA in the DFW area and interdisciplinary concepts of Theatre and Social Robotics for children. Presentation with AISL sponsor, FWMSH, continues to create bridges in the community between UTA and DFW informal education sites.
Guest Speaker and MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS: Arlington Public Library. In preparation for the AISL 2.4 million submission to NSF, community outreach and sponsored partners were cultivated with various DFW organizations. Arlington Public Library was featured strongly in the bridge building. Multiple presentation at various libraries for the dates; Sept. 11, 14, 19, and Oct. 9, among others.
Guest Speaker & Panelist: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Rising Tide Initiative Launch and Panel Discussion. An inaugural evening with the theme of Emerging Technologies: Meeting our Future. The Rising Tide Initiative has a mission to enhance entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology in Fort Worth and Tarrant County through a vibrant and collaborative technological ecosystem. April 2017. http://www.fortworthbusiness.com/news/fwmsh-hosting-rising-tide-initiative-event-friday/article_d12988e2-2a90-11e7-b0c5-f3f5c3095f6f.html
Guest Speaker/Panelist: Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous (LASERs). Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous event at University of North Texas this fall, also known as LASERs. LASERs are an exciting event series at the intersection of arts and sciences that bring together leading experts to talk about their work and experiences at the forefront of discovery and creativity. Each evening event includes presenters from the sciences, technology, industry, and the arts who offer expertise from an angle that connect to the mixed-discipline community from the arts, sciences, industry, and technology in attendance. Dr. Greer was one of three invited guest speakers and panelists. October 2016. Video content at http://arteca.mit.edu/video/julienne-greer-laser
Collaborator: Invited by David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics to presentation, “SXSW Interactive” in Austin, Texas. Invitation given to increase possible collaboration between Hanson Robotics and Dr. Greer’s emotional work in social robotics. Discussion with Hanson and attendance at a private viewing of research with Hanson robot, Philip K. Dick, Android. March 2016.
University of Texas at Arlington SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, and/or PANELIST
Keynote Speaker: iStart Valley. Innovative ideas. Transferring ideas into StartUps. A MAVS100 company. August, 2021.
Science Café Presenter: UTA Libraries zoom outreach to science and technology interests students and general public. A 45-min. live zoom presentation with real-time questions regarding Social Robotics and Theatre integration. April, 2020
Keynote Speaker: UTA CPE Department of Accounting Scholarship Banquet Gala. Keynote speaker for evenSciencing gala. Empathy and Embodiment: How theatre methodology informs social robotics. May 2018.
Guest Speaker: TEDxUTA. Live streaming presentation. Titled Will a robot be your next best friend? to a live audience at TEDxUTA at conference venue. April 2018.
Emotional Robotics Living Lab: Director. Formal Opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at Preston Hall, Room 304 to 30+ invitees including Office of Research, Office of Communications, College of Liberal Arts Dean’s office and Dept. of Theatre Arts. Hands-on activities and presentations including NAO, Pepper, Jibo, and Joy-for-all robotic cat. March 2018.
Guest Speaker: Healthline Meeting. Human-Robot Interaction: Social Robots and Healthcare. Invited by Health Libraries Information Network. January 2018.
Presentation: School of Social Work Meet and Greet for Research. 3 Slides, 3 minutes. An interdisciplinary meeting organized to present interdisciplinary work for collaboration with the SSW. January 2018.
Invited Guest Speaker and Presentation. One of 5 faculty members invited to present, the only member from the College of Liberal Arts, by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon, Dean of CoLA. Presentation was attended by University of Texas at Arlington President Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, Vice President of Research, Dr. Dimos, and honored guests, 7 executive VIPs from UT Systems health. NAO presentation of health-related work with IRP funded grant, Shakespeare and Robots. November 2017.
Guest Speaker: Digital Arts and Humanities Initiative (DAHI) Speaker Series. The DAHI team will present the findings of the study A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI in the University of Texas at Arlington Library 6th floor Parlor. April 2017.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. Second year of presenting the robot, Nao, to 500+ middle and high school students. Presentation included multiple groups rotating in for a demonstration ranging from 12 minutes to 30 minutes. Demonstration included verbal commands, human-to-robot interaction, various animations including, Puppet, Air Guitar, Rowing the Boat, and concluded with Shakespearean Sonnet 18. April 2017.
Speaker and Silver Sponsor: University of Texas at Arlington INNOVATION DAY A high school and college student competition featuring student and faculty startup pitches. Department of Theatre Arts participated as a silver sponsor alongside UTARI. Presentations were made by Dr. Greer with NAO the robot on theatre methodologies in social robotics. Conference is an annual event held on February 2017.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington, Honors College Colloquium Series – Will a Robot be your Next Friend? How theatre methodologies are utilized to enhance the relationship in human-robot interaction (HRI). The pros and cons of social robots entering the U.S. market in 2017. And, an introduction to the Department of Theatre’s research robot, Nao. This presentation was part of a monthly colloquium hosted by the Honors College in which a member of the UTA faculty discusses his or her research. Greer presentation given to honors students (30+) on research with the robot, Nao, which stands at the intersections of Theatre, Computer Science, Psychology, and Healthcare. Kevin Gustafson, Interim Dean of the Honors College, “Yours was easily among the most engaging of the more than twenty colloquia we have sponsored over the past four years.” December 2016.
Invited Panelist: Research Integrity Symposium. Research Integrity Symposium sponsored by the Steering Committee that manages the Responsible Conduct of Research Training Program (RCR) at University of Texas at Arlington. This year’s theme will be Collaborative Research. The issued to be discussed will be: research integrity, responsible conduct, management of collaborations, formal agreements as well as informal arrangements addressing matters such as authorship, roles and responsibilities, research compliance, and mentoring of trainees. October 2016.
Guest Speaker: Invited to present on the intersection of social robotics and theatre at the College of Business, Accounting Departments’ CPE Day at University of Texas at Arlington on August 2016.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. I began work with UTARI collaborating and developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. Invited ten Theatre Arts undergraduate students to UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot. April 2016.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington. Focus on Faculty. Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 2016. https://library.uta.edu/events/focus-faculty-julienne-greer
Panelist: Invited Research Discussant & Panel member. Fixed: The Science Fiction of Human Enhancement. Interdisciplinary panel. Invited by the Director of Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington to participate on a panel with UTA faculty John Bricout, associate dean of the School of Social Work, and Janet Morrow, disabilities studies adjunct professor. Moderated discussion and talk back after a viewing of the film, March 2015.
PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY AWARDS AND HONORS
2019 - University of Texas at Arlington, 2019 COLA Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure Track Faculty, “selected because of your outstanding record of teaching as well as your interdisciplinary approach to teaching theatre arts through social robotics and performance
2016 - University of Texas at Arlington, Focus on Faculty Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 20th, 2016.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Endowment Award given by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon and the Dean's Office of the College of Liberal Arts - Endowment Award for Research and Creative Activity - toward the purchase of Pepper, the emotional robot, from SoftBank Robotics for use in a multi-disciplinary Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) course created by Dr. Julienne Greer titled Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited speaker to AGS staff luncheon on behalf of Department of Theatre Arts, publicity and university outreach for Theatre Arts 2015-2016 season.
2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited participant in inaugural grant writing group. Five faculty participants were chosen to interact with senior grant writers, Office of Development and Office of the Provost, Division of Faculty Affairs.
2014 - Star-Telegram Best Actress in a Performance - 2014 as Juliana Singleton in Dallas-Fort Worth premier of The Other Place by Sharr White, Circle Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas.
2011 - University of Texas at Dallas Travel/Professional Development Award. Travel expenses to Oxford, University in England, United Kingdom. Mansfield College. Videogame Cultures is a premier game studies conference in Europe.
2001 Best Actress in a Play, Stage West, Honor from Board of Directors. Blanche Dubois, in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
AWARDS/HONORS
Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure-Track Faculty, 2019. University of Texas at Arlington, College of Liberal Arts, Dept. of Theatre Arts.
Outstanding Mainstage Production, 2014-15 Season, MAVPLAYS, Dept. of Theatre Arts’ Student/Faculty Awards. April, 2015. Producer: MAVPLAYS; Director: Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets.
Most Inspiring Professor, Nominee 2004, Department of Theatre, Texas Christian University.
Panhellenic Council Awards.
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
INTERNATIONAL
ITALY – April 2018
Disablog.it. Provide assistive technology to disabled people through the study of disability itself. “Le tecnologie assistive, comprese quelle basate sull’intelligenza artificiale, possono svolgere un ruolo importante nel plasmare il modo in cui le persone con disabilità sono in grado di muoversi nelle attività quotidiane. Tuttavia, ciò che può sembrare una buona idea per un ingegnere potrebbe non essere una realtà di fatto quando una persona con disabilità cerca di utilizzare la tecnologia.”
http://www.disablog.it/fornire-tecnologia-assistiva-alle-persone-disabili-tramite-lo-studio-della-disabilita-stessa/
KOREA - November 2017
Irobotnews.com. 텍사스알링턴대, 로봇-인간 정서 교감 연구 Human Emotional Empathy Research.
“Our idea is not to replace people, but to meet the gap," said UTA director of theater arts and professor Julienne Greer. "Above all, through performing arts we wish to interact with robots and people of various ages to create a solidarity of trust and emotion."
http://www.irobotnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12256
FRANCE – November 2017
InfoHighTech.com. LE NOUVEAU LABORATOIRE DE ROBOTIQUE ÉMOTIONNELLE ÉTUDIE L’INTERACTION HOMME-ROBOT. [The New Laboratory of Emotional Robotics Study in the interaction of human-robot]
“Julienne Greer et ses collègues Ling Xu et Noelle Fields, deux professeurs adjoints à la School of Social Work de l’UTA, et Kris Doelling, ingénieur de recherche à l’UTA Research Institute (UTARI), ont récemment mené une étude auprès d’adultes âgés dans un établissement indépendant au Texas. Le robot et les adultes ont interagi en utilisant des sonnets bien connus de Shakespeare. Cette étude, financée par une subvention de 20 000 dollars du Programme de recherche interdisciplinaire de l’UTA, a révélé qu’après trois semaines d’interactions, il y avait une baisse significative de la dépression et une augmentation de l’engagement social humain-robot chez ces personnes âgées.”
https://www.infohightech.com/le-nouveau-laboratoire-de-robotique-emotionnelle-etudie-linteraction-homme-robot/
BELGIUM – April 2017
Human 2.0 – Exploring Cyborgs. Lectures – Expo – Film.
In partial requirements for his master’s degree at The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, abbreviated KU Leuven, alum Andrew Beckman, organized with his peers, an evening of cyborg culture. Dr. Greer participated via video with NAO the robot. “What is a cyborg? What isn’t a cyborg a human 2.0? Where do we draw the line that separates humans from cyborgs?
https://www.facebook.com/events/439715329714287/
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
NATIONAL
National media and news outlets which ran UTA press release(s) story of the opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab and the analysis of Shakespeare and Robots research study:
UTA Communication analytics reported $100,000 advertising buys for TV spots featuring Dr. Greer’s work and Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
April 2018 – EurekaAlert! Science News. UTA grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/uota-ugt041318.php
April 2018 – PHYS.ORG. Grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be Integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://phys.org/wire-news/285330818/grant-to-help-minority-students-link-assistive-technology-with-d.html
April 2018 – DisabledWorld.com. UTA Grant to Help Minority Students Link Assistive Technology with Disabilities Studies. “Assistive technology program will teach undergraduate students, especially minority and female students and those with disabilities, how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities.
https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/finance/uta-grant.php
January 2018 – Xconomy. UTA Using Robots, Shakespeare to Study Ways to Address Loneliness. Angela Shah.
“A study at the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington is exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression…UTA’s living lab, which is made up of spaces set up to look like a person’s home – is part of a multidisciplinary effort that includes professors in theatre arts, social work, and engineering.”
https://www.xconomy.com/texas/2018/01/19/uta-using-robots-shakespeare-to-study-ways-to-address-loneliness/
January 2018 – KRWG New Mexico State: Justin Martin talks with Julienne Greer, director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington, about the emotional side of robots.
Audio:
http://krwg.org/post/local-newscast-1-53
November 2017 – EurekAlert! The Global Sources for Science News. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support. “The ideas here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,” said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uota-uer111317.php
November 2017 – Robotics Tomorrow. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. The new lab will feature two robots from SoftBank Robotics, NAO and Pepper. Pepper is a 4-foot humanoid robot with large, expressive eyes and lifelike gestures that can connect with people on an emotional level. NAO is a smaller humanoid robot, designed to be an interactive companion.”
https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/article/2017/11/uta%EF%BF%BD%EF%BF%BDs-emotional-robotics-living-lab-will-research-how-robots-can-be-integrated-into-homes-as-companions-and-caregivers/11072
November 2017 - PHYS.ORG. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? ‘We want to look at what it means to have a robot in the room, and plan to use theatre methodology to make that experience as engaging as possible," Greer added. ‘Both robots are also actively used in the curriculum of the course I teach, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre every semester, which involves hands-on student/robot interactions.’”
https://phys.org/wire-news/272048432/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-compani.html
November 2017 – TIEECO.org Silicon Valley. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “The new lab is studying whether or not a robot can fill in the emotional gap needed to be a companion or caretaker to humans.”
https://www.tieeco.org/ecosystem/news/n/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds
November 2017 – Robotics Trends. New Emotional Robotics Lab to Study Human-Robot Interaction. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots.” http://conflict.md/2017/11/15/new-emotional-robotics-lab-to-study-human-robot-interaction/
November 2017 – ASEE First Bell. University of Texas Using Literature to Forge Emotional Bonds Between Humans, Robots. The Dallas Morning News (11/20, Brumfield) reports the University of Texas at Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab “is using the work of none other than William Shakespeare” to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safety with humans and to “learn how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional as well as physical support.” The piece quotes UTA theater arts professor Julienne Greer saying, “The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap. We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.” http://mailview.bulletinmedia.com/mailview.aspx?m=2017112101asee&r=6106399-da88&render=y
November 2017 – News Cision. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “The lab is designed with home spaces for older adults featuring mid-century furniture as well as a more modern play space for projects using children or younger adults.”
http://news.cision.com/university-of-texas-at-arlington/r/uta-s-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companions-caregivers,c2390637
November 2017 – PublicNow.com. Robots and Theatre. NAO and Pepper in the new lab. How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers?
http://www.publicnow.com/view/3E87CF16C169F1B824FAEBA8EC850949936A99B5?2017-11-13-20:30:17+00:00-xxx5895
November 2017 – DailyTopicI. Texas-based Emotional Robotics Living Lab Creates Caregiver Robots - Robotics. “Public research school University of Texas at Arlington opened its Emotional Robotics Living Lab to determine how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional support or to serve as caregivers.”
http://dailytopici.com/news/view/8270
November 2017 – CQRCENGAGE.com. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? “The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA's Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://cqrcengage.com/auvsi/app/document/25102365?1
November 2017 – McKnight’s Senior Living. Universities study robots to help senior living residents. Lois A. Bowers. “Independent living and assisted living communities are serving as testing grounds as University of Texas at Arlington researchers try to develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers. Researchers hope the efforts meet resident needs and help operators address labor challenges.”
https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/universities-study-robots-to-help-senior-living-residents/article/707478/
November 2017 – AZOrobotics.com. New Emotional Robotic Living Lab will Investigate the Integration of Robots into Homes. “We are now looking to make the experience more immersive so that the robot and the adults play out an entire scene of Shakespeare together…we hypothesize that the more immersive the theatre intervention, the deeper and more positive the responses in older adults will be in regards to depression and social engagement’”
https://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=9587
November 2017 – ScienMag Science Magazine. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to Focus on Robots as Companions/Caregivers. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://scienmag.com/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companionscaregivers/
November 2017 – Bob Heyer-Gray. Librarian at University of California – Davis. University of Texas using literature to forge emotional bonds between humans, robots. “Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is ‘using the work of no other than William Shakespeare’ to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safely with humans.”
November 2017 – BotWeb.net. The latest robotics news from around the web. “‘The idea here is not to replace humans, but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.”
October 2017 – LeadingAge.com. Robots and Self-Driving Taxis on the Rise in Senior Living by Donna Childress. Companion robots and others offer large potential to engage older adults. “NAO, which challenged the residents to give the final lines of a Shakespeare sonnet and can do things like shake hands and join residents for tai chi, was a hit… ‘Older adults really did find this futuristic machine…quite fascinating…I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’” https://www.leadingage.org/cast/robots-and-self-driving-taxis-rise-senior-living
October 2017 – Andrea Hektner.com. Repeat after me, robots are not humans. “Within her area of study, Greer dedicates herself to understanding all the facets underlining the many ways in which humans interact with one another…The interesting concept of Greer’s work is that humans must first understand humanity in order to make way for the incoming generation of robots, which she argues can be achieved through the theatrical arts.”
https://andreahektner.com/2016/06/20/repeat-after-me-robots-are-not-humans/
September 2017 – Seniorhousingnews.com. Senior Living Sees Slow But Steady Robot Revolution by Tim Regan. “Most recently, a Brookdale community in Arlington, Texas, hosted researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), to determine whether reciting Shakespeare with a robot could lessen symptoms of depression and increase engagement for seniors… ‘Will more assisted living facilities see robots in this way, not just for service, but also as companions? I absolutely think so,” she says. “I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’”
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/09/15/senior-living-sees-slow-steady-robot-revolution/
August 2017 – Brookdale.com, Brookdale Senior Living Solutions; Technology and Innovation Section by Andrew Smith. NAO takes a bow: Meet the robot engaging seniors in the arts. Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. “The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,” said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA. For three weeks, eight Brookdale residents spent an hour each week reciting Shakespeare with NAO. NAO recited the first 12 lines of Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) with all the drama of a professional actor and then asked the residents to complete the last two lines. While some residents were hesitant at first, the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Based on the data from our study, findings suggest that there was a significant increase in engagement and a significant decrease in depression,” said Dr. Greer. “We learned that social robots are poised to become viable collaborative companions in places like Brookdale.” The poetry performance was just the beginning of NAO’s interaction. The robot can shake hands, accompany seniors on a walk, perform Tai Chi and tell stories. The versatility was a hit with residents…NAO is a perfect example of how something that seems so simple (a Shakespeare reciting robot) can significantly improve quality of life. It also demonstrates that seniors, just like the rest of us, get excited and engaged with novel technologies. https://www.brookdalenews.com/nao-takes-bow-meet-robot-engaging-seniors-in-arts.htm
March 2017 – FOX 10, MyFoxZone. KIDY San Angelo, TX. Robots Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly… ‘Researchers are using a robot reciting Shakespeare with senior citizens, in what is known as ‘participatory art.’”
https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416978351
March 2017 – FOX 15, MyFoxZone. KXVA Abilene, TX. Robot Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly.’”
Article and Video:
https://www.fox15abilene.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416977500
January 2016 – DISCOVERY.COM Discovery News. Why We Want Our Robots to Like Us. Glenn McDonald. “Julienne Greer, a theater professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has a unique insight into the issue of Human Robot Interaction, or HRI. In recent years, Greer and her students have worked directly with computer scientists and engineers in the U-T system, creating the new class Humans and Robots to explore the emerging emotional connections between people and machines. ‘My time spent in theatre arts seems to indicate that we are all wired to connect to empathetic human experiences, especially emotional experiences, and we feel the most 'like ourselves' when we do,’ Greer says.” [Discovery News source has changed the following link is correct for the original article.]
https://engineering.nd.edu/news-publications/engineering-in-the-news/why-we-want-our-robots-to-like-us
November 2014 – NDTV.com, The Future Awaits the Rise of Affectionate Robots. “A new study into a robot named Pepper who has been hailed as an emotionally responsive humanoid robot, can help scientists build more affection robots.”
http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/the-future-awaits-the-rise-of-affectionate-robots-703178
November 2014 – The Aurora Fox Arts Center. From STEM to STEAM, Theatre and Robots? “Performing Arts and ‘Theatre’ hold a regular spot on lists like Forbes’ “The Ten Worst College Majors” and The Daily Beast’s “The Thirteen Most Useless Majors”. But Julienne Greer sees that changing…When Julienne Greer heard about the new “emotional” robots coming out of Japan (like Aldebaran’s Pepper) she was intrigued. These robots are designed to be in-home companions that can read people’s moods and respond appropriately…The take-away? An actress (with a Theatre degree) is successfully working with scientists to develop super cool technology. Looks like that major wasn’t so useless after all.” [Link has expired as of 7/18/18]
http://aurorafoxartscenter.org/cms/2014/11/25/from-stem-to-steam/
November 2014 – Cosmos Magazine, How to Make Robots More Like Humans. “Actor, producer and director Julienne Greer is helping engineers build more responsive robots…Part of her work involves categorizing behaviors and gestures and understanding how these gestures can create emotion in humans. Robot engineers may be able to apply these principles when programming robots… ‘Performance, connection and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots.’”
https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/how-to-make-robots-more-like-humans
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
REGIONAL – DFW
April 2018 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Developing Assistive Technologies Program with $381K Grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded the grant to fund the program that will teach undergraduate students, particularly minority and female students with disabilities, how to design the assistive technology. Ishfaq Ahmad, professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department is the principal investigator, UTA said. Other co-principal investigators are Julienne Greer, assistant professor in theater arts; and assistant professors of computer science and engineering Manfred Huber and Vassilis Athitsos.
https://dallasinnovates.com/381k-grant-help-develop-uta-assistive-technologies-program/
December 2017 – KERANews.org. Robots Reciting Shakespeare with Seniors in UTA Study Hints at Future Companion Role. Justin Martin and Molly Evans. “Robots are assuming more and more roles in our daily lives…In the study, older adults interacted with a robot using Shakespearean sonnets. The study comes from UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which explores the bigger idea of robots as companions and caregivers in the future. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre arts and the lab’s director, explains how one of the robots, called NAO, was used in the study… ‘It was not just reciting Shakespeare. We made this study because we wanted the robot to participate with the older adult. Now, when someone is participating in an art, they’re not just looking at that painting, they’re not just listening to that music. They are actually in a process of doing, and that was shown to have incredibly positive results.’” Article, Video, and Audio files to follow:
http://keranews.org/post/robots-reciting-shakespeare-seniors-uta-study-hints-future-companion-role
Youtube – 10 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A7I_peskTk
December 2017 – Arlington Voice. Robotics theatrics pairs UTA research with Arlington seniors. “NAO is one of two advanced robots used in the lab to test the emotional engagement between man and machine. It’s (NAO) arm, no longer than that of a toddler, reaches toward the sky as it recites Shakespeare Sonnet 18… ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer day.’”
https://arlingtonvoice.com/arlington/education/2017/12/02/robotic-theatrics-pairs-uta-research-arlington-seniors
November 2017 – Star-Telegram News. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? Bill Hana. “NAO, a 23-inch tall robot, performs a 30-second Tai Chi routine, gracefully moving its arms up in the air. At the same time, Kevyn Martinez, a 20-year-old communications major at the University of Texas at Arlington, stands behind the small robot, mirroring its movements. The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/arlington/article186305888.html
November 2017 – DallasNews.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says. Loyd Brumfield. “We all know that robots with human-like functions are coming. But as we have learned in everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Westworld, how do we know they can be trusted. Maybe artists hold the key to that answer more so than scientists or engineers. ‘The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theater arts at UTA and director of the lab. ‘We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2017/11/20/robots-caregivers-afraid-uta-says
November 2017 – PressReader.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20171121/282110636909639
November 2017 – NBC DFW Channel 5 News. Shakespeare Performing Robots Show Promise for Mental Health in UTA Study. Tim Ciesco. “A theater arts professor, a mechanical engineering student, and a small robot all meet in a classroom. That's not the opening line of an obscure joke -- it's what actually happens inside UT-Arlington's new Emotional Robotics Living Lab… ‘Theater arts is a discipline of connection, empathy, voice, movement, relationship -- and in the end trust,’ said Greer. ‘I think it's stimulating. I think by utilizing arts content it's more life-like.’” Article and Video follows:
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Shakespeare-Performing-Robots-Show-Promise-for-Mental-Health-in-UTA-Study-458674103.html
November 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11&21 News. UTA Working to Make Robots Become More Human. Robbie Owens. “Once the stuff of science fiction, robots today run our factories and touch nearly aspect of our lives. Now, an interdisciplinary research project at University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) looks to explore what could happen if robots can learn to touch our hearts. Dr. Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, and Director of the university’s ‘Living Lab’ where participants interact with the robots in a home-like setting… ‘We can bring all the things that make theater so human: the ability to connect, the ability to understand another human being’s life… empathy… I am programming robots that will allow you to stay in your home longer,’ said Dr. Greer, ‘When I say that, that’s when people go: `how quickly can you get them to me?’”
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/11/14/uta-robots-human/
November 2017 – WALA Fox Channel 10, Alabama. Robots with Emotions?
“Social companion robots with the goal to let people live independently into later life.” https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30774829?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Fox 13, Tampa, Florida. “Students and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington are trying to create robots that have emotions.”
Video with UTA Dept. of Theatre Arts students:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30775344?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “In the study, a robot and adults interacted using sonnets from Shakespeare, and researchers found that after three weeks, there was a major drop in depression and an increase in robot-human social engagement among the older adults.”
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds/
November 2017 – KRLD 1080 am RADIO. Audio interview on the opening of Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Audio:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30692189?token=2912f455-cfc2-4423-9da3-adfec9cb7a4b
November 2017 – Arlington-TX.gov. UTA Launches Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support… ‘We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/11/14/uta-launches-emotional-robotics-living-lab/
November 2017 – Texas Digital Humanities Consortium. Promoting digital research in Texas and beyond. Lisa Spiro. “Dr. Julienne Greer was awarded one of UTA’s second annual Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grants for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults.” She leads an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. Dr. Greer and colleagues also received funding for A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI, which examines how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI.”
https://www.txdhc.org/members/lspiro/activity/1273/
September 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11 “Dr. Julienne Greer, an Assistant Professor of Social Robotics and Performance, says they are using something called participatory arts to help robots interact with senior citizens…The content of the art is said to enhance a person’s cognitive skills, as well as offer companionship for older adults… ‘We want the older adults to feel engaged in an art form…we are very hopeful the same positive results that happen in human to human models will happen with a human to robot model…’ Theater for Psychological Well-Being. The goal is to provide an intervention tool for early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Team: Dr. Julienne Greer, UTA College of Theatre Arts, Dr. Noelle Fields, UTA School of Social Work. Sponsor: UTA: Interdisciplinary Research Program.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=3xzNF16ZBqo
April 2017 – CW33 To Bot or not to Bot: Meet the little robot who can perform Shakespeare! Chris Skupien. “Here in the 21st century, robots are nothing new. But have you ever seen one recite a sonnet? ‘This robot is considered a social or companion robot…This is the robot that might be a friend and that is where the theatre methodology comes in.’”
Article and Video:
http://cw33.com/2017/04/27/to-bot-or-not-to-bot-meet-the-little-robot-who-can-perform-shakespeare/
Dec. 2016 – Star-Telegram by Sara Pintilie. Shall AI compare thee? UTA robot recites Shakespeare for science. Star-Telegram article/video initially requested by Dr. Vistap Karbhari, President of UT-Arlington.
“University of Texas at Arlington’s Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts: social robotics and performance, wants to use NAO and Shakespeare to help older adults in a new interdisciplinary study. Interdisciplinary research can promote a new way to tackle a problem or a fresh approach to age-old questions. It can produce exciting and refreshing elements, like a Shakespeare-reciting robot. Greer’s study, when it begins in April, will have older adults listen as NAO recites the first 12 lines of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, and the people will recite the last two lines. ‘The pilot date will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults, the study says.’”
Article and Video:
http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article120016593.html
Dec. 2016 – Dallas Observer. The University of Texas at Arlington’s Theatre Department has a new student – a Robot by Pablo Arauz. “Nao the robot is a little over a month old but can already recite poetry as if it feels passion… Greer is an assistant professor of theater and an actor. Her life’s work has been to study how humans interact with other humans, but recently she’s been exploring a whole new territory: How humans interact with machines and the experience involved in understanding this relationship – that’s right, a relationship with a machine. Her specialty is an interdisciplinary research area called theater and social robotics that explores how robots can reflect human emotion by applying traditional acting methods.”
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-university-of-texas-at-arlingtons-theater-department-has-a-new-student-a-robot-8987400
December 2016 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Theatre Prof Will Use Robot in Study on Human-Machine Connection. UTA professor Julienne Greer will use an autonomous humanoid robot in an upcoming study exploring the connection between humans and machines.
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-theater-prof-will-use-robot-in-study-on-human-machine-connection/
February 2016 – Fox News4ward, February 7th and 13th, 2016, Robots with Human Emotions, by Dan Godwin. “It may sound like science fiction, but more and more these days robots are exhibiting human qualities. And in many homes, they serve as companions for people. In this FOX 4Ward segment, Dan Godwin talks with Dr. Julienne Greer, a local expert who is helping guide that progress in a positive direction.”
http://www.fox4news.com/news/fox-4-features/86482879-story
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
UTA IN THE NEWS
April 20th, 2018 – UTA In the News
Technologies in Disabilities grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded a $381,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant from the National Science Foundation, Dallas Innovates.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/04/20.php
January 22nd, 2018 – UTA In the News
“Robots are being created to help with tasks like disinfecting hospital rooms or alerting patients when it’s time to take medications, Xconomy.com reported. A study at UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is even exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre at UTA, serves as the director of the lab, which was launched in November.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/01/22.php
December 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts in UTA’s College of Liberal Arts, appeared on KERA 90.1 FM discussing her research in the field of social and emotional robotics. She found that interactions with robots had a positive impact on the lives of senior citizens in an assisted living facility. Greer is the director of UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/15.php
December 4st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Arlington Voice reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/04.php
December 1st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Robotics Tomorrow reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/01.php
November 27th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Robotics Living Lab
“The Star-Telegram reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/27.php
November 22nd, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Innovates, ASEE First Bell,
China's Irobotnews and France's Infohightech reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/22.php
November 20th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC 5 reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/20.php
November 17th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab continued to attract national attention with KTVT Fox 13 in Tampa, Fla., WALA Fox 10 in Mobile, Ala., Robotics Trends, Azorobotics and many other media outlets covering the start of the lab, which will investigate what the future will look like with robots.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/17.php
November 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Researchers at UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab are investigating what the future will look like with robots. They're also examining how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support, KTVT CBS 11, KRLD 1080 AM, ArlingtonTx.gov, CBSDFW.com, McKnight’s Senior Living, ScienMag and Phys.org reported. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts, is directing the new lab.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/15.php
UTA PRESS RELEASES
January 2020 – UTA Press Release. UTA takes on loneliness crisis. Dana Jennings. “We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life,” said Greer, who also is director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “Theater has a way of giving more depth to one’s identity and creating a deeper sense of self-expression. Robots do not judge or get their feelings hurt, thus creating a safe space for people to be expressive.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/news-releases/2020/01/09/social-isolation
April 2018 – UTA Press Release. UTA researchers earn grant to teach minority undergraduates how to link assistive technology, artificial intelligence and disability studies. Herb Booth. University of Texas at Arlington computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor…were awarded a three-year, $318,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2018/04/nsf-adaptive-tech-undergrad.php
November 2017 – UTA Press Release. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. Louisa Kellie.
“Greer and an interdisciplinary team recently carried out a study with older adults at an independent living facility in Texas where the robot and adults interacted using well-known sonnets from Shakespeare. This study, which was funded with a seed grant from UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program, found that after three weeks of interactions, there was a significant drop in depression and increase in human-robot social engagement among those older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2017/11/Greer%20release%20robots.php
November 2017 - UTA Newsroom. Sonnet Technology. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor in the UTA Department of Theatre Arts, is combining Shakespeare and state-of-the-art robots to reduce depression and increase engagement among older adults. The interdisciplinary team includes researchers from UTA's School of Social Work and the UTA Research Institute. The research team recently opened an emotional robotics living lab to understand how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers.
https://www.uta.edu/news/video/2017/11/Shakespeare-Robot.php
Youtube: 1.23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=olH9WOR9GtE
November 2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, News Release UT Arlington Theatre Arts research provides insight into human behavior for scientists, engineers who build social robots by Bridget Lewis. News release was picked up by multiple science websites including; Phys.org, esciencenews.com, sciencenewsline.com, techsharx.com, cosmosmagazine.com, inas.in (Indo-Asian news service) as well as a Lithuanian news site, robotika.it (Menininkės įžvalgos pravers robotų kūrėjams). “The fascinating aspect of sensory (data) work is how it opens the imagination to the cognitive work our senses do all day, every day to connect us to our world. The subject becomes aware of new sensory stimuli, which in turn creates an emotional response.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2014/11/Greer-social-robotics.php
August 2016 – NEWS RELEASE UTA Awards Four 2016 Inter-disciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016). UTA awarded grants for innovative ideas that address high-priority issues in society. I was granted one of only four awards University-wide for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on the psychological well-being of older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2016/08/IRP%202016.php
UTA MAGAZINE - PRINT
UTA – The University of Texas at Arlington Magazine, Pioneers of the 21st Century. Antwan Williams. “They’re doing so with the help of 2-foot tall robot named NAO that performs Shakespearean sonnets… ‘all these awards represent important research innovations and could create a real impact in society’ says Duane Dimos, vice president for research.’”
http://www.uta.edu/utamagazine/spring-2018/features/pioneers-of-the-21st-century.php
May 2015 – INQUIRY - The Research Magazine for University of Texas at Arlington, I, Robot, Engineers look to theatre techniques to create more responsive machines. “Performance, connection, and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots…We must be specific in programming robots to respond to, and eventually learn from, the human relationships they will be a part of.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/inquiry/spring15/faculty/i-robot.php
UTA MAVWIRE
April 2018. Assistive Technologies Studies. “Computer scientists and faculty with the disabilities studies minor will create a campus-wide program to teach how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers.”
https://www.uta.edu/enews/mavwire/2018/04/23.html
UTA COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS NEWSROOM and CoLA Magazine
June 2018 – CoLA Magazine. UTA Faculty Pursue DATA DRIVEN DISCOVERY. NSF grant Focuses on Research in Assistive Technology. "Greer, an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, has received numerous grants for creating distinctive social applications for robots...'Dr. Rose and Dr. Greer specialize in cutting edge scholarship.'"
https://www.yumpu.com/en/embed/view/J8fLIC0n7AvhREm9
November 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Newsroom. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is open and ready for a close-up! “Arlington’s new Emotion Robotics Living Lab opened fall semester 2017 and features two robots designed to connect with humans on an emotional level and act as companions. The new lab gives hands-on experience working with the robots to UTA students enrolled in Dr. Julienne Greer’s Theatre Arts Course, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre. The lab space, which has recently piqued the interest of the local media, The class is open to all students, regardless of major, interested in learning more about companion robots and the place they will hold in our future. Greer said, “The interdisciplinary nature of the lab and the course is one of the innovative qualities and what seems to interest the public and the media.” In the last two days, Greer and the Robotics Living Lab team have spoken with CBS Channel 11, NBC Channel 5, and the Star-telegram about the new lab and course initiatives with very positive receptions. The flurry of activity follows UTA’s press release on the new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer said, “People are very interesting in social robots, it is exciting to share this news and where UTA is headed in this field with the DFW community.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2017/11/16/ut-arlingtons-emotion-robotics-living-lab-is-open-and-ready-for-a-close-up/
August 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Annual Magazine. “This report about the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington spotlights achievements within the college during the last year. There is no better illustration of the talent among our students and mentorship by our faculty and staff, then the example of…interacting with a Shakespeare-intoning robot.” Elizabeth Cawthon, Dean. CoLA.
http://www.uta.edu/libarts/_downloads/CoLAMagazine/CoLAMagazine_WebEdition.pdf
September 2016 – NEWS RELEASE College of Liberal Arts. IRP Awards. “UTA has awarded four seed grants to interdisciplinary research projects that address growing problems such as loneliness among the elderly, the need for sustainable green education spaces, the health crisis among urban American Indians or the mechanisms behind heart failure among the elderly.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/uta-awards-four-2016-interdisciplinary-research-program-grants-for-innovative-ideas-that-address-high-priority-issues-in-society/
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Live radio interview for College of Liberal Art’s 50th anniversary and welcome back event with UTA Radio, “UTA and The Department of Theatre Arts are incredibly forward-thinking. We’ve purchased a social robot for use in the classroom…How robots essentially ‘perform’ for humans and how humans emotionally respond to robots, is my primary research interest.” (Greer)
UTA NEWSPAPER - THE SHORTHORN
May, 2022 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Professor combines theatre and robotics to reflect human connection. Ayesha Hana Shaji. “Social robots, also known as emotional robots, are machines that can communication socially with human being said Julienne Greer…Greer found a way to bring together her seemingly odd combination of passions, theatre and robotics.”https://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/professor-combines-theater-and-robotics-to-reflect-human-connection/article_6720a5e6-aec2-11ec-b8f5-cb82ea484fd9.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students find relief through art. Amanda Padilla. “Greer emphasized these two concepts. She said people are wired to connect with each other, they have a need and a desire to connect as humans. By engaging in the arts, they learn to trust something. For Greer, people learn to trust each other.In a play, many people come together to create a show. The director, the stage manager, the cast, the technicians; all of these people have to trust their connection to create something together.” http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-find-relief-through-art/article_134f4e52-d083-11e8-b182-23d30eda925c.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, Interdisciplinary team studies robots. Spencer Brewer. “These machines will somehow be a reflection of us as humans,” Greer said. The Emotional Robotics Living Lab focuses on social robots, or robots that will interact socially with people in their homes and workplaces in the future.
“I like to talk about it because it’s not a phone, it’s not a human, and it’s not the television turned on at home,” Greer said. “It is something else, and I’m really interested in what that something else is and how we will interact with it, and what that means, then, about us.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/interdisciplinary-team-studies-robots/article_ebf6f774-c673-11e8-9252-5f7e76848ca0.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Rebekah Morr. “The Living Lab is home to two robots: NAO and Pepper. Both are social and companion robots who can respond autonomously to faces and sounds…Pepper can be classified as an emotional robot because it can detect emotional expressions and tension in a person’s voice.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/article_f32a4568-cfe4-11e7-8be9-13610f80f16f.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Duy Vu. “Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts and Emotional Robotics Living Lab director, explains the functionality of Pepper, a social companion robot, on Nov. 21 in the lab at Preston Hall.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/image_ac03b0f0-cf00-11e7-af15-cf6b2e776c41.html
April 2017 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students, Faculty meet Piebot. “Julienne Greer, theatre arts assistant professor, presented her humanlike robot, called PieBot at UTA’s iDAH speaker series…PieBot was built to eliminate human apathy toward robots and foster a sense of nurturing empathy, Greer said. Greer pulled from different specialties, including from costume designers, programmers, and engineers. ‘Interdisciplinary isn’t just a buzzword, Greer said.’”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-faculty-meet-piebot/article_9ed3b58c-1b0b-11e7-aa25-bf218a04f8f4.html
September 2016 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Robot pairs with sonnets to assist elderly. Matt Fulkerson. “If you can take the world’s greatest wordsmith-literary-poet-playwright and you can bring a robot in and they can play that scene, that’ll be incredible,” she said. (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/robots-pair-with-sonnets-to-assist-elderly/article_74c49866-7f5b-11e6-8907-cfaea4359d90.html
September 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Theatre gets robot, which will appear in spring play. Sheliah Lindsey. “I believe robots are the future…They have so much potential. They can help keep the elderly in their homes longer. They can help children with disabilities.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/theatre-gets-robot-which-will-appear-in-spring-play/article_bc330eb6-502d-11e5-87a7-7fa707007332.html
March 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Film spurs discussion about disabilities, human enhancement. The Shorthorn released the story of the inter-disciplinary panel discussion titled, Dr. Greer, discussant (see Panels). In response to a question regarding human enhancement through robotics and how that identifies humans; “All of my inequalities make me an incredibly unique person…I own being this age, going through my life, having the experiences I’ve had, and doing this wonderful art, which is all about finding the interesting, unique, quirky parts of being a human being.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/film-spurs-discussion-about-disabilities-human-enhancement/article_a004f966-cd1f-11e4-b454-0bae11a94667.html
December 2014 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Lecturer blends theatre arts, robotics by Hannah-Beth Floyd. “I think we’re already well past the point where humans and technologies interact…Technology is a part of our life…(my work is essentially) taking decades of method work, performance technique, and using it to create the most authentic relationship between the human being and a robot.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/lecturer-blends-theater-arts-robotics/article_85eeab54-7a76-11e4-8344-3f24595643ac.html
UTA - INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATORS AND MEDIA
September 2018 – UTA Library Newsletter. User Engagement & Services. Building Partnerships and Lasting Friendships Through Technology. “During our tenure as Robot Ambassadors, we (Devon Peralta and Rene Taméz) formed an extraordinary working relationship with Dr. Julienne Greer, a multi-disciplinary scholar and professor who has been researching human/robot interactions. Dr. Greer was the first UTA Faculty to request the Robot Ambassadors in her classroom, where she was doing research on emotional support robots, for which she received a grant to start the UTA Emotional Robots Living Lab.”
June 2018 – Invited by Nova Coates, Computer Science and Engineering colleague to create a 20 sec. audio spot for CSE freshman highlight interdisciplinary work.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151850623@N06/42194854490/in/album-72157693832149860/
March 2018 – UTA Radio on Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Live broadcast aired March 22 2018.
January 2018 – Computer Science and Engineering – UT Arlington. Facebook. In Spring 2018, Dr. Julienne Greer teaches a course exploring social robotics and the roles robots will have in our lives from Disability Studies, Theatre Studies, and Humanities perspectives. The course includes hands-on work with the social robots, PEPPER, JIBO, and NAO in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. If you have any questions about this class please contact ltucker@uta.edu or Dr. Julienne Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre, Social Robotics and Performance.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cseutarlington/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1943693469037365
December 2017 – College of Engineering – IN THE NEWS. “Robotics Tomorrow reported…UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots.”
November 2017 – UTARI. Greer’s New Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UT Arlington assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2017/NBC5_nao.php
November 2017 – UTARI. Meet the robot engaging seniors in the Arts. “Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. ‘The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,’ said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA.”
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2018/Brookdale_2.php
November 2017 – UTARI. “Couldn't have scripted this Channel 5 news interview any better if you tried!” UTARI Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/posts/1611685888893622
November 2017 – School of Social Work. “The interdisciplinary team from UTA School of Social Work and UTARI researchers have come together for an amazing project! Check out what the SSW is doing!” SSW Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/UTASocialWork/posts/
October 2016 – UTARI. Facebook post of unveiling of NAO with collaborator UTARI, Dr. Julienne Greer at The University of Texas at Arlington Theatre Arts Department and Kris Doelling, Research Scientist at UTARI unpack a new addition – the NAO robot from Softbank Robotics…The social robot is set to be a key component for hands-on work for Dr. Greer’s interdisciplinary course, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre. https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/photos/pcb.1208605852534963/1208605765868305/?type=3
April 2016 – UTARI. National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI) Collaborator with UTARI developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. On April 6, 2016, 10 Theatre Arts undergraduate students assembled at UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot.
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, on-air interview for UTA News. Social robotics at UTA: “Buddy” and “Pepper” a social and an emotional robot acquired by Department of Theatre Arts for use in the classroom and innovative research.
https://utanews.com/2015/09/14/dr-julienne-greer-interview/
MEDIA
for
CREATIVE RESEARCH in PERFORMANCE
June 2017 – Dallas Morning News review of performance King o’ the Moon. Touching family tale with contemporary reverberations. “The mom, Ellen Pazinski (Julienne Greer) honors his spirit and keeps an income by running the family tavern…the fine cast shows off the playwrights deft blend of humor and pathos.”
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/theater/2017/06/18/touching-family-tale-contemporary-reverberations-king-o-moon-circle-theatre
June 2017 – Theatre Jones review of performance King o’ the Moon. Moon Beams. “Julienne Greer returns to play mother Ellen Pazinski for the third time, and she’s the show’s anchor. Her Ellen is steady and smart, a woman who raised four difficult children and doesn’t think life can surprise her. She’s a widow now, and runs the tavern with help from her husband’s best friend. David H.M. Lambert’s Walter is the ultimate nice guy, touching and funny in his attempts to get closer to Ellen and her prickly kids.”
http://www.theaterjones.com/ntx/reviews/20170620105834/2017-06-21/Circle-Theatre/King-O-the-Moon
June 2017 – Star-Telegram review of performance King o’ the Moon. King o’ the Moon captures America in 1969. “As was so often the case in the 1960s, the Pazinskis are all on journeys of their own. Ellen (Julienne Greer), the widow who heads the family, is coping with three grown children who are entering adulthood through different doors, and a mentally challenged son, Georgie, who will always be a child… Greer’s performance is so easy and smooth that the high quality of her work runs the risk of going unnoticed.”
http://www.star-telegram.com/living/article156977974.html
April 2014 A + C Acting in Texas: Julienne Greer at Circle Theatre. Interview with editor, Nancy Wozny of Arts and Culture Texas. Julienne Greer takes on the role of Juliana Smithton in Circle Theatre’s production of Sharr White’s, The Other Place. White chronicles the story of Smithton, a successful neurologist, who suffers from a devastating neurological event. “I used my early training (for characterization), which was a blend of both physical and more external representations…alongside internal or more emotionally behavioral choices.” (Greer)
http://artsandculturetx.com/acting-in-texas-julienne-greer-at-circle-theatre/
May 2005 Texas Christian University, interview with TCU Daily Skiff. ‘Toil and Trouble’ – Actors to perform part of Macbeth Halloween night. Prof. Julienne Greer conceived, developed, and directed a Macbeth selection titled “Bard on the Rocks” for TCU Provost Nowell Donovan. It has become an annual tradition. “The scene consists of the three witches and their encounter with Macbeth who is demanding to know if he will continue to be king…Later during the scene, apparitions or ghosts appear to him. It’s very spooky.” (Greer)
https://www.tcu360.com/story/toil-and-trouble-12292688/
UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACADEMIC AWARDS and HONORS
Samuel French Publishers, Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron
Listed in the published version of the stage play as Margaret Goggin. Worked with the playwright, Arthur Giron, in seminars and workshops during the rehearsal period to identify the play’s narrative and character arc. Becoming Memories was produced at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Acting Ensemble. Invitation only participation in an acting ensemble by iconic Broadway designer, producer, John Wulp. Acting ensemble was personally supervised by legendary playwright John Guare. Content of the seminar was a workshop of his work in the fourth play of Guare’s Lydie Breeze series.
New York University, Acting Ensemble.
Highlighted in a New York Times article titled, Where are all the new, young actors: at Tisch School of the Arts. Play: Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron.
ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHING
2020-Present Associate Chair Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
Associate Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Assistant Chair and Assistant Professor of the Department of Theatre Arts including curriculum planning, administrative responsibilities, liaison among students and the department, and performance-based courses, advanced performance, acting for voice and movement, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities.
2020-Present Area Head for BA program
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
I am the Area Head for the largest group of students in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. I mentor and guide BA students in their individual and chosen career trajectories. Opportunities within the Department include performance, stage combat, improvisation, and social robotics and technology.
2016-Present Assistant Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Professor advanced performance, acting for the stage and camera, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, Departmental courses, Dialects in Performance, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre: a course based on the emerging intersection of Theatre and Social Robotics. Head of publicity for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, committee member for Academic Curriculum, Research, Marketing, Performance, recruiting (see Service). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2012-2016 Senior Lecturer
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company & Maverick Dance Company
University of Texas at Arlington
Professor of beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting for the stage and the camera, directing for the stage, stage movement, voice training for the stage, dialects, theatre administration in publicity, marketing, and recruitment, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, dance for the actor. Chair and/or member of departmental, university and college committees (see “University Service”). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2000-2009 Adjunct Professor
Dept. of Film-Television-Digital Media -
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Department of Theatre –
College of Fine Arts
Texas Christian University
Professor of beginning and intermediate acting for the stage and the camera, acting for TV II, acting for the camera, improvisational comedy lab and lecture, soap opera lab and lecture, survey courses for cinema and theatre, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, and working actor seminar. Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2011-2013 Teaching Assistant
School of Arts and Humanities University of Texas at Dallas
Teacher’s Assistant for film theory, and history courses. Requested by Endowed Professor, Dr. Stephen Rabe
Dr. Shilyh Warren
Dr. Adrienne McLean
1999-Present Independent Arts Administration Consultant, based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Arts consulting provided for cultural, governmental and educational institutions in Texas. Consultations have involved organizational assessments, personnel assessments, development workshops, marketing/sales, bylaws analysis, budget preparation, unions, facilities planning, grant evaluation, membership and development.
1981-Present Professional Theatre and Film Artist, Illinois, Arizona, Los Angeles, New York, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. Presently based in Fort Worth, Texas. (Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Screenplay writer, and Producer: see Creative Activities/Research).
2008 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Seussical, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class.
Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Seussical, Jr.
2007 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Annie, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class. Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Annie, Jr.
The University of Texas at Arlington
Maverick Theatre Company
Theatre Arts Department
2012 - Present
COURSE INSTRUCTION
THEA 3314-001, Voice and Movement
Spring 2021 (10 students)
Spring 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2019 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4393-001, Voice and Movement, Special Topics
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4391, Special Topics: “Humans and Robots: The Future is Here”
Conference course and first semester of original curriculum on Social Robots and Theatre
Individual instruction; majors and minors.
Fall 2015 (10 students)
THEA 3351, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre (individual instruction)
Spring 2021 (9 students)
Fall 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2020 (12 students)
Spring 2019 (20 students)
Fall 2018 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (11 students)
Fall 2017 (15 students)
Spring 2017 (15 students)
Fall 2016 (23 students)
Spring 2016 (19 students)
THEA 3335, Dance for the Actor (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Spring 2013 (20 students)
THEA 3311, Vocal Performance II: Dialects (individual instruction; majors)
Spring 2016 (16 students)
Spring 2015 (14 students)
Spring 2014 (19 students)
Spring 2013 (16 students)
THEA 3308, Acting for the Camera: Acting III (majors, utilizing video technology)
Fall 2014 (11 students)
Fall 2013 (20 students)
Fall 2012 (21 students)
THEA 1343, Introduction to Theatre (University Core course: majors and minors)
Spring 2014 (21 students)
THEA 1342, Theatre and Film Appreciation (University Core course: majors and minors)
Fall 2013 (101 students)
Spring 2013 (92 students)
Fall 2012 (99 students)
THEA 1307, Acting I (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2018 (X Students)
Fall 2012 (14 students)
THEA 1303, Fundamentals of Presentation (University CORE course: majors and minors)
Formerly Vocal Performance I: Fundamentals
Fall 2017 (20 students)
Fall 2016 (15 students)
Fall 2015 (18 students)
Spring 2015 (16 students)
THEA 1300, First Year Seminar in Theatre Arts (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2014 (20 students)
Fall 2013 (10 students)
THEA 0181, Theatre Practicum (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Fall 2017 (33 students)
Spring 2017 (22 students)
Fall 2016 (17 students, 15 students)
Spring 2016 (17 students, 14 students)
Fall 2015 (16 students, 20 students)
Spring 2015 (17 students, 12 students)
Fall 2014 (26 students, 18 students)
Spring 2014 (24 students, 15 students)
Fall 2013 (21 students, 20 students)
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Radio-Television-Digital Media
2000-2009
COURSE INSTRUCTION
RTVF 30353, Acting for Television - Lecture and Lab (individual and co-instruction; majors)
Fall 2000 (18 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40353, Acting for the Camera - Lecture and Lab (individual instruction; majors)
Fall 2005 (20 students)
Fall 2004 (19 students)
Fall 2003 (20 students)
Fall 2002 (18 students)
Fall 2001 (20 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: SOAP OPERA
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class. It is a support to the production of the spring 2006 Soap Opera produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: IMPROV COMEDY
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class for the development of two improvisational comedy teams. The course is structured as a 16-week seminar and lab produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
College of Fine Arts
Department of Theatre
2005-2009
THEA 11303, “Acting I” Lecture (individual instruction, majors)
Spring 2009
THEA 10053, “Survey of Theatre Arts” Lecture (individual instruction, majors and non-majors)
Spring 2006
UNIVERSITY GUEST LECTURER
Tarrant Community College, Northeast Campus, Fall, 2001
Guest lecturer: “Acting I,” lecturer for basic acting beginning course. Discussed the benefits of stage work, memorization, motivation, and work as a stage actor (Prof. Jakie Cabe, instructor).
Texas Christian University, Spring, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Women and Media,” lecturer for Media Analysis course. Discussed the comparative images for women from the 1970s to the present day. Encouraged small group analysis of contemporary popular media and referenced feminist indicators found in the Charlie’s Angels television series in order to ascertain growth in feminist thought or culture from 1970s to 2000s. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Andrew Haskett instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Sex and Violence in Media,” lecturer on the feminist images found in the 1970 series, Charlie’s Angels, analyzing the sex and violence of 1970s detective genre and its’ use of the female image. Discussion included current social and cultural attitudes towards sex and violence and portrayal of current images in contemporary media as a comparison (Dr. Joel Timmer instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004 - 2007
Guest lecturer: "Aesthetics of Film,” lecturer for Prof. Richard Allen seminar focused on comparison of the craft of cinema and theatrical performance utilizing interactive tools which engage the class in a whole-body perspective of the rigors of acting for the camera. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Richard Allen instructor).
THEATRE FOR YOUTH COURSES TAUGHT
Much Ado About Shakespeare (Guest Artist, for fee)
MAAS Established in 2006 to train actors 14 – 18 years old in Shakespeare including outreach to regional schools and students.
Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX
"Shakespeare and Robotics" (ages 14-18; 17 students), June 9th – 28th, 2016.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 22 students), June 10th – 30th, 2013.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 27 students), June 11th – July 1st, 2012.
"Acting Games/Creative Drama" (ages 14-18; 20 students), June 6th – 26th, 2011.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION COURSES TAUGHT
English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition,
2014, Regional winner Trinity Valley School
2016, Fort Worth winner
Coaching and instruction to the first-place winner of Trinity Valley School’s Shakespeare monologue and sonnet for the regional Fort Worth and Dallas competition. Winner is afforded all-expenses paid trip to New York City, Lincoln Center for national competition.
Acting Instructor for Tony Greco
Tony Greco renowned private instructor of Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
1988 & 1994-1995
Sensory-based acting technique and acting scene work based on technique founded by Lee Strasberg, of The Actors Studio in New York, New York. Lee Strasberg is a founding member of the iconic Group Theatre (1936 – 1946) including such iconic members as Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and Harold Clurman and others. Content of courses included fundamental understanding of method technique as contextualized by Strasberg. Tony Greco is a member of The Actor’s Studio and was included in a small group of instructors to learn the method technique and to continue Lee Strasberg’s original artistic intent. Tony Greco teaches in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Denmark.
CREATIVE RESEARCH
Performance, Stage, Film, Direction, Writing, Producing, Sound Design
STAGE DIRECTING CREDITS
Director, “Balm in Gilead” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company as a recorded streamed production Nov. 20 – 22, 2020.
Director, “WAITING FOR LEFTY” by Clifford Odets. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts as a selected play in MAVPLAYS Mainstage season. April 15th through April 26th, 2015, Arlington, TX. (flexible, environmental space. Audience is seated on the stage to with performers and performers were seated in the audience to interact with audience), 2015.
Director, “BARD ON THE ROCKS: SELECTED SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH”
Produced by Texas Christian University’s Department of Theatre.
Halloween, October 31st, 2005. It has been performed annually by TCU Provost as Macbeth in recent years. Fort Worth, TX (flexible open to the environmental space. Set design utilized the Scottish rock formation known colloquially as Froghenge for performers and audience to interact), 2005
Director, “DURANG BY NIGHT” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Director, “HOMEFREE!” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Tony Greco.
Basement of SoHo Repertory Theatre, New York City, New York, 1987.
STAGE PRODUCING CREDITS
Producer, “MAVPLAYS,” produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts in the 2014-2015 Mainstage season, April 15th through April 26th, Arlington, Texas. Flexible, environmental space in a large black box, and additional small black box theatrical space, 2015.
Co-producer, “DURANG BY NIGHT,” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Producer, “SOAP OPERA & GIRLS WE HAVE KNOWN.” Produced by jg-gj productions with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Raised $6,500 for total budget of two one-act plays. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Held casting sessions for five diverse roles. Hired director, set designer and technical crew for each one act. Proscenium space in black box theatre, 1995.
Producer, “THE SECRET DIARY OF SONDRA WOODWARD.”
Organized fund-raising events for original one-woman musical. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Contacted major studios and received donation toward production budget, 1994.
Co-producer, “WOMEN OF MANHATTAN,” produced by Tony Greco and jg-gj productions. Performed at Prometheus Theatre, 43rd St., New York City, New York. Hired director, set designer, and obtained theater space while continuing principal actor rehearsals and participating in publicity campaign, 1993.
STAGE ACTING - PERFORMANCE CREDITS
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), National union of stage actors and stage managers.
1999 – Present
Professionally Qualified Member
Key: L.O.R.T. = League of Resident Theatres/Professional national resident theatre operating under an Actor's Equity Association, ongoing union contract for actors and stage managers. S.P.T. = operates under a Small Professional Theatre Equity union contract.
NATIONAL and REGIONAL ACTING & PERFORMANCE
TEXAS
Role Production Producer/Location/Yr./Equity Contract
Billy ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2021 (virtual)
Hafsa JUNE 8, 1920 Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2020 (virtual)
Jan BLACK SANTA Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Orlando, Florida 2019
Mrs. Webb OUR TOWN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX
Director: Matthew Gray
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2019
Kate Beeker THE KITTY BOMB Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Boston, MA 2018
Charlotte Coates THE CENSOR Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Winner of the Judith Royer Playwriting for
Excellence in Playwriting,
Las Vegas, NV, 2017
Ellen Pazinski KING O’ THE MOON Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2017
Judith Lees HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company
Arlington, Texas
Director: Dr. Natalie Gaupp
(Equity Guest Artist), 2016
World Premiere
Juliana Smithton THE OTHER PLACE Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2014
Recipient of 2014 Best of Culture award in Acting Critic’s Choice
Fort Worth Weekly newspaper
Blanche Dubois A STREETCAR NAMED Stage West Theater
DESIRE Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Jim Couvault
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2000
Recipient of 2000 Best Actress Award Stage West Theatre
Molly THE FRONT PAGE Dallas Theatre Center Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Richard Hamburger
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Thea HEDDA GABLER Dallas Theatre Center
Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Ron Daniels
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Bessie MARVIN’S ROOM Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2013
Helen Cohen ELLIS ISLAND Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, Texas
Composer Peter Boyer in attendance
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
A multi-media event in conjunction with FORT WORTH SYMPHONY
(Equity Contract; for fee), 2013
Ellen LAST MASS at ST. CASIMIRS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2012
Jill Koenig AD WARS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: John S. Davies
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee)
Attended by author Vince McKewin, 2004
Ellen OVER THE TAVERN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2010
NEW YORK CITY
Lucy SOAP OPERA tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York
Reviewed by Mel Gussow
New York Times
Ralph Pape, author WIKI page Director: Elizabeth Franzen (Equity waiver). 1990
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/30/theater/theater-in-review-438792.html
Remounted and produced at
(Soap Opera cont.) The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod.
JG-GJ executive producers
(Equity waiver) See Los Angeles, 1991.
Hester Prynn “A” THE SCARLET LETTER tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York Director: Tim Maner
(Equity waiver), 1989.
Lucy Crayford THE FROZEN DEEP A reading with Director Everett Quinton
New York, New York (Equity waiver), 1988.
Ophelia HAMLET New York Repertory Theatre New York, New York, 1987.
Alex Forrest FATAL ATTRACTION -
Murder Mystery John Goodman Productions Director: John Goodman West Chelsea Restaurant
Dinner Theatre Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
Mrs. McCabe MURDER MAYHEM Hasslefree Productions
Director: Trevor Hasselfree Film Studio Restaurant New York, New York
Dinner Theatre, Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
LOS ANGELES
Lucy SOAP OPERA Produced at
The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod. JG-GJ executive producers (Equity waiver), 1990.
Varya THE CHERRY ORCHARD Hudson Theatre
Los Angeles, California Director: Ron Livingston (Equity waiver), 1992.
Susan THE FUNERAL PARLOR The Complex
Los Angeles, California
(Equity waiver), 1995.
Penelope Toop SEE HOW THEY RUN Glendale Centre Theatre
Glendale, California (Equity waiver), 1994.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Guinevere CAMELOT Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Laurie OKLAHOMA! Weathervane Theatre
Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee) 1985.
Peep-bo THE MIKADO Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Mariane TARTUFFE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Marquise
of Parolignac CANDIDE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire
Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Ensemble THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
VIRGINIA
Roxane CYRANO DE BERGERAC Mill Mountain Theatre Roanoke, Virginia Director: Jere Hodgin
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1987.
ILLINOIS
Dinah Lord THE PHILADELPHIA STORY The New American Theatre
Rockford, Illinois
Director: Jim Sullivan/founder of N.A.T. (S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1979.
Ensemble THE ROPADI PLAYERS Rockford Park District
Musical Theatre Outreach Program Rockford, Illinois
Director: Andy French (Equity waiver, fee), 1975.
Selected University roles between 1981 and 1986
Frau Bergmann ……....... SPRING AWAKENING (Anne Bogart, director), New York University
Margaret Goggin ............ BECOMING MEMORIES (Kevin Kulhke, director) New York University
Housewife ...................... WORKING, New York University
Mina ............................... DRACULA, New York University
Joanna ……................... HOMEFREE! New York University
Ensemble ........................ PIPPIN (William Wesbrooks, director), Rockford College, IL
Ensemble ........................ JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Rock Valley College, IL
Lillian Hampton ............. STRANGE BEDFELLOWS (Elaine “EE” Moe, director), University of Arizona, Tucson
Dance Ensemble………. THE ENTERTAINERS, University of Arizona, Tucson
UNIVERSITY GUEST ACTOR
Judith Lees ......................... HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company MAVPLAYS The University of Texas at
Arlington, Department of Theatre Art, (Equity waiver). 2016.
UNIVERSITY GUEST READING
Invited to read at an honorary staged reading of Eugene O’Neill’s works by the O’Neill’s biographers Barbara and Arthur Gelb. The Gelb’s re-released their 1950s biography in 2000 with an expanded analysis of the life and work of Eugene O’Neill. Both Barbara and Arthur were in attendance at the Texas Christian University event in 2003.
PRODUCTION COACH
Acting Coach, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Anne Healy, Director).
Acting Coach, GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Andrew Gaupp, Director).
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA ACTING and PERFORMANCE
COMMERCIALS
INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL MEDIA
Selected commercial performance work between 1991 – 1999.
Reporter Spam
The Hormel Foods Corporation. Filmed in Los Angeles, California National and International commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
New Yorker Coke
The Coca-Cola Company Filmed at the Statue of Liberty New York, New York National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Burger King color-coded children’s lunch toys Burger King (BK) Corporation.
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Subaru of America – Fuji Heavy Industries
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Cowgirl Totino’s Pizza
General Mills Products
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Kraft Handi-snacks
Kraft Foods Group
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Hiker Outback Steakhouse
Bloomin’ Brands
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Ship Passenger S & W Food
Del Monte Foods
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
CBS Promo Promotion commercial spot for CBS Fall lineup of highly-rated programs Filmed in Los Angeles, California
Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Neighbors Dixie Paper Plates Dixie Paper Products Georgian-Pacific Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
SOAP OPERAS
Selected performance work on network soap opera television between 1982 and 1990.
Haley Recurring role ALL MY CHILDREN
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists;
Standard union fee)
Linda Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Hillary Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Campaign Organizer Day Player Contract ONE LIFE TO LIVE
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract; American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; Standard union fee)
Ensemble Extra work GUIDING LIGHT
Procter & Gamble Company Filmed in New York, New York (A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
Standard union fee)
TELEVISION
Alex Forrest LIVE WITH REGIS AND
KATHIE LEE
Filmed in New York, New York Promo for Fatal Attraction Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (SAG waiver contract)
FILM
WALL STREET Wall St. worker 20th Century Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
THREE MEN AND Photo Double (Nancy Travis) Buena Vista Pictures
A LITTLE LADY Director: Emile Ardolino
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
12 Julienne Larry Bridges Productions
Director: Larry Bridges
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Film and director Larry Bridges were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award , 2004. Film has been screened internationally to critical acclaim. (S.A.G. waiver contract; for fee)
Selected ensemble film roles in major feature films:
Goodfellas – Martin Scorsese, director
State of Grace – Phil Joanou, director
Hannah and her Sisters – Woody Allen
Cocktail – Roger Donaldson, director
Space Jam – Joe Pytka, director
Scrooged – Richard Donner, director Punchline – David Seltzer, director
All filmed in New York, New York except Space Jam, filmed in Los Angeles, California
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCING CREDITS
1999
Producer
As producer raised $25,500 for theatrical release of a 24-minute short film, The Hand of a Lifetime, shot independently in Los Angeles.
Coordinated all pre-production needs:
⦁ casting,
⦁ hiring crew
⦁ Director of Photography
⦁ Camera Operator
⦁ Sound and Foley Artist
⦁ Art director
⦁ Locations and permits
And including all post-production needs:
⦁ editing
⦁ sound design
⦁ titles
⦁ negative cutting
⦁ final answer print
The Hand of a Lifetime was accepted to the 1999 Fort Worth Film Festival and was highlighted in the Fort Worth Film Festival of 1999 and reviewed by Elvis Mitchell for the Star-Telegram Newspaper.
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTING AND WRITING CREDITS
1999
Director Screenplay Writer
Wrote and directed an original short independent film, The Hand of a Lifetime. The film’s narrative centered around a male protagonist’s first child being born and the comedic and heartfelt emotions that accompanied his eventual acceptance of fatherhood.
SOUND DESIGN FOR THE STAGE
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Co-Sound designer, MACBETH, New York University (N.Y.U.), Directed by John Rubenstein. Mainstage Theatre, Spring 1983.
ADJUDICATION AND EVALUATION
2016 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
2015 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (10 students).
2012 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (8 students).
2011 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
SERVICE: UNIVERSITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2019-20
⦁ Invitation from president of UTA Vistasp Karbhari to speak and present at Ashoka University near New Delhi during a conference in which I was attending. Ashoka is a premier university combining engineering and liberal arts.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Global Entrepreneur Week (GEW) committee member
⦁ EpICMavs presenter
⦁ Inspire for Faculty (IFF)
⦁ Live Theatre League member
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor fifteen students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2018-19
⦁ Invitation from Computer Science and Engineering Dept., Nova Coates, to help create short 20-second clips for Univ1311 that introduces students to UTA. CSE asked to include Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre course, THEA3351, as an innovative way to showcase interdisciplinary approaches to incoming Freshman’s learning paths. The video includes NAO robot doing Tai Chi with Dr. Greer voice as narration for multi-disciplinary collaboration among UTA disciplines.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ BA auditions for Dept. of Theatre Arts with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Reference letter for Detra Payne – National Alliance of Teachers – Lloyd Richards Teaching Fellowship
2017-18
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator and committee member. Point person for recruiting Judges for April Spotlight Conference. Support and coordination with CoLA marketing director. I mentored two theatre students for inaugural Spotlight conference. Both students won awards.
⦁ Invited by Dean Elisabeth Cawthon to informal meeting with Dean Anne Bavier of Nursing, Dr. Mickey McCabe, Executive Dir. of UTARI, Dr. Judy LeFlore, Associate Nursing Dean, and Harvard professors Dr. Janice Palaganas and Dr. Daniel Raemer, leaders in the simulation and technology center, for informal discussion of innovative techniques being implemented at UTA.
⦁ Invited to speak at TEDxUTA 2018.
⦁ Reviewed/rated 5 applications for Terry Foundation Scholars. Req. William Gunn.
⦁ Submitted review of Manuscript ID THRI-2018-0016, titled "Communicating a minimal robot’s intelligence, dominance and status through motion paths" for the journal Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction.
⦁ Invited to review National Science Foundation submissions for various grant submissions.
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Coordinated and led Dean’s week presentation with L. Tucker for counselors and advisors.
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Committee Member: REP/FDL faculty awards.
⦁ Faculty mentor nine students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Sponsor and attended Halloween evening performance of Macbeth (Killingsworth, dir.)
⦁ BA auditions with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2016-17
⦁ Chair, College of Liberal Arts Research Representative
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: CoLA, proposal reader for “Cure to Care” grants. iC2C.
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Invited guest luncheon speaker for UTA’s CPE Event, College of Business
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Dallas Summer Musicals conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2016-2017 season.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts Welcome Back table, Fall 2016.
2015-16
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington.
⦁ Chair, Recruitment Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: College of Liberal Arts Teacher’s Awards, Department of Theatre Arts Representative, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: Master’s Exploratory, Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ U.R.T.A. panel at UT-Arlington for three students attending graduate auditions.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Moonifieds conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2014-15
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2013-14
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee
⦁ Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2012-13
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor five students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UTA
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
PUBLIC RELATIONS and MARKETING
for
MAVERICK THEATRE COMPANY
and
MAVERICK DANCE COMPANY
producing entities for
THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2017-18
⦁ Chair, bi-monthly Public Relations meetings.
⦁ Author, Press Releases for 4 Mainstage production including plays and musicals, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence, MavLab production and Maverick Dance Company concerts. Facilitated information to 23+ media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2017-18 Season.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington for each Mainstage production, MavLab, and Maverick Dance company concert.
⦁ URTA – American Theatre Magazine
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ Coordinated and delivered 1500 seasonal brochures to MailPro for mailing.
⦁ Edited and compiled 4th quarter information on Dept. of Theatre Arts for Cathy Stein 817Alliance newsletter.
⦁ Collaborated with CoLA Marketing Director for marketing graphics redo, including written text and organizing photographs with the help of Kris O’Brien.
⦁ Helped coordinate and support Marketing Video “Get to know a Theatre Student.”
⦁ Coordinating press and marketing with Matthew Boyd, City of Arlington, marketing for D. Payne’s, Heal the Divide.
2016-17
⦁ Author, 2016-2017 Press Releases for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, producing entities of The Department of Theatre Arts, College of Liberal Arts. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2016-17 Season.
⦁ Department Representative, Arlington Arts League Gala Event and scholarship fundraiser.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2015-16
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2015-16 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisational comedy, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2014-15
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2014-15 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival Dance Texas
⦁ Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington
⦁ A + C Arts and Culture Texas
⦁ Stage Directions Magazine – Article on Dept. of Theatre Arts 3D Printer. Playbill.edu
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Voce Intimae
⦁ Trinity Valley High School playbill
⦁ All Saints Episcopal High School playbill
⦁ Betty Buckley Awards at Casa Manana Theatre
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2013-14
⦁ Author, Press Release for Mainstage play, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2013-14 Season.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Proud Organization
⦁ Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Dance Texas
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Stage Directions Magazine
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: BOARDS & COMMITTEES
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2016 – 2018 – Membership Chair
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2010 – 2014 – Upper School Tickets
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
TEXAS EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION (TETA) 2014 Approved Member
SCREEN ACTORS GUILD/AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A),
1984 - present
Current Approved Member
ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION (A.E.A), Current Member
1999 - present
Current Approved Member PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
ARLINGTON ARTS LEAGUE, Arlington, Texas
2014 -2016
Member of Arlington Arts League
PRESIDENT OF KINDERPLATZ OF FINE ARTS PARENT’S GROUP, Fort Worth, Texas
2003
President of a parent’s group in a private, pre-school dedicated to fine arts learning and growth in 2 – 5 year-old children.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & INSTITUTES
2003-Present Annual Giving Captains, Trinity Valley School, a private college-preparatory K-12 school in Fort Worth, Texas.
1987-90 Accepted Member of tiny mythic theatre company, NYU graduates’ affiliation, New York City, New York now known as HERE Performance Space, New York City, New York.JULIENNE A. GREER
CURRICULUM VITAE
August 2022 version
Birthplace: Farmington, Michigan, U.S.A.
Home Address: 7969 Morning Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76123
Home Phone: Metro (817) 454-1225
Office Address: University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts, Fine Arts Building, Room 268B, 502 S. Cooper Street,
Box 19103, Arlington, Texas 76019-0103
Office Phone: Metro (817) 272-0729 or Metro (817) 272-2650
Office Facsimile: Metro (817) 272-2697
E-mail: <jgreer@uta.edu>
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: Associate Chair of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
Associate Professor of Theatre Arts: Social Robotics and Performance,
Director, Emotional Robotics Living Laboratory,
BA Area Head of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
College of Liberal Arts,
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
SPECIALIZATIONS: Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Social Robotics, Performance, Applied Drama
CURRENT RESEARCH: Applying theatre and performance theory to artificial intelligence and social robotics creating trust and authentically emotional interactions between humans and robots.
Dr. Julienne A. Greer is an inter-disciplinary scholar + artist working at the emerging intersection of social robotics and theatre. Her primary focus is Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) to “humanize” a social robot’s performance to the nuances and subtleties of human behavior. Social awareness and empathetic response in robotics platforms are key to their successful use by humans. Principal research interests include character and personality development for artificial intelligence, social robotics, performance theory, applied drama, empathy application, embodied emotion, and acting theory techniques targeted toward an application between human beings and technology. She is a collaborator with many diverse disciplines including engineering, social work, computer science, education, disabilities studies, psychology, and healthcare, solving problems through innovation for education and research.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
DEGREES HELD
2013 Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities (Ph.D.) - Aesthetic Studies,
School of Arts and Humanities,
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas.
5 Years, Interdisciplinary Foci: Humanities, Performance, and Game Studies.
Dissertation: Affective Connections: Performance Studies, Videogames, and Digital Characters.
Dr. Monica Evans, Supervising Professor
Abstract: A multi-disciplinary analysis of existing performance techniques from theatre and cinema studies re-contextualized to apply to the emerging emotional bond in videogames between the game player and a digital character. It is my perspective that the affective bond between the game player and the digital character in a game is as vital and essential to the experience of playing the game as the affective relationship between the performer and the audience in a play or film.
2005 Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) in Media Arts
Bob Schieffer College of Communication,
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
Thesis: Feminism and Sexuality in Charlie’s Angels: Building a New Paradigm for Enjoying Action Heroines.
Dr. Joel Timmer, Supervising Professor
Abstract: An analysis of the first season of the 1970s Charlie’s Angels television series in order to reveal elements of feminism leading to an inclusion of glamour and sexuality in the criteria for feminist texts to recoup and own images that have previously been viewed as misogynistic.
1986 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A.) in Drama,
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, New York, New York.
Areas of Concentration: Acting, Performance
1981 High School Diploma, Boylan Central Catholic School, Rockford, IL.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/UNION
1984-Present American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (A.F.T.R.A.)
The national union of professional television and radio actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG- AFTRA.
1987-Present Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.)
The national union of professional television and film actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG-AFTRA.
1999-Present Actor's Equity Association (A.E.A.)
The national union of professional actors and stage managers, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation.
2011-Present Interdisciplinary.net
A forum for the exchange and interaction of inter-disciplinary ideas, research and points of view that bear on a wide range of issues of concern and interest in the contemporary world.
GRANTS AWARDED
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2019) grant for Using Arts and Social Sciences to enhance social companion robots’ adaptive abilities to improve health outcomes. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, Computer Science and Engineering-College of Engineering, College of Science-Psychology and College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Study content: The objective of this proposal is a pilot study that examines the impact of a social robot, adaptive control methodologies, and applied theatre techniques, and exercise to impact prospective memory and physical goals in older adults (N = 20). This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform using innovative machine learning techniques that promote and allow the robot to adapt its interaction with the human dynamically to improve exercise goals among older adults. To achieve this, the proposed research is integrating arts-driven methodology, including trust and connection, and novel robot control and learning approaches for interactions between humans and robots to impact prospective memory.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2017 - present
NID - NIDILRR - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (WIT RERC). (UTA Site). Modeling socially assistive robotic caretakers for individuals with developmental disabilities having older adult caregivers. RERC on Wireless Inclusive Technologies. National Institute on Disability and Independent Living Research (NIDILRR), (9/30/21). Total Grant $4,525,000 (UTA, $108,000) the Primary Investigator is Dr. John Bricout of UTA’s School of Social Work. Dr. Ling Xu site PI.
Study content: Study aims to explore and create a collaborative relationship between a care recipient, an older adult caretaker, and a socially assistive robot (SAR) in order to develop engaging interaction for caregiver respite. Study will incorporate future work with Department of Theatre Arts NAO and Pepper robot units in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab, UT-Arlington. J. Greer, director.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2018 - 2021
Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities (NSF grant CNS-1757641)
REU - Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities. Summer program research internships for qualified undergraduates to participate in research in the field of assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Theatre arts methodology is applied as a platform for engagement, connection, and trust in human-robot interaction, one of several multi-disciplinary projects the participants will engage in during 10-week internship. Budget $318,778.
Study content: In this project, the CSE Department, in partnership with several other departments at UTA, will offer a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focusing on assistive technologies (AT) for people with disabilities (PWD). The proposed theme encompasses innovative and novel topics that can help PWD meet barriers of different kinds - attitudinal, architectural, and technological - in accessing employment, navigating public spaces, freely communicating, and living independently. During this summer, each student will be working in a multi-disciplinary setting and exposed to innovative and novel inter-disciplinary projects through research and prototyping. The REU participants will work on computer programming, algorithms, sensors, data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, sensors, sign language, facial recognition, emotion and behavior analysis, smart care, augmented reality, data analytics, robots, human-machine interaction.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2016
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded the second annual UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grant for Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. One of only four grants awarded to the UTA research community. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work.
Study content: The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. This study examines theater performance methodologies through a social robotic platform. This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults by incorporating arts-driven methodology. This grant will continue through 2016 and 2017.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing - 2018
Phase II – Shakespeare and Robots.
The proposal seeks to expand the Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults with participants that are diagnosed with mild cognitive decline. As PI on the original study, I am collaborating with the School of Social Work Presidential Fellows recipient, Dr. Noelle Fields, to test the outcomes of the study on a new participant sample at Brookdale Assisted Living in Arlington.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2015
Digital Arts and Humanities Initiatives (DAHI) A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI.
Primary investigator for an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts and UTA Research Institute (UTARI) from the University of Texas at Arlington. The team will conduct a pilot study in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) at three separate locations; Office of Student Disabilities, Lakewood Retirement Community, Theatre Arts main office. Awarded from the College of Liberal Arts, Jan. 15th, 2016.
Study content: This is a study to inform how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI. The scope of the project will be the development of a pilot study and data collection of human-robot responses from three separate locations and with dissimilar subjects. Measurement will be through an adaptation of the NARS (Negative Attitudes toward Robots Scale), visual qualitative observation, log entries of human-robot interactions during the study, and ambient sound recordings for the detection of laughter and vocal responses from participants. The innovative approach of this research comes from the interdisciplinary work of UTA Theatre Arts and UTARI, bringing together divergent disciplines of theater arts and robotics. This study builds on previous published work on social robots, voice, movement theatre techniques, and healthcare settings to further the body of HRI literature. The robot will be controlled through a “Wizard-of-Oz” methodology scenario performed by undergraduate research assistants under the supervision of faculty. The project will conduct an innovative investigation of the best social robot and HRI practices available at UT-Arlington (UTARI robotic platform laboratory) as well as best practices for improvisation/humor techniques, applied drama, and performance studies. Preliminary data will be collected to allow for future studies and breakthroughs in Human-Robot Interaction. This proposal is well-suited to add to a discussion of UT-Arlington’s strategic initiatives; Health and the Human Condition and Data-Driven Discovery.
ONGOING GRANT DEVELOPMENT
Purchased social robot, Little Sophia, (pending) from Hanson Robotics, Inc. for the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Robot will be used in grant development of design implications of social robots and children with significant Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) themes.
GRANT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED and/or in DEVELOPMENT
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Research Enhance Program
Proposal submitted with Prof. Fillia Makedon. “InBlue: A smart system of sensors, theatre, and robots to help college depression”.
Depression is a leading cause of suicide and the second most common cause of death among college students. It is pervasive in colleges today and frequently goes undetected and untreated. The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that 39% of college students “felt so depressed that it was difficult to function” at least once during 2016-2017. College depression can lead to poor academic and work performance, substance abuse, social dysfunction, legal difficulties, gun violations, ill health, suicide attempts or completed suicide. Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include symptoms shown in Table 1. Identifying early warning signs of depression is crucial in preventing negative consequences and helping educators and mental health experts make targeted counselling and intervention decisions. To address college depression, it is of great interest to academia and the healthcare industry, to see how sensor technologies (e.g. mobile smartphones, wearable sensors, social robots) could be used to improve the wellbeing and mental health of users. Smartphones and wearables are excellent devices that can passively collect real time behavioural data, and be used to complement traditional depression diagnosis and monitoring, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
Keck Foundation – Undergraduate Categorization
One-page conceptual theme submitted to Randall Gentry, Dr. Duane Dimos, and Dr. Ann Cavallo. The proposal for Keck Foundation is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Building on the success of two pilot studies, a proposal is submitted by UTA to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene. The study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on an innovative five-point theatre model to decrease depression, loneliness, and increase engagement among older adults.
UTA Lead - 2018
NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
A collaboration external funding with TechComb, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and Univ. of Texas at Arlington. Greer is UTA Lead on the proposal. Title: Boosting STEM Patronage of Libraries and Museums through Interactive Social Robots.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Exploratory/Developmental Research (R21)
The proposal for NIH is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Focusing on the health benefits to the older adults and the success of two pilot studies, a proposal will be drafted to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene and the study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on the theatre methodology process of composing a live performance.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2017
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
Primary collaborator on the resubmission of an 18+ page proposal that comes under the AISL project type: (4) Innovations in Development. This project will incorporate robotics technology and advanced human robot interaction tools to help the audience build interest in STEM concepts, engage in hands-on activities to explore STEM potentials, and take part in a network of learners sharing their experience, ideas, and achievements in STEM. These three primary STEM objectives i.e. excitement, engagement, and expression, otherwise termed as E3, will be realized through a unique merger of theatre arts and robotics science methodologies into a metasystem of diverse autonomous robotic hardware and a novel platform agnostic human-robot interaction software. It is important to note this is a re-submission to NSF due in part to the positive response from NSF project managers regarding the core component of Theatre Arts Methodologies.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2016
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Smart and Autonomous Systems (S&AS)
This foundational proposal was a collaboration of UT-Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and UTARI (UTA research institute). The study will develop a new type of robot learning framework for next generation intelligent physical system. The proposed framework will implement a novel neuro-adaptive control technique for advanced human robot interaction, which will enable future robotic systems to derive seamless experiential learning from unaltered human behavior. Potential use case scenarios include a humanoid robot interacting with a diverse group of students and engaging them with innovative theatre methodology performance techniques in informative communication. Human aspects, such as trust, emotion-bias towards performance, and organic selection, are built into the analytical model for the proposed humanistic robot learning framework, which enables life-long evolution of the robot. The proposed project is driven by the motivation to make robots a part of the human society and not a parallel alien race, and, therefore, to evolve them through human ingenuity, emotions, and fallibility.
Principal Investigator (PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
An interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Theatre Arts and the Electrical Engineering Department at University of Texas at Arlington. Proposal was written and developed for UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with co-principal investigator, Dr. Dan Popa. Proposal received positive response and was within the top 10 proposals for the year. Proposal titled Live Theatre – Robot Live: a collaboration of robotics and performance.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will develop software to allow a robot to perform on-stage in a seminal role during the Mainstage season. This proposal will utilize faculty and student roles working in an inter-disciplinary environment.
Co-Principal investigator (Co-PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
Interdisciplinary collaboration between Department of Theatre Arts, UTARI, and the Director of the Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington. Wrote and developed a grant proposal for UTA’s Inter-Disciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with Kris Doelling, research scientist II, Manoj Mittal, research scientist II and Co-PI, Dr. Sarah F. Rose. Proposal titled Cyber Human Relationships: Engineering a relational model using theatre arts methodology structured to improve health and the human condition.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will engineer a cyber-human relational model using theatre arts methodology in order to address significant gaps in the current state of healthcare. We believe theatre arts, social robotics and relational methodologies are emerging as innovative components of healthcare for persons with disabilities.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) Panelist Reviewer
Invited to be a review panelist for proposals for the National Robotics Initiative 2.0 – a highly competitive funding opportunity for NSF totaling $35,000,000 billion in funds.
PUBLICATIONS, JOURNAL ARTICLES, and PAPERS
PAPERS
Paper, Second Author. Assistive Technology. 2021. The “humane in the loop”: inclusive research design and policy approaches to foster capacity building assistive technologies in the Covid-19 era.
Paper, Lead Author. Wireless Inclusive RERC 2021 One Forum, Atlanta, GA, 2021 – Conference theme: Include. Innovate. Transform. Theatre and robots: envisioning interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the stage. Conference proceedings.
Journal, Co-Author. Aging and Mental Health. 2019. Shall I compare thee…to a robot?: An exploratory pilot study using participatory arts and social robotics to improve psychological well-being in later life. Impact Factor: 2.956.
Paper, Lead Author. The 28th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication - RO-MAN 2019, New Delhi, India – Conference theme: Responsible robotics and AI for the real world. Shakespeare and Robots: Participatory performance art for older adults. Published in conference proceedings.
Paper, Lead Author. 1st Annual IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication conference. Laguna Hills, CA. Promoting Theatre Methodology for expressive robot movement and behavior.
Abstract, Co-Author. Innovation In Aging, 2019, Vol. 3, No. S1. NAO takes a bow: Using social robots to enhance the mood of older adults living in residential care settings.
Paper, Co-Author. 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics – IMSCI 2018. Robot Theatre to Boost Excitement, Engagement, and Expression (E3) of STEM., Orlando, FL. July 8 – 11, 2018. Conference proceedings.
Paper, Author. RO-MAN 2017, Lisbon, Portugal - Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life – Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Peer-reviewed full paper. Conference proceedings.
Paper and Journal, Author. International Conference on Social Robotics (icsr 2014). Building Emotional Authenticity Between Humans and Robots. Author. University of Technology Sydney epress. Sydney, Australia. 2014. Conference proceedings.
BOOK CHAPTER
Author, contributing to chapter in Exploring Videogames: Culture, Design, and Identity, edited by Nick Webber and Daniel Riha. Invited to expand accepted paper for the 2011 International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom. Published by Inter-Disciplinary Press. Introduction by Nick Webber follows, ‘Videogame Cultures: includes work from Julienne Greer, from Ben Abraham, from me, and from Daniel Riha. Greer’s chapter on digital companions encourages us to think about videogames as cultural objects with which players interact; here, games provide companions in which players become emotionally invested, even though these companions may in fact prove to be opponents. Many of these companions are carefully designed, playing on cultural referents to encourage certain kinds of responses from players – an instinct to nurture, say, or to love. Indeed, as Greer reports, scholars have been surprised by the strength of the bonds that are created by these companions, which produce meaningful relationships for the player in a similar way to those formed between humans and robots. For Greer, such relationships also have the quality of authenticity, in the pleasure of the emotional connection and the communication of one’s thoughts, rejecting Turkle’s perspective that authenticity here is found in the comprehension and acceptance of the relationship by both parties.
Pending Book Chapter Fall 2022: All the worlds a stage: Health/Art techniques between humans and robots
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE, PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, and/or
PAPERS
NEW DELHI, INDIA 2019
Invited presenter to Ashoka University. Ashoka University is a research-based private university located outside of Delhi in the Sonipat, Haryana, India. It is an emerging university with a close collaboration of Liberal Arts and STEM collaborations. Presentation included meetings with faculty, Dean of International Student Affairs, and 45+ student attended 1 ½ hour in duration focusing on the current state-of-the-art of social robotics and theatre methodology. Invitation was initiated by President Vistasp Karbhari, University of Texas at Arlington.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA 2018
Facilitator of student-led skype interview in Spanish. Colombia science-based educational website. Topic – Emotional Robotics Living Lab and theatre and robots.
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Guest and Paper presentation: RO-MAN 2017- Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life - The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Paper title, Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. Peer-reviewed full paper with conference proceedings publication.
KOREA – U.S.
Guest and Paper presentation: United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (UKC 2016) - United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is jointly organized by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) and The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) held on August 10 – August 13, 2016, Dallas, TX. The theme of UKC 2016 is “Enriching Lives through Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship” and its goal is to promote solving issues of the world through science, technology, and entrepreneurship to greatly improve the quality of people’s lives. The UKC 2016 is the flagship and largest academic conference between the United States and Korea.
LONDON, U.K.
Guest Speaker and presentation: The Robotics Innovation Show. 2015 Invited speaker and presenter at “The Robotics Innovation Show 2015” at ExCel in London, United Kingdom. October 20-21, 2015. Presentation content: “Empathy and Embodiment: Understanding humans in order to understand social robots.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Conference on Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) Invited Social Robotics Conference article/paper, "Building emotional authenticity between humans and robots." Paper was accepted at the International Conference of Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) - Social Intelligence in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 27 – 29. Selected to present an interactive workshop.
OXFORD, U.K.
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference. Invited Game Studies Conference article/paper, "Digital companions: analyzing the emotive connection between players and non-player companions in video game space." Paper was accepted at the International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom, 2011. Conference sponsored by Inter-Disciplinary.net: A Global Network for Dynamic Research and Publishing. Member of Inter-Disciplinary.net.
NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, WORKSHOP and/or
PAPER
2022 3rd IEEE TransdisciplinaryAI2022. Laguna Hills, CA.. Co-program chair of TransAI. .
2021 2st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and
2019 Urban Serving Universities (USU) Social Determinants of Health workshop. Cincinnati, OH. Invited to participate in a cohort of University of Texas at Arlington faculty and executive administration including Theatre Arts, Associate Vice-President of Research, Civil Engineering, School of Social Work, and College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Workshop content covered assimilation of the creative process for innovative ideas to help address public health problems – specifically for UTA, social isolation.
2019 1st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and behavior. Co-located with Transdisciplinary conference 2020. Currently invited to be co-program chair of AI and Humanities for Transdisciplinary 2020 and Humanized Computing and Communication 2020.
2018 The Gerontological Society of America's 70th Annual Scientific Meeting. Boston, MA, Nov. 14 – 18. Poster Acceptance, Abstract required for acceptance.
Abstract title: “Shall I compare thee to a …robot? The use of creative arts and social robotics with older adults.”
Abstract:
Research suggests that creative engagement in later life has a positive effect on mood in older adults. Research has also utilized social robots to address the psychosocial needs of older adults. However, few studies have linked participatory arts (e. g. theatre) as the creative engagement activity using a social robotic platform with older adults. An interdisciplinary team designed and implemented an intervention integrating theater and social robotics with the aim of improving the mood of study participants. A purposive sample of older adults age 65 and older (N = 8) participated in this pilot study. Participants completed 3 sessions of the Shakespearean theatre and social robotics intervention using the robot, Nao. Mixed methods included interview questions as well as short survey measures of depression, loneliness, and a simplified face scale for mood pre and post intervention. Results from the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests suggested that the overall level of depression of the participants was reduced significantly after session 1 (z = -2. 33, p < . 05), after session 2 (z = -2. 04, p < . 05), and after session 3 (z = -2. 00, p < . 05). Scores on the loneliness and the simplified face scale also decreased after the three sessions, however, the changes were not statistically significant. Qualitative findings suggest that participants were highly engaged, comfortable, and receptive to the intervention. We discuss the promising aspects and limitations of this innovative study, the utility of social robotics for providing artistic engagement for older adults, and implications for interdisciplinary practice.
2018 IMSCI, The 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics: Orlando, FL. Co-Author. Paper Invitation and Acceptance: This paper presents a novel framework for advancing informal STEM learning in kids between the ages of 10 and 15, using robotics as a platform, enabler, as well as channel for STEM. Being a cross-disciplinary technology, Robotics not only connects theory and applications of science, mathematics, and engineering fundamentals, but also delivers instant gratification from the efforts put in, through active hands-on human-robot interaction. Supported by multiple real-world feasibility studies, the presented framework hypothesizes that if made easy to build, teach, interact, and play with robots, it can be a potent facilitator of STEM, especially in young children – an age group which is naturally curious and enthusiastic about new findings. July 8 – 11 2018.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Kitty Bomb.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Paper presentation and Coordinator of Dramaturgy group. A recontextualization of Erving Goffman’s work.
2017 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Censor. Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting award
REGIONAL SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, PANELIST and/or
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Presentation for TCU ethics module for training “empathetic scholars”. June 2020.
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Demonstration of NAO the robot to the inaugural class of TCU’s medical school training “empathetic scholars” as the next generation of medical healers. October 2019.
Presentation: Girl Scout of Dallas Inaugural Grand Opening STEM Center. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and therapeutic robotic cat for opening day of 75-acre Girl Scout STEM Center. Community outreach to young women and girls on the interdisciplinary nature of emotional robotics at UTA. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Research Center Symposium Guest Luncheon. Invited by FWMSH as guest to lunch and research symposium with faculty from Baylor, UNT, and Stephen F. Austin universities. NAO demonstration. Key outreach for Museums for presentation in Informal Learning sites. May 2018.
Keynote Speaker: Arlington Kiwanis Club. Keynote speaker for lunch. How theatre methodologies can impact social robotics. Community outreach to older adults who are key subjects in robotics research. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Business Press - Entrepreneur Breakfast. Demonstration of NAO social robot in collaboration with UTARI. Community outreach with key Fort Worth business executives. Executive Director UTARI in attendance – Mickey McCabe. April 2018.
Presentation: Texas Dallas Library National Conference. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and robotic therapeutic cat. Invited by Dean of UTA library, Dr. Rebecca Bichel. A half-day demonstration to 500+ attendees. Mentored three UTA students in demonstration and presentation of key UTA research and social robot values. April 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival. Presentation of social robot, JIBO, for a half-day demonstration at the University of Texas at Arlington Communications tent. Community outreach on behalf of the STEM interdisciplinary values at UTA. April 2018.
Guest Speaker and Presentation: Arlington Public Library (New York Avenue location). Presentation to APL group, Girls Who Code, with social robot, NAO. March 2018.
Presentation at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. NAO presentation with UTARI team. October 2017. Community outreach for higher visibility of UTA in the DFW area and interdisciplinary concepts of Theatre and Social Robotics for children. Presentation with AISL sponsor, FWMSH, continues to create bridges in the community between UTA and DFW informal education sites.
Guest Speaker and MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS: Arlington Public Library. In preparation for the AISL 2.4 million submission to NSF, community outreach and sponsored partners were cultivated with various DFW organizations. Arlington Public Library was featured strongly in the bridge building. Multiple presentation at various libraries for the dates; Sept. 11, 14, 19, and Oct. 9, among others.
Guest Speaker & Panelist: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Rising Tide Initiative Launch and Panel Discussion. An inaugural evening with the theme of Emerging Technologies: Meeting our Future. The Rising Tide Initiative has a mission to enhance entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology in Fort Worth and Tarrant County through a vibrant and collaborative technological ecosystem. April 2017. http://www.fortworthbusiness.com/news/fwmsh-hosting-rising-tide-initiative-event-friday/article_d12988e2-2a90-11e7-b0c5-f3f5c3095f6f.html
Guest Speaker/Panelist: Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous (LASERs). Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous event at University of North Texas this fall, also known as LASERs. LASERs are an exciting event series at the intersection of arts and sciences that bring together leading experts to talk about their work and experiences at the forefront of discovery and creativity. Each evening event includes presenters from the sciences, technology, industry, and the arts who offer expertise from an angle that connect to the mixed-discipline community from the arts, sciences, industry, and technology in attendance. Dr. Greer was one of three invited guest speakers and panelists. October 2016. Video content at http://arteca.mit.edu/video/julienne-greer-laser
Collaborator: Invited by David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics to presentation, “SXSW Interactive” in Austin, Texas. Invitation given to increase possible collaboration between Hanson Robotics and Dr. Greer’s emotional work in social robotics. Discussion with Hanson and attendance at a private viewing of research with Hanson robot, Philip K. Dick, Android. March 2016.
University of Texas at Arlington SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, and/or PANELIST
Keynote Speaker: iStart Valley. Innovative ideas. Transferring ideas into StartUps. A MAVS100 company. August, 2021.
Science Café Presenter: UTA Libraries zoom outreach to science and technology interests students and general public. A 45-min. live zoom presentation with real-time questions regarding Social Robotics and Theatre integration. April, 2020
Keynote Speaker: UTA CPE Department of Accounting Scholarship Banquet Gala. Keynote speaker for evenSciencing gala. Empathy and Embodiment: How theatre methodology informs social robotics. May 2018.
Guest Speaker: TEDxUTA. Live streaming presentation. Titled Will a robot be your next best friend? to a live audience at TEDxUTA at conference venue. April 2018.
Emotional Robotics Living Lab: Director. Formal Opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at Preston Hall, Room 304 to 30+ invitees including Office of Research, Office of Communications, College of Liberal Arts Dean’s office and Dept. of Theatre Arts. Hands-on activities and presentations including NAO, Pepper, Jibo, and Joy-for-all robotic cat. March 2018.
Guest Speaker: Healthline Meeting. Human-Robot Interaction: Social Robots and Healthcare. Invited by Health Libraries Information Network. January 2018.
Presentation: School of Social Work Meet and Greet for Research. 3 Slides, 3 minutes. An interdisciplinary meeting organized to present interdisciplinary work for collaboration with the SSW. January 2018.
Invited Guest Speaker and Presentation. One of 5 faculty members invited to present, the only member from the College of Liberal Arts, by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon, Dean of CoLA. Presentation was attended by University of Texas at Arlington President Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, Vice President of Research, Dr. Dimos, and honored guests, 7 executive VIPs from UT Systems health. NAO presentation of health-related work with IRP funded grant, Shakespeare and Robots. November 2017.
Guest Speaker: Digital Arts and Humanities Initiative (DAHI) Speaker Series. The DAHI team will present the findings of the study A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI in the University of Texas at Arlington Library 6th floor Parlor. April 2017.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. Second year of presenting the robot, Nao, to 500+ middle and high school students. Presentation included multiple groups rotating in for a demonstration ranging from 12 minutes to 30 minutes. Demonstration included verbal commands, human-to-robot interaction, various animations including, Puppet, Air Guitar, Rowing the Boat, and concluded with Shakespearean Sonnet 18. April 2017.
Speaker and Silver Sponsor: University of Texas at Arlington INNOVATION DAY A high school and college student competition featuring student and faculty startup pitches. Department of Theatre Arts participated as a silver sponsor alongside UTARI. Presentations were made by Dr. Greer with NAO the robot on theatre methodologies in social robotics. Conference is an annual event held on February 2017.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington, Honors College Colloquium Series – Will a Robot be your Next Friend? How theatre methodologies are utilized to enhance the relationship in human-robot interaction (HRI). The pros and cons of social robots entering the U.S. market in 2017. And, an introduction to the Department of Theatre’s research robot, Nao. This presentation was part of a monthly colloquium hosted by the Honors College in which a member of the UTA faculty discusses his or her research. Greer presentation given to honors students (30+) on research with the robot, Nao, which stands at the intersections of Theatre, Computer Science, Psychology, and Healthcare. Kevin Gustafson, Interim Dean of the Honors College, “Yours was easily among the most engaging of the more than twenty colloquia we have sponsored over the past four years.” December 2016.
Invited Panelist: Research Integrity Symposium. Research Integrity Symposium sponsored by the Steering Committee that manages the Responsible Conduct of Research Training Program (RCR) at University of Texas at Arlington. This year’s theme will be Collaborative Research. The issued to be discussed will be: research integrity, responsible conduct, management of collaborations, formal agreements as well as informal arrangements addressing matters such as authorship, roles and responsibilities, research compliance, and mentoring of trainees. October 2016.
Guest Speaker: Invited to present on the intersection of social robotics and theatre at the College of Business, Accounting Departments’ CPE Day at University of Texas at Arlington on August 2016.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. I began work with UTARI collaborating and developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. Invited ten Theatre Arts undergraduate students to UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot. April 2016.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington. Focus on Faculty. Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 2016. https://library.uta.edu/events/focus-faculty-julienne-greer
Panelist: Invited Research Discussant & Panel member. Fixed: The Science Fiction of Human Enhancement. Interdisciplinary panel. Invited by the Director of Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington to participate on a panel with UTA faculty John Bricout, associate dean of the School of Social Work, and Janet Morrow, disabilities studies adjunct professor. Moderated discussion and talk back after a viewing of the film, March 2015.
PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY AWARDS AND HONORS
2019 - University of Texas at Arlington, 2019 COLA Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure Track Faculty, “selected because of your outstanding record of teaching as well as your interdisciplinary approach to teaching theatre arts through social robotics and performance
2016 - University of Texas at Arlington, Focus on Faculty Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 20th, 2016.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Endowment Award given by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon and the Dean's Office of the College of Liberal Arts - Endowment Award for Research and Creative Activity - toward the purchase of Pepper, the emotional robot, from SoftBank Robotics for use in a multi-disciplinary Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) course created by Dr. Julienne Greer titled Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited speaker to AGS staff luncheon on behalf of Department of Theatre Arts, publicity and university outreach for Theatre Arts 2015-2016 season.
2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited participant in inaugural grant writing group. Five faculty participants were chosen to interact with senior grant writers, Office of Development and Office of the Provost, Division of Faculty Affairs.
2014 - Star-Telegram Best Actress in a Performance - 2014 as Juliana Singleton in Dallas-Fort Worth premier of The Other Place by Sharr White, Circle Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas.
2011 - University of Texas at Dallas Travel/Professional Development Award. Travel expenses to Oxford, University in England, United Kingdom. Mansfield College. Videogame Cultures is a premier game studies conference in Europe.
2001 Best Actress in a Play, Stage West, Honor from Board of Directors. Blanche Dubois, in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
AWARDS/HONORS
Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure-Track Faculty, 2019. University of Texas at Arlington, College of Liberal Arts, Dept. of Theatre Arts.
Outstanding Mainstage Production, 2014-15 Season, MAVPLAYS, Dept. of Theatre Arts’ Student/Faculty Awards. April, 2015. Producer: MAVPLAYS; Director: Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets.
Most Inspiring Professor, Nominee 2004, Department of Theatre, Texas Christian University.
Panhellenic Council Awards.
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
INTERNATIONAL
ITALY – April 2018
Disablog.it. Provide assistive technology to disabled people through the study of disability itself. “Le tecnologie assistive, comprese quelle basate sull’intelligenza artificiale, possono svolgere un ruolo importante nel plasmare il modo in cui le persone con disabilità sono in grado di muoversi nelle attività quotidiane. Tuttavia, ciò che può sembrare una buona idea per un ingegnere potrebbe non essere una realtà di fatto quando una persona con disabilità cerca di utilizzare la tecnologia.”
http://www.disablog.it/fornire-tecnologia-assistiva-alle-persone-disabili-tramite-lo-studio-della-disabilita-stessa/
KOREA - November 2017
Irobotnews.com. 텍사스알링턴대, 로봇-인간 정서 교감 연구 Human Emotional Empathy Research.
“Our idea is not to replace people, but to meet the gap," said UTA director of theater arts and professor Julienne Greer. "Above all, through performing arts we wish to interact with robots and people of various ages to create a solidarity of trust and emotion."
http://www.irobotnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12256
FRANCE – November 2017
InfoHighTech.com. LE NOUVEAU LABORATOIRE DE ROBOTIQUE ÉMOTIONNELLE ÉTUDIE L’INTERACTION HOMME-ROBOT. [The New Laboratory of Emotional Robotics Study in the interaction of human-robot]
“Julienne Greer et ses collègues Ling Xu et Noelle Fields, deux professeurs adjoints à la School of Social Work de l’UTA, et Kris Doelling, ingénieur de recherche à l’UTA Research Institute (UTARI), ont récemment mené une étude auprès d’adultes âgés dans un établissement indépendant au Texas. Le robot et les adultes ont interagi en utilisant des sonnets bien connus de Shakespeare. Cette étude, financée par une subvention de 20 000 dollars du Programme de recherche interdisciplinaire de l’UTA, a révélé qu’après trois semaines d’interactions, il y avait une baisse significative de la dépression et une augmentation de l’engagement social humain-robot chez ces personnes âgées.”
https://www.infohightech.com/le-nouveau-laboratoire-de-robotique-emotionnelle-etudie-linteraction-homme-robot/
BELGIUM – April 2017
Human 2.0 – Exploring Cyborgs. Lectures – Expo – Film.
In partial requirements for his master’s degree at The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, abbreviated KU Leuven, alum Andrew Beckman, organized with his peers, an evening of cyborg culture. Dr. Greer participated via video with NAO the robot. “What is a cyborg? What isn’t a cyborg a human 2.0? Where do we draw the line that separates humans from cyborgs?
https://www.facebook.com/events/439715329714287/
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
NATIONAL
National media and news outlets which ran UTA press release(s) story of the opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab and the analysis of Shakespeare and Robots research study:
UTA Communication analytics reported $100,000 advertising buys for TV spots featuring Dr. Greer’s work and Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
April 2018 – EurekaAlert! Science News. UTA grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/uota-ugt041318.php
April 2018 – PHYS.ORG. Grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be Integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://phys.org/wire-news/285330818/grant-to-help-minority-students-link-assistive-technology-with-d.html
April 2018 – DisabledWorld.com. UTA Grant to Help Minority Students Link Assistive Technology with Disabilities Studies. “Assistive technology program will teach undergraduate students, especially minority and female students and those with disabilities, how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities.
https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/finance/uta-grant.php
January 2018 – Xconomy. UTA Using Robots, Shakespeare to Study Ways to Address Loneliness. Angela Shah.
“A study at the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington is exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression…UTA’s living lab, which is made up of spaces set up to look like a person’s home – is part of a multidisciplinary effort that includes professors in theatre arts, social work, and engineering.”
https://www.xconomy.com/texas/2018/01/19/uta-using-robots-shakespeare-to-study-ways-to-address-loneliness/
January 2018 – KRWG New Mexico State: Justin Martin talks with Julienne Greer, director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington, about the emotional side of robots.
Audio:
http://krwg.org/post/local-newscast-1-53
November 2017 – EurekAlert! The Global Sources for Science News. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support. “The ideas here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,” said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uota-uer111317.php
November 2017 – Robotics Tomorrow. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. The new lab will feature two robots from SoftBank Robotics, NAO and Pepper. Pepper is a 4-foot humanoid robot with large, expressive eyes and lifelike gestures that can connect with people on an emotional level. NAO is a smaller humanoid robot, designed to be an interactive companion.”
https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/article/2017/11/uta%EF%BF%BD%EF%BF%BDs-emotional-robotics-living-lab-will-research-how-robots-can-be-integrated-into-homes-as-companions-and-caregivers/11072
November 2017 - PHYS.ORG. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? ‘We want to look at what it means to have a robot in the room, and plan to use theatre methodology to make that experience as engaging as possible," Greer added. ‘Both robots are also actively used in the curriculum of the course I teach, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre every semester, which involves hands-on student/robot interactions.’”
https://phys.org/wire-news/272048432/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-compani.html
November 2017 – TIEECO.org Silicon Valley. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “The new lab is studying whether or not a robot can fill in the emotional gap needed to be a companion or caretaker to humans.”
https://www.tieeco.org/ecosystem/news/n/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds
November 2017 – Robotics Trends. New Emotional Robotics Lab to Study Human-Robot Interaction. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots.” http://conflict.md/2017/11/15/new-emotional-robotics-lab-to-study-human-robot-interaction/
November 2017 – ASEE First Bell. University of Texas Using Literature to Forge Emotional Bonds Between Humans, Robots. The Dallas Morning News (11/20, Brumfield) reports the University of Texas at Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab “is using the work of none other than William Shakespeare” to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safety with humans and to “learn how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional as well as physical support.” The piece quotes UTA theater arts professor Julienne Greer saying, “The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap. We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.” http://mailview.bulletinmedia.com/mailview.aspx?m=2017112101asee&r=6106399-da88&render=y
November 2017 – News Cision. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “The lab is designed with home spaces for older adults featuring mid-century furniture as well as a more modern play space for projects using children or younger adults.”
http://news.cision.com/university-of-texas-at-arlington/r/uta-s-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companions-caregivers,c2390637
November 2017 – PublicNow.com. Robots and Theatre. NAO and Pepper in the new lab. How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers?
http://www.publicnow.com/view/3E87CF16C169F1B824FAEBA8EC850949936A99B5?2017-11-13-20:30:17+00:00-xxx5895
November 2017 – DailyTopicI. Texas-based Emotional Robotics Living Lab Creates Caregiver Robots - Robotics. “Public research school University of Texas at Arlington opened its Emotional Robotics Living Lab to determine how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional support or to serve as caregivers.”
http://dailytopici.com/news/view/8270
November 2017 – CQRCENGAGE.com. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? “The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA's Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://cqrcengage.com/auvsi/app/document/25102365?1
November 2017 – McKnight’s Senior Living. Universities study robots to help senior living residents. Lois A. Bowers. “Independent living and assisted living communities are serving as testing grounds as University of Texas at Arlington researchers try to develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers. Researchers hope the efforts meet resident needs and help operators address labor challenges.”
https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/universities-study-robots-to-help-senior-living-residents/article/707478/
November 2017 – AZOrobotics.com. New Emotional Robotic Living Lab will Investigate the Integration of Robots into Homes. “We are now looking to make the experience more immersive so that the robot and the adults play out an entire scene of Shakespeare together…we hypothesize that the more immersive the theatre intervention, the deeper and more positive the responses in older adults will be in regards to depression and social engagement’”
https://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=9587
November 2017 – ScienMag Science Magazine. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to Focus on Robots as Companions/Caregivers. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://scienmag.com/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companionscaregivers/
November 2017 – Bob Heyer-Gray. Librarian at University of California – Davis. University of Texas using literature to forge emotional bonds between humans, robots. “Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is ‘using the work of no other than William Shakespeare’ to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safely with humans.”
November 2017 – BotWeb.net. The latest robotics news from around the web. “‘The idea here is not to replace humans, but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.”
October 2017 – LeadingAge.com. Robots and Self-Driving Taxis on the Rise in Senior Living by Donna Childress. Companion robots and others offer large potential to engage older adults. “NAO, which challenged the residents to give the final lines of a Shakespeare sonnet and can do things like shake hands and join residents for tai chi, was a hit… ‘Older adults really did find this futuristic machine…quite fascinating…I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’” https://www.leadingage.org/cast/robots-and-self-driving-taxis-rise-senior-living
October 2017 – Andrea Hektner.com. Repeat after me, robots are not humans. “Within her area of study, Greer dedicates herself to understanding all the facets underlining the many ways in which humans interact with one another…The interesting concept of Greer’s work is that humans must first understand humanity in order to make way for the incoming generation of robots, which she argues can be achieved through the theatrical arts.”
https://andreahektner.com/2016/06/20/repeat-after-me-robots-are-not-humans/
September 2017 – Seniorhousingnews.com. Senior Living Sees Slow But Steady Robot Revolution by Tim Regan. “Most recently, a Brookdale community in Arlington, Texas, hosted researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), to determine whether reciting Shakespeare with a robot could lessen symptoms of depression and increase engagement for seniors… ‘Will more assisted living facilities see robots in this way, not just for service, but also as companions? I absolutely think so,” she says. “I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’”
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/09/15/senior-living-sees-slow-steady-robot-revolution/
August 2017 – Brookdale.com, Brookdale Senior Living Solutions; Technology and Innovation Section by Andrew Smith. NAO takes a bow: Meet the robot engaging seniors in the arts. Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. “The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,” said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA. For three weeks, eight Brookdale residents spent an hour each week reciting Shakespeare with NAO. NAO recited the first 12 lines of Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) with all the drama of a professional actor and then asked the residents to complete the last two lines. While some residents were hesitant at first, the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Based on the data from our study, findings suggest that there was a significant increase in engagement and a significant decrease in depression,” said Dr. Greer. “We learned that social robots are poised to become viable collaborative companions in places like Brookdale.” The poetry performance was just the beginning of NAO’s interaction. The robot can shake hands, accompany seniors on a walk, perform Tai Chi and tell stories. The versatility was a hit with residents…NAO is a perfect example of how something that seems so simple (a Shakespeare reciting robot) can significantly improve quality of life. It also demonstrates that seniors, just like the rest of us, get excited and engaged with novel technologies. https://www.brookdalenews.com/nao-takes-bow-meet-robot-engaging-seniors-in-arts.htm
March 2017 – FOX 10, MyFoxZone. KIDY San Angelo, TX. Robots Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly… ‘Researchers are using a robot reciting Shakespeare with senior citizens, in what is known as ‘participatory art.’”
https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416978351
March 2017 – FOX 15, MyFoxZone. KXVA Abilene, TX. Robot Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly.’”
Article and Video:
https://www.fox15abilene.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416977500
January 2016 – DISCOVERY.COM Discovery News. Why We Want Our Robots to Like Us. Glenn McDonald. “Julienne Greer, a theater professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has a unique insight into the issue of Human Robot Interaction, or HRI. In recent years, Greer and her students have worked directly with computer scientists and engineers in the U-T system, creating the new class Humans and Robots to explore the emerging emotional connections between people and machines. ‘My time spent in theatre arts seems to indicate that we are all wired to connect to empathetic human experiences, especially emotional experiences, and we feel the most 'like ourselves' when we do,’ Greer says.” [Discovery News source has changed the following link is correct for the original article.]
https://engineering.nd.edu/news-publications/engineering-in-the-news/why-we-want-our-robots-to-like-us
November 2014 – NDTV.com, The Future Awaits the Rise of Affectionate Robots. “A new study into a robot named Pepper who has been hailed as an emotionally responsive humanoid robot, can help scientists build more affection robots.”
http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/the-future-awaits-the-rise-of-affectionate-robots-703178
November 2014 – The Aurora Fox Arts Center. From STEM to STEAM, Theatre and Robots? “Performing Arts and ‘Theatre’ hold a regular spot on lists like Forbes’ “The Ten Worst College Majors” and The Daily Beast’s “The Thirteen Most Useless Majors”. But Julienne Greer sees that changing…When Julienne Greer heard about the new “emotional” robots coming out of Japan (like Aldebaran’s Pepper) she was intrigued. These robots are designed to be in-home companions that can read people’s moods and respond appropriately…The take-away? An actress (with a Theatre degree) is successfully working with scientists to develop super cool technology. Looks like that major wasn’t so useless after all.” [Link has expired as of 7/18/18]
http://aurorafoxartscenter.org/cms/2014/11/25/from-stem-to-steam/
November 2014 – Cosmos Magazine, How to Make Robots More Like Humans. “Actor, producer and director Julienne Greer is helping engineers build more responsive robots…Part of her work involves categorizing behaviors and gestures and understanding how these gestures can create emotion in humans. Robot engineers may be able to apply these principles when programming robots… ‘Performance, connection and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots.’”
https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/how-to-make-robots-more-like-humans
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
REGIONAL – DFW
April 2018 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Developing Assistive Technologies Program with $381K Grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded the grant to fund the program that will teach undergraduate students, particularly minority and female students with disabilities, how to design the assistive technology. Ishfaq Ahmad, professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department is the principal investigator, UTA said. Other co-principal investigators are Julienne Greer, assistant professor in theater arts; and assistant professors of computer science and engineering Manfred Huber and Vassilis Athitsos.
https://dallasinnovates.com/381k-grant-help-develop-uta-assistive-technologies-program/
December 2017 – KERANews.org. Robots Reciting Shakespeare with Seniors in UTA Study Hints at Future Companion Role. Justin Martin and Molly Evans. “Robots are assuming more and more roles in our daily lives…In the study, older adults interacted with a robot using Shakespearean sonnets. The study comes from UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which explores the bigger idea of robots as companions and caregivers in the future. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre arts and the lab’s director, explains how one of the robots, called NAO, was used in the study… ‘It was not just reciting Shakespeare. We made this study because we wanted the robot to participate with the older adult. Now, when someone is participating in an art, they’re not just looking at that painting, they’re not just listening to that music. They are actually in a process of doing, and that was shown to have incredibly positive results.’” Article, Video, and Audio files to follow:
http://keranews.org/post/robots-reciting-shakespeare-seniors-uta-study-hints-future-companion-role
Youtube – 10 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A7I_peskTk
December 2017 – Arlington Voice. Robotics theatrics pairs UTA research with Arlington seniors. “NAO is one of two advanced robots used in the lab to test the emotional engagement between man and machine. It’s (NAO) arm, no longer than that of a toddler, reaches toward the sky as it recites Shakespeare Sonnet 18… ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer day.’”
https://arlingtonvoice.com/arlington/education/2017/12/02/robotic-theatrics-pairs-uta-research-arlington-seniors
November 2017 – Star-Telegram News. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? Bill Hana. “NAO, a 23-inch tall robot, performs a 30-second Tai Chi routine, gracefully moving its arms up in the air. At the same time, Kevyn Martinez, a 20-year-old communications major at the University of Texas at Arlington, stands behind the small robot, mirroring its movements. The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/arlington/article186305888.html
November 2017 – DallasNews.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says. Loyd Brumfield. “We all know that robots with human-like functions are coming. But as we have learned in everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Westworld, how do we know they can be trusted. Maybe artists hold the key to that answer more so than scientists or engineers. ‘The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theater arts at UTA and director of the lab. ‘We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2017/11/20/robots-caregivers-afraid-uta-says
November 2017 – PressReader.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20171121/282110636909639
November 2017 – NBC DFW Channel 5 News. Shakespeare Performing Robots Show Promise for Mental Health in UTA Study. Tim Ciesco. “A theater arts professor, a mechanical engineering student, and a small robot all meet in a classroom. That's not the opening line of an obscure joke -- it's what actually happens inside UT-Arlington's new Emotional Robotics Living Lab… ‘Theater arts is a discipline of connection, empathy, voice, movement, relationship -- and in the end trust,’ said Greer. ‘I think it's stimulating. I think by utilizing arts content it's more life-like.’” Article and Video follows:
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Shakespeare-Performing-Robots-Show-Promise-for-Mental-Health-in-UTA-Study-458674103.html
November 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11&21 News. UTA Working to Make Robots Become More Human. Robbie Owens. “Once the stuff of science fiction, robots today run our factories and touch nearly aspect of our lives. Now, an interdisciplinary research project at University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) looks to explore what could happen if robots can learn to touch our hearts. Dr. Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, and Director of the university’s ‘Living Lab’ where participants interact with the robots in a home-like setting… ‘We can bring all the things that make theater so human: the ability to connect, the ability to understand another human being’s life… empathy… I am programming robots that will allow you to stay in your home longer,’ said Dr. Greer, ‘When I say that, that’s when people go: `how quickly can you get them to me?’”
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/11/14/uta-robots-human/
November 2017 – WALA Fox Channel 10, Alabama. Robots with Emotions?
“Social companion robots with the goal to let people live independently into later life.” https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30774829?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Fox 13, Tampa, Florida. “Students and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington are trying to create robots that have emotions.”
Video with UTA Dept. of Theatre Arts students:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30775344?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “In the study, a robot and adults interacted using sonnets from Shakespeare, and researchers found that after three weeks, there was a major drop in depression and an increase in robot-human social engagement among the older adults.”
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds/
November 2017 – KRLD 1080 am RADIO. Audio interview on the opening of Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Audio:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30692189?token=2912f455-cfc2-4423-9da3-adfec9cb7a4b
November 2017 – Arlington-TX.gov. UTA Launches Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support… ‘We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/11/14/uta-launches-emotional-robotics-living-lab/
November 2017 – Texas Digital Humanities Consortium. Promoting digital research in Texas and beyond. Lisa Spiro. “Dr. Julienne Greer was awarded one of UTA’s second annual Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grants for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults.” She leads an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. Dr. Greer and colleagues also received funding for A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI, which examines how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI.”
https://www.txdhc.org/members/lspiro/activity/1273/
September 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11 “Dr. Julienne Greer, an Assistant Professor of Social Robotics and Performance, says they are using something called participatory arts to help robots interact with senior citizens…The content of the art is said to enhance a person’s cognitive skills, as well as offer companionship for older adults… ‘We want the older adults to feel engaged in an art form…we are very hopeful the same positive results that happen in human to human models will happen with a human to robot model…’ Theater for Psychological Well-Being. The goal is to provide an intervention tool for early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Team: Dr. Julienne Greer, UTA College of Theatre Arts, Dr. Noelle Fields, UTA School of Social Work. Sponsor: UTA: Interdisciplinary Research Program.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=3xzNF16ZBqo
April 2017 – CW33 To Bot or not to Bot: Meet the little robot who can perform Shakespeare! Chris Skupien. “Here in the 21st century, robots are nothing new. But have you ever seen one recite a sonnet? ‘This robot is considered a social or companion robot…This is the robot that might be a friend and that is where the theatre methodology comes in.’”
Article and Video:
http://cw33.com/2017/04/27/to-bot-or-not-to-bot-meet-the-little-robot-who-can-perform-shakespeare/
Dec. 2016 – Star-Telegram by Sara Pintilie. Shall AI compare thee? UTA robot recites Shakespeare for science. Star-Telegram article/video initially requested by Dr. Vistap Karbhari, President of UT-Arlington.
“University of Texas at Arlington’s Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts: social robotics and performance, wants to use NAO and Shakespeare to help older adults in a new interdisciplinary study. Interdisciplinary research can promote a new way to tackle a problem or a fresh approach to age-old questions. It can produce exciting and refreshing elements, like a Shakespeare-reciting robot. Greer’s study, when it begins in April, will have older adults listen as NAO recites the first 12 lines of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, and the people will recite the last two lines. ‘The pilot date will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults, the study says.’”
Article and Video:
http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article120016593.html
Dec. 2016 – Dallas Observer. The University of Texas at Arlington’s Theatre Department has a new student – a Robot by Pablo Arauz. “Nao the robot is a little over a month old but can already recite poetry as if it feels passion… Greer is an assistant professor of theater and an actor. Her life’s work has been to study how humans interact with other humans, but recently she’s been exploring a whole new territory: How humans interact with machines and the experience involved in understanding this relationship – that’s right, a relationship with a machine. Her specialty is an interdisciplinary research area called theater and social robotics that explores how robots can reflect human emotion by applying traditional acting methods.”
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-university-of-texas-at-arlingtons-theater-department-has-a-new-student-a-robot-8987400
December 2016 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Theatre Prof Will Use Robot in Study on Human-Machine Connection. UTA professor Julienne Greer will use an autonomous humanoid robot in an upcoming study exploring the connection between humans and machines.
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-theater-prof-will-use-robot-in-study-on-human-machine-connection/
February 2016 – Fox News4ward, February 7th and 13th, 2016, Robots with Human Emotions, by Dan Godwin. “It may sound like science fiction, but more and more these days robots are exhibiting human qualities. And in many homes, they serve as companions for people. In this FOX 4Ward segment, Dan Godwin talks with Dr. Julienne Greer, a local expert who is helping guide that progress in a positive direction.”
http://www.fox4news.com/news/fox-4-features/86482879-story
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
UTA IN THE NEWS
April 20th, 2018 – UTA In the News
Technologies in Disabilities grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded a $381,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant from the National Science Foundation, Dallas Innovates.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/04/20.php
January 22nd, 2018 – UTA In the News
“Robots are being created to help with tasks like disinfecting hospital rooms or alerting patients when it’s time to take medications, Xconomy.com reported. A study at UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is even exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre at UTA, serves as the director of the lab, which was launched in November.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/01/22.php
December 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts in UTA’s College of Liberal Arts, appeared on KERA 90.1 FM discussing her research in the field of social and emotional robotics. She found that interactions with robots had a positive impact on the lives of senior citizens in an assisted living facility. Greer is the director of UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/15.php
December 4st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Arlington Voice reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/04.php
December 1st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Robotics Tomorrow reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/01.php
November 27th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Robotics Living Lab
“The Star-Telegram reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/27.php
November 22nd, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Innovates, ASEE First Bell,
China's Irobotnews and France's Infohightech reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/22.php
November 20th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC 5 reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/20.php
November 17th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab continued to attract national attention with KTVT Fox 13 in Tampa, Fla., WALA Fox 10 in Mobile, Ala., Robotics Trends, Azorobotics and many other media outlets covering the start of the lab, which will investigate what the future will look like with robots.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/17.php
November 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Researchers at UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab are investigating what the future will look like with robots. They're also examining how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support, KTVT CBS 11, KRLD 1080 AM, ArlingtonTx.gov, CBSDFW.com, McKnight’s Senior Living, ScienMag and Phys.org reported. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts, is directing the new lab.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/15.php
UTA PRESS RELEASES
January 2020 – UTA Press Release. UTA takes on loneliness crisis. Dana Jennings. “We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life,” said Greer, who also is director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “Theater has a way of giving more depth to one’s identity and creating a deeper sense of self-expression. Robots do not judge or get their feelings hurt, thus creating a safe space for people to be expressive.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/news-releases/2020/01/09/social-isolation
April 2018 – UTA Press Release. UTA researchers earn grant to teach minority undergraduates how to link assistive technology, artificial intelligence and disability studies. Herb Booth. University of Texas at Arlington computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor…were awarded a three-year, $318,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2018/04/nsf-adaptive-tech-undergrad.php
November 2017 – UTA Press Release. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. Louisa Kellie.
“Greer and an interdisciplinary team recently carried out a study with older adults at an independent living facility in Texas where the robot and adults interacted using well-known sonnets from Shakespeare. This study, which was funded with a seed grant from UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program, found that after three weeks of interactions, there was a significant drop in depression and increase in human-robot social engagement among those older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2017/11/Greer%20release%20robots.php
November 2017 - UTA Newsroom. Sonnet Technology. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor in the UTA Department of Theatre Arts, is combining Shakespeare and state-of-the-art robots to reduce depression and increase engagement among older adults. The interdisciplinary team includes researchers from UTA's School of Social Work and the UTA Research Institute. The research team recently opened an emotional robotics living lab to understand how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers.
https://www.uta.edu/news/video/2017/11/Shakespeare-Robot.php
Youtube: 1.23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=olH9WOR9GtE
November 2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, News Release UT Arlington Theatre Arts research provides insight into human behavior for scientists, engineers who build social robots by Bridget Lewis. News release was picked up by multiple science websites including; Phys.org, esciencenews.com, sciencenewsline.com, techsharx.com, cosmosmagazine.com, inas.in (Indo-Asian news service) as well as a Lithuanian news site, robotika.it (Menininkės įžvalgos pravers robotų kūrėjams). “The fascinating aspect of sensory (data) work is how it opens the imagination to the cognitive work our senses do all day, every day to connect us to our world. The subject becomes aware of new sensory stimuli, which in turn creates an emotional response.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2014/11/Greer-social-robotics.php
August 2016 – NEWS RELEASE UTA Awards Four 2016 Inter-disciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016). UTA awarded grants for innovative ideas that address high-priority issues in society. I was granted one of only four awards University-wide for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on the psychological well-being of older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2016/08/IRP%202016.php
UTA MAGAZINE - PRINT
UTA – The University of Texas at Arlington Magazine, Pioneers of the 21st Century. Antwan Williams. “They’re doing so with the help of 2-foot tall robot named NAO that performs Shakespearean sonnets… ‘all these awards represent important research innovations and could create a real impact in society’ says Duane Dimos, vice president for research.’”
http://www.uta.edu/utamagazine/spring-2018/features/pioneers-of-the-21st-century.php
May 2015 – INQUIRY - The Research Magazine for University of Texas at Arlington, I, Robot, Engineers look to theatre techniques to create more responsive machines. “Performance, connection, and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots…We must be specific in programming robots to respond to, and eventually learn from, the human relationships they will be a part of.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/inquiry/spring15/faculty/i-robot.php
UTA MAVWIRE
April 2018. Assistive Technologies Studies. “Computer scientists and faculty with the disabilities studies minor will create a campus-wide program to teach how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers.”
https://www.uta.edu/enews/mavwire/2018/04/23.html
UTA COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS NEWSROOM and CoLA Magazine
June 2018 – CoLA Magazine. UTA Faculty Pursue DATA DRIVEN DISCOVERY. NSF grant Focuses on Research in Assistive Technology. "Greer, an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, has received numerous grants for creating distinctive social applications for robots...'Dr. Rose and Dr. Greer specialize in cutting edge scholarship.'"
https://www.yumpu.com/en/embed/view/J8fLIC0n7AvhREm9
November 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Newsroom. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is open and ready for a close-up! “Arlington’s new Emotion Robotics Living Lab opened fall semester 2017 and features two robots designed to connect with humans on an emotional level and act as companions. The new lab gives hands-on experience working with the robots to UTA students enrolled in Dr. Julienne Greer’s Theatre Arts Course, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre. The lab space, which has recently piqued the interest of the local media, The class is open to all students, regardless of major, interested in learning more about companion robots and the place they will hold in our future. Greer said, “The interdisciplinary nature of the lab and the course is one of the innovative qualities and what seems to interest the public and the media.” In the last two days, Greer and the Robotics Living Lab team have spoken with CBS Channel 11, NBC Channel 5, and the Star-telegram about the new lab and course initiatives with very positive receptions. The flurry of activity follows UTA’s press release on the new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer said, “People are very interesting in social robots, it is exciting to share this news and where UTA is headed in this field with the DFW community.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2017/11/16/ut-arlingtons-emotion-robotics-living-lab-is-open-and-ready-for-a-close-up/
August 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Annual Magazine. “This report about the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington spotlights achievements within the college during the last year. There is no better illustration of the talent among our students and mentorship by our faculty and staff, then the example of…interacting with a Shakespeare-intoning robot.” Elizabeth Cawthon, Dean. CoLA.
http://www.uta.edu/libarts/_downloads/CoLAMagazine/CoLAMagazine_WebEdition.pdf
September 2016 – NEWS RELEASE College of Liberal Arts. IRP Awards. “UTA has awarded four seed grants to interdisciplinary research projects that address growing problems such as loneliness among the elderly, the need for sustainable green education spaces, the health crisis among urban American Indians or the mechanisms behind heart failure among the elderly.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/uta-awards-four-2016-interdisciplinary-research-program-grants-for-innovative-ideas-that-address-high-priority-issues-in-society/
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Live radio interview for College of Liberal Art’s 50th anniversary and welcome back event with UTA Radio, “UTA and The Department of Theatre Arts are incredibly forward-thinking. We’ve purchased a social robot for use in the classroom…How robots essentially ‘perform’ for humans and how humans emotionally respond to robots, is my primary research interest.” (Greer)
UTA NEWSPAPER - THE SHORTHORN
May, 2022 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Professor combines theatre and robotics to reflect human connection. Ayesha Hana Shaji. “Social robots, also known as emotional robots, are machines that can communication socially with human being said Julienne Greer…Greer found a way to bring together her seemingly odd combination of passions, theatre and robotics.”https://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/professor-combines-theater-and-robotics-to-reflect-human-connection/article_6720a5e6-aec2-11ec-b8f5-cb82ea484fd9.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students find relief through art. Amanda Padilla. “Greer emphasized these two concepts. She said people are wired to connect with each other, they have a need and a desire to connect as humans. By engaging in the arts, they learn to trust something. For Greer, people learn to trust each other.In a play, many people come together to create a show. The director, the stage manager, the cast, the technicians; all of these people have to trust their connection to create something together.” http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-find-relief-through-art/article_134f4e52-d083-11e8-b182-23d30eda925c.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, Interdisciplinary team studies robots. Spencer Brewer. “These machines will somehow be a reflection of us as humans,” Greer said. The Emotional Robotics Living Lab focuses on social robots, or robots that will interact socially with people in their homes and workplaces in the future.
“I like to talk about it because it’s not a phone, it’s not a human, and it’s not the television turned on at home,” Greer said. “It is something else, and I’m really interested in what that something else is and how we will interact with it, and what that means, then, about us.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/interdisciplinary-team-studies-robots/article_ebf6f774-c673-11e8-9252-5f7e76848ca0.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Rebekah Morr. “The Living Lab is home to two robots: NAO and Pepper. Both are social and companion robots who can respond autonomously to faces and sounds…Pepper can be classified as an emotional robot because it can detect emotional expressions and tension in a person’s voice.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/article_f32a4568-cfe4-11e7-8be9-13610f80f16f.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Duy Vu. “Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts and Emotional Robotics Living Lab director, explains the functionality of Pepper, a social companion robot, on Nov. 21 in the lab at Preston Hall.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/image_ac03b0f0-cf00-11e7-af15-cf6b2e776c41.html
April 2017 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students, Faculty meet Piebot. “Julienne Greer, theatre arts assistant professor, presented her humanlike robot, called PieBot at UTA’s iDAH speaker series…PieBot was built to eliminate human apathy toward robots and foster a sense of nurturing empathy, Greer said. Greer pulled from different specialties, including from costume designers, programmers, and engineers. ‘Interdisciplinary isn’t just a buzzword, Greer said.’”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-faculty-meet-piebot/article_9ed3b58c-1b0b-11e7-aa25-bf218a04f8f4.html
September 2016 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Robot pairs with sonnets to assist elderly. Matt Fulkerson. “If you can take the world’s greatest wordsmith-literary-poet-playwright and you can bring a robot in and they can play that scene, that’ll be incredible,” she said. (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/robots-pair-with-sonnets-to-assist-elderly/article_74c49866-7f5b-11e6-8907-cfaea4359d90.html
September 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Theatre gets robot, which will appear in spring play. Sheliah Lindsey. “I believe robots are the future…They have so much potential. They can help keep the elderly in their homes longer. They can help children with disabilities.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/theatre-gets-robot-which-will-appear-in-spring-play/article_bc330eb6-502d-11e5-87a7-7fa707007332.html
March 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Film spurs discussion about disabilities, human enhancement. The Shorthorn released the story of the inter-disciplinary panel discussion titled, Dr. Greer, discussant (see Panels). In response to a question regarding human enhancement through robotics and how that identifies humans; “All of my inequalities make me an incredibly unique person…I own being this age, going through my life, having the experiences I’ve had, and doing this wonderful art, which is all about finding the interesting, unique, quirky parts of being a human being.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/film-spurs-discussion-about-disabilities-human-enhancement/article_a004f966-cd1f-11e4-b454-0bae11a94667.html
December 2014 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Lecturer blends theatre arts, robotics by Hannah-Beth Floyd. “I think we’re already well past the point where humans and technologies interact…Technology is a part of our life…(my work is essentially) taking decades of method work, performance technique, and using it to create the most authentic relationship between the human being and a robot.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/lecturer-blends-theater-arts-robotics/article_85eeab54-7a76-11e4-8344-3f24595643ac.html
UTA - INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATORS AND MEDIA
September 2018 – UTA Library Newsletter. User Engagement & Services. Building Partnerships and Lasting Friendships Through Technology. “During our tenure as Robot Ambassadors, we (Devon Peralta and Rene Taméz) formed an extraordinary working relationship with Dr. Julienne Greer, a multi-disciplinary scholar and professor who has been researching human/robot interactions. Dr. Greer was the first UTA Faculty to request the Robot Ambassadors in her classroom, where she was doing research on emotional support robots, for which she received a grant to start the UTA Emotional Robots Living Lab.”
June 2018 – Invited by Nova Coates, Computer Science and Engineering colleague to create a 20 sec. audio spot for CSE freshman highlight interdisciplinary work.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151850623@N06/42194854490/in/album-72157693832149860/
March 2018 – UTA Radio on Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Live broadcast aired March 22 2018.
January 2018 – Computer Science and Engineering – UT Arlington. Facebook. In Spring 2018, Dr. Julienne Greer teaches a course exploring social robotics and the roles robots will have in our lives from Disability Studies, Theatre Studies, and Humanities perspectives. The course includes hands-on work with the social robots, PEPPER, JIBO, and NAO in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. If you have any questions about this class please contact ltucker@uta.edu or Dr. Julienne Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre, Social Robotics and Performance.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cseutarlington/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1943693469037365
December 2017 – College of Engineering – IN THE NEWS. “Robotics Tomorrow reported…UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots.”
November 2017 – UTARI. Greer’s New Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UT Arlington assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2017/NBC5_nao.php
November 2017 – UTARI. Meet the robot engaging seniors in the Arts. “Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. ‘The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,’ said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA.”
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2018/Brookdale_2.php
November 2017 – UTARI. “Couldn't have scripted this Channel 5 news interview any better if you tried!” UTARI Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/posts/1611685888893622
November 2017 – School of Social Work. “The interdisciplinary team from UTA School of Social Work and UTARI researchers have come together for an amazing project! Check out what the SSW is doing!” SSW Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/UTASocialWork/posts/
October 2016 – UTARI. Facebook post of unveiling of NAO with collaborator UTARI, Dr. Julienne Greer at The University of Texas at Arlington Theatre Arts Department and Kris Doelling, Research Scientist at UTARI unpack a new addition – the NAO robot from Softbank Robotics…The social robot is set to be a key component for hands-on work for Dr. Greer’s interdisciplinary course, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre. https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/photos/pcb.1208605852534963/1208605765868305/?type=3
April 2016 – UTARI. National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI) Collaborator with UTARI developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. On April 6, 2016, 10 Theatre Arts undergraduate students assembled at UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot.
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, on-air interview for UTA News. Social robotics at UTA: “Buddy” and “Pepper” a social and an emotional robot acquired by Department of Theatre Arts for use in the classroom and innovative research.
https://utanews.com/2015/09/14/dr-julienne-greer-interview/
MEDIA
for
CREATIVE RESEARCH in PERFORMANCE
June 2017 – Dallas Morning News review of performance King o’ the Moon. Touching family tale with contemporary reverberations. “The mom, Ellen Pazinski (Julienne Greer) honors his spirit and keeps an income by running the family tavern…the fine cast shows off the playwrights deft blend of humor and pathos.”
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/theater/2017/06/18/touching-family-tale-contemporary-reverberations-king-o-moon-circle-theatre
June 2017 – Theatre Jones review of performance King o’ the Moon. Moon Beams. “Julienne Greer returns to play mother Ellen Pazinski for the third time, and she’s the show’s anchor. Her Ellen is steady and smart, a woman who raised four difficult children and doesn’t think life can surprise her. She’s a widow now, and runs the tavern with help from her husband’s best friend. David H.M. Lambert’s Walter is the ultimate nice guy, touching and funny in his attempts to get closer to Ellen and her prickly kids.”
http://www.theaterjones.com/ntx/reviews/20170620105834/2017-06-21/Circle-Theatre/King-O-the-Moon
June 2017 – Star-Telegram review of performance King o’ the Moon. King o’ the Moon captures America in 1969. “As was so often the case in the 1960s, the Pazinskis are all on journeys of their own. Ellen (Julienne Greer), the widow who heads the family, is coping with three grown children who are entering adulthood through different doors, and a mentally challenged son, Georgie, who will always be a child… Greer’s performance is so easy and smooth that the high quality of her work runs the risk of going unnoticed.”
http://www.star-telegram.com/living/article156977974.html
April 2014 A + C Acting in Texas: Julienne Greer at Circle Theatre. Interview with editor, Nancy Wozny of Arts and Culture Texas. Julienne Greer takes on the role of Juliana Smithton in Circle Theatre’s production of Sharr White’s, The Other Place. White chronicles the story of Smithton, a successful neurologist, who suffers from a devastating neurological event. “I used my early training (for characterization), which was a blend of both physical and more external representations…alongside internal or more emotionally behavioral choices.” (Greer)
http://artsandculturetx.com/acting-in-texas-julienne-greer-at-circle-theatre/
May 2005 Texas Christian University, interview with TCU Daily Skiff. ‘Toil and Trouble’ – Actors to perform part of Macbeth Halloween night. Prof. Julienne Greer conceived, developed, and directed a Macbeth selection titled “Bard on the Rocks” for TCU Provost Nowell Donovan. It has become an annual tradition. “The scene consists of the three witches and their encounter with Macbeth who is demanding to know if he will continue to be king…Later during the scene, apparitions or ghosts appear to him. It’s very spooky.” (Greer)
https://www.tcu360.com/story/toil-and-trouble-12292688/
UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACADEMIC AWARDS and HONORS
Samuel French Publishers, Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron
Listed in the published version of the stage play as Margaret Goggin. Worked with the playwright, Arthur Giron, in seminars and workshops during the rehearsal period to identify the play’s narrative and character arc. Becoming Memories was produced at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Acting Ensemble. Invitation only participation in an acting ensemble by iconic Broadway designer, producer, John Wulp. Acting ensemble was personally supervised by legendary playwright John Guare. Content of the seminar was a workshop of his work in the fourth play of Guare’s Lydie Breeze series.
New York University, Acting Ensemble.
Highlighted in a New York Times article titled, Where are all the new, young actors: at Tisch School of the Arts. Play: Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron.
ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHING
2020-Present Associate Chair Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
Associate Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Assistant Chair and Assistant Professor of the Department of Theatre Arts including curriculum planning, administrative responsibilities, liaison among students and the department, and performance-based courses, advanced performance, acting for voice and movement, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities.
2020-Present Area Head for BA program
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
I am the Area Head for the largest group of students in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. I mentor and guide BA students in their individual and chosen career trajectories. Opportunities within the Department include performance, stage combat, improvisation, and social robotics and technology.
2016-Present Assistant Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Professor advanced performance, acting for the stage and camera, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, Departmental courses, Dialects in Performance, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre: a course based on the emerging intersection of Theatre and Social Robotics. Head of publicity for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, committee member for Academic Curriculum, Research, Marketing, Performance, recruiting (see Service). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2012-2016 Senior Lecturer
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company & Maverick Dance Company
University of Texas at Arlington
Professor of beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting for the stage and the camera, directing for the stage, stage movement, voice training for the stage, dialects, theatre administration in publicity, marketing, and recruitment, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, dance for the actor. Chair and/or member of departmental, university and college committees (see “University Service”). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2000-2009 Adjunct Professor
Dept. of Film-Television-Digital Media -
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Department of Theatre –
College of Fine Arts
Texas Christian University
Professor of beginning and intermediate acting for the stage and the camera, acting for TV II, acting for the camera, improvisational comedy lab and lecture, soap opera lab and lecture, survey courses for cinema and theatre, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, and working actor seminar. Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2011-2013 Teaching Assistant
School of Arts and Humanities University of Texas at Dallas
Teacher’s Assistant for film theory, and history courses. Requested by Endowed Professor, Dr. Stephen Rabe
Dr. Shilyh Warren
Dr. Adrienne McLean
1999-Present Independent Arts Administration Consultant, based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Arts consulting provided for cultural, governmental and educational institutions in Texas. Consultations have involved organizational assessments, personnel assessments, development workshops, marketing/sales, bylaws analysis, budget preparation, unions, facilities planning, grant evaluation, membership and development.
1981-Present Professional Theatre and Film Artist, Illinois, Arizona, Los Angeles, New York, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. Presently based in Fort Worth, Texas. (Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Screenplay writer, and Producer: see Creative Activities/Research).
2008 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Seussical, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class.
Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Seussical, Jr.
2007 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Annie, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class. Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Annie, Jr.
The University of Texas at Arlington
Maverick Theatre Company
Theatre Arts Department
2012 - Present
COURSE INSTRUCTION
THEA 3314-001, Voice and Movement
Spring 2021 (10 students)
Spring 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2019 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4393-001, Voice and Movement, Special Topics
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4391, Special Topics: “Humans and Robots: The Future is Here”
Conference course and first semester of original curriculum on Social Robots and Theatre
Individual instruction; majors and minors.
Fall 2015 (10 students)
THEA 3351, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre (individual instruction)
Spring 2021 (9 students)
Fall 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2020 (12 students)
Spring 2019 (20 students)
Fall 2018 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (11 students)
Fall 2017 (15 students)
Spring 2017 (15 students)
Fall 2016 (23 students)
Spring 2016 (19 students)
THEA 3335, Dance for the Actor (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Spring 2013 (20 students)
THEA 3311, Vocal Performance II: Dialects (individual instruction; majors)
Spring 2016 (16 students)
Spring 2015 (14 students)
Spring 2014 (19 students)
Spring 2013 (16 students)
THEA 3308, Acting for the Camera: Acting III (majors, utilizing video technology)
Fall 2014 (11 students)
Fall 2013 (20 students)
Fall 2012 (21 students)
THEA 1343, Introduction to Theatre (University Core course: majors and minors)
Spring 2014 (21 students)
THEA 1342, Theatre and Film Appreciation (University Core course: majors and minors)
Fall 2013 (101 students)
Spring 2013 (92 students)
Fall 2012 (99 students)
THEA 1307, Acting I (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2018 (X Students)
Fall 2012 (14 students)
THEA 1303, Fundamentals of Presentation (University CORE course: majors and minors)
Formerly Vocal Performance I: Fundamentals
Fall 2017 (20 students)
Fall 2016 (15 students)
Fall 2015 (18 students)
Spring 2015 (16 students)
THEA 1300, First Year Seminar in Theatre Arts (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2014 (20 students)
Fall 2013 (10 students)
THEA 0181, Theatre Practicum (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Fall 2017 (33 students)
Spring 2017 (22 students)
Fall 2016 (17 students, 15 students)
Spring 2016 (17 students, 14 students)
Fall 2015 (16 students, 20 students)
Spring 2015 (17 students, 12 students)
Fall 2014 (26 students, 18 students)
Spring 2014 (24 students, 15 students)
Fall 2013 (21 students, 20 students)
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Radio-Television-Digital Media
2000-2009
COURSE INSTRUCTION
RTVF 30353, Acting for Television - Lecture and Lab (individual and co-instruction; majors)
Fall 2000 (18 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40353, Acting for the Camera - Lecture and Lab (individual instruction; majors)
Fall 2005 (20 students)
Fall 2004 (19 students)
Fall 2003 (20 students)
Fall 2002 (18 students)
Fall 2001 (20 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: SOAP OPERA
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class. It is a support to the production of the spring 2006 Soap Opera produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: IMPROV COMEDY
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class for the development of two improvisational comedy teams. The course is structured as a 16-week seminar and lab produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
College of Fine Arts
Department of Theatre
2005-2009
THEA 11303, “Acting I” Lecture (individual instruction, majors)
Spring 2009
THEA 10053, “Survey of Theatre Arts” Lecture (individual instruction, majors and non-majors)
Spring 2006
UNIVERSITY GUEST LECTURER
Tarrant Community College, Northeast Campus, Fall, 2001
Guest lecturer: “Acting I,” lecturer for basic acting beginning course. Discussed the benefits of stage work, memorization, motivation, and work as a stage actor (Prof. Jakie Cabe, instructor).
Texas Christian University, Spring, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Women and Media,” lecturer for Media Analysis course. Discussed the comparative images for women from the 1970s to the present day. Encouraged small group analysis of contemporary popular media and referenced feminist indicators found in the Charlie’s Angels television series in order to ascertain growth in feminist thought or culture from 1970s to 2000s. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Andrew Haskett instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Sex and Violence in Media,” lecturer on the feminist images found in the 1970 series, Charlie’s Angels, analyzing the sex and violence of 1970s detective genre and its’ use of the female image. Discussion included current social and cultural attitudes towards sex and violence and portrayal of current images in contemporary media as a comparison (Dr. Joel Timmer instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004 - 2007
Guest lecturer: "Aesthetics of Film,” lecturer for Prof. Richard Allen seminar focused on comparison of the craft of cinema and theatrical performance utilizing interactive tools which engage the class in a whole-body perspective of the rigors of acting for the camera. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Richard Allen instructor).
THEATRE FOR YOUTH COURSES TAUGHT
Much Ado About Shakespeare (Guest Artist, for fee)
MAAS Established in 2006 to train actors 14 – 18 years old in Shakespeare including outreach to regional schools and students.
Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX
"Shakespeare and Robotics" (ages 14-18; 17 students), June 9th – 28th, 2016.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 22 students), June 10th – 30th, 2013.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 27 students), June 11th – July 1st, 2012.
"Acting Games/Creative Drama" (ages 14-18; 20 students), June 6th – 26th, 2011.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION COURSES TAUGHT
English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition,
2014, Regional winner Trinity Valley School
2016, Fort Worth winner
Coaching and instruction to the first-place winner of Trinity Valley School’s Shakespeare monologue and sonnet for the regional Fort Worth and Dallas competition. Winner is afforded all-expenses paid trip to New York City, Lincoln Center for national competition.
Acting Instructor for Tony Greco
Tony Greco renowned private instructor of Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
1988 & 1994-1995
Sensory-based acting technique and acting scene work based on technique founded by Lee Strasberg, of The Actors Studio in New York, New York. Lee Strasberg is a founding member of the iconic Group Theatre (1936 – 1946) including such iconic members as Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and Harold Clurman and others. Content of courses included fundamental understanding of method technique as contextualized by Strasberg. Tony Greco is a member of The Actor’s Studio and was included in a small group of instructors to learn the method technique and to continue Lee Strasberg’s original artistic intent. Tony Greco teaches in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Denmark.
CREATIVE RESEARCH
Performance, Stage, Film, Direction, Writing, Producing, Sound Design
STAGE DIRECTING CREDITS
Director, “Balm in Gilead” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company as a recorded streamed production Nov. 20 – 22, 2020.
Director, “WAITING FOR LEFTY” by Clifford Odets. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts as a selected play in MAVPLAYS Mainstage season. April 15th through April 26th, 2015, Arlington, TX. (flexible, environmental space. Audience is seated on the stage to with performers and performers were seated in the audience to interact with audience), 2015.
Director, “BARD ON THE ROCKS: SELECTED SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH”
Produced by Texas Christian University’s Department of Theatre.
Halloween, October 31st, 2005. It has been performed annually by TCU Provost as Macbeth in recent years. Fort Worth, TX (flexible open to the environmental space. Set design utilized the Scottish rock formation known colloquially as Froghenge for performers and audience to interact), 2005
Director, “DURANG BY NIGHT” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Director, “HOMEFREE!” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Tony Greco.
Basement of SoHo Repertory Theatre, New York City, New York, 1987.
STAGE PRODUCING CREDITS
Producer, “MAVPLAYS,” produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts in the 2014-2015 Mainstage season, April 15th through April 26th, Arlington, Texas. Flexible, environmental space in a large black box, and additional small black box theatrical space, 2015.
Co-producer, “DURANG BY NIGHT,” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Producer, “SOAP OPERA & GIRLS WE HAVE KNOWN.” Produced by jg-gj productions with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Raised $6,500 for total budget of two one-act plays. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Held casting sessions for five diverse roles. Hired director, set designer and technical crew for each one act. Proscenium space in black box theatre, 1995.
Producer, “THE SECRET DIARY OF SONDRA WOODWARD.”
Organized fund-raising events for original one-woman musical. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Contacted major studios and received donation toward production budget, 1994.
Co-producer, “WOMEN OF MANHATTAN,” produced by Tony Greco and jg-gj productions. Performed at Prometheus Theatre, 43rd St., New York City, New York. Hired director, set designer, and obtained theater space while continuing principal actor rehearsals and participating in publicity campaign, 1993.
STAGE ACTING - PERFORMANCE CREDITS
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), National union of stage actors and stage managers.
1999 – Present
Professionally Qualified Member
Key: L.O.R.T. = League of Resident Theatres/Professional national resident theatre operating under an Actor's Equity Association, ongoing union contract for actors and stage managers. S.P.T. = operates under a Small Professional Theatre Equity union contract.
NATIONAL and REGIONAL ACTING & PERFORMANCE
TEXAS
Role Production Producer/Location/Yr./Equity Contract
Billy ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2021 (virtual)
Hafsa JUNE 8, 1920 Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2020 (virtual)
Jan BLACK SANTA Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Orlando, Florida 2019
Mrs. Webb OUR TOWN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX
Director: Matthew Gray
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2019
Kate Beeker THE KITTY BOMB Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Boston, MA 2018
Charlotte Coates THE CENSOR Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Winner of the Judith Royer Playwriting for
Excellence in Playwriting,
Las Vegas, NV, 2017
Ellen Pazinski KING O’ THE MOON Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2017
Judith Lees HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company
Arlington, Texas
Director: Dr. Natalie Gaupp
(Equity Guest Artist), 2016
World Premiere
Juliana Smithton THE OTHER PLACE Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2014
Recipient of 2014 Best of Culture award in Acting Critic’s Choice
Fort Worth Weekly newspaper
Blanche Dubois A STREETCAR NAMED Stage West Theater
DESIRE Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Jim Couvault
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2000
Recipient of 2000 Best Actress Award Stage West Theatre
Molly THE FRONT PAGE Dallas Theatre Center Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Richard Hamburger
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Thea HEDDA GABLER Dallas Theatre Center
Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Ron Daniels
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Bessie MARVIN’S ROOM Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2013
Helen Cohen ELLIS ISLAND Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, Texas
Composer Peter Boyer in attendance
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
A multi-media event in conjunction with FORT WORTH SYMPHONY
(Equity Contract; for fee), 2013
Ellen LAST MASS at ST. CASIMIRS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2012
Jill Koenig AD WARS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: John S. Davies
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee)
Attended by author Vince McKewin, 2004
Ellen OVER THE TAVERN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2010
NEW YORK CITY
Lucy SOAP OPERA tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York
Reviewed by Mel Gussow
New York Times
Ralph Pape, author WIKI page Director: Elizabeth Franzen (Equity waiver). 1990
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/30/theater/theater-in-review-438792.html
Remounted and produced at
(Soap Opera cont.) The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod.
JG-GJ executive producers
(Equity waiver) See Los Angeles, 1991.
Hester Prynn “A” THE SCARLET LETTER tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York Director: Tim Maner
(Equity waiver), 1989.
Lucy Crayford THE FROZEN DEEP A reading with Director Everett Quinton
New York, New York (Equity waiver), 1988.
Ophelia HAMLET New York Repertory Theatre New York, New York, 1987.
Alex Forrest FATAL ATTRACTION -
Murder Mystery John Goodman Productions Director: John Goodman West Chelsea Restaurant
Dinner Theatre Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
Mrs. McCabe MURDER MAYHEM Hasslefree Productions
Director: Trevor Hasselfree Film Studio Restaurant New York, New York
Dinner Theatre, Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
LOS ANGELES
Lucy SOAP OPERA Produced at
The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod. JG-GJ executive producers (Equity waiver), 1990.
Varya THE CHERRY ORCHARD Hudson Theatre
Los Angeles, California Director: Ron Livingston (Equity waiver), 1992.
Susan THE FUNERAL PARLOR The Complex
Los Angeles, California
(Equity waiver), 1995.
Penelope Toop SEE HOW THEY RUN Glendale Centre Theatre
Glendale, California (Equity waiver), 1994.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Guinevere CAMELOT Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Laurie OKLAHOMA! Weathervane Theatre
Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee) 1985.
Peep-bo THE MIKADO Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Mariane TARTUFFE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Marquise
of Parolignac CANDIDE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire
Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Ensemble THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
VIRGINIA
Roxane CYRANO DE BERGERAC Mill Mountain Theatre Roanoke, Virginia Director: Jere Hodgin
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1987.
ILLINOIS
Dinah Lord THE PHILADELPHIA STORY The New American Theatre
Rockford, Illinois
Director: Jim Sullivan/founder of N.A.T. (S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1979.
Ensemble THE ROPADI PLAYERS Rockford Park District
Musical Theatre Outreach Program Rockford, Illinois
Director: Andy French (Equity waiver, fee), 1975.
Selected University roles between 1981 and 1986
Frau Bergmann ……....... SPRING AWAKENING (Anne Bogart, director), New York University
Margaret Goggin ............ BECOMING MEMORIES (Kevin Kulhke, director) New York University
Housewife ...................... WORKING, New York University
Mina ............................... DRACULA, New York University
Joanna ……................... HOMEFREE! New York University
Ensemble ........................ PIPPIN (William Wesbrooks, director), Rockford College, IL
Ensemble ........................ JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Rock Valley College, IL
Lillian Hampton ............. STRANGE BEDFELLOWS (Elaine “EE” Moe, director), University of Arizona, Tucson
Dance Ensemble………. THE ENTERTAINERS, University of Arizona, Tucson
UNIVERSITY GUEST ACTOR
Judith Lees ......................... HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company MAVPLAYS The University of Texas at
Arlington, Department of Theatre Art, (Equity waiver). 2016.
UNIVERSITY GUEST READING
Invited to read at an honorary staged reading of Eugene O’Neill’s works by the O’Neill’s biographers Barbara and Arthur Gelb. The Gelb’s re-released their 1950s biography in 2000 with an expanded analysis of the life and work of Eugene O’Neill. Both Barbara and Arthur were in attendance at the Texas Christian University event in 2003.
PRODUCTION COACH
Acting Coach, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Anne Healy, Director).
Acting Coach, GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Andrew Gaupp, Director).
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA ACTING and PERFORMANCE
COMMERCIALS
INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL MEDIA
Selected commercial performance work between 1991 – 1999.
Reporter Spam
The Hormel Foods Corporation. Filmed in Los Angeles, California National and International commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
New Yorker Coke
The Coca-Cola Company Filmed at the Statue of Liberty New York, New York National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Burger King color-coded children’s lunch toys Burger King (BK) Corporation.
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Subaru of America – Fuji Heavy Industries
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Cowgirl Totino’s Pizza
General Mills Products
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Kraft Handi-snacks
Kraft Foods Group
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Hiker Outback Steakhouse
Bloomin’ Brands
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Ship Passenger S & W Food
Del Monte Foods
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
CBS Promo Promotion commercial spot for CBS Fall lineup of highly-rated programs Filmed in Los Angeles, California
Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Neighbors Dixie Paper Plates Dixie Paper Products Georgian-Pacific Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
SOAP OPERAS
Selected performance work on network soap opera television between 1982 and 1990.
Haley Recurring role ALL MY CHILDREN
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists;
Standard union fee)
Linda Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Hillary Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Campaign Organizer Day Player Contract ONE LIFE TO LIVE
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract; American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; Standard union fee)
Ensemble Extra work GUIDING LIGHT
Procter & Gamble Company Filmed in New York, New York (A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
Standard union fee)
TELEVISION
Alex Forrest LIVE WITH REGIS AND
KATHIE LEE
Filmed in New York, New York Promo for Fatal Attraction Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (SAG waiver contract)
FILM
WALL STREET Wall St. worker 20th Century Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
THREE MEN AND Photo Double (Nancy Travis) Buena Vista Pictures
A LITTLE LADY Director: Emile Ardolino
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
12 Julienne Larry Bridges Productions
Director: Larry Bridges
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Film and director Larry Bridges were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award , 2004. Film has been screened internationally to critical acclaim. (S.A.G. waiver contract; for fee)
Selected ensemble film roles in major feature films:
Goodfellas – Martin Scorsese, director
State of Grace – Phil Joanou, director
Hannah and her Sisters – Woody Allen
Cocktail – Roger Donaldson, director
Space Jam – Joe Pytka, director
Scrooged – Richard Donner, director Punchline – David Seltzer, director
All filmed in New York, New York except Space Jam, filmed in Los Angeles, California
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCING CREDITS
1999
Producer
As producer raised $25,500 for theatrical release of a 24-minute short film, The Hand of a Lifetime, shot independently in Los Angeles.
Coordinated all pre-production needs:
⦁ casting,
⦁ hiring crew
⦁ Director of Photography
⦁ Camera Operator
⦁ Sound and Foley Artist
⦁ Art director
⦁ Locations and permits
And including all post-production needs:
⦁ editing
⦁ sound design
⦁ titles
⦁ negative cutting
⦁ final answer print
The Hand of a Lifetime was accepted to the 1999 Fort Worth Film Festival and was highlighted in the Fort Worth Film Festival of 1999 and reviewed by Elvis Mitchell for the Star-Telegram Newspaper.
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTING AND WRITING CREDITS
1999
Director Screenplay Writer
Wrote and directed an original short independent film, The Hand of a Lifetime. The film’s narrative centered around a male protagonist’s first child being born and the comedic and heartfelt emotions that accompanied his eventual acceptance of fatherhood.
SOUND DESIGN FOR THE STAGE
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Co-Sound designer, MACBETH, New York University (N.Y.U.), Directed by John Rubenstein. Mainstage Theatre, Spring 1983.
ADJUDICATION AND EVALUATION
2016 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
2015 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (10 students).
2012 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (8 students).
2011 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
SERVICE: UNIVERSITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2019-20
⦁ Invitation from president of UTA Vistasp Karbhari to speak and present at Ashoka University near New Delhi during a conference in which I was attending. Ashoka is a premier university combining engineering and liberal arts.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Global Entrepreneur Week (GEW) committee member
⦁ EpICMavs presenter
⦁ Inspire for Faculty (IFF)
⦁ Live Theatre League member
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor fifteen students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2018-19
⦁ Invitation from Computer Science and Engineering Dept., Nova Coates, to help create short 20-second clips for Univ1311 that introduces students to UTA. CSE asked to include Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre course, THEA3351, as an innovative way to showcase interdisciplinary approaches to incoming Freshman’s learning paths. The video includes NAO robot doing Tai Chi with Dr. Greer voice as narration for multi-disciplinary collaboration among UTA disciplines.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ BA auditions for Dept. of Theatre Arts with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Reference letter for Detra Payne – National Alliance of Teachers – Lloyd Richards Teaching Fellowship
2017-18
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator and committee member. Point person for recruiting Judges for April Spotlight Conference. Support and coordination with CoLA marketing director. I mentored two theatre students for inaugural Spotlight conference. Both students won awards.
⦁ Invited by Dean Elisabeth Cawthon to informal meeting with Dean Anne Bavier of Nursing, Dr. Mickey McCabe, Executive Dir. of UTARI, Dr. Judy LeFlore, Associate Nursing Dean, and Harvard professors Dr. Janice Palaganas and Dr. Daniel Raemer, leaders in the simulation and technology center, for informal discussion of innovative techniques being implemented at UTA.
⦁ Invited to speak at TEDxUTA 2018.
⦁ Reviewed/rated 5 applications for Terry Foundation Scholars. Req. William Gunn.
⦁ Submitted review of Manuscript ID THRI-2018-0016, titled "Communicating a minimal robot’s intelligence, dominance and status through motion paths" for the journal Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction.
⦁ Invited to review National Science Foundation submissions for various grant submissions.
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Coordinated and led Dean’s week presentation with L. Tucker for counselors and advisors.
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Committee Member: REP/FDL faculty awards.
⦁ Faculty mentor nine students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Sponsor and attended Halloween evening performance of Macbeth (Killingsworth, dir.)
⦁ BA auditions with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2016-17
⦁ Chair, College of Liberal Arts Research Representative
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: CoLA, proposal reader for “Cure to Care” grants. iC2C.
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Invited guest luncheon speaker for UTA’s CPE Event, College of Business
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Dallas Summer Musicals conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2016-2017 season.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts Welcome Back table, Fall 2016.
2015-16
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington.
⦁ Chair, Recruitment Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: College of Liberal Arts Teacher’s Awards, Department of Theatre Arts Representative, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: Master’s Exploratory, Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ U.R.T.A. panel at UT-Arlington for three students attending graduate auditions.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Moonifieds conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2014-15
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2013-14
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee
⦁ Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2012-13
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor five students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UTA
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
PUBLIC RELATIONS and MARKETING
for
MAVERICK THEATRE COMPANY
and
MAVERICK DANCE COMPANY
producing entities for
THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2017-18
⦁ Chair, bi-monthly Public Relations meetings.
⦁ Author, Press Releases for 4 Mainstage production including plays and musicals, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence, MavLab production and Maverick Dance Company concerts. Facilitated information to 23+ media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2017-18 Season.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington for each Mainstage production, MavLab, and Maverick Dance company concert.
⦁ URTA – American Theatre Magazine
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ Coordinated and delivered 1500 seasonal brochures to MailPro for mailing.
⦁ Edited and compiled 4th quarter information on Dept. of Theatre Arts for Cathy Stein 817Alliance newsletter.
⦁ Collaborated with CoLA Marketing Director for marketing graphics redo, including written text and organizing photographs with the help of Kris O’Brien.
⦁ Helped coordinate and support Marketing Video “Get to know a Theatre Student.”
⦁ Coordinating press and marketing with Matthew Boyd, City of Arlington, marketing for D. Payne’s, Heal the Divide.
2016-17
⦁ Author, 2016-2017 Press Releases for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, producing entities of The Department of Theatre Arts, College of Liberal Arts. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2016-17 Season.
⦁ Department Representative, Arlington Arts League Gala Event and scholarship fundraiser.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2015-16
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2015-16 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisational comedy, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2014-15
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2014-15 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival Dance Texas
⦁ Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington
⦁ A + C Arts and Culture Texas
⦁ Stage Directions Magazine – Article on Dept. of Theatre Arts 3D Printer. Playbill.edu
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Voce Intimae
⦁ Trinity Valley High School playbill
⦁ All Saints Episcopal High School playbill
⦁ Betty Buckley Awards at Casa Manana Theatre
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2013-14
⦁ Author, Press Release for Mainstage play, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2013-14 Season.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Proud Organization
⦁ Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Dance Texas
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Stage Directions Magazine
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: BOARDS & COMMITTEES
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2016 – 2018 – Membership Chair
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2010 – 2014 – Upper School Tickets
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
TEXAS EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION (TETA) 2014 Approved Member
SCREEN ACTORS GUILD/AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A),
1984 - present
Current Approved Member
ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION (A.E.A), Current Member
1999 - present
Current Approved Member PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
ARLINGTON ARTS LEAGUE, Arlington, Texas
2014 -2016
Member of Arlington Arts League
PRESIDENT OF KINDERPLATZ OF FINE ARTS PARENT’S GROUP, Fort Worth, Texas
2003
President of a parent’s group in a private, pre-school dedicated to fine arts learning and growth in 2 – 5 year-old children.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & INSTITUTES
2003-Present Annual Giving Captains, Trinity Valley School, a private college-preparatory K-12 school in Fort Worth, Texas.
1987-90 Accepted Member of tiny mythic theatre company, NYU graduates’ affiliation, New York City, New York now known as HERE Performance Space, New York City, New York.JULIENNE A. GREER
CURRICULUM VITAE
August 2022 version
Birthplace: Farmington, Michigan, U.S.A.
Home Address: 7969 Morning Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76123
Home Phone: Metro (817) 454-1225
Office Address: University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts, Fine Arts Building, Room 268B, 502 S. Cooper Street,
Box 19103, Arlington, Texas 76019-0103
Office Phone: Metro (817) 272-0729 or Metro (817) 272-2650
Office Facsimile: Metro (817) 272-2697
E-mail: <jgreer@uta.edu>
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: Associate Chair of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
Associate Professor of Theatre Arts: Social Robotics and Performance,
Director, Emotional Robotics Living Laboratory,
BA Area Head of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
College of Liberal Arts,
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
SPECIALIZATIONS: Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Social Robotics, Performance, Applied Drama
CURRENT RESEARCH: Applying theatre and performance theory to artificial intelligence and social robotics creating trust and authentically emotional interactions between humans and robots.
Dr. Julienne A. Greer is an inter-disciplinary scholar + artist working at the emerging intersection of social robotics and theatre. Her primary focus is Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) to “humanize” a social robot’s performance to the nuances and subtleties of human behavior. Social awareness and empathetic response in robotics platforms are key to their successful use by humans. Principal research interests include character and personality development for artificial intelligence, social robotics, performance theory, applied drama, empathy application, embodied emotion, and acting theory techniques targeted toward an application between human beings and technology. She is a collaborator with many diverse disciplines including engineering, social work, computer science, education, disabilities studies, psychology, and healthcare, solving problems through innovation for education and research.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
DEGREES HELD
2013 Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities (Ph.D.) - Aesthetic Studies,
School of Arts and Humanities,
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas.
5 Years, Interdisciplinary Foci: Humanities, Performance, and Game Studies.
Dissertation: Affective Connections: Performance Studies, Videogames, and Digital Characters.
Dr. Monica Evans, Supervising Professor
Abstract: A multi-disciplinary analysis of existing performance techniques from theatre and cinema studies re-contextualized to apply to the emerging emotional bond in videogames between the game player and a digital character. It is my perspective that the affective bond between the game player and the digital character in a game is as vital and essential to the experience of playing the game as the affective relationship between the performer and the audience in a play or film.
2005 Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) in Media Arts
Bob Schieffer College of Communication,
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
Thesis: Feminism and Sexuality in Charlie’s Angels: Building a New Paradigm for Enjoying Action Heroines.
Dr. Joel Timmer, Supervising Professor
Abstract: An analysis of the first season of the 1970s Charlie’s Angels television series in order to reveal elements of feminism leading to an inclusion of glamour and sexuality in the criteria for feminist texts to recoup and own images that have previously been viewed as misogynistic.
1986 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A.) in Drama,
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, New York, New York.
Areas of Concentration: Acting, Performance
1981 High School Diploma, Boylan Central Catholic School, Rockford, IL.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/UNION
1984-Present American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (A.F.T.R.A.)
The national union of professional television and radio actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG- AFTRA.
1987-Present Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.)
The national union of professional television and film actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG-AFTRA.
1999-Present Actor's Equity Association (A.E.A.)
The national union of professional actors and stage managers, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation.
2011-Present Interdisciplinary.net
A forum for the exchange and interaction of inter-disciplinary ideas, research and points of view that bear on a wide range of issues of concern and interest in the contemporary world.
GRANTS AWARDED
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2019) grant for Using Arts and Social Sciences to enhance social companion robots’ adaptive abilities to improve health outcomes. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, Computer Science and Engineering-College of Engineering, College of Science-Psychology and College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Study content: The objective of this proposal is a pilot study that examines the impact of a social robot, adaptive control methodologies, and applied theatre techniques, and exercise to impact prospective memory and physical goals in older adults (N = 20). This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform using innovative machine learning techniques that promote and allow the robot to adapt its interaction with the human dynamically to improve exercise goals among older adults. To achieve this, the proposed research is integrating arts-driven methodology, including trust and connection, and novel robot control and learning approaches for interactions between humans and robots to impact prospective memory.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2017 - present
NID - NIDILRR - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (WIT RERC). (UTA Site). Modeling socially assistive robotic caretakers for individuals with developmental disabilities having older adult caregivers. RERC on Wireless Inclusive Technologies. National Institute on Disability and Independent Living Research (NIDILRR), (9/30/21). Total Grant $4,525,000 (UTA, $108,000) the Primary Investigator is Dr. John Bricout of UTA’s School of Social Work. Dr. Ling Xu site PI.
Study content: Study aims to explore and create a collaborative relationship between a care recipient, an older adult caretaker, and a socially assistive robot (SAR) in order to develop engaging interaction for caregiver respite. Study will incorporate future work with Department of Theatre Arts NAO and Pepper robot units in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab, UT-Arlington. J. Greer, director.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2018 - 2021
Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities (NSF grant CNS-1757641)
REU - Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities. Summer program research internships for qualified undergraduates to participate in research in the field of assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Theatre arts methodology is applied as a platform for engagement, connection, and trust in human-robot interaction, one of several multi-disciplinary projects the participants will engage in during 10-week internship. Budget $318,778.
Study content: In this project, the CSE Department, in partnership with several other departments at UTA, will offer a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focusing on assistive technologies (AT) for people with disabilities (PWD). The proposed theme encompasses innovative and novel topics that can help PWD meet barriers of different kinds - attitudinal, architectural, and technological - in accessing employment, navigating public spaces, freely communicating, and living independently. During this summer, each student will be working in a multi-disciplinary setting and exposed to innovative and novel inter-disciplinary projects through research and prototyping. The REU participants will work on computer programming, algorithms, sensors, data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, sensors, sign language, facial recognition, emotion and behavior analysis, smart care, augmented reality, data analytics, robots, human-machine interaction.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2016
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded the second annual UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grant for Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. One of only four grants awarded to the UTA research community. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work.
Study content: The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. This study examines theater performance methodologies through a social robotic platform. This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults by incorporating arts-driven methodology. This grant will continue through 2016 and 2017.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing - 2018
Phase II – Shakespeare and Robots.
The proposal seeks to expand the Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults with participants that are diagnosed with mild cognitive decline. As PI on the original study, I am collaborating with the School of Social Work Presidential Fellows recipient, Dr. Noelle Fields, to test the outcomes of the study on a new participant sample at Brookdale Assisted Living in Arlington.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2015
Digital Arts and Humanities Initiatives (DAHI) A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI.
Primary investigator for an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts and UTA Research Institute (UTARI) from the University of Texas at Arlington. The team will conduct a pilot study in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) at three separate locations; Office of Student Disabilities, Lakewood Retirement Community, Theatre Arts main office. Awarded from the College of Liberal Arts, Jan. 15th, 2016.
Study content: This is a study to inform how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI. The scope of the project will be the development of a pilot study and data collection of human-robot responses from three separate locations and with dissimilar subjects. Measurement will be through an adaptation of the NARS (Negative Attitudes toward Robots Scale), visual qualitative observation, log entries of human-robot interactions during the study, and ambient sound recordings for the detection of laughter and vocal responses from participants. The innovative approach of this research comes from the interdisciplinary work of UTA Theatre Arts and UTARI, bringing together divergent disciplines of theater arts and robotics. This study builds on previous published work on social robots, voice, movement theatre techniques, and healthcare settings to further the body of HRI literature. The robot will be controlled through a “Wizard-of-Oz” methodology scenario performed by undergraduate research assistants under the supervision of faculty. The project will conduct an innovative investigation of the best social robot and HRI practices available at UT-Arlington (UTARI robotic platform laboratory) as well as best practices for improvisation/humor techniques, applied drama, and performance studies. Preliminary data will be collected to allow for future studies and breakthroughs in Human-Robot Interaction. This proposal is well-suited to add to a discussion of UT-Arlington’s strategic initiatives; Health and the Human Condition and Data-Driven Discovery.
ONGOING GRANT DEVELOPMENT
Purchased social robot, Little Sophia, (pending) from Hanson Robotics, Inc. for the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Robot will be used in grant development of design implications of social robots and children with significant Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) themes.
GRANT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED and/or in DEVELOPMENT
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Research Enhance Program
Proposal submitted with Prof. Fillia Makedon. “InBlue: A smart system of sensors, theatre, and robots to help college depression”.
Depression is a leading cause of suicide and the second most common cause of death among college students. It is pervasive in colleges today and frequently goes undetected and untreated. The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that 39% of college students “felt so depressed that it was difficult to function” at least once during 2016-2017. College depression can lead to poor academic and work performance, substance abuse, social dysfunction, legal difficulties, gun violations, ill health, suicide attempts or completed suicide. Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include symptoms shown in Table 1. Identifying early warning signs of depression is crucial in preventing negative consequences and helping educators and mental health experts make targeted counselling and intervention decisions. To address college depression, it is of great interest to academia and the healthcare industry, to see how sensor technologies (e.g. mobile smartphones, wearable sensors, social robots) could be used to improve the wellbeing and mental health of users. Smartphones and wearables are excellent devices that can passively collect real time behavioural data, and be used to complement traditional depression diagnosis and monitoring, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
Keck Foundation – Undergraduate Categorization
One-page conceptual theme submitted to Randall Gentry, Dr. Duane Dimos, and Dr. Ann Cavallo. The proposal for Keck Foundation is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Building on the success of two pilot studies, a proposal is submitted by UTA to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene. The study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on an innovative five-point theatre model to decrease depression, loneliness, and increase engagement among older adults.
UTA Lead - 2018
NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
A collaboration external funding with TechComb, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and Univ. of Texas at Arlington. Greer is UTA Lead on the proposal. Title: Boosting STEM Patronage of Libraries and Museums through Interactive Social Robots.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Exploratory/Developmental Research (R21)
The proposal for NIH is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Focusing on the health benefits to the older adults and the success of two pilot studies, a proposal will be drafted to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene and the study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on the theatre methodology process of composing a live performance.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2017
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
Primary collaborator on the resubmission of an 18+ page proposal that comes under the AISL project type: (4) Innovations in Development. This project will incorporate robotics technology and advanced human robot interaction tools to help the audience build interest in STEM concepts, engage in hands-on activities to explore STEM potentials, and take part in a network of learners sharing their experience, ideas, and achievements in STEM. These three primary STEM objectives i.e. excitement, engagement, and expression, otherwise termed as E3, will be realized through a unique merger of theatre arts and robotics science methodologies into a metasystem of diverse autonomous robotic hardware and a novel platform agnostic human-robot interaction software. It is important to note this is a re-submission to NSF due in part to the positive response from NSF project managers regarding the core component of Theatre Arts Methodologies.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2016
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Smart and Autonomous Systems (S&AS)
This foundational proposal was a collaboration of UT-Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and UTARI (UTA research institute). The study will develop a new type of robot learning framework for next generation intelligent physical system. The proposed framework will implement a novel neuro-adaptive control technique for advanced human robot interaction, which will enable future robotic systems to derive seamless experiential learning from unaltered human behavior. Potential use case scenarios include a humanoid robot interacting with a diverse group of students and engaging them with innovative theatre methodology performance techniques in informative communication. Human aspects, such as trust, emotion-bias towards performance, and organic selection, are built into the analytical model for the proposed humanistic robot learning framework, which enables life-long evolution of the robot. The proposed project is driven by the motivation to make robots a part of the human society and not a parallel alien race, and, therefore, to evolve them through human ingenuity, emotions, and fallibility.
Principal Investigator (PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
An interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Theatre Arts and the Electrical Engineering Department at University of Texas at Arlington. Proposal was written and developed for UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with co-principal investigator, Dr. Dan Popa. Proposal received positive response and was within the top 10 proposals for the year. Proposal titled Live Theatre – Robot Live: a collaboration of robotics and performance.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will develop software to allow a robot to perform on-stage in a seminal role during the Mainstage season. This proposal will utilize faculty and student roles working in an inter-disciplinary environment.
Co-Principal investigator (Co-PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
Interdisciplinary collaboration between Department of Theatre Arts, UTARI, and the Director of the Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington. Wrote and developed a grant proposal for UTA’s Inter-Disciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with Kris Doelling, research scientist II, Manoj Mittal, research scientist II and Co-PI, Dr. Sarah F. Rose. Proposal titled Cyber Human Relationships: Engineering a relational model using theatre arts methodology structured to improve health and the human condition.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will engineer a cyber-human relational model using theatre arts methodology in order to address significant gaps in the current state of healthcare. We believe theatre arts, social robotics and relational methodologies are emerging as innovative components of healthcare for persons with disabilities.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) Panelist Reviewer
Invited to be a review panelist for proposals for the National Robotics Initiative 2.0 – a highly competitive funding opportunity for NSF totaling $35,000,000 billion in funds.
PUBLICATIONS, JOURNAL ARTICLES, and PAPERS
PAPERS
Paper, Second Author. Assistive Technology. 2021. The “humane in the loop”: inclusive research design and policy approaches to foster capacity building assistive technologies in the Covid-19 era.
Paper, Lead Author. Wireless Inclusive RERC 2021 One Forum, Atlanta, GA, 2021 – Conference theme: Include. Innovate. Transform. Theatre and robots: envisioning interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the stage. Conference proceedings.
Journal, Co-Author. Aging and Mental Health. 2019. Shall I compare thee…to a robot?: An exploratory pilot study using participatory arts and social robotics to improve psychological well-being in later life. Impact Factor: 2.956.
Paper, Lead Author. The 28th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication - RO-MAN 2019, New Delhi, India – Conference theme: Responsible robotics and AI for the real world. Shakespeare and Robots: Participatory performance art for older adults. Published in conference proceedings.
Paper, Lead Author. 1st Annual IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication conference. Laguna Hills, CA. Promoting Theatre Methodology for expressive robot movement and behavior.
Abstract, Co-Author. Innovation In Aging, 2019, Vol. 3, No. S1. NAO takes a bow: Using social robots to enhance the mood of older adults living in residential care settings.
Paper, Co-Author. 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics – IMSCI 2018. Robot Theatre to Boost Excitement, Engagement, and Expression (E3) of STEM., Orlando, FL. July 8 – 11, 2018. Conference proceedings.
Paper, Author. RO-MAN 2017, Lisbon, Portugal - Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life – Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Peer-reviewed full paper. Conference proceedings.
Paper and Journal, Author. International Conference on Social Robotics (icsr 2014). Building Emotional Authenticity Between Humans and Robots. Author. University of Technology Sydney epress. Sydney, Australia. 2014. Conference proceedings.
BOOK CHAPTER
Author, contributing to chapter in Exploring Videogames: Culture, Design, and Identity, edited by Nick Webber and Daniel Riha. Invited to expand accepted paper for the 2011 International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom. Published by Inter-Disciplinary Press. Introduction by Nick Webber follows, ‘Videogame Cultures: includes work from Julienne Greer, from Ben Abraham, from me, and from Daniel Riha. Greer’s chapter on digital companions encourages us to think about videogames as cultural objects with which players interact; here, games provide companions in which players become emotionally invested, even though these companions may in fact prove to be opponents. Many of these companions are carefully designed, playing on cultural referents to encourage certain kinds of responses from players – an instinct to nurture, say, or to love. Indeed, as Greer reports, scholars have been surprised by the strength of the bonds that are created by these companions, which produce meaningful relationships for the player in a similar way to those formed between humans and robots. For Greer, such relationships also have the quality of authenticity, in the pleasure of the emotional connection and the communication of one’s thoughts, rejecting Turkle’s perspective that authenticity here is found in the comprehension and acceptance of the relationship by both parties.
Pending Book Chapter Fall 2022: All the worlds a stage: Health/Art techniques between humans and robots
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE, PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, and/or
PAPERS
NEW DELHI, INDIA 2019
Invited presenter to Ashoka University. Ashoka University is a research-based private university located outside of Delhi in the Sonipat, Haryana, India. It is an emerging university with a close collaboration of Liberal Arts and STEM collaborations. Presentation included meetings with faculty, Dean of International Student Affairs, and 45+ student attended 1 ½ hour in duration focusing on the current state-of-the-art of social robotics and theatre methodology. Invitation was initiated by President Vistasp Karbhari, University of Texas at Arlington.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA 2018
Facilitator of student-led skype interview in Spanish. Colombia science-based educational website. Topic – Emotional Robotics Living Lab and theatre and robots.
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Guest and Paper presentation: RO-MAN 2017- Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life - The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Paper title, Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. Peer-reviewed full paper with conference proceedings publication.
KOREA – U.S.
Guest and Paper presentation: United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (UKC 2016) - United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is jointly organized by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) and The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) held on August 10 – August 13, 2016, Dallas, TX. The theme of UKC 2016 is “Enriching Lives through Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship” and its goal is to promote solving issues of the world through science, technology, and entrepreneurship to greatly improve the quality of people’s lives. The UKC 2016 is the flagship and largest academic conference between the United States and Korea.
LONDON, U.K.
Guest Speaker and presentation: The Robotics Innovation Show. 2015 Invited speaker and presenter at “The Robotics Innovation Show 2015” at ExCel in London, United Kingdom. October 20-21, 2015. Presentation content: “Empathy and Embodiment: Understanding humans in order to understand social robots.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Conference on Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) Invited Social Robotics Conference article/paper, "Building emotional authenticity between humans and robots." Paper was accepted at the International Conference of Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) - Social Intelligence in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 27 – 29. Selected to present an interactive workshop.
OXFORD, U.K.
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference. Invited Game Studies Conference article/paper, "Digital companions: analyzing the emotive connection between players and non-player companions in video game space." Paper was accepted at the International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom, 2011. Conference sponsored by Inter-Disciplinary.net: A Global Network for Dynamic Research and Publishing. Member of Inter-Disciplinary.net.
NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, WORKSHOP and/or
PAPER
2022 3rd IEEE TransdisciplinaryAI2022. Laguna Hills, CA.. Co-program chair of TransAI. .
2021 2st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and
2019 Urban Serving Universities (USU) Social Determinants of Health workshop. Cincinnati, OH. Invited to participate in a cohort of University of Texas at Arlington faculty and executive administration including Theatre Arts, Associate Vice-President of Research, Civil Engineering, School of Social Work, and College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Workshop content covered assimilation of the creative process for innovative ideas to help address public health problems – specifically for UTA, social isolation.
2019 1st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and behavior. Co-located with Transdisciplinary conference 2020. Currently invited to be co-program chair of AI and Humanities for Transdisciplinary 2020 and Humanized Computing and Communication 2020.
2018 The Gerontological Society of America's 70th Annual Scientific Meeting. Boston, MA, Nov. 14 – 18. Poster Acceptance, Abstract required for acceptance.
Abstract title: “Shall I compare thee to a …robot? The use of creative arts and social robotics with older adults.”
Abstract:
Research suggests that creative engagement in later life has a positive effect on mood in older adults. Research has also utilized social robots to address the psychosocial needs of older adults. However, few studies have linked participatory arts (e. g. theatre) as the creative engagement activity using a social robotic platform with older adults. An interdisciplinary team designed and implemented an intervention integrating theater and social robotics with the aim of improving the mood of study participants. A purposive sample of older adults age 65 and older (N = 8) participated in this pilot study. Participants completed 3 sessions of the Shakespearean theatre and social robotics intervention using the robot, Nao. Mixed methods included interview questions as well as short survey measures of depression, loneliness, and a simplified face scale for mood pre and post intervention. Results from the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests suggested that the overall level of depression of the participants was reduced significantly after session 1 (z = -2. 33, p < . 05), after session 2 (z = -2. 04, p < . 05), and after session 3 (z = -2. 00, p < . 05). Scores on the loneliness and the simplified face scale also decreased after the three sessions, however, the changes were not statistically significant. Qualitative findings suggest that participants were highly engaged, comfortable, and receptive to the intervention. We discuss the promising aspects and limitations of this innovative study, the utility of social robotics for providing artistic engagement for older adults, and implications for interdisciplinary practice.
2018 IMSCI, The 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics: Orlando, FL. Co-Author. Paper Invitation and Acceptance: This paper presents a novel framework for advancing informal STEM learning in kids between the ages of 10 and 15, using robotics as a platform, enabler, as well as channel for STEM. Being a cross-disciplinary technology, Robotics not only connects theory and applications of science, mathematics, and engineering fundamentals, but also delivers instant gratification from the efforts put in, through active hands-on human-robot interaction. Supported by multiple real-world feasibility studies, the presented framework hypothesizes that if made easy to build, teach, interact, and play with robots, it can be a potent facilitator of STEM, especially in young children – an age group which is naturally curious and enthusiastic about new findings. July 8 – 11 2018.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Kitty Bomb.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Paper presentation and Coordinator of Dramaturgy group. A recontextualization of Erving Goffman’s work.
2017 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Censor. Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting award
REGIONAL SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, PANELIST and/or
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Presentation for TCU ethics module for training “empathetic scholars”. June 2020.
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Demonstration of NAO the robot to the inaugural class of TCU’s medical school training “empathetic scholars” as the next generation of medical healers. October 2019.
Presentation: Girl Scout of Dallas Inaugural Grand Opening STEM Center. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and therapeutic robotic cat for opening day of 75-acre Girl Scout STEM Center. Community outreach to young women and girls on the interdisciplinary nature of emotional robotics at UTA. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Research Center Symposium Guest Luncheon. Invited by FWMSH as guest to lunch and research symposium with faculty from Baylor, UNT, and Stephen F. Austin universities. NAO demonstration. Key outreach for Museums for presentation in Informal Learning sites. May 2018.
Keynote Speaker: Arlington Kiwanis Club. Keynote speaker for lunch. How theatre methodologies can impact social robotics. Community outreach to older adults who are key subjects in robotics research. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Business Press - Entrepreneur Breakfast. Demonstration of NAO social robot in collaboration with UTARI. Community outreach with key Fort Worth business executives. Executive Director UTARI in attendance – Mickey McCabe. April 2018.
Presentation: Texas Dallas Library National Conference. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and robotic therapeutic cat. Invited by Dean of UTA library, Dr. Rebecca Bichel. A half-day demonstration to 500+ attendees. Mentored three UTA students in demonstration and presentation of key UTA research and social robot values. April 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival. Presentation of social robot, JIBO, for a half-day demonstration at the University of Texas at Arlington Communications tent. Community outreach on behalf of the STEM interdisciplinary values at UTA. April 2018.
Guest Speaker and Presentation: Arlington Public Library (New York Avenue location). Presentation to APL group, Girls Who Code, with social robot, NAO. March 2018.
Presentation at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. NAO presentation with UTARI team. October 2017. Community outreach for higher visibility of UTA in the DFW area and interdisciplinary concepts of Theatre and Social Robotics for children. Presentation with AISL sponsor, FWMSH, continues to create bridges in the community between UTA and DFW informal education sites.
Guest Speaker and MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS: Arlington Public Library. In preparation for the AISL 2.4 million submission to NSF, community outreach and sponsored partners were cultivated with various DFW organizations. Arlington Public Library was featured strongly in the bridge building. Multiple presentation at various libraries for the dates; Sept. 11, 14, 19, and Oct. 9, among others.
Guest Speaker & Panelist: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Rising Tide Initiative Launch and Panel Discussion. An inaugural evening with the theme of Emerging Technologies: Meeting our Future. The Rising Tide Initiative has a mission to enhance entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology in Fort Worth and Tarrant County through a vibrant and collaborative technological ecosystem. April 2017. http://www.fortworthbusiness.com/news/fwmsh-hosting-rising-tide-initiative-event-friday/article_d12988e2-2a90-11e7-b0c5-f3f5c3095f6f.html
Guest Speaker/Panelist: Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous (LASERs). Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous event at University of North Texas this fall, also known as LASERs. LASERs are an exciting event series at the intersection of arts and sciences that bring together leading experts to talk about their work and experiences at the forefront of discovery and creativity. Each evening event includes presenters from the sciences, technology, industry, and the arts who offer expertise from an angle that connect to the mixed-discipline community from the arts, sciences, industry, and technology in attendance. Dr. Greer was one of three invited guest speakers and panelists. October 2016. Video content at http://arteca.mit.edu/video/julienne-greer-laser
Collaborator: Invited by David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics to presentation, “SXSW Interactive” in Austin, Texas. Invitation given to increase possible collaboration between Hanson Robotics and Dr. Greer’s emotional work in social robotics. Discussion with Hanson and attendance at a private viewing of research with Hanson robot, Philip K. Dick, Android. March 2016.
University of Texas at Arlington SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, and/or PANELIST
Keynote Speaker: iStart Valley. Innovative ideas. Transferring ideas into StartUps. A MAVS100 company. August, 2021.
Science Café Presenter: UTA Libraries zoom outreach to science and technology interests students and general public. A 45-min. live zoom presentation with real-time questions regarding Social Robotics and Theatre integration. April, 2020
Keynote Speaker: UTA CPE Department of Accounting Scholarship Banquet Gala. Keynote speaker for evenSciencing gala. Empathy and Embodiment: How theatre methodology informs social robotics. May 2018.
Guest Speaker: TEDxUTA. Live streaming presentation. Titled Will a robot be your next best friend? to a live audience at TEDxUTA at conference venue. April 2018.
Emotional Robotics Living Lab: Director. Formal Opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at Preston Hall, Room 304 to 30+ invitees including Office of Research, Office of Communications, College of Liberal Arts Dean’s office and Dept. of Theatre Arts. Hands-on activities and presentations including NAO, Pepper, Jibo, and Joy-for-all robotic cat. March 2018.
Guest Speaker: Healthline Meeting. Human-Robot Interaction: Social Robots and Healthcare. Invited by Health Libraries Information Network. January 2018.
Presentation: School of Social Work Meet and Greet for Research. 3 Slides, 3 minutes. An interdisciplinary meeting organized to present interdisciplinary work for collaboration with the SSW. January 2018.
Invited Guest Speaker and Presentation. One of 5 faculty members invited to present, the only member from the College of Liberal Arts, by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon, Dean of CoLA. Presentation was attended by University of Texas at Arlington President Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, Vice President of Research, Dr. Dimos, and honored guests, 7 executive VIPs from UT Systems health. NAO presentation of health-related work with IRP funded grant, Shakespeare and Robots. November 2017.
Guest Speaker: Digital Arts and Humanities Initiative (DAHI) Speaker Series. The DAHI team will present the findings of the study A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI in the University of Texas at Arlington Library 6th floor Parlor. April 2017.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. Second year of presenting the robot, Nao, to 500+ middle and high school students. Presentation included multiple groups rotating in for a demonstration ranging from 12 minutes to 30 minutes. Demonstration included verbal commands, human-to-robot interaction, various animations including, Puppet, Air Guitar, Rowing the Boat, and concluded with Shakespearean Sonnet 18. April 2017.
Speaker and Silver Sponsor: University of Texas at Arlington INNOVATION DAY A high school and college student competition featuring student and faculty startup pitches. Department of Theatre Arts participated as a silver sponsor alongside UTARI. Presentations were made by Dr. Greer with NAO the robot on theatre methodologies in social robotics. Conference is an annual event held on February 2017.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington, Honors College Colloquium Series – Will a Robot be your Next Friend? How theatre methodologies are utilized to enhance the relationship in human-robot interaction (HRI). The pros and cons of social robots entering the U.S. market in 2017. And, an introduction to the Department of Theatre’s research robot, Nao. This presentation was part of a monthly colloquium hosted by the Honors College in which a member of the UTA faculty discusses his or her research. Greer presentation given to honors students (30+) on research with the robot, Nao, which stands at the intersections of Theatre, Computer Science, Psychology, and Healthcare. Kevin Gustafson, Interim Dean of the Honors College, “Yours was easily among the most engaging of the more than twenty colloquia we have sponsored over the past four years.” December 2016.
Invited Panelist: Research Integrity Symposium. Research Integrity Symposium sponsored by the Steering Committee that manages the Responsible Conduct of Research Training Program (RCR) at University of Texas at Arlington. This year’s theme will be Collaborative Research. The issued to be discussed will be: research integrity, responsible conduct, management of collaborations, formal agreements as well as informal arrangements addressing matters such as authorship, roles and responsibilities, research compliance, and mentoring of trainees. October 2016.
Guest Speaker: Invited to present on the intersection of social robotics and theatre at the College of Business, Accounting Departments’ CPE Day at University of Texas at Arlington on August 2016.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. I began work with UTARI collaborating and developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. Invited ten Theatre Arts undergraduate students to UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot. April 2016.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington. Focus on Faculty. Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 2016. https://library.uta.edu/events/focus-faculty-julienne-greer
Panelist: Invited Research Discussant & Panel member. Fixed: The Science Fiction of Human Enhancement. Interdisciplinary panel. Invited by the Director of Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington to participate on a panel with UTA faculty John Bricout, associate dean of the School of Social Work, and Janet Morrow, disabilities studies adjunct professor. Moderated discussion and talk back after a viewing of the film, March 2015.
PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY AWARDS AND HONORS
2019 - University of Texas at Arlington, 2019 COLA Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure Track Faculty, “selected because of your outstanding record of teaching as well as your interdisciplinary approach to teaching theatre arts through social robotics and performance
2016 - University of Texas at Arlington, Focus on Faculty Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 20th, 2016.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Endowment Award given by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon and the Dean's Office of the College of Liberal Arts - Endowment Award for Research and Creative Activity - toward the purchase of Pepper, the emotional robot, from SoftBank Robotics for use in a multi-disciplinary Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) course created by Dr. Julienne Greer titled Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited speaker to AGS staff luncheon on behalf of Department of Theatre Arts, publicity and university outreach for Theatre Arts 2015-2016 season.
2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited participant in inaugural grant writing group. Five faculty participants were chosen to interact with senior grant writers, Office of Development and Office of the Provost, Division of Faculty Affairs.
2014 - Star-Telegram Best Actress in a Performance - 2014 as Juliana Singleton in Dallas-Fort Worth premier of The Other Place by Sharr White, Circle Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas.
2011 - University of Texas at Dallas Travel/Professional Development Award. Travel expenses to Oxford, University in England, United Kingdom. Mansfield College. Videogame Cultures is a premier game studies conference in Europe.
2001 Best Actress in a Play, Stage West, Honor from Board of Directors. Blanche Dubois, in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
AWARDS/HONORS
Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure-Track Faculty, 2019. University of Texas at Arlington, College of Liberal Arts, Dept. of Theatre Arts.
Outstanding Mainstage Production, 2014-15 Season, MAVPLAYS, Dept. of Theatre Arts’ Student/Faculty Awards. April, 2015. Producer: MAVPLAYS; Director: Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets.
Most Inspiring Professor, Nominee 2004, Department of Theatre, Texas Christian University.
Panhellenic Council Awards.
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
INTERNATIONAL
ITALY – April 2018
Disablog.it. Provide assistive technology to disabled people through the study of disability itself. “Le tecnologie assistive, comprese quelle basate sull’intelligenza artificiale, possono svolgere un ruolo importante nel plasmare il modo in cui le persone con disabilità sono in grado di muoversi nelle attività quotidiane. Tuttavia, ciò che può sembrare una buona idea per un ingegnere potrebbe non essere una realtà di fatto quando una persona con disabilità cerca di utilizzare la tecnologia.”
http://www.disablog.it/fornire-tecnologia-assistiva-alle-persone-disabili-tramite-lo-studio-della-disabilita-stessa/
KOREA - November 2017
Irobotnews.com. 텍사스알링턴대, 로봇-인간 정서 교감 연구 Human Emotional Empathy Research.
“Our idea is not to replace people, but to meet the gap," said UTA director of theater arts and professor Julienne Greer. "Above all, through performing arts we wish to interact with robots and people of various ages to create a solidarity of trust and emotion."
http://www.irobotnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12256
FRANCE – November 2017
InfoHighTech.com. LE NOUVEAU LABORATOIRE DE ROBOTIQUE ÉMOTIONNELLE ÉTUDIE L’INTERACTION HOMME-ROBOT. [The New Laboratory of Emotional Robotics Study in the interaction of human-robot]
“Julienne Greer et ses collègues Ling Xu et Noelle Fields, deux professeurs adjoints à la School of Social Work de l’UTA, et Kris Doelling, ingénieur de recherche à l’UTA Research Institute (UTARI), ont récemment mené une étude auprès d’adultes âgés dans un établissement indépendant au Texas. Le robot et les adultes ont interagi en utilisant des sonnets bien connus de Shakespeare. Cette étude, financée par une subvention de 20 000 dollars du Programme de recherche interdisciplinaire de l’UTA, a révélé qu’après trois semaines d’interactions, il y avait une baisse significative de la dépression et une augmentation de l’engagement social humain-robot chez ces personnes âgées.”
https://www.infohightech.com/le-nouveau-laboratoire-de-robotique-emotionnelle-etudie-linteraction-homme-robot/
BELGIUM – April 2017
Human 2.0 – Exploring Cyborgs. Lectures – Expo – Film.
In partial requirements for his master’s degree at The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, abbreviated KU Leuven, alum Andrew Beckman, organized with his peers, an evening of cyborg culture. Dr. Greer participated via video with NAO the robot. “What is a cyborg? What isn’t a cyborg a human 2.0? Where do we draw the line that separates humans from cyborgs?
https://www.facebook.com/events/439715329714287/
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
NATIONAL
National media and news outlets which ran UTA press release(s) story of the opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab and the analysis of Shakespeare and Robots research study:
UTA Communication analytics reported $100,000 advertising buys for TV spots featuring Dr. Greer’s work and Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
April 2018 – EurekaAlert! Science News. UTA grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/uota-ugt041318.php
April 2018 – PHYS.ORG. Grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be Integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://phys.org/wire-news/285330818/grant-to-help-minority-students-link-assistive-technology-with-d.html
April 2018 – DisabledWorld.com. UTA Grant to Help Minority Students Link Assistive Technology with Disabilities Studies. “Assistive technology program will teach undergraduate students, especially minority and female students and those with disabilities, how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities.
https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/finance/uta-grant.php
January 2018 – Xconomy. UTA Using Robots, Shakespeare to Study Ways to Address Loneliness. Angela Shah.
“A study at the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington is exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression…UTA’s living lab, which is made up of spaces set up to look like a person’s home – is part of a multidisciplinary effort that includes professors in theatre arts, social work, and engineering.”
https://www.xconomy.com/texas/2018/01/19/uta-using-robots-shakespeare-to-study-ways-to-address-loneliness/
January 2018 – KRWG New Mexico State: Justin Martin talks with Julienne Greer, director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington, about the emotional side of robots.
Audio:
http://krwg.org/post/local-newscast-1-53
November 2017 – EurekAlert! The Global Sources for Science News. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support. “The ideas here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,” said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uota-uer111317.php
November 2017 – Robotics Tomorrow. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. The new lab will feature two robots from SoftBank Robotics, NAO and Pepper. Pepper is a 4-foot humanoid robot with large, expressive eyes and lifelike gestures that can connect with people on an emotional level. NAO is a smaller humanoid robot, designed to be an interactive companion.”
https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/article/2017/11/uta%EF%BF%BD%EF%BF%BDs-emotional-robotics-living-lab-will-research-how-robots-can-be-integrated-into-homes-as-companions-and-caregivers/11072
November 2017 - PHYS.ORG. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? ‘We want to look at what it means to have a robot in the room, and plan to use theatre methodology to make that experience as engaging as possible," Greer added. ‘Both robots are also actively used in the curriculum of the course I teach, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre every semester, which involves hands-on student/robot interactions.’”
https://phys.org/wire-news/272048432/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-compani.html
November 2017 – TIEECO.org Silicon Valley. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “The new lab is studying whether or not a robot can fill in the emotional gap needed to be a companion or caretaker to humans.”
https://www.tieeco.org/ecosystem/news/n/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds
November 2017 – Robotics Trends. New Emotional Robotics Lab to Study Human-Robot Interaction. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots.” http://conflict.md/2017/11/15/new-emotional-robotics-lab-to-study-human-robot-interaction/
November 2017 – ASEE First Bell. University of Texas Using Literature to Forge Emotional Bonds Between Humans, Robots. The Dallas Morning News (11/20, Brumfield) reports the University of Texas at Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab “is using the work of none other than William Shakespeare” to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safety with humans and to “learn how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional as well as physical support.” The piece quotes UTA theater arts professor Julienne Greer saying, “The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap. We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.” http://mailview.bulletinmedia.com/mailview.aspx?m=2017112101asee&r=6106399-da88&render=y
November 2017 – News Cision. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “The lab is designed with home spaces for older adults featuring mid-century furniture as well as a more modern play space for projects using children or younger adults.”
http://news.cision.com/university-of-texas-at-arlington/r/uta-s-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companions-caregivers,c2390637
November 2017 – PublicNow.com. Robots and Theatre. NAO and Pepper in the new lab. How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers?
http://www.publicnow.com/view/3E87CF16C169F1B824FAEBA8EC850949936A99B5?2017-11-13-20:30:17+00:00-xxx5895
November 2017 – DailyTopicI. Texas-based Emotional Robotics Living Lab Creates Caregiver Robots - Robotics. “Public research school University of Texas at Arlington opened its Emotional Robotics Living Lab to determine how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional support or to serve as caregivers.”
http://dailytopici.com/news/view/8270
November 2017 – CQRCENGAGE.com. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? “The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA's Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://cqrcengage.com/auvsi/app/document/25102365?1
November 2017 – McKnight’s Senior Living. Universities study robots to help senior living residents. Lois A. Bowers. “Independent living and assisted living communities are serving as testing grounds as University of Texas at Arlington researchers try to develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers. Researchers hope the efforts meet resident needs and help operators address labor challenges.”
https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/universities-study-robots-to-help-senior-living-residents/article/707478/
November 2017 – AZOrobotics.com. New Emotional Robotic Living Lab will Investigate the Integration of Robots into Homes. “We are now looking to make the experience more immersive so that the robot and the adults play out an entire scene of Shakespeare together…we hypothesize that the more immersive the theatre intervention, the deeper and more positive the responses in older adults will be in regards to depression and social engagement’”
https://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=9587
November 2017 – ScienMag Science Magazine. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to Focus on Robots as Companions/Caregivers. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://scienmag.com/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companionscaregivers/
November 2017 – Bob Heyer-Gray. Librarian at University of California – Davis. University of Texas using literature to forge emotional bonds between humans, robots. “Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is ‘using the work of no other than William Shakespeare’ to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safely with humans.”
November 2017 – BotWeb.net. The latest robotics news from around the web. “‘The idea here is not to replace humans, but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.”
October 2017 – LeadingAge.com. Robots and Self-Driving Taxis on the Rise in Senior Living by Donna Childress. Companion robots and others offer large potential to engage older adults. “NAO, which challenged the residents to give the final lines of a Shakespeare sonnet and can do things like shake hands and join residents for tai chi, was a hit… ‘Older adults really did find this futuristic machine…quite fascinating…I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’” https://www.leadingage.org/cast/robots-and-self-driving-taxis-rise-senior-living
October 2017 – Andrea Hektner.com. Repeat after me, robots are not humans. “Within her area of study, Greer dedicates herself to understanding all the facets underlining the many ways in which humans interact with one another…The interesting concept of Greer’s work is that humans must first understand humanity in order to make way for the incoming generation of robots, which she argues can be achieved through the theatrical arts.”
https://andreahektner.com/2016/06/20/repeat-after-me-robots-are-not-humans/
September 2017 – Seniorhousingnews.com. Senior Living Sees Slow But Steady Robot Revolution by Tim Regan. “Most recently, a Brookdale community in Arlington, Texas, hosted researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), to determine whether reciting Shakespeare with a robot could lessen symptoms of depression and increase engagement for seniors… ‘Will more assisted living facilities see robots in this way, not just for service, but also as companions? I absolutely think so,” she says. “I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’”
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/09/15/senior-living-sees-slow-steady-robot-revolution/
August 2017 – Brookdale.com, Brookdale Senior Living Solutions; Technology and Innovation Section by Andrew Smith. NAO takes a bow: Meet the robot engaging seniors in the arts. Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. “The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,” said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA. For three weeks, eight Brookdale residents spent an hour each week reciting Shakespeare with NAO. NAO recited the first 12 lines of Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) with all the drama of a professional actor and then asked the residents to complete the last two lines. While some residents were hesitant at first, the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Based on the data from our study, findings suggest that there was a significant increase in engagement and a significant decrease in depression,” said Dr. Greer. “We learned that social robots are poised to become viable collaborative companions in places like Brookdale.” The poetry performance was just the beginning of NAO’s interaction. The robot can shake hands, accompany seniors on a walk, perform Tai Chi and tell stories. The versatility was a hit with residents…NAO is a perfect example of how something that seems so simple (a Shakespeare reciting robot) can significantly improve quality of life. It also demonstrates that seniors, just like the rest of us, get excited and engaged with novel technologies. https://www.brookdalenews.com/nao-takes-bow-meet-robot-engaging-seniors-in-arts.htm
March 2017 – FOX 10, MyFoxZone. KIDY San Angelo, TX. Robots Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly… ‘Researchers are using a robot reciting Shakespeare with senior citizens, in what is known as ‘participatory art.’”
https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416978351
March 2017 – FOX 15, MyFoxZone. KXVA Abilene, TX. Robot Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly.’”
Article and Video:
https://www.fox15abilene.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416977500
January 2016 – DISCOVERY.COM Discovery News. Why We Want Our Robots to Like Us. Glenn McDonald. “Julienne Greer, a theater professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has a unique insight into the issue of Human Robot Interaction, or HRI. In recent years, Greer and her students have worked directly with computer scientists and engineers in the U-T system, creating the new class Humans and Robots to explore the emerging emotional connections between people and machines. ‘My time spent in theatre arts seems to indicate that we are all wired to connect to empathetic human experiences, especially emotional experiences, and we feel the most 'like ourselves' when we do,’ Greer says.” [Discovery News source has changed the following link is correct for the original article.]
https://engineering.nd.edu/news-publications/engineering-in-the-news/why-we-want-our-robots-to-like-us
November 2014 – NDTV.com, The Future Awaits the Rise of Affectionate Robots. “A new study into a robot named Pepper who has been hailed as an emotionally responsive humanoid robot, can help scientists build more affection robots.”
http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/the-future-awaits-the-rise-of-affectionate-robots-703178
November 2014 – The Aurora Fox Arts Center. From STEM to STEAM, Theatre and Robots? “Performing Arts and ‘Theatre’ hold a regular spot on lists like Forbes’ “The Ten Worst College Majors” and The Daily Beast’s “The Thirteen Most Useless Majors”. But Julienne Greer sees that changing…When Julienne Greer heard about the new “emotional” robots coming out of Japan (like Aldebaran’s Pepper) she was intrigued. These robots are designed to be in-home companions that can read people’s moods and respond appropriately…The take-away? An actress (with a Theatre degree) is successfully working with scientists to develop super cool technology. Looks like that major wasn’t so useless after all.” [Link has expired as of 7/18/18]
http://aurorafoxartscenter.org/cms/2014/11/25/from-stem-to-steam/
November 2014 – Cosmos Magazine, How to Make Robots More Like Humans. “Actor, producer and director Julienne Greer is helping engineers build more responsive robots…Part of her work involves categorizing behaviors and gestures and understanding how these gestures can create emotion in humans. Robot engineers may be able to apply these principles when programming robots… ‘Performance, connection and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots.’”
https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/how-to-make-robots-more-like-humans
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
REGIONAL – DFW
April 2018 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Developing Assistive Technologies Program with $381K Grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded the grant to fund the program that will teach undergraduate students, particularly minority and female students with disabilities, how to design the assistive technology. Ishfaq Ahmad, professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department is the principal investigator, UTA said. Other co-principal investigators are Julienne Greer, assistant professor in theater arts; and assistant professors of computer science and engineering Manfred Huber and Vassilis Athitsos.
https://dallasinnovates.com/381k-grant-help-develop-uta-assistive-technologies-program/
December 2017 – KERANews.org. Robots Reciting Shakespeare with Seniors in UTA Study Hints at Future Companion Role. Justin Martin and Molly Evans. “Robots are assuming more and more roles in our daily lives…In the study, older adults interacted with a robot using Shakespearean sonnets. The study comes from UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which explores the bigger idea of robots as companions and caregivers in the future. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre arts and the lab’s director, explains how one of the robots, called NAO, was used in the study… ‘It was not just reciting Shakespeare. We made this study because we wanted the robot to participate with the older adult. Now, when someone is participating in an art, they’re not just looking at that painting, they’re not just listening to that music. They are actually in a process of doing, and that was shown to have incredibly positive results.’” Article, Video, and Audio files to follow:
http://keranews.org/post/robots-reciting-shakespeare-seniors-uta-study-hints-future-companion-role
Youtube – 10 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A7I_peskTk
December 2017 – Arlington Voice. Robotics theatrics pairs UTA research with Arlington seniors. “NAO is one of two advanced robots used in the lab to test the emotional engagement between man and machine. It’s (NAO) arm, no longer than that of a toddler, reaches toward the sky as it recites Shakespeare Sonnet 18… ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer day.’”
https://arlingtonvoice.com/arlington/education/2017/12/02/robotic-theatrics-pairs-uta-research-arlington-seniors
November 2017 – Star-Telegram News. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? Bill Hana. “NAO, a 23-inch tall robot, performs a 30-second Tai Chi routine, gracefully moving its arms up in the air. At the same time, Kevyn Martinez, a 20-year-old communications major at the University of Texas at Arlington, stands behind the small robot, mirroring its movements. The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/arlington/article186305888.html
November 2017 – DallasNews.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says. Loyd Brumfield. “We all know that robots with human-like functions are coming. But as we have learned in everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Westworld, how do we know they can be trusted. Maybe artists hold the key to that answer more so than scientists or engineers. ‘The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theater arts at UTA and director of the lab. ‘We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2017/11/20/robots-caregivers-afraid-uta-says
November 2017 – PressReader.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20171121/282110636909639
November 2017 – NBC DFW Channel 5 News. Shakespeare Performing Robots Show Promise for Mental Health in UTA Study. Tim Ciesco. “A theater arts professor, a mechanical engineering student, and a small robot all meet in a classroom. That's not the opening line of an obscure joke -- it's what actually happens inside UT-Arlington's new Emotional Robotics Living Lab… ‘Theater arts is a discipline of connection, empathy, voice, movement, relationship -- and in the end trust,’ said Greer. ‘I think it's stimulating. I think by utilizing arts content it's more life-like.’” Article and Video follows:
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Shakespeare-Performing-Robots-Show-Promise-for-Mental-Health-in-UTA-Study-458674103.html
November 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11&21 News. UTA Working to Make Robots Become More Human. Robbie Owens. “Once the stuff of science fiction, robots today run our factories and touch nearly aspect of our lives. Now, an interdisciplinary research project at University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) looks to explore what could happen if robots can learn to touch our hearts. Dr. Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, and Director of the university’s ‘Living Lab’ where participants interact with the robots in a home-like setting… ‘We can bring all the things that make theater so human: the ability to connect, the ability to understand another human being’s life… empathy… I am programming robots that will allow you to stay in your home longer,’ said Dr. Greer, ‘When I say that, that’s when people go: `how quickly can you get them to me?’”
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/11/14/uta-robots-human/
November 2017 – WALA Fox Channel 10, Alabama. Robots with Emotions?
“Social companion robots with the goal to let people live independently into later life.” https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30774829?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Fox 13, Tampa, Florida. “Students and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington are trying to create robots that have emotions.”
Video with UTA Dept. of Theatre Arts students:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30775344?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “In the study, a robot and adults interacted using sonnets from Shakespeare, and researchers found that after three weeks, there was a major drop in depression and an increase in robot-human social engagement among the older adults.”
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds/
November 2017 – KRLD 1080 am RADIO. Audio interview on the opening of Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Audio:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30692189?token=2912f455-cfc2-4423-9da3-adfec9cb7a4b
November 2017 – Arlington-TX.gov. UTA Launches Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support… ‘We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/11/14/uta-launches-emotional-robotics-living-lab/
November 2017 – Texas Digital Humanities Consortium. Promoting digital research in Texas and beyond. Lisa Spiro. “Dr. Julienne Greer was awarded one of UTA’s second annual Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grants for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults.” She leads an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. Dr. Greer and colleagues also received funding for A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI, which examines how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI.”
https://www.txdhc.org/members/lspiro/activity/1273/
September 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11 “Dr. Julienne Greer, an Assistant Professor of Social Robotics and Performance, says they are using something called participatory arts to help robots interact with senior citizens…The content of the art is said to enhance a person’s cognitive skills, as well as offer companionship for older adults… ‘We want the older adults to feel engaged in an art form…we are very hopeful the same positive results that happen in human to human models will happen with a human to robot model…’ Theater for Psychological Well-Being. The goal is to provide an intervention tool for early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Team: Dr. Julienne Greer, UTA College of Theatre Arts, Dr. Noelle Fields, UTA School of Social Work. Sponsor: UTA: Interdisciplinary Research Program.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=3xzNF16ZBqo
April 2017 – CW33 To Bot or not to Bot: Meet the little robot who can perform Shakespeare! Chris Skupien. “Here in the 21st century, robots are nothing new. But have you ever seen one recite a sonnet? ‘This robot is considered a social or companion robot…This is the robot that might be a friend and that is where the theatre methodology comes in.’”
Article and Video:
http://cw33.com/2017/04/27/to-bot-or-not-to-bot-meet-the-little-robot-who-can-perform-shakespeare/
Dec. 2016 – Star-Telegram by Sara Pintilie. Shall AI compare thee? UTA robot recites Shakespeare for science. Star-Telegram article/video initially requested by Dr. Vistap Karbhari, President of UT-Arlington.
“University of Texas at Arlington’s Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts: social robotics and performance, wants to use NAO and Shakespeare to help older adults in a new interdisciplinary study. Interdisciplinary research can promote a new way to tackle a problem or a fresh approach to age-old questions. It can produce exciting and refreshing elements, like a Shakespeare-reciting robot. Greer’s study, when it begins in April, will have older adults listen as NAO recites the first 12 lines of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, and the people will recite the last two lines. ‘The pilot date will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults, the study says.’”
Article and Video:
http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article120016593.html
Dec. 2016 – Dallas Observer. The University of Texas at Arlington’s Theatre Department has a new student – a Robot by Pablo Arauz. “Nao the robot is a little over a month old but can already recite poetry as if it feels passion… Greer is an assistant professor of theater and an actor. Her life’s work has been to study how humans interact with other humans, but recently she’s been exploring a whole new territory: How humans interact with machines and the experience involved in understanding this relationship – that’s right, a relationship with a machine. Her specialty is an interdisciplinary research area called theater and social robotics that explores how robots can reflect human emotion by applying traditional acting methods.”
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-university-of-texas-at-arlingtons-theater-department-has-a-new-student-a-robot-8987400
December 2016 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Theatre Prof Will Use Robot in Study on Human-Machine Connection. UTA professor Julienne Greer will use an autonomous humanoid robot in an upcoming study exploring the connection between humans and machines.
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-theater-prof-will-use-robot-in-study-on-human-machine-connection/
February 2016 – Fox News4ward, February 7th and 13th, 2016, Robots with Human Emotions, by Dan Godwin. “It may sound like science fiction, but more and more these days robots are exhibiting human qualities. And in many homes, they serve as companions for people. In this FOX 4Ward segment, Dan Godwin talks with Dr. Julienne Greer, a local expert who is helping guide that progress in a positive direction.”
http://www.fox4news.com/news/fox-4-features/86482879-story
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
UTA IN THE NEWS
April 20th, 2018 – UTA In the News
Technologies in Disabilities grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded a $381,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant from the National Science Foundation, Dallas Innovates.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/04/20.php
January 22nd, 2018 – UTA In the News
“Robots are being created to help with tasks like disinfecting hospital rooms or alerting patients when it’s time to take medications, Xconomy.com reported. A study at UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is even exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre at UTA, serves as the director of the lab, which was launched in November.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/01/22.php
December 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts in UTA’s College of Liberal Arts, appeared on KERA 90.1 FM discussing her research in the field of social and emotional robotics. She found that interactions with robots had a positive impact on the lives of senior citizens in an assisted living facility. Greer is the director of UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/15.php
December 4st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Arlington Voice reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/04.php
December 1st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Robotics Tomorrow reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/01.php
November 27th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Robotics Living Lab
“The Star-Telegram reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/27.php
November 22nd, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Innovates, ASEE First Bell,
China's Irobotnews and France's Infohightech reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/22.php
November 20th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC 5 reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/20.php
November 17th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab continued to attract national attention with KTVT Fox 13 in Tampa, Fla., WALA Fox 10 in Mobile, Ala., Robotics Trends, Azorobotics and many other media outlets covering the start of the lab, which will investigate what the future will look like with robots.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/17.php
November 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Researchers at UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab are investigating what the future will look like with robots. They're also examining how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support, KTVT CBS 11, KRLD 1080 AM, ArlingtonTx.gov, CBSDFW.com, McKnight’s Senior Living, ScienMag and Phys.org reported. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts, is directing the new lab.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/15.php
UTA PRESS RELEASES
January 2020 – UTA Press Release. UTA takes on loneliness crisis. Dana Jennings. “We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life,” said Greer, who also is director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “Theater has a way of giving more depth to one’s identity and creating a deeper sense of self-expression. Robots do not judge or get their feelings hurt, thus creating a safe space for people to be expressive.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/news-releases/2020/01/09/social-isolation
April 2018 – UTA Press Release. UTA researchers earn grant to teach minority undergraduates how to link assistive technology, artificial intelligence and disability studies. Herb Booth. University of Texas at Arlington computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor…were awarded a three-year, $318,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2018/04/nsf-adaptive-tech-undergrad.php
November 2017 – UTA Press Release. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. Louisa Kellie.
“Greer and an interdisciplinary team recently carried out a study with older adults at an independent living facility in Texas where the robot and adults interacted using well-known sonnets from Shakespeare. This study, which was funded with a seed grant from UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program, found that after three weeks of interactions, there was a significant drop in depression and increase in human-robot social engagement among those older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2017/11/Greer%20release%20robots.php
November 2017 - UTA Newsroom. Sonnet Technology. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor in the UTA Department of Theatre Arts, is combining Shakespeare and state-of-the-art robots to reduce depression and increase engagement among older adults. The interdisciplinary team includes researchers from UTA's School of Social Work and the UTA Research Institute. The research team recently opened an emotional robotics living lab to understand how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers.
https://www.uta.edu/news/video/2017/11/Shakespeare-Robot.php
Youtube: 1.23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=olH9WOR9GtE
November 2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, News Release UT Arlington Theatre Arts research provides insight into human behavior for scientists, engineers who build social robots by Bridget Lewis. News release was picked up by multiple science websites including; Phys.org, esciencenews.com, sciencenewsline.com, techsharx.com, cosmosmagazine.com, inas.in (Indo-Asian news service) as well as a Lithuanian news site, robotika.it (Menininkės įžvalgos pravers robotų kūrėjams). “The fascinating aspect of sensory (data) work is how it opens the imagination to the cognitive work our senses do all day, every day to connect us to our world. The subject becomes aware of new sensory stimuli, which in turn creates an emotional response.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2014/11/Greer-social-robotics.php
August 2016 – NEWS RELEASE UTA Awards Four 2016 Inter-disciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016). UTA awarded grants for innovative ideas that address high-priority issues in society. I was granted one of only four awards University-wide for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on the psychological well-being of older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2016/08/IRP%202016.php
UTA MAGAZINE - PRINT
UTA – The University of Texas at Arlington Magazine, Pioneers of the 21st Century. Antwan Williams. “They’re doing so with the help of 2-foot tall robot named NAO that performs Shakespearean sonnets… ‘all these awards represent important research innovations and could create a real impact in society’ says Duane Dimos, vice president for research.’”
http://www.uta.edu/utamagazine/spring-2018/features/pioneers-of-the-21st-century.php
May 2015 – INQUIRY - The Research Magazine for University of Texas at Arlington, I, Robot, Engineers look to theatre techniques to create more responsive machines. “Performance, connection, and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots…We must be specific in programming robots to respond to, and eventually learn from, the human relationships they will be a part of.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/inquiry/spring15/faculty/i-robot.php
UTA MAVWIRE
April 2018. Assistive Technologies Studies. “Computer scientists and faculty with the disabilities studies minor will create a campus-wide program to teach how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers.”
https://www.uta.edu/enews/mavwire/2018/04/23.html
UTA COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS NEWSROOM and CoLA Magazine
June 2018 – CoLA Magazine. UTA Faculty Pursue DATA DRIVEN DISCOVERY. NSF grant Focuses on Research in Assistive Technology. "Greer, an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, has received numerous grants for creating distinctive social applications for robots...'Dr. Rose and Dr. Greer specialize in cutting edge scholarship.'"
https://www.yumpu.com/en/embed/view/J8fLIC0n7AvhREm9
November 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Newsroom. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is open and ready for a close-up! “Arlington’s new Emotion Robotics Living Lab opened fall semester 2017 and features two robots designed to connect with humans on an emotional level and act as companions. The new lab gives hands-on experience working with the robots to UTA students enrolled in Dr. Julienne Greer’s Theatre Arts Course, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre. The lab space, which has recently piqued the interest of the local media, The class is open to all students, regardless of major, interested in learning more about companion robots and the place they will hold in our future. Greer said, “The interdisciplinary nature of the lab and the course is one of the innovative qualities and what seems to interest the public and the media.” In the last two days, Greer and the Robotics Living Lab team have spoken with CBS Channel 11, NBC Channel 5, and the Star-telegram about the new lab and course initiatives with very positive receptions. The flurry of activity follows UTA’s press release on the new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer said, “People are very interesting in social robots, it is exciting to share this news and where UTA is headed in this field with the DFW community.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2017/11/16/ut-arlingtons-emotion-robotics-living-lab-is-open-and-ready-for-a-close-up/
August 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Annual Magazine. “This report about the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington spotlights achievements within the college during the last year. There is no better illustration of the talent among our students and mentorship by our faculty and staff, then the example of…interacting with a Shakespeare-intoning robot.” Elizabeth Cawthon, Dean. CoLA.
http://www.uta.edu/libarts/_downloads/CoLAMagazine/CoLAMagazine_WebEdition.pdf
September 2016 – NEWS RELEASE College of Liberal Arts. IRP Awards. “UTA has awarded four seed grants to interdisciplinary research projects that address growing problems such as loneliness among the elderly, the need for sustainable green education spaces, the health crisis among urban American Indians or the mechanisms behind heart failure among the elderly.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/uta-awards-four-2016-interdisciplinary-research-program-grants-for-innovative-ideas-that-address-high-priority-issues-in-society/
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Live radio interview for College of Liberal Art’s 50th anniversary and welcome back event with UTA Radio, “UTA and The Department of Theatre Arts are incredibly forward-thinking. We’ve purchased a social robot for use in the classroom…How robots essentially ‘perform’ for humans and how humans emotionally respond to robots, is my primary research interest.” (Greer)
UTA NEWSPAPER - THE SHORTHORN
May, 2022 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Professor combines theatre and robotics to reflect human connection. Ayesha Hana Shaji. “Social robots, also known as emotional robots, are machines that can communication socially with human being said Julienne Greer…Greer found a way to bring together her seemingly odd combination of passions, theatre and robotics.”https://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/professor-combines-theater-and-robotics-to-reflect-human-connection/article_6720a5e6-aec2-11ec-b8f5-cb82ea484fd9.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students find relief through art. Amanda Padilla. “Greer emphasized these two concepts. She said people are wired to connect with each other, they have a need and a desire to connect as humans. By engaging in the arts, they learn to trust something. For Greer, people learn to trust each other.In a play, many people come together to create a show. The director, the stage manager, the cast, the technicians; all of these people have to trust their connection to create something together.” http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-find-relief-through-art/article_134f4e52-d083-11e8-b182-23d30eda925c.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, Interdisciplinary team studies robots. Spencer Brewer. “These machines will somehow be a reflection of us as humans,” Greer said. The Emotional Robotics Living Lab focuses on social robots, or robots that will interact socially with people in their homes and workplaces in the future.
“I like to talk about it because it’s not a phone, it’s not a human, and it’s not the television turned on at home,” Greer said. “It is something else, and I’m really interested in what that something else is and how we will interact with it, and what that means, then, about us.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/interdisciplinary-team-studies-robots/article_ebf6f774-c673-11e8-9252-5f7e76848ca0.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Rebekah Morr. “The Living Lab is home to two robots: NAO and Pepper. Both are social and companion robots who can respond autonomously to faces and sounds…Pepper can be classified as an emotional robot because it can detect emotional expressions and tension in a person’s voice.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/article_f32a4568-cfe4-11e7-8be9-13610f80f16f.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Duy Vu. “Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts and Emotional Robotics Living Lab director, explains the functionality of Pepper, a social companion robot, on Nov. 21 in the lab at Preston Hall.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/image_ac03b0f0-cf00-11e7-af15-cf6b2e776c41.html
April 2017 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students, Faculty meet Piebot. “Julienne Greer, theatre arts assistant professor, presented her humanlike robot, called PieBot at UTA’s iDAH speaker series…PieBot was built to eliminate human apathy toward robots and foster a sense of nurturing empathy, Greer said. Greer pulled from different specialties, including from costume designers, programmers, and engineers. ‘Interdisciplinary isn’t just a buzzword, Greer said.’”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-faculty-meet-piebot/article_9ed3b58c-1b0b-11e7-aa25-bf218a04f8f4.html
September 2016 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Robot pairs with sonnets to assist elderly. Matt Fulkerson. “If you can take the world’s greatest wordsmith-literary-poet-playwright and you can bring a robot in and they can play that scene, that’ll be incredible,” she said. (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/robots-pair-with-sonnets-to-assist-elderly/article_74c49866-7f5b-11e6-8907-cfaea4359d90.html
September 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Theatre gets robot, which will appear in spring play. Sheliah Lindsey. “I believe robots are the future…They have so much potential. They can help keep the elderly in their homes longer. They can help children with disabilities.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/theatre-gets-robot-which-will-appear-in-spring-play/article_bc330eb6-502d-11e5-87a7-7fa707007332.html
March 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Film spurs discussion about disabilities, human enhancement. The Shorthorn released the story of the inter-disciplinary panel discussion titled, Dr. Greer, discussant (see Panels). In response to a question regarding human enhancement through robotics and how that identifies humans; “All of my inequalities make me an incredibly unique person…I own being this age, going through my life, having the experiences I’ve had, and doing this wonderful art, which is all about finding the interesting, unique, quirky parts of being a human being.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/film-spurs-discussion-about-disabilities-human-enhancement/article_a004f966-cd1f-11e4-b454-0bae11a94667.html
December 2014 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Lecturer blends theatre arts, robotics by Hannah-Beth Floyd. “I think we’re already well past the point where humans and technologies interact…Technology is a part of our life…(my work is essentially) taking decades of method work, performance technique, and using it to create the most authentic relationship between the human being and a robot.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/lecturer-blends-theater-arts-robotics/article_85eeab54-7a76-11e4-8344-3f24595643ac.html
UTA - INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATORS AND MEDIA
September 2018 – UTA Library Newsletter. User Engagement & Services. Building Partnerships and Lasting Friendships Through Technology. “During our tenure as Robot Ambassadors, we (Devon Peralta and Rene Taméz) formed an extraordinary working relationship with Dr. Julienne Greer, a multi-disciplinary scholar and professor who has been researching human/robot interactions. Dr. Greer was the first UTA Faculty to request the Robot Ambassadors in her classroom, where she was doing research on emotional support robots, for which she received a grant to start the UTA Emotional Robots Living Lab.”
June 2018 – Invited by Nova Coates, Computer Science and Engineering colleague to create a 20 sec. audio spot for CSE freshman highlight interdisciplinary work.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151850623@N06/42194854490/in/album-72157693832149860/
March 2018 – UTA Radio on Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Live broadcast aired March 22 2018.
January 2018 – Computer Science and Engineering – UT Arlington. Facebook. In Spring 2018, Dr. Julienne Greer teaches a course exploring social robotics and the roles robots will have in our lives from Disability Studies, Theatre Studies, and Humanities perspectives. The course includes hands-on work with the social robots, PEPPER, JIBO, and NAO in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. If you have any questions about this class please contact ltucker@uta.edu or Dr. Julienne Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre, Social Robotics and Performance.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cseutarlington/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1943693469037365
December 2017 – College of Engineering – IN THE NEWS. “Robotics Tomorrow reported…UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots.”
November 2017 – UTARI. Greer’s New Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UT Arlington assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2017/NBC5_nao.php
November 2017 – UTARI. Meet the robot engaging seniors in the Arts. “Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. ‘The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,’ said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA.”
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2018/Brookdale_2.php
November 2017 – UTARI. “Couldn't have scripted this Channel 5 news interview any better if you tried!” UTARI Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/posts/1611685888893622
November 2017 – School of Social Work. “The interdisciplinary team from UTA School of Social Work and UTARI researchers have come together for an amazing project! Check out what the SSW is doing!” SSW Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/UTASocialWork/posts/
October 2016 – UTARI. Facebook post of unveiling of NAO with collaborator UTARI, Dr. Julienne Greer at The University of Texas at Arlington Theatre Arts Department and Kris Doelling, Research Scientist at UTARI unpack a new addition – the NAO robot from Softbank Robotics…The social robot is set to be a key component for hands-on work for Dr. Greer’s interdisciplinary course, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre. https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/photos/pcb.1208605852534963/1208605765868305/?type=3
April 2016 – UTARI. National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI) Collaborator with UTARI developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. On April 6, 2016, 10 Theatre Arts undergraduate students assembled at UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot.
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, on-air interview for UTA News. Social robotics at UTA: “Buddy” and “Pepper” a social and an emotional robot acquired by Department of Theatre Arts for use in the classroom and innovative research.
https://utanews.com/2015/09/14/dr-julienne-greer-interview/
MEDIA
for
CREATIVE RESEARCH in PERFORMANCE
June 2017 – Dallas Morning News review of performance King o’ the Moon. Touching family tale with contemporary reverberations. “The mom, Ellen Pazinski (Julienne Greer) honors his spirit and keeps an income by running the family tavern…the fine cast shows off the playwrights deft blend of humor and pathos.”
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/theater/2017/06/18/touching-family-tale-contemporary-reverberations-king-o-moon-circle-theatre
June 2017 – Theatre Jones review of performance King o’ the Moon. Moon Beams. “Julienne Greer returns to play mother Ellen Pazinski for the third time, and she’s the show’s anchor. Her Ellen is steady and smart, a woman who raised four difficult children and doesn’t think life can surprise her. She’s a widow now, and runs the tavern with help from her husband’s best friend. David H.M. Lambert’s Walter is the ultimate nice guy, touching and funny in his attempts to get closer to Ellen and her prickly kids.”
http://www.theaterjones.com/ntx/reviews/20170620105834/2017-06-21/Circle-Theatre/King-O-the-Moon
June 2017 – Star-Telegram review of performance King o’ the Moon. King o’ the Moon captures America in 1969. “As was so often the case in the 1960s, the Pazinskis are all on journeys of their own. Ellen (Julienne Greer), the widow who heads the family, is coping with three grown children who are entering adulthood through different doors, and a mentally challenged son, Georgie, who will always be a child… Greer’s performance is so easy and smooth that the high quality of her work runs the risk of going unnoticed.”
http://www.star-telegram.com/living/article156977974.html
April 2014 A + C Acting in Texas: Julienne Greer at Circle Theatre. Interview with editor, Nancy Wozny of Arts and Culture Texas. Julienne Greer takes on the role of Juliana Smithton in Circle Theatre’s production of Sharr White’s, The Other Place. White chronicles the story of Smithton, a successful neurologist, who suffers from a devastating neurological event. “I used my early training (for characterization), which was a blend of both physical and more external representations…alongside internal or more emotionally behavioral choices.” (Greer)
http://artsandculturetx.com/acting-in-texas-julienne-greer-at-circle-theatre/
May 2005 Texas Christian University, interview with TCU Daily Skiff. ‘Toil and Trouble’ – Actors to perform part of Macbeth Halloween night. Prof. Julienne Greer conceived, developed, and directed a Macbeth selection titled “Bard on the Rocks” for TCU Provost Nowell Donovan. It has become an annual tradition. “The scene consists of the three witches and their encounter with Macbeth who is demanding to know if he will continue to be king…Later during the scene, apparitions or ghosts appear to him. It’s very spooky.” (Greer)
https://www.tcu360.com/story/toil-and-trouble-12292688/
UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACADEMIC AWARDS and HONORS
Samuel French Publishers, Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron
Listed in the published version of the stage play as Margaret Goggin. Worked with the playwright, Arthur Giron, in seminars and workshops during the rehearsal period to identify the play’s narrative and character arc. Becoming Memories was produced at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Acting Ensemble. Invitation only participation in an acting ensemble by iconic Broadway designer, producer, John Wulp. Acting ensemble was personally supervised by legendary playwright John Guare. Content of the seminar was a workshop of his work in the fourth play of Guare’s Lydie Breeze series.
New York University, Acting Ensemble.
Highlighted in a New York Times article titled, Where are all the new, young actors: at Tisch School of the Arts. Play: Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron.
ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHING
2020-Present Associate Chair Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
Associate Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Assistant Chair and Assistant Professor of the Department of Theatre Arts including curriculum planning, administrative responsibilities, liaison among students and the department, and performance-based courses, advanced performance, acting for voice and movement, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities.
2020-Present Area Head for BA program
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
I am the Area Head for the largest group of students in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. I mentor and guide BA students in their individual and chosen career trajectories. Opportunities within the Department include performance, stage combat, improvisation, and social robotics and technology.
2016-Present Assistant Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Professor advanced performance, acting for the stage and camera, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, Departmental courses, Dialects in Performance, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre: a course based on the emerging intersection of Theatre and Social Robotics. Head of publicity for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, committee member for Academic Curriculum, Research, Marketing, Performance, recruiting (see Service). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2012-2016 Senior Lecturer
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company & Maverick Dance Company
University of Texas at Arlington
Professor of beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting for the stage and the camera, directing for the stage, stage movement, voice training for the stage, dialects, theatre administration in publicity, marketing, and recruitment, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, dance for the actor. Chair and/or member of departmental, university and college committees (see “University Service”). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2000-2009 Adjunct Professor
Dept. of Film-Television-Digital Media -
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Department of Theatre –
College of Fine Arts
Texas Christian University
Professor of beginning and intermediate acting for the stage and the camera, acting for TV II, acting for the camera, improvisational comedy lab and lecture, soap opera lab and lecture, survey courses for cinema and theatre, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, and working actor seminar. Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2011-2013 Teaching Assistant
School of Arts and Humanities University of Texas at Dallas
Teacher’s Assistant for film theory, and history courses. Requested by Endowed Professor, Dr. Stephen Rabe
Dr. Shilyh Warren
Dr. Adrienne McLean
1999-Present Independent Arts Administration Consultant, based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Arts consulting provided for cultural, governmental and educational institutions in Texas. Consultations have involved organizational assessments, personnel assessments, development workshops, marketing/sales, bylaws analysis, budget preparation, unions, facilities planning, grant evaluation, membership and development.
1981-Present Professional Theatre and Film Artist, Illinois, Arizona, Los Angeles, New York, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. Presently based in Fort Worth, Texas. (Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Screenplay writer, and Producer: see Creative Activities/Research).
2008 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Seussical, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class.
Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Seussical, Jr.
2007 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Annie, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class. Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Annie, Jr.
The University of Texas at Arlington
Maverick Theatre Company
Theatre Arts Department
2012 - Present
COURSE INSTRUCTION
THEA 3314-001, Voice and Movement
Spring 2021 (10 students)
Spring 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2019 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4393-001, Voice and Movement, Special Topics
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4391, Special Topics: “Humans and Robots: The Future is Here”
Conference course and first semester of original curriculum on Social Robots and Theatre
Individual instruction; majors and minors.
Fall 2015 (10 students)
THEA 3351, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre (individual instruction)
Spring 2021 (9 students)
Fall 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2020 (12 students)
Spring 2019 (20 students)
Fall 2018 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (11 students)
Fall 2017 (15 students)
Spring 2017 (15 students)
Fall 2016 (23 students)
Spring 2016 (19 students)
THEA 3335, Dance for the Actor (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Spring 2013 (20 students)
THEA 3311, Vocal Performance II: Dialects (individual instruction; majors)
Spring 2016 (16 students)
Spring 2015 (14 students)
Spring 2014 (19 students)
Spring 2013 (16 students)
THEA 3308, Acting for the Camera: Acting III (majors, utilizing video technology)
Fall 2014 (11 students)
Fall 2013 (20 students)
Fall 2012 (21 students)
THEA 1343, Introduction to Theatre (University Core course: majors and minors)
Spring 2014 (21 students)
THEA 1342, Theatre and Film Appreciation (University Core course: majors and minors)
Fall 2013 (101 students)
Spring 2013 (92 students)
Fall 2012 (99 students)
THEA 1307, Acting I (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2018 (X Students)
Fall 2012 (14 students)
THEA 1303, Fundamentals of Presentation (University CORE course: majors and minors)
Formerly Vocal Performance I: Fundamentals
Fall 2017 (20 students)
Fall 2016 (15 students)
Fall 2015 (18 students)
Spring 2015 (16 students)
THEA 1300, First Year Seminar in Theatre Arts (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2014 (20 students)
Fall 2013 (10 students)
THEA 0181, Theatre Practicum (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Fall 2017 (33 students)
Spring 2017 (22 students)
Fall 2016 (17 students, 15 students)
Spring 2016 (17 students, 14 students)
Fall 2015 (16 students, 20 students)
Spring 2015 (17 students, 12 students)
Fall 2014 (26 students, 18 students)
Spring 2014 (24 students, 15 students)
Fall 2013 (21 students, 20 students)
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Radio-Television-Digital Media
2000-2009
COURSE INSTRUCTION
RTVF 30353, Acting for Television - Lecture and Lab (individual and co-instruction; majors)
Fall 2000 (18 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40353, Acting for the Camera - Lecture and Lab (individual instruction; majors)
Fall 2005 (20 students)
Fall 2004 (19 students)
Fall 2003 (20 students)
Fall 2002 (18 students)
Fall 2001 (20 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: SOAP OPERA
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class. It is a support to the production of the spring 2006 Soap Opera produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: IMPROV COMEDY
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class for the development of two improvisational comedy teams. The course is structured as a 16-week seminar and lab produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
College of Fine Arts
Department of Theatre
2005-2009
THEA 11303, “Acting I” Lecture (individual instruction, majors)
Spring 2009
THEA 10053, “Survey of Theatre Arts” Lecture (individual instruction, majors and non-majors)
Spring 2006
UNIVERSITY GUEST LECTURER
Tarrant Community College, Northeast Campus, Fall, 2001
Guest lecturer: “Acting I,” lecturer for basic acting beginning course. Discussed the benefits of stage work, memorization, motivation, and work as a stage actor (Prof. Jakie Cabe, instructor).
Texas Christian University, Spring, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Women and Media,” lecturer for Media Analysis course. Discussed the comparative images for women from the 1970s to the present day. Encouraged small group analysis of contemporary popular media and referenced feminist indicators found in the Charlie’s Angels television series in order to ascertain growth in feminist thought or culture from 1970s to 2000s. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Andrew Haskett instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Sex and Violence in Media,” lecturer on the feminist images found in the 1970 series, Charlie’s Angels, analyzing the sex and violence of 1970s detective genre and its’ use of the female image. Discussion included current social and cultural attitudes towards sex and violence and portrayal of current images in contemporary media as a comparison (Dr. Joel Timmer instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004 - 2007
Guest lecturer: "Aesthetics of Film,” lecturer for Prof. Richard Allen seminar focused on comparison of the craft of cinema and theatrical performance utilizing interactive tools which engage the class in a whole-body perspective of the rigors of acting for the camera. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Richard Allen instructor).
THEATRE FOR YOUTH COURSES TAUGHT
Much Ado About Shakespeare (Guest Artist, for fee)
MAAS Established in 2006 to train actors 14 – 18 years old in Shakespeare including outreach to regional schools and students.
Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX
"Shakespeare and Robotics" (ages 14-18; 17 students), June 9th – 28th, 2016.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 22 students), June 10th – 30th, 2013.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 27 students), June 11th – July 1st, 2012.
"Acting Games/Creative Drama" (ages 14-18; 20 students), June 6th – 26th, 2011.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION COURSES TAUGHT
English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition,
2014, Regional winner Trinity Valley School
2016, Fort Worth winner
Coaching and instruction to the first-place winner of Trinity Valley School’s Shakespeare monologue and sonnet for the regional Fort Worth and Dallas competition. Winner is afforded all-expenses paid trip to New York City, Lincoln Center for national competition.
Acting Instructor for Tony Greco
Tony Greco renowned private instructor of Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
1988 & 1994-1995
Sensory-based acting technique and acting scene work based on technique founded by Lee Strasberg, of The Actors Studio in New York, New York. Lee Strasberg is a founding member of the iconic Group Theatre (1936 – 1946) including such iconic members as Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and Harold Clurman and others. Content of courses included fundamental understanding of method technique as contextualized by Strasberg. Tony Greco is a member of The Actor’s Studio and was included in a small group of instructors to learn the method technique and to continue Lee Strasberg’s original artistic intent. Tony Greco teaches in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Denmark.
CREATIVE RESEARCH
Performance, Stage, Film, Direction, Writing, Producing, Sound Design
STAGE DIRECTING CREDITS
Director, “Balm in Gilead” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company as a recorded streamed production Nov. 20 – 22, 2020.
Director, “WAITING FOR LEFTY” by Clifford Odets. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts as a selected play in MAVPLAYS Mainstage season. April 15th through April 26th, 2015, Arlington, TX. (flexible, environmental space. Audience is seated on the stage to with performers and performers were seated in the audience to interact with audience), 2015.
Director, “BARD ON THE ROCKS: SELECTED SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH”
Produced by Texas Christian University’s Department of Theatre.
Halloween, October 31st, 2005. It has been performed annually by TCU Provost as Macbeth in recent years. Fort Worth, TX (flexible open to the environmental space. Set design utilized the Scottish rock formation known colloquially as Froghenge for performers and audience to interact), 2005
Director, “DURANG BY NIGHT” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Director, “HOMEFREE!” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Tony Greco.
Basement of SoHo Repertory Theatre, New York City, New York, 1987.
STAGE PRODUCING CREDITS
Producer, “MAVPLAYS,” produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts in the 2014-2015 Mainstage season, April 15th through April 26th, Arlington, Texas. Flexible, environmental space in a large black box, and additional small black box theatrical space, 2015.
Co-producer, “DURANG BY NIGHT,” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Producer, “SOAP OPERA & GIRLS WE HAVE KNOWN.” Produced by jg-gj productions with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Raised $6,500 for total budget of two one-act plays. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Held casting sessions for five diverse roles. Hired director, set designer and technical crew for each one act. Proscenium space in black box theatre, 1995.
Producer, “THE SECRET DIARY OF SONDRA WOODWARD.”
Organized fund-raising events for original one-woman musical. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Contacted major studios and received donation toward production budget, 1994.
Co-producer, “WOMEN OF MANHATTAN,” produced by Tony Greco and jg-gj productions. Performed at Prometheus Theatre, 43rd St., New York City, New York. Hired director, set designer, and obtained theater space while continuing principal actor rehearsals and participating in publicity campaign, 1993.
STAGE ACTING - PERFORMANCE CREDITS
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), National union of stage actors and stage managers.
1999 – Present
Professionally Qualified Member
Key: L.O.R.T. = League of Resident Theatres/Professional national resident theatre operating under an Actor's Equity Association, ongoing union contract for actors and stage managers. S.P.T. = operates under a Small Professional Theatre Equity union contract.
NATIONAL and REGIONAL ACTING & PERFORMANCE
TEXAS
Role Production Producer/Location/Yr./Equity Contract
Billy ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2021 (virtual)
Hafsa JUNE 8, 1920 Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2020 (virtual)
Jan BLACK SANTA Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Orlando, Florida 2019
Mrs. Webb OUR TOWN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX
Director: Matthew Gray
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2019
Kate Beeker THE KITTY BOMB Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Boston, MA 2018
Charlotte Coates THE CENSOR Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Winner of the Judith Royer Playwriting for
Excellence in Playwriting,
Las Vegas, NV, 2017
Ellen Pazinski KING O’ THE MOON Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2017
Judith Lees HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company
Arlington, Texas
Director: Dr. Natalie Gaupp
(Equity Guest Artist), 2016
World Premiere
Juliana Smithton THE OTHER PLACE Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2014
Recipient of 2014 Best of Culture award in Acting Critic’s Choice
Fort Worth Weekly newspaper
Blanche Dubois A STREETCAR NAMED Stage West Theater
DESIRE Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Jim Couvault
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2000
Recipient of 2000 Best Actress Award Stage West Theatre
Molly THE FRONT PAGE Dallas Theatre Center Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Richard Hamburger
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Thea HEDDA GABLER Dallas Theatre Center
Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Ron Daniels
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Bessie MARVIN’S ROOM Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2013
Helen Cohen ELLIS ISLAND Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, Texas
Composer Peter Boyer in attendance
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
A multi-media event in conjunction with FORT WORTH SYMPHONY
(Equity Contract; for fee), 2013
Ellen LAST MASS at ST. CASIMIRS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2012
Jill Koenig AD WARS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: John S. Davies
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee)
Attended by author Vince McKewin, 2004
Ellen OVER THE TAVERN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2010
NEW YORK CITY
Lucy SOAP OPERA tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York
Reviewed by Mel Gussow
New York Times
Ralph Pape, author WIKI page Director: Elizabeth Franzen (Equity waiver). 1990
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/30/theater/theater-in-review-438792.html
Remounted and produced at
(Soap Opera cont.) The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod.
JG-GJ executive producers
(Equity waiver) See Los Angeles, 1991.
Hester Prynn “A” THE SCARLET LETTER tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York Director: Tim Maner
(Equity waiver), 1989.
Lucy Crayford THE FROZEN DEEP A reading with Director Everett Quinton
New York, New York (Equity waiver), 1988.
Ophelia HAMLET New York Repertory Theatre New York, New York, 1987.
Alex Forrest FATAL ATTRACTION -
Murder Mystery John Goodman Productions Director: John Goodman West Chelsea Restaurant
Dinner Theatre Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
Mrs. McCabe MURDER MAYHEM Hasslefree Productions
Director: Trevor Hasselfree Film Studio Restaurant New York, New York
Dinner Theatre, Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
LOS ANGELES
Lucy SOAP OPERA Produced at
The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod. JG-GJ executive producers (Equity waiver), 1990.
Varya THE CHERRY ORCHARD Hudson Theatre
Los Angeles, California Director: Ron Livingston (Equity waiver), 1992.
Susan THE FUNERAL PARLOR The Complex
Los Angeles, California
(Equity waiver), 1995.
Penelope Toop SEE HOW THEY RUN Glendale Centre Theatre
Glendale, California (Equity waiver), 1994.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Guinevere CAMELOT Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Laurie OKLAHOMA! Weathervane Theatre
Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee) 1985.
Peep-bo THE MIKADO Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Mariane TARTUFFE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Marquise
of Parolignac CANDIDE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire
Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Ensemble THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
VIRGINIA
Roxane CYRANO DE BERGERAC Mill Mountain Theatre Roanoke, Virginia Director: Jere Hodgin
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1987.
ILLINOIS
Dinah Lord THE PHILADELPHIA STORY The New American Theatre
Rockford, Illinois
Director: Jim Sullivan/founder of N.A.T. (S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1979.
Ensemble THE ROPADI PLAYERS Rockford Park District
Musical Theatre Outreach Program Rockford, Illinois
Director: Andy French (Equity waiver, fee), 1975.
Selected University roles between 1981 and 1986
Frau Bergmann ……....... SPRING AWAKENING (Anne Bogart, director), New York University
Margaret Goggin ............ BECOMING MEMORIES (Kevin Kulhke, director) New York University
Housewife ...................... WORKING, New York University
Mina ............................... DRACULA, New York University
Joanna ……................... HOMEFREE! New York University
Ensemble ........................ PIPPIN (William Wesbrooks, director), Rockford College, IL
Ensemble ........................ JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Rock Valley College, IL
Lillian Hampton ............. STRANGE BEDFELLOWS (Elaine “EE” Moe, director), University of Arizona, Tucson
Dance Ensemble………. THE ENTERTAINERS, University of Arizona, Tucson
UNIVERSITY GUEST ACTOR
Judith Lees ......................... HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company MAVPLAYS The University of Texas at
Arlington, Department of Theatre Art, (Equity waiver). 2016.
UNIVERSITY GUEST READING
Invited to read at an honorary staged reading of Eugene O’Neill’s works by the O’Neill’s biographers Barbara and Arthur Gelb. The Gelb’s re-released their 1950s biography in 2000 with an expanded analysis of the life and work of Eugene O’Neill. Both Barbara and Arthur were in attendance at the Texas Christian University event in 2003.
PRODUCTION COACH
Acting Coach, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Anne Healy, Director).
Acting Coach, GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Andrew Gaupp, Director).
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA ACTING and PERFORMANCE
COMMERCIALS
INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL MEDIA
Selected commercial performance work between 1991 – 1999.
Reporter Spam
The Hormel Foods Corporation. Filmed in Los Angeles, California National and International commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
New Yorker Coke
The Coca-Cola Company Filmed at the Statue of Liberty New York, New York National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Burger King color-coded children’s lunch toys Burger King (BK) Corporation.
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Subaru of America – Fuji Heavy Industries
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Cowgirl Totino’s Pizza
General Mills Products
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Kraft Handi-snacks
Kraft Foods Group
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Hiker Outback Steakhouse
Bloomin’ Brands
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Ship Passenger S & W Food
Del Monte Foods
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
CBS Promo Promotion commercial spot for CBS Fall lineup of highly-rated programs Filmed in Los Angeles, California
Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Neighbors Dixie Paper Plates Dixie Paper Products Georgian-Pacific Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
SOAP OPERAS
Selected performance work on network soap opera television between 1982 and 1990.
Haley Recurring role ALL MY CHILDREN
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists;
Standard union fee)
Linda Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Hillary Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Campaign Organizer Day Player Contract ONE LIFE TO LIVE
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract; American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; Standard union fee)
Ensemble Extra work GUIDING LIGHT
Procter & Gamble Company Filmed in New York, New York (A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
Standard union fee)
TELEVISION
Alex Forrest LIVE WITH REGIS AND
KATHIE LEE
Filmed in New York, New York Promo for Fatal Attraction Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (SAG waiver contract)
FILM
WALL STREET Wall St. worker 20th Century Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
THREE MEN AND Photo Double (Nancy Travis) Buena Vista Pictures
A LITTLE LADY Director: Emile Ardolino
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
12 Julienne Larry Bridges Productions
Director: Larry Bridges
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Film and director Larry Bridges were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award , 2004. Film has been screened internationally to critical acclaim. (S.A.G. waiver contract; for fee)
Selected ensemble film roles in major feature films:
Goodfellas – Martin Scorsese, director
State of Grace – Phil Joanou, director
Hannah and her Sisters – Woody Allen
Cocktail – Roger Donaldson, director
Space Jam – Joe Pytka, director
Scrooged – Richard Donner, director Punchline – David Seltzer, director
All filmed in New York, New York except Space Jam, filmed in Los Angeles, California
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCING CREDITS
1999
Producer
As producer raised $25,500 for theatrical release of a 24-minute short film, The Hand of a Lifetime, shot independently in Los Angeles.
Coordinated all pre-production needs:
⦁ casting,
⦁ hiring crew
⦁ Director of Photography
⦁ Camera Operator
⦁ Sound and Foley Artist
⦁ Art director
⦁ Locations and permits
And including all post-production needs:
⦁ editing
⦁ sound design
⦁ titles
⦁ negative cutting
⦁ final answer print
The Hand of a Lifetime was accepted to the 1999 Fort Worth Film Festival and was highlighted in the Fort Worth Film Festival of 1999 and reviewed by Elvis Mitchell for the Star-Telegram Newspaper.
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTING AND WRITING CREDITS
1999
Director Screenplay Writer
Wrote and directed an original short independent film, The Hand of a Lifetime. The film’s narrative centered around a male protagonist’s first child being born and the comedic and heartfelt emotions that accompanied his eventual acceptance of fatherhood.
SOUND DESIGN FOR THE STAGE
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Co-Sound designer, MACBETH, New York University (N.Y.U.), Directed by John Rubenstein. Mainstage Theatre, Spring 1983.
ADJUDICATION AND EVALUATION
2016 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
2015 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (10 students).
2012 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (8 students).
2011 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
SERVICE: UNIVERSITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2019-20
⦁ Invitation from president of UTA Vistasp Karbhari to speak and present at Ashoka University near New Delhi during a conference in which I was attending. Ashoka is a premier university combining engineering and liberal arts.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Global Entrepreneur Week (GEW) committee member
⦁ EpICMavs presenter
⦁ Inspire for Faculty (IFF)
⦁ Live Theatre League member
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor fifteen students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2018-19
⦁ Invitation from Computer Science and Engineering Dept., Nova Coates, to help create short 20-second clips for Univ1311 that introduces students to UTA. CSE asked to include Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre course, THEA3351, as an innovative way to showcase interdisciplinary approaches to incoming Freshman’s learning paths. The video includes NAO robot doing Tai Chi with Dr. Greer voice as narration for multi-disciplinary collaboration among UTA disciplines.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ BA auditions for Dept. of Theatre Arts with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Reference letter for Detra Payne – National Alliance of Teachers – Lloyd Richards Teaching Fellowship
2017-18
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator and committee member. Point person for recruiting Judges for April Spotlight Conference. Support and coordination with CoLA marketing director. I mentored two theatre students for inaugural Spotlight conference. Both students won awards.
⦁ Invited by Dean Elisabeth Cawthon to informal meeting with Dean Anne Bavier of Nursing, Dr. Mickey McCabe, Executive Dir. of UTARI, Dr. Judy LeFlore, Associate Nursing Dean, and Harvard professors Dr. Janice Palaganas and Dr. Daniel Raemer, leaders in the simulation and technology center, for informal discussion of innovative techniques being implemented at UTA.
⦁ Invited to speak at TEDxUTA 2018.
⦁ Reviewed/rated 5 applications for Terry Foundation Scholars. Req. William Gunn.
⦁ Submitted review of Manuscript ID THRI-2018-0016, titled "Communicating a minimal robot’s intelligence, dominance and status through motion paths" for the journal Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction.
⦁ Invited to review National Science Foundation submissions for various grant submissions.
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Coordinated and led Dean’s week presentation with L. Tucker for counselors and advisors.
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Committee Member: REP/FDL faculty awards.
⦁ Faculty mentor nine students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Sponsor and attended Halloween evening performance of Macbeth (Killingsworth, dir.)
⦁ BA auditions with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2016-17
⦁ Chair, College of Liberal Arts Research Representative
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: CoLA, proposal reader for “Cure to Care” grants. iC2C.
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Invited guest luncheon speaker for UTA’s CPE Event, College of Business
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Dallas Summer Musicals conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2016-2017 season.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts Welcome Back table, Fall 2016.
2015-16
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington.
⦁ Chair, Recruitment Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: College of Liberal Arts Teacher’s Awards, Department of Theatre Arts Representative, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: Master’s Exploratory, Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ U.R.T.A. panel at UT-Arlington for three students attending graduate auditions.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Moonifieds conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2014-15
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2013-14
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee
⦁ Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2012-13
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor five students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UTA
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
PUBLIC RELATIONS and MARKETING
for
MAVERICK THEATRE COMPANY
and
MAVERICK DANCE COMPANY
producing entities for
THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2017-18
⦁ Chair, bi-monthly Public Relations meetings.
⦁ Author, Press Releases for 4 Mainstage production including plays and musicals, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence, MavLab production and Maverick Dance Company concerts. Facilitated information to 23+ media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2017-18 Season.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington for each Mainstage production, MavLab, and Maverick Dance company concert.
⦁ URTA – American Theatre Magazine
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ Coordinated and delivered 1500 seasonal brochures to MailPro for mailing.
⦁ Edited and compiled 4th quarter information on Dept. of Theatre Arts for Cathy Stein 817Alliance newsletter.
⦁ Collaborated with CoLA Marketing Director for marketing graphics redo, including written text and organizing photographs with the help of Kris O’Brien.
⦁ Helped coordinate and support Marketing Video “Get to know a Theatre Student.”
⦁ Coordinating press and marketing with Matthew Boyd, City of Arlington, marketing for D. Payne’s, Heal the Divide.
2016-17
⦁ Author, 2016-2017 Press Releases for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, producing entities of The Department of Theatre Arts, College of Liberal Arts. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2016-17 Season.
⦁ Department Representative, Arlington Arts League Gala Event and scholarship fundraiser.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2015-16
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2015-16 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisational comedy, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2014-15
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2014-15 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival Dance Texas
⦁ Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington
⦁ A + C Arts and Culture Texas
⦁ Stage Directions Magazine – Article on Dept. of Theatre Arts 3D Printer. Playbill.edu
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Voce Intimae
⦁ Trinity Valley High School playbill
⦁ All Saints Episcopal High School playbill
⦁ Betty Buckley Awards at Casa Manana Theatre
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2013-14
⦁ Author, Press Release for Mainstage play, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2013-14 Season.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Proud Organization
⦁ Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Dance Texas
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Stage Directions Magazine
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: BOARDS & COMMITTEES
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2016 – 2018 – Membership Chair
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2010 – 2014 – Upper School Tickets
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
TEXAS EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION (TETA) 2014 Approved Member
SCREEN ACTORS GUILD/AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A),
1984 - present
Current Approved Member
ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION (A.E.A), Current Member
1999 - present
Current Approved Member PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
ARLINGTON ARTS LEAGUE, Arlington, Texas
2014 -2016
Member of Arlington Arts League
PRESIDENT OF KINDERPLATZ OF FINE ARTS PARENT’S GROUP, Fort Worth, Texas
2003
President of a parent’s group in a private, pre-school dedicated to fine arts learning and growth in 2 – 5 year-old children.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & INSTITUTES
2003-Present Annual Giving Captains, Trinity Valley School, a private college-preparatory K-12 school in Fort Worth, Texas.
1987-90 Accepted Member of tiny mythic theatre company, NYU graduates’ affiliation, New York City, New York now known as HERE Performance Space, New York City, New York.JULIENNE A. GREER
CURRICULUM VITAE
August 2022 version
Birthplace: Farmington, Michigan, U.S.A.
Home Address: 7969 Morning Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76123
Home Phone: Metro (817) 454-1225
Office Address: University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts, Fine Arts Building, Room 268B, 502 S. Cooper Street,
Box 19103, Arlington, Texas 76019-0103
Office Phone: Metro (817) 272-0729 or Metro (817) 272-2650
Office Facsimile: Metro (817) 272-2697
E-mail: <jgreer@uta.edu>
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: Associate Chair of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
Associate Professor of Theatre Arts: Social Robotics and Performance,
Director, Emotional Robotics Living Laboratory,
BA Area Head of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
College of Liberal Arts,
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
SPECIALIZATIONS: Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Social Robotics, Performance, Applied Drama
CURRENT RESEARCH: Applying theatre and performance theory to artificial intelligence and social robotics creating trust and authentically emotional interactions between humans and robots.
Dr. Julienne A. Greer is an inter-disciplinary scholar + artist working at the emerging intersection of social robotics and theatre. Her primary focus is Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) to “humanize” a social robot’s performance to the nuances and subtleties of human behavior. Social awareness and empathetic response in robotics platforms are key to their successful use by humans. Principal research interests include character and personality development for artificial intelligence, social robotics, performance theory, applied drama, empathy application, embodied emotion, and acting theory techniques targeted toward an application between human beings and technology. She is a collaborator with many diverse disciplines including engineering, social work, computer science, education, disabilities studies, psychology, and healthcare, solving problems through innovation for education and research.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
DEGREES HELD
2013 Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities (Ph.D.) - Aesthetic Studies,
School of Arts and Humanities,
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas.
5 Years, Interdisciplinary Foci: Humanities, Performance, and Game Studies.
Dissertation: Affective Connections: Performance Studies, Videogames, and Digital Characters.
Dr. Monica Evans, Supervising Professor
Abstract: A multi-disciplinary analysis of existing performance techniques from theatre and cinema studies re-contextualized to apply to the emerging emotional bond in videogames between the game player and a digital character. It is my perspective that the affective bond between the game player and the digital character in a game is as vital and essential to the experience of playing the game as the affective relationship between the performer and the audience in a play or film.
2005 Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) in Media Arts
Bob Schieffer College of Communication,
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
Thesis: Feminism and Sexuality in Charlie’s Angels: Building a New Paradigm for Enjoying Action Heroines.
Dr. Joel Timmer, Supervising Professor
Abstract: An analysis of the first season of the 1970s Charlie’s Angels television series in order to reveal elements of feminism leading to an inclusion of glamour and sexuality in the criteria for feminist texts to recoup and own images that have previously been viewed as misogynistic.
1986 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A.) in Drama,
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, New York, New York.
Areas of Concentration: Acting, Performance
1981 High School Diploma, Boylan Central Catholic School, Rockford, IL.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/UNION
1984-Present American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (A.F.T.R.A.)
The national union of professional television and radio actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG- AFTRA.
1987-Present Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.)
The national union of professional television and film actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG-AFTRA.
1999-Present Actor's Equity Association (A.E.A.)
The national union of professional actors and stage managers, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation.
2011-Present Interdisciplinary.net
A forum for the exchange and interaction of inter-disciplinary ideas, research and points of view that bear on a wide range of issues of concern and interest in the contemporary world.
GRANTS AWARDED
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2019) grant for Using Arts and Social Sciences to enhance social companion robots’ adaptive abilities to improve health outcomes. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, Computer Science and Engineering-College of Engineering, College of Science-Psychology and College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Study content: The objective of this proposal is a pilot study that examines the impact of a social robot, adaptive control methodologies, and applied theatre techniques, and exercise to impact prospective memory and physical goals in older adults (N = 20). This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform using innovative machine learning techniques that promote and allow the robot to adapt its interaction with the human dynamically to improve exercise goals among older adults. To achieve this, the proposed research is integrating arts-driven methodology, including trust and connection, and novel robot control and learning approaches for interactions between humans and robots to impact prospective memory.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2017 - present
NID - NIDILRR - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (WIT RERC). (UTA Site). Modeling socially assistive robotic caretakers for individuals with developmental disabilities having older adult caregivers. RERC on Wireless Inclusive Technologies. National Institute on Disability and Independent Living Research (NIDILRR), (9/30/21). Total Grant $4,525,000 (UTA, $108,000) the Primary Investigator is Dr. John Bricout of UTA’s School of Social Work. Dr. Ling Xu site PI.
Study content: Study aims to explore and create a collaborative relationship between a care recipient, an older adult caretaker, and a socially assistive robot (SAR) in order to develop engaging interaction for caregiver respite. Study will incorporate future work with Department of Theatre Arts NAO and Pepper robot units in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab, UT-Arlington. J. Greer, director.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2018 - 2021
Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities (NSF grant CNS-1757641)
REU - Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities. Summer program research internships for qualified undergraduates to participate in research in the field of assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Theatre arts methodology is applied as a platform for engagement, connection, and trust in human-robot interaction, one of several multi-disciplinary projects the participants will engage in during 10-week internship. Budget $318,778.
Study content: In this project, the CSE Department, in partnership with several other departments at UTA, will offer a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focusing on assistive technologies (AT) for people with disabilities (PWD). The proposed theme encompasses innovative and novel topics that can help PWD meet barriers of different kinds - attitudinal, architectural, and technological - in accessing employment, navigating public spaces, freely communicating, and living independently. During this summer, each student will be working in a multi-disciplinary setting and exposed to innovative and novel inter-disciplinary projects through research and prototyping. The REU participants will work on computer programming, algorithms, sensors, data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, sensors, sign language, facial recognition, emotion and behavior analysis, smart care, augmented reality, data analytics, robots, human-machine interaction.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2016
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded the second annual UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grant for Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. One of only four grants awarded to the UTA research community. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work.
Study content: The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. This study examines theater performance methodologies through a social robotic platform. This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults by incorporating arts-driven methodology. This grant will continue through 2016 and 2017.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing - 2018
Phase II – Shakespeare and Robots.
The proposal seeks to expand the Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults with participants that are diagnosed with mild cognitive decline. As PI on the original study, I am collaborating with the School of Social Work Presidential Fellows recipient, Dr. Noelle Fields, to test the outcomes of the study on a new participant sample at Brookdale Assisted Living in Arlington.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2015
Digital Arts and Humanities Initiatives (DAHI) A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI.
Primary investigator for an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts and UTA Research Institute (UTARI) from the University of Texas at Arlington. The team will conduct a pilot study in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) at three separate locations; Office of Student Disabilities, Lakewood Retirement Community, Theatre Arts main office. Awarded from the College of Liberal Arts, Jan. 15th, 2016.
Study content: This is a study to inform how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI. The scope of the project will be the development of a pilot study and data collection of human-robot responses from three separate locations and with dissimilar subjects. Measurement will be through an adaptation of the NARS (Negative Attitudes toward Robots Scale), visual qualitative observation, log entries of human-robot interactions during the study, and ambient sound recordings for the detection of laughter and vocal responses from participants. The innovative approach of this research comes from the interdisciplinary work of UTA Theatre Arts and UTARI, bringing together divergent disciplines of theater arts and robotics. This study builds on previous published work on social robots, voice, movement theatre techniques, and healthcare settings to further the body of HRI literature. The robot will be controlled through a “Wizard-of-Oz” methodology scenario performed by undergraduate research assistants under the supervision of faculty. The project will conduct an innovative investigation of the best social robot and HRI practices available at UT-Arlington (UTARI robotic platform laboratory) as well as best practices for improvisation/humor techniques, applied drama, and performance studies. Preliminary data will be collected to allow for future studies and breakthroughs in Human-Robot Interaction. This proposal is well-suited to add to a discussion of UT-Arlington’s strategic initiatives; Health and the Human Condition and Data-Driven Discovery.
ONGOING GRANT DEVELOPMENT
Purchased social robot, Little Sophia, (pending) from Hanson Robotics, Inc. for the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Robot will be used in grant development of design implications of social robots and children with significant Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) themes.
GRANT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED and/or in DEVELOPMENT
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Research Enhance Program
Proposal submitted with Prof. Fillia Makedon. “InBlue: A smart system of sensors, theatre, and robots to help college depression”.
Depression is a leading cause of suicide and the second most common cause of death among college students. It is pervasive in colleges today and frequently goes undetected and untreated. The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that 39% of college students “felt so depressed that it was difficult to function” at least once during 2016-2017. College depression can lead to poor academic and work performance, substance abuse, social dysfunction, legal difficulties, gun violations, ill health, suicide attempts or completed suicide. Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include symptoms shown in Table 1. Identifying early warning signs of depression is crucial in preventing negative consequences and helping educators and mental health experts make targeted counselling and intervention decisions. To address college depression, it is of great interest to academia and the healthcare industry, to see how sensor technologies (e.g. mobile smartphones, wearable sensors, social robots) could be used to improve the wellbeing and mental health of users. Smartphones and wearables are excellent devices that can passively collect real time behavioural data, and be used to complement traditional depression diagnosis and monitoring, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
Keck Foundation – Undergraduate Categorization
One-page conceptual theme submitted to Randall Gentry, Dr. Duane Dimos, and Dr. Ann Cavallo. The proposal for Keck Foundation is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Building on the success of two pilot studies, a proposal is submitted by UTA to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene. The study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on an innovative five-point theatre model to decrease depression, loneliness, and increase engagement among older adults.
UTA Lead - 2018
NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
A collaboration external funding with TechComb, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and Univ. of Texas at Arlington. Greer is UTA Lead on the proposal. Title: Boosting STEM Patronage of Libraries and Museums through Interactive Social Robots.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Exploratory/Developmental Research (R21)
The proposal for NIH is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Focusing on the health benefits to the older adults and the success of two pilot studies, a proposal will be drafted to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene and the study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on the theatre methodology process of composing a live performance.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2017
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
Primary collaborator on the resubmission of an 18+ page proposal that comes under the AISL project type: (4) Innovations in Development. This project will incorporate robotics technology and advanced human robot interaction tools to help the audience build interest in STEM concepts, engage in hands-on activities to explore STEM potentials, and take part in a network of learners sharing their experience, ideas, and achievements in STEM. These three primary STEM objectives i.e. excitement, engagement, and expression, otherwise termed as E3, will be realized through a unique merger of theatre arts and robotics science methodologies into a metasystem of diverse autonomous robotic hardware and a novel platform agnostic human-robot interaction software. It is important to note this is a re-submission to NSF due in part to the positive response from NSF project managers regarding the core component of Theatre Arts Methodologies.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2016
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Smart and Autonomous Systems (S&AS)
This foundational proposal was a collaboration of UT-Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and UTARI (UTA research institute). The study will develop a new type of robot learning framework for next generation intelligent physical system. The proposed framework will implement a novel neuro-adaptive control technique for advanced human robot interaction, which will enable future robotic systems to derive seamless experiential learning from unaltered human behavior. Potential use case scenarios include a humanoid robot interacting with a diverse group of students and engaging them with innovative theatre methodology performance techniques in informative communication. Human aspects, such as trust, emotion-bias towards performance, and organic selection, are built into the analytical model for the proposed humanistic robot learning framework, which enables life-long evolution of the robot. The proposed project is driven by the motivation to make robots a part of the human society and not a parallel alien race, and, therefore, to evolve them through human ingenuity, emotions, and fallibility.
Principal Investigator (PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
An interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Theatre Arts and the Electrical Engineering Department at University of Texas at Arlington. Proposal was written and developed for UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with co-principal investigator, Dr. Dan Popa. Proposal received positive response and was within the top 10 proposals for the year. Proposal titled Live Theatre – Robot Live: a collaboration of robotics and performance.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will develop software to allow a robot to perform on-stage in a seminal role during the Mainstage season. This proposal will utilize faculty and student roles working in an inter-disciplinary environment.
Co-Principal investigator (Co-PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
Interdisciplinary collaboration between Department of Theatre Arts, UTARI, and the Director of the Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington. Wrote and developed a grant proposal for UTA’s Inter-Disciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with Kris Doelling, research scientist II, Manoj Mittal, research scientist II and Co-PI, Dr. Sarah F. Rose. Proposal titled Cyber Human Relationships: Engineering a relational model using theatre arts methodology structured to improve health and the human condition.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will engineer a cyber-human relational model using theatre arts methodology in order to address significant gaps in the current state of healthcare. We believe theatre arts, social robotics and relational methodologies are emerging as innovative components of healthcare for persons with disabilities.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) Panelist Reviewer
Invited to be a review panelist for proposals for the National Robotics Initiative 2.0 – a highly competitive funding opportunity for NSF totaling $35,000,000 billion in funds.
PUBLICATIONS, JOURNAL ARTICLES, and PAPERS
PAPERS
Paper, Second Author. Assistive Technology. 2021. The “humane in the loop”: inclusive research design and policy approaches to foster capacity building assistive technologies in the Covid-19 era.
Paper, Lead Author. Wireless Inclusive RERC 2021 One Forum, Atlanta, GA, 2021 – Conference theme: Include. Innovate. Transform. Theatre and robots: envisioning interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the stage. Conference proceedings.
Journal, Co-Author. Aging and Mental Health. 2019. Shall I compare thee…to a robot?: An exploratory pilot study using participatory arts and social robotics to improve psychological well-being in later life. Impact Factor: 2.956.
Paper, Lead Author. The 28th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication - RO-MAN 2019, New Delhi, India – Conference theme: Responsible robotics and AI for the real world. Shakespeare and Robots: Participatory performance art for older adults. Published in conference proceedings.
Paper, Lead Author. 1st Annual IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication conference. Laguna Hills, CA. Promoting Theatre Methodology for expressive robot movement and behavior.
Abstract, Co-Author. Innovation In Aging, 2019, Vol. 3, No. S1. NAO takes a bow: Using social robots to enhance the mood of older adults living in residential care settings.
Paper, Co-Author. 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics – IMSCI 2018. Robot Theatre to Boost Excitement, Engagement, and Expression (E3) of STEM., Orlando, FL. July 8 – 11, 2018. Conference proceedings.
Paper, Author. RO-MAN 2017, Lisbon, Portugal - Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life – Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Peer-reviewed full paper. Conference proceedings.
Paper and Journal, Author. International Conference on Social Robotics (icsr 2014). Building Emotional Authenticity Between Humans and Robots. Author. University of Technology Sydney epress. Sydney, Australia. 2014. Conference proceedings.
BOOK CHAPTER
Author, contributing to chapter in Exploring Videogames: Culture, Design, and Identity, edited by Nick Webber and Daniel Riha. Invited to expand accepted paper for the 2011 International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom. Published by Inter-Disciplinary Press. Introduction by Nick Webber follows, ‘Videogame Cultures: includes work from Julienne Greer, from Ben Abraham, from me, and from Daniel Riha. Greer’s chapter on digital companions encourages us to think about videogames as cultural objects with which players interact; here, games provide companions in which players become emotionally invested, even though these companions may in fact prove to be opponents. Many of these companions are carefully designed, playing on cultural referents to encourage certain kinds of responses from players – an instinct to nurture, say, or to love. Indeed, as Greer reports, scholars have been surprised by the strength of the bonds that are created by these companions, which produce meaningful relationships for the player in a similar way to those formed between humans and robots. For Greer, such relationships also have the quality of authenticity, in the pleasure of the emotional connection and the communication of one’s thoughts, rejecting Turkle’s perspective that authenticity here is found in the comprehension and acceptance of the relationship by both parties.
Pending Book Chapter Fall 2022: All the worlds a stage: Health/Art techniques between humans and robots
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE, PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, and/or
PAPERS
NEW DELHI, INDIA 2019
Invited presenter to Ashoka University. Ashoka University is a research-based private university located outside of Delhi in the Sonipat, Haryana, India. It is an emerging university with a close collaboration of Liberal Arts and STEM collaborations. Presentation included meetings with faculty, Dean of International Student Affairs, and 45+ student attended 1 ½ hour in duration focusing on the current state-of-the-art of social robotics and theatre methodology. Invitation was initiated by President Vistasp Karbhari, University of Texas at Arlington.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA 2018
Facilitator of student-led skype interview in Spanish. Colombia science-based educational website. Topic – Emotional Robotics Living Lab and theatre and robots.
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Guest and Paper presentation: RO-MAN 2017- Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life - The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Paper title, Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. Peer-reviewed full paper with conference proceedings publication.
KOREA – U.S.
Guest and Paper presentation: United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (UKC 2016) - United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is jointly organized by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) and The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) held on August 10 – August 13, 2016, Dallas, TX. The theme of UKC 2016 is “Enriching Lives through Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship” and its goal is to promote solving issues of the world through science, technology, and entrepreneurship to greatly improve the quality of people’s lives. The UKC 2016 is the flagship and largest academic conference between the United States and Korea.
LONDON, U.K.
Guest Speaker and presentation: The Robotics Innovation Show. 2015 Invited speaker and presenter at “The Robotics Innovation Show 2015” at ExCel in London, United Kingdom. October 20-21, 2015. Presentation content: “Empathy and Embodiment: Understanding humans in order to understand social robots.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Conference on Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) Invited Social Robotics Conference article/paper, "Building emotional authenticity between humans and robots." Paper was accepted at the International Conference of Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) - Social Intelligence in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 27 – 29. Selected to present an interactive workshop.
OXFORD, U.K.
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference. Invited Game Studies Conference article/paper, "Digital companions: analyzing the emotive connection between players and non-player companions in video game space." Paper was accepted at the International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom, 2011. Conference sponsored by Inter-Disciplinary.net: A Global Network for Dynamic Research and Publishing. Member of Inter-Disciplinary.net.
NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, WORKSHOP and/or
PAPER
2022 3rd IEEE TransdisciplinaryAI2022. Laguna Hills, CA.. Co-program chair of TransAI. .
2021 2st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and
2019 Urban Serving Universities (USU) Social Determinants of Health workshop. Cincinnati, OH. Invited to participate in a cohort of University of Texas at Arlington faculty and executive administration including Theatre Arts, Associate Vice-President of Research, Civil Engineering, School of Social Work, and College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Workshop content covered assimilation of the creative process for innovative ideas to help address public health problems – specifically for UTA, social isolation.
2019 1st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and behavior. Co-located with Transdisciplinary conference 2020. Currently invited to be co-program chair of AI and Humanities for Transdisciplinary 2020 and Humanized Computing and Communication 2020.
2018 The Gerontological Society of America's 70th Annual Scientific Meeting. Boston, MA, Nov. 14 – 18. Poster Acceptance, Abstract required for acceptance.
Abstract title: “Shall I compare thee to a …robot? The use of creative arts and social robotics with older adults.”
Abstract:
Research suggests that creative engagement in later life has a positive effect on mood in older adults. Research has also utilized social robots to address the psychosocial needs of older adults. However, few studies have linked participatory arts (e. g. theatre) as the creative engagement activity using a social robotic platform with older adults. An interdisciplinary team designed and implemented an intervention integrating theater and social robotics with the aim of improving the mood of study participants. A purposive sample of older adults age 65 and older (N = 8) participated in this pilot study. Participants completed 3 sessions of the Shakespearean theatre and social robotics intervention using the robot, Nao. Mixed methods included interview questions as well as short survey measures of depression, loneliness, and a simplified face scale for mood pre and post intervention. Results from the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests suggested that the overall level of depression of the participants was reduced significantly after session 1 (z = -2. 33, p < . 05), after session 2 (z = -2. 04, p < . 05), and after session 3 (z = -2. 00, p < . 05). Scores on the loneliness and the simplified face scale also decreased after the three sessions, however, the changes were not statistically significant. Qualitative findings suggest that participants were highly engaged, comfortable, and receptive to the intervention. We discuss the promising aspects and limitations of this innovative study, the utility of social robotics for providing artistic engagement for older adults, and implications for interdisciplinary practice.
2018 IMSCI, The 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics: Orlando, FL. Co-Author. Paper Invitation and Acceptance: This paper presents a novel framework for advancing informal STEM learning in kids between the ages of 10 and 15, using robotics as a platform, enabler, as well as channel for STEM. Being a cross-disciplinary technology, Robotics not only connects theory and applications of science, mathematics, and engineering fundamentals, but also delivers instant gratification from the efforts put in, through active hands-on human-robot interaction. Supported by multiple real-world feasibility studies, the presented framework hypothesizes that if made easy to build, teach, interact, and play with robots, it can be a potent facilitator of STEM, especially in young children – an age group which is naturally curious and enthusiastic about new findings. July 8 – 11 2018.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Kitty Bomb.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Paper presentation and Coordinator of Dramaturgy group. A recontextualization of Erving Goffman’s work.
2017 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Censor. Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting award
REGIONAL SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, PANELIST and/or
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Presentation for TCU ethics module for training “empathetic scholars”. June 2020.
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Demonstration of NAO the robot to the inaugural class of TCU’s medical school training “empathetic scholars” as the next generation of medical healers. October 2019.
Presentation: Girl Scout of Dallas Inaugural Grand Opening STEM Center. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and therapeutic robotic cat for opening day of 75-acre Girl Scout STEM Center. Community outreach to young women and girls on the interdisciplinary nature of emotional robotics at UTA. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Research Center Symposium Guest Luncheon. Invited by FWMSH as guest to lunch and research symposium with faculty from Baylor, UNT, and Stephen F. Austin universities. NAO demonstration. Key outreach for Museums for presentation in Informal Learning sites. May 2018.
Keynote Speaker: Arlington Kiwanis Club. Keynote speaker for lunch. How theatre methodologies can impact social robotics. Community outreach to older adults who are key subjects in robotics research. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Business Press - Entrepreneur Breakfast. Demonstration of NAO social robot in collaboration with UTARI. Community outreach with key Fort Worth business executives. Executive Director UTARI in attendance – Mickey McCabe. April 2018.
Presentation: Texas Dallas Library National Conference. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and robotic therapeutic cat. Invited by Dean of UTA library, Dr. Rebecca Bichel. A half-day demonstration to 500+ attendees. Mentored three UTA students in demonstration and presentation of key UTA research and social robot values. April 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival. Presentation of social robot, JIBO, for a half-day demonstration at the University of Texas at Arlington Communications tent. Community outreach on behalf of the STEM interdisciplinary values at UTA. April 2018.
Guest Speaker and Presentation: Arlington Public Library (New York Avenue location). Presentation to APL group, Girls Who Code, with social robot, NAO. March 2018.
Presentation at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. NAO presentation with UTARI team. October 2017. Community outreach for higher visibility of UTA in the DFW area and interdisciplinary concepts of Theatre and Social Robotics for children. Presentation with AISL sponsor, FWMSH, continues to create bridges in the community between UTA and DFW informal education sites.
Guest Speaker and MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS: Arlington Public Library. In preparation for the AISL 2.4 million submission to NSF, community outreach and sponsored partners were cultivated with various DFW organizations. Arlington Public Library was featured strongly in the bridge building. Multiple presentation at various libraries for the dates; Sept. 11, 14, 19, and Oct. 9, among others.
Guest Speaker & Panelist: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Rising Tide Initiative Launch and Panel Discussion. An inaugural evening with the theme of Emerging Technologies: Meeting our Future. The Rising Tide Initiative has a mission to enhance entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology in Fort Worth and Tarrant County through a vibrant and collaborative technological ecosystem. April 2017. http://www.fortworthbusiness.com/news/fwmsh-hosting-rising-tide-initiative-event-friday/article_d12988e2-2a90-11e7-b0c5-f3f5c3095f6f.html
Guest Speaker/Panelist: Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous (LASERs). Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous event at University of North Texas this fall, also known as LASERs. LASERs are an exciting event series at the intersection of arts and sciences that bring together leading experts to talk about their work and experiences at the forefront of discovery and creativity. Each evening event includes presenters from the sciences, technology, industry, and the arts who offer expertise from an angle that connect to the mixed-discipline community from the arts, sciences, industry, and technology in attendance. Dr. Greer was one of three invited guest speakers and panelists. October 2016. Video content at http://arteca.mit.edu/video/julienne-greer-laser
Collaborator: Invited by David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics to presentation, “SXSW Interactive” in Austin, Texas. Invitation given to increase possible collaboration between Hanson Robotics and Dr. Greer’s emotional work in social robotics. Discussion with Hanson and attendance at a private viewing of research with Hanson robot, Philip K. Dick, Android. March 2016.
University of Texas at Arlington SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, and/or PANELIST
Keynote Speaker: iStart Valley. Innovative ideas. Transferring ideas into StartUps. A MAVS100 company. August, 2021.
Science Café Presenter: UTA Libraries zoom outreach to science and technology interests students and general public. A 45-min. live zoom presentation with real-time questions regarding Social Robotics and Theatre integration. April, 2020
Keynote Speaker: UTA CPE Department of Accounting Scholarship Banquet Gala. Keynote speaker for evenSciencing gala. Empathy and Embodiment: How theatre methodology informs social robotics. May 2018.
Guest Speaker: TEDxUTA. Live streaming presentation. Titled Will a robot be your next best friend? to a live audience at TEDxUTA at conference venue. April 2018.
Emotional Robotics Living Lab: Director. Formal Opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at Preston Hall, Room 304 to 30+ invitees including Office of Research, Office of Communications, College of Liberal Arts Dean’s office and Dept. of Theatre Arts. Hands-on activities and presentations including NAO, Pepper, Jibo, and Joy-for-all robotic cat. March 2018.
Guest Speaker: Healthline Meeting. Human-Robot Interaction: Social Robots and Healthcare. Invited by Health Libraries Information Network. January 2018.
Presentation: School of Social Work Meet and Greet for Research. 3 Slides, 3 minutes. An interdisciplinary meeting organized to present interdisciplinary work for collaboration with the SSW. January 2018.
Invited Guest Speaker and Presentation. One of 5 faculty members invited to present, the only member from the College of Liberal Arts, by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon, Dean of CoLA. Presentation was attended by University of Texas at Arlington President Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, Vice President of Research, Dr. Dimos, and honored guests, 7 executive VIPs from UT Systems health. NAO presentation of health-related work with IRP funded grant, Shakespeare and Robots. November 2017.
Guest Speaker: Digital Arts and Humanities Initiative (DAHI) Speaker Series. The DAHI team will present the findings of the study A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI in the University of Texas at Arlington Library 6th floor Parlor. April 2017.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. Second year of presenting the robot, Nao, to 500+ middle and high school students. Presentation included multiple groups rotating in for a demonstration ranging from 12 minutes to 30 minutes. Demonstration included verbal commands, human-to-robot interaction, various animations including, Puppet, Air Guitar, Rowing the Boat, and concluded with Shakespearean Sonnet 18. April 2017.
Speaker and Silver Sponsor: University of Texas at Arlington INNOVATION DAY A high school and college student competition featuring student and faculty startup pitches. Department of Theatre Arts participated as a silver sponsor alongside UTARI. Presentations were made by Dr. Greer with NAO the robot on theatre methodologies in social robotics. Conference is an annual event held on February 2017.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington, Honors College Colloquium Series – Will a Robot be your Next Friend? How theatre methodologies are utilized to enhance the relationship in human-robot interaction (HRI). The pros and cons of social robots entering the U.S. market in 2017. And, an introduction to the Department of Theatre’s research robot, Nao. This presentation was part of a monthly colloquium hosted by the Honors College in which a member of the UTA faculty discusses his or her research. Greer presentation given to honors students (30+) on research with the robot, Nao, which stands at the intersections of Theatre, Computer Science, Psychology, and Healthcare. Kevin Gustafson, Interim Dean of the Honors College, “Yours was easily among the most engaging of the more than twenty colloquia we have sponsored over the past four years.” December 2016.
Invited Panelist: Research Integrity Symposium. Research Integrity Symposium sponsored by the Steering Committee that manages the Responsible Conduct of Research Training Program (RCR) at University of Texas at Arlington. This year’s theme will be Collaborative Research. The issued to be discussed will be: research integrity, responsible conduct, management of collaborations, formal agreements as well as informal arrangements addressing matters such as authorship, roles and responsibilities, research compliance, and mentoring of trainees. October 2016.
Guest Speaker: Invited to present on the intersection of social robotics and theatre at the College of Business, Accounting Departments’ CPE Day at University of Texas at Arlington on August 2016.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. I began work with UTARI collaborating and developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. Invited ten Theatre Arts undergraduate students to UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot. April 2016.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington. Focus on Faculty. Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 2016. https://library.uta.edu/events/focus-faculty-julienne-greer
Panelist: Invited Research Discussant & Panel member. Fixed: The Science Fiction of Human Enhancement. Interdisciplinary panel. Invited by the Director of Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington to participate on a panel with UTA faculty John Bricout, associate dean of the School of Social Work, and Janet Morrow, disabilities studies adjunct professor. Moderated discussion and talk back after a viewing of the film, March 2015.
PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY AWARDS AND HONORS
2019 - University of Texas at Arlington, 2019 COLA Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure Track Faculty, “selected because of your outstanding record of teaching as well as your interdisciplinary approach to teaching theatre arts through social robotics and performance
2016 - University of Texas at Arlington, Focus on Faculty Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 20th, 2016.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Endowment Award given by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon and the Dean's Office of the College of Liberal Arts - Endowment Award for Research and Creative Activity - toward the purchase of Pepper, the emotional robot, from SoftBank Robotics for use in a multi-disciplinary Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) course created by Dr. Julienne Greer titled Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited speaker to AGS staff luncheon on behalf of Department of Theatre Arts, publicity and university outreach for Theatre Arts 2015-2016 season.
2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited participant in inaugural grant writing group. Five faculty participants were chosen to interact with senior grant writers, Office of Development and Office of the Provost, Division of Faculty Affairs.
2014 - Star-Telegram Best Actress in a Performance - 2014 as Juliana Singleton in Dallas-Fort Worth premier of The Other Place by Sharr White, Circle Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas.
2011 - University of Texas at Dallas Travel/Professional Development Award. Travel expenses to Oxford, University in England, United Kingdom. Mansfield College. Videogame Cultures is a premier game studies conference in Europe.
2001 Best Actress in a Play, Stage West, Honor from Board of Directors. Blanche Dubois, in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
AWARDS/HONORS
Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure-Track Faculty, 2019. University of Texas at Arlington, College of Liberal Arts, Dept. of Theatre Arts.
Outstanding Mainstage Production, 2014-15 Season, MAVPLAYS, Dept. of Theatre Arts’ Student/Faculty Awards. April, 2015. Producer: MAVPLAYS; Director: Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets.
Most Inspiring Professor, Nominee 2004, Department of Theatre, Texas Christian University.
Panhellenic Council Awards.
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
INTERNATIONAL
ITALY – April 2018
Disablog.it. Provide assistive technology to disabled people through the study of disability itself. “Le tecnologie assistive, comprese quelle basate sull’intelligenza artificiale, possono svolgere un ruolo importante nel plasmare il modo in cui le persone con disabilità sono in grado di muoversi nelle attività quotidiane. Tuttavia, ciò che può sembrare una buona idea per un ingegnere potrebbe non essere una realtà di fatto quando una persona con disabilità cerca di utilizzare la tecnologia.”
http://www.disablog.it/fornire-tecnologia-assistiva-alle-persone-disabili-tramite-lo-studio-della-disabilita-stessa/
KOREA - November 2017
Irobotnews.com. 텍사스알링턴대, 로봇-인간 정서 교감 연구 Human Emotional Empathy Research.
“Our idea is not to replace people, but to meet the gap," said UTA director of theater arts and professor Julienne Greer. "Above all, through performing arts we wish to interact with robots and people of various ages to create a solidarity of trust and emotion."
http://www.irobotnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12256
FRANCE – November 2017
InfoHighTech.com. LE NOUVEAU LABORATOIRE DE ROBOTIQUE ÉMOTIONNELLE ÉTUDIE L’INTERACTION HOMME-ROBOT. [The New Laboratory of Emotional Robotics Study in the interaction of human-robot]
“Julienne Greer et ses collègues Ling Xu et Noelle Fields, deux professeurs adjoints à la School of Social Work de l’UTA, et Kris Doelling, ingénieur de recherche à l’UTA Research Institute (UTARI), ont récemment mené une étude auprès d’adultes âgés dans un établissement indépendant au Texas. Le robot et les adultes ont interagi en utilisant des sonnets bien connus de Shakespeare. Cette étude, financée par une subvention de 20 000 dollars du Programme de recherche interdisciplinaire de l’UTA, a révélé qu’après trois semaines d’interactions, il y avait une baisse significative de la dépression et une augmentation de l’engagement social humain-robot chez ces personnes âgées.”
https://www.infohightech.com/le-nouveau-laboratoire-de-robotique-emotionnelle-etudie-linteraction-homme-robot/
BELGIUM – April 2017
Human 2.0 – Exploring Cyborgs. Lectures – Expo – Film.
In partial requirements for his master’s degree at The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, abbreviated KU Leuven, alum Andrew Beckman, organized with his peers, an evening of cyborg culture. Dr. Greer participated via video with NAO the robot. “What is a cyborg? What isn’t a cyborg a human 2.0? Where do we draw the line that separates humans from cyborgs?
https://www.facebook.com/events/439715329714287/
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
NATIONAL
National media and news outlets which ran UTA press release(s) story of the opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab and the analysis of Shakespeare and Robots research study:
UTA Communication analytics reported $100,000 advertising buys for TV spots featuring Dr. Greer’s work and Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
April 2018 – EurekaAlert! Science News. UTA grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/uota-ugt041318.php
April 2018 – PHYS.ORG. Grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be Integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://phys.org/wire-news/285330818/grant-to-help-minority-students-link-assistive-technology-with-d.html
April 2018 – DisabledWorld.com. UTA Grant to Help Minority Students Link Assistive Technology with Disabilities Studies. “Assistive technology program will teach undergraduate students, especially minority and female students and those with disabilities, how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities.
https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/finance/uta-grant.php
January 2018 – Xconomy. UTA Using Robots, Shakespeare to Study Ways to Address Loneliness. Angela Shah.
“A study at the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington is exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression…UTA’s living lab, which is made up of spaces set up to look like a person’s home – is part of a multidisciplinary effort that includes professors in theatre arts, social work, and engineering.”
https://www.xconomy.com/texas/2018/01/19/uta-using-robots-shakespeare-to-study-ways-to-address-loneliness/
January 2018 – KRWG New Mexico State: Justin Martin talks with Julienne Greer, director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington, about the emotional side of robots.
Audio:
http://krwg.org/post/local-newscast-1-53
November 2017 – EurekAlert! The Global Sources for Science News. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support. “The ideas here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,” said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uota-uer111317.php
November 2017 – Robotics Tomorrow. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. The new lab will feature two robots from SoftBank Robotics, NAO and Pepper. Pepper is a 4-foot humanoid robot with large, expressive eyes and lifelike gestures that can connect with people on an emotional level. NAO is a smaller humanoid robot, designed to be an interactive companion.”
https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/article/2017/11/uta%EF%BF%BD%EF%BF%BDs-emotional-robotics-living-lab-will-research-how-robots-can-be-integrated-into-homes-as-companions-and-caregivers/11072
November 2017 - PHYS.ORG. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? ‘We want to look at what it means to have a robot in the room, and plan to use theatre methodology to make that experience as engaging as possible," Greer added. ‘Both robots are also actively used in the curriculum of the course I teach, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre every semester, which involves hands-on student/robot interactions.’”
https://phys.org/wire-news/272048432/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-compani.html
November 2017 – TIEECO.org Silicon Valley. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “The new lab is studying whether or not a robot can fill in the emotional gap needed to be a companion or caretaker to humans.”
https://www.tieeco.org/ecosystem/news/n/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds
November 2017 – Robotics Trends. New Emotional Robotics Lab to Study Human-Robot Interaction. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots.” http://conflict.md/2017/11/15/new-emotional-robotics-lab-to-study-human-robot-interaction/
November 2017 – ASEE First Bell. University of Texas Using Literature to Forge Emotional Bonds Between Humans, Robots. The Dallas Morning News (11/20, Brumfield) reports the University of Texas at Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab “is using the work of none other than William Shakespeare” to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safety with humans and to “learn how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional as well as physical support.” The piece quotes UTA theater arts professor Julienne Greer saying, “The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap. We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.” http://mailview.bulletinmedia.com/mailview.aspx?m=2017112101asee&r=6106399-da88&render=y
November 2017 – News Cision. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “The lab is designed with home spaces for older adults featuring mid-century furniture as well as a more modern play space for projects using children or younger adults.”
http://news.cision.com/university-of-texas-at-arlington/r/uta-s-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companions-caregivers,c2390637
November 2017 – PublicNow.com. Robots and Theatre. NAO and Pepper in the new lab. How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers?
http://www.publicnow.com/view/3E87CF16C169F1B824FAEBA8EC850949936A99B5?2017-11-13-20:30:17+00:00-xxx5895
November 2017 – DailyTopicI. Texas-based Emotional Robotics Living Lab Creates Caregiver Robots - Robotics. “Public research school University of Texas at Arlington opened its Emotional Robotics Living Lab to determine how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional support or to serve as caregivers.”
http://dailytopici.com/news/view/8270
November 2017 – CQRCENGAGE.com. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? “The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA's Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://cqrcengage.com/auvsi/app/document/25102365?1
November 2017 – McKnight’s Senior Living. Universities study robots to help senior living residents. Lois A. Bowers. “Independent living and assisted living communities are serving as testing grounds as University of Texas at Arlington researchers try to develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers. Researchers hope the efforts meet resident needs and help operators address labor challenges.”
https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/universities-study-robots-to-help-senior-living-residents/article/707478/
November 2017 – AZOrobotics.com. New Emotional Robotic Living Lab will Investigate the Integration of Robots into Homes. “We are now looking to make the experience more immersive so that the robot and the adults play out an entire scene of Shakespeare together…we hypothesize that the more immersive the theatre intervention, the deeper and more positive the responses in older adults will be in regards to depression and social engagement’”
https://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=9587
November 2017 – ScienMag Science Magazine. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to Focus on Robots as Companions/Caregivers. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://scienmag.com/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companionscaregivers/
November 2017 – Bob Heyer-Gray. Librarian at University of California – Davis. University of Texas using literature to forge emotional bonds between humans, robots. “Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is ‘using the work of no other than William Shakespeare’ to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safely with humans.”
November 2017 – BotWeb.net. The latest robotics news from around the web. “‘The idea here is not to replace humans, but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.”
October 2017 – LeadingAge.com. Robots and Self-Driving Taxis on the Rise in Senior Living by Donna Childress. Companion robots and others offer large potential to engage older adults. “NAO, which challenged the residents to give the final lines of a Shakespeare sonnet and can do things like shake hands and join residents for tai chi, was a hit… ‘Older adults really did find this futuristic machine…quite fascinating…I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’” https://www.leadingage.org/cast/robots-and-self-driving-taxis-rise-senior-living
October 2017 – Andrea Hektner.com. Repeat after me, robots are not humans. “Within her area of study, Greer dedicates herself to understanding all the facets underlining the many ways in which humans interact with one another…The interesting concept of Greer’s work is that humans must first understand humanity in order to make way for the incoming generation of robots, which she argues can be achieved through the theatrical arts.”
https://andreahektner.com/2016/06/20/repeat-after-me-robots-are-not-humans/
September 2017 – Seniorhousingnews.com. Senior Living Sees Slow But Steady Robot Revolution by Tim Regan. “Most recently, a Brookdale community in Arlington, Texas, hosted researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), to determine whether reciting Shakespeare with a robot could lessen symptoms of depression and increase engagement for seniors… ‘Will more assisted living facilities see robots in this way, not just for service, but also as companions? I absolutely think so,” she says. “I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’”
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/09/15/senior-living-sees-slow-steady-robot-revolution/
August 2017 – Brookdale.com, Brookdale Senior Living Solutions; Technology and Innovation Section by Andrew Smith. NAO takes a bow: Meet the robot engaging seniors in the arts. Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. “The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,” said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA. For three weeks, eight Brookdale residents spent an hour each week reciting Shakespeare with NAO. NAO recited the first 12 lines of Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) with all the drama of a professional actor and then asked the residents to complete the last two lines. While some residents were hesitant at first, the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Based on the data from our study, findings suggest that there was a significant increase in engagement and a significant decrease in depression,” said Dr. Greer. “We learned that social robots are poised to become viable collaborative companions in places like Brookdale.” The poetry performance was just the beginning of NAO’s interaction. The robot can shake hands, accompany seniors on a walk, perform Tai Chi and tell stories. The versatility was a hit with residents…NAO is a perfect example of how something that seems so simple (a Shakespeare reciting robot) can significantly improve quality of life. It also demonstrates that seniors, just like the rest of us, get excited and engaged with novel technologies. https://www.brookdalenews.com/nao-takes-bow-meet-robot-engaging-seniors-in-arts.htm
March 2017 – FOX 10, MyFoxZone. KIDY San Angelo, TX. Robots Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly… ‘Researchers are using a robot reciting Shakespeare with senior citizens, in what is known as ‘participatory art.’”
https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416978351
March 2017 – FOX 15, MyFoxZone. KXVA Abilene, TX. Robot Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly.’”
Article and Video:
https://www.fox15abilene.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416977500
January 2016 – DISCOVERY.COM Discovery News. Why We Want Our Robots to Like Us. Glenn McDonald. “Julienne Greer, a theater professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has a unique insight into the issue of Human Robot Interaction, or HRI. In recent years, Greer and her students have worked directly with computer scientists and engineers in the U-T system, creating the new class Humans and Robots to explore the emerging emotional connections between people and machines. ‘My time spent in theatre arts seems to indicate that we are all wired to connect to empathetic human experiences, especially emotional experiences, and we feel the most 'like ourselves' when we do,’ Greer says.” [Discovery News source has changed the following link is correct for the original article.]
https://engineering.nd.edu/news-publications/engineering-in-the-news/why-we-want-our-robots-to-like-us
November 2014 – NDTV.com, The Future Awaits the Rise of Affectionate Robots. “A new study into a robot named Pepper who has been hailed as an emotionally responsive humanoid robot, can help scientists build more affection robots.”
http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/the-future-awaits-the-rise-of-affectionate-robots-703178
November 2014 – The Aurora Fox Arts Center. From STEM to STEAM, Theatre and Robots? “Performing Arts and ‘Theatre’ hold a regular spot on lists like Forbes’ “The Ten Worst College Majors” and The Daily Beast’s “The Thirteen Most Useless Majors”. But Julienne Greer sees that changing…When Julienne Greer heard about the new “emotional” robots coming out of Japan (like Aldebaran’s Pepper) she was intrigued. These robots are designed to be in-home companions that can read people’s moods and respond appropriately…The take-away? An actress (with a Theatre degree) is successfully working with scientists to develop super cool technology. Looks like that major wasn’t so useless after all.” [Link has expired as of 7/18/18]
http://aurorafoxartscenter.org/cms/2014/11/25/from-stem-to-steam/
November 2014 – Cosmos Magazine, How to Make Robots More Like Humans. “Actor, producer and director Julienne Greer is helping engineers build more responsive robots…Part of her work involves categorizing behaviors and gestures and understanding how these gestures can create emotion in humans. Robot engineers may be able to apply these principles when programming robots… ‘Performance, connection and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots.’”
https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/how-to-make-robots-more-like-humans
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
REGIONAL – DFW
April 2018 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Developing Assistive Technologies Program with $381K Grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded the grant to fund the program that will teach undergraduate students, particularly minority and female students with disabilities, how to design the assistive technology. Ishfaq Ahmad, professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department is the principal investigator, UTA said. Other co-principal investigators are Julienne Greer, assistant professor in theater arts; and assistant professors of computer science and engineering Manfred Huber and Vassilis Athitsos.
https://dallasinnovates.com/381k-grant-help-develop-uta-assistive-technologies-program/
December 2017 – KERANews.org. Robots Reciting Shakespeare with Seniors in UTA Study Hints at Future Companion Role. Justin Martin and Molly Evans. “Robots are assuming more and more roles in our daily lives…In the study, older adults interacted with a robot using Shakespearean sonnets. The study comes from UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which explores the bigger idea of robots as companions and caregivers in the future. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre arts and the lab’s director, explains how one of the robots, called NAO, was used in the study… ‘It was not just reciting Shakespeare. We made this study because we wanted the robot to participate with the older adult. Now, when someone is participating in an art, they’re not just looking at that painting, they’re not just listening to that music. They are actually in a process of doing, and that was shown to have incredibly positive results.’” Article, Video, and Audio files to follow:
http://keranews.org/post/robots-reciting-shakespeare-seniors-uta-study-hints-future-companion-role
Youtube – 10 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A7I_peskTk
December 2017 – Arlington Voice. Robotics theatrics pairs UTA research with Arlington seniors. “NAO is one of two advanced robots used in the lab to test the emotional engagement between man and machine. It’s (NAO) arm, no longer than that of a toddler, reaches toward the sky as it recites Shakespeare Sonnet 18… ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer day.’”
https://arlingtonvoice.com/arlington/education/2017/12/02/robotic-theatrics-pairs-uta-research-arlington-seniors
November 2017 – Star-Telegram News. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? Bill Hana. “NAO, a 23-inch tall robot, performs a 30-second Tai Chi routine, gracefully moving its arms up in the air. At the same time, Kevyn Martinez, a 20-year-old communications major at the University of Texas at Arlington, stands behind the small robot, mirroring its movements. The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/arlington/article186305888.html
November 2017 – DallasNews.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says. Loyd Brumfield. “We all know that robots with human-like functions are coming. But as we have learned in everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Westworld, how do we know they can be trusted. Maybe artists hold the key to that answer more so than scientists or engineers. ‘The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theater arts at UTA and director of the lab. ‘We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2017/11/20/robots-caregivers-afraid-uta-says
November 2017 – PressReader.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20171121/282110636909639
November 2017 – NBC DFW Channel 5 News. Shakespeare Performing Robots Show Promise for Mental Health in UTA Study. Tim Ciesco. “A theater arts professor, a mechanical engineering student, and a small robot all meet in a classroom. That's not the opening line of an obscure joke -- it's what actually happens inside UT-Arlington's new Emotional Robotics Living Lab… ‘Theater arts is a discipline of connection, empathy, voice, movement, relationship -- and in the end trust,’ said Greer. ‘I think it's stimulating. I think by utilizing arts content it's more life-like.’” Article and Video follows:
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Shakespeare-Performing-Robots-Show-Promise-for-Mental-Health-in-UTA-Study-458674103.html
November 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11&21 News. UTA Working to Make Robots Become More Human. Robbie Owens. “Once the stuff of science fiction, robots today run our factories and touch nearly aspect of our lives. Now, an interdisciplinary research project at University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) looks to explore what could happen if robots can learn to touch our hearts. Dr. Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, and Director of the university’s ‘Living Lab’ where participants interact with the robots in a home-like setting… ‘We can bring all the things that make theater so human: the ability to connect, the ability to understand another human being’s life… empathy… I am programming robots that will allow you to stay in your home longer,’ said Dr. Greer, ‘When I say that, that’s when people go: `how quickly can you get them to me?’”
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/11/14/uta-robots-human/
November 2017 – WALA Fox Channel 10, Alabama. Robots with Emotions?
“Social companion robots with the goal to let people live independently into later life.” https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30774829?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Fox 13, Tampa, Florida. “Students and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington are trying to create robots that have emotions.”
Video with UTA Dept. of Theatre Arts students:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30775344?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “In the study, a robot and adults interacted using sonnets from Shakespeare, and researchers found that after three weeks, there was a major drop in depression and an increase in robot-human social engagement among the older adults.”
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds/
November 2017 – KRLD 1080 am RADIO. Audio interview on the opening of Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Audio:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30692189?token=2912f455-cfc2-4423-9da3-adfec9cb7a4b
November 2017 – Arlington-TX.gov. UTA Launches Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support… ‘We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/11/14/uta-launches-emotional-robotics-living-lab/
November 2017 – Texas Digital Humanities Consortium. Promoting digital research in Texas and beyond. Lisa Spiro. “Dr. Julienne Greer was awarded one of UTA’s second annual Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grants for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults.” She leads an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. Dr. Greer and colleagues also received funding for A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI, which examines how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI.”
https://www.txdhc.org/members/lspiro/activity/1273/
September 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11 “Dr. Julienne Greer, an Assistant Professor of Social Robotics and Performance, says they are using something called participatory arts to help robots interact with senior citizens…The content of the art is said to enhance a person’s cognitive skills, as well as offer companionship for older adults… ‘We want the older adults to feel engaged in an art form…we are very hopeful the same positive results that happen in human to human models will happen with a human to robot model…’ Theater for Psychological Well-Being. The goal is to provide an intervention tool for early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Team: Dr. Julienne Greer, UTA College of Theatre Arts, Dr. Noelle Fields, UTA School of Social Work. Sponsor: UTA: Interdisciplinary Research Program.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=3xzNF16ZBqo
April 2017 – CW33 To Bot or not to Bot: Meet the little robot who can perform Shakespeare! Chris Skupien. “Here in the 21st century, robots are nothing new. But have you ever seen one recite a sonnet? ‘This robot is considered a social or companion robot…This is the robot that might be a friend and that is where the theatre methodology comes in.’”
Article and Video:
http://cw33.com/2017/04/27/to-bot-or-not-to-bot-meet-the-little-robot-who-can-perform-shakespeare/
Dec. 2016 – Star-Telegram by Sara Pintilie. Shall AI compare thee? UTA robot recites Shakespeare for science. Star-Telegram article/video initially requested by Dr. Vistap Karbhari, President of UT-Arlington.
“University of Texas at Arlington’s Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts: social robotics and performance, wants to use NAO and Shakespeare to help older adults in a new interdisciplinary study. Interdisciplinary research can promote a new way to tackle a problem or a fresh approach to age-old questions. It can produce exciting and refreshing elements, like a Shakespeare-reciting robot. Greer’s study, when it begins in April, will have older adults listen as NAO recites the first 12 lines of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, and the people will recite the last two lines. ‘The pilot date will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults, the study says.’”
Article and Video:
http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article120016593.html
Dec. 2016 – Dallas Observer. The University of Texas at Arlington’s Theatre Department has a new student – a Robot by Pablo Arauz. “Nao the robot is a little over a month old but can already recite poetry as if it feels passion… Greer is an assistant professor of theater and an actor. Her life’s work has been to study how humans interact with other humans, but recently she’s been exploring a whole new territory: How humans interact with machines and the experience involved in understanding this relationship – that’s right, a relationship with a machine. Her specialty is an interdisciplinary research area called theater and social robotics that explores how robots can reflect human emotion by applying traditional acting methods.”
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-university-of-texas-at-arlingtons-theater-department-has-a-new-student-a-robot-8987400
December 2016 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Theatre Prof Will Use Robot in Study on Human-Machine Connection. UTA professor Julienne Greer will use an autonomous humanoid robot in an upcoming study exploring the connection between humans and machines.
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-theater-prof-will-use-robot-in-study-on-human-machine-connection/
February 2016 – Fox News4ward, February 7th and 13th, 2016, Robots with Human Emotions, by Dan Godwin. “It may sound like science fiction, but more and more these days robots are exhibiting human qualities. And in many homes, they serve as companions for people. In this FOX 4Ward segment, Dan Godwin talks with Dr. Julienne Greer, a local expert who is helping guide that progress in a positive direction.”
http://www.fox4news.com/news/fox-4-features/86482879-story
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
UTA IN THE NEWS
April 20th, 2018 – UTA In the News
Technologies in Disabilities grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded a $381,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant from the National Science Foundation, Dallas Innovates.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/04/20.php
January 22nd, 2018 – UTA In the News
“Robots are being created to help with tasks like disinfecting hospital rooms or alerting patients when it’s time to take medications, Xconomy.com reported. A study at UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is even exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre at UTA, serves as the director of the lab, which was launched in November.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/01/22.php
December 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts in UTA’s College of Liberal Arts, appeared on KERA 90.1 FM discussing her research in the field of social and emotional robotics. She found that interactions with robots had a positive impact on the lives of senior citizens in an assisted living facility. Greer is the director of UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/15.php
December 4st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Arlington Voice reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/04.php
December 1st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Robotics Tomorrow reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/01.php
November 27th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Robotics Living Lab
“The Star-Telegram reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/27.php
November 22nd, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Innovates, ASEE First Bell,
China's Irobotnews and France's Infohightech reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/22.php
November 20th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC 5 reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/20.php
November 17th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab continued to attract national attention with KTVT Fox 13 in Tampa, Fla., WALA Fox 10 in Mobile, Ala., Robotics Trends, Azorobotics and many other media outlets covering the start of the lab, which will investigate what the future will look like with robots.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/17.php
November 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Researchers at UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab are investigating what the future will look like with robots. They're also examining how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support, KTVT CBS 11, KRLD 1080 AM, ArlingtonTx.gov, CBSDFW.com, McKnight’s Senior Living, ScienMag and Phys.org reported. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts, is directing the new lab.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/15.php
UTA PRESS RELEASES
January 2020 – UTA Press Release. UTA takes on loneliness crisis. Dana Jennings. “We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life,” said Greer, who also is director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “Theater has a way of giving more depth to one’s identity and creating a deeper sense of self-expression. Robots do not judge or get their feelings hurt, thus creating a safe space for people to be expressive.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/news-releases/2020/01/09/social-isolation
April 2018 – UTA Press Release. UTA researchers earn grant to teach minority undergraduates how to link assistive technology, artificial intelligence and disability studies. Herb Booth. University of Texas at Arlington computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor…were awarded a three-year, $318,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2018/04/nsf-adaptive-tech-undergrad.php
November 2017 – UTA Press Release. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. Louisa Kellie.
“Greer and an interdisciplinary team recently carried out a study with older adults at an independent living facility in Texas where the robot and adults interacted using well-known sonnets from Shakespeare. This study, which was funded with a seed grant from UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program, found that after three weeks of interactions, there was a significant drop in depression and increase in human-robot social engagement among those older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2017/11/Greer%20release%20robots.php
November 2017 - UTA Newsroom. Sonnet Technology. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor in the UTA Department of Theatre Arts, is combining Shakespeare and state-of-the-art robots to reduce depression and increase engagement among older adults. The interdisciplinary team includes researchers from UTA's School of Social Work and the UTA Research Institute. The research team recently opened an emotional robotics living lab to understand how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers.
https://www.uta.edu/news/video/2017/11/Shakespeare-Robot.php
Youtube: 1.23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=olH9WOR9GtE
November 2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, News Release UT Arlington Theatre Arts research provides insight into human behavior for scientists, engineers who build social robots by Bridget Lewis. News release was picked up by multiple science websites including; Phys.org, esciencenews.com, sciencenewsline.com, techsharx.com, cosmosmagazine.com, inas.in (Indo-Asian news service) as well as a Lithuanian news site, robotika.it (Menininkės įžvalgos pravers robotų kūrėjams). “The fascinating aspect of sensory (data) work is how it opens the imagination to the cognitive work our senses do all day, every day to connect us to our world. The subject becomes aware of new sensory stimuli, which in turn creates an emotional response.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2014/11/Greer-social-robotics.php
August 2016 – NEWS RELEASE UTA Awards Four 2016 Inter-disciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016). UTA awarded grants for innovative ideas that address high-priority issues in society. I was granted one of only four awards University-wide for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on the psychological well-being of older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2016/08/IRP%202016.php
UTA MAGAZINE - PRINT
UTA – The University of Texas at Arlington Magazine, Pioneers of the 21st Century. Antwan Williams. “They’re doing so with the help of 2-foot tall robot named NAO that performs Shakespearean sonnets… ‘all these awards represent important research innovations and could create a real impact in society’ says Duane Dimos, vice president for research.’”
http://www.uta.edu/utamagazine/spring-2018/features/pioneers-of-the-21st-century.php
May 2015 – INQUIRY - The Research Magazine for University of Texas at Arlington, I, Robot, Engineers look to theatre techniques to create more responsive machines. “Performance, connection, and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots…We must be specific in programming robots to respond to, and eventually learn from, the human relationships they will be a part of.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/inquiry/spring15/faculty/i-robot.php
UTA MAVWIRE
April 2018. Assistive Technologies Studies. “Computer scientists and faculty with the disabilities studies minor will create a campus-wide program to teach how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers.”
https://www.uta.edu/enews/mavwire/2018/04/23.html
UTA COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS NEWSROOM and CoLA Magazine
June 2018 – CoLA Magazine. UTA Faculty Pursue DATA DRIVEN DISCOVERY. NSF grant Focuses on Research in Assistive Technology. "Greer, an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, has received numerous grants for creating distinctive social applications for robots...'Dr. Rose and Dr. Greer specialize in cutting edge scholarship.'"
https://www.yumpu.com/en/embed/view/J8fLIC0n7AvhREm9
November 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Newsroom. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is open and ready for a close-up! “Arlington’s new Emotion Robotics Living Lab opened fall semester 2017 and features two robots designed to connect with humans on an emotional level and act as companions. The new lab gives hands-on experience working with the robots to UTA students enrolled in Dr. Julienne Greer’s Theatre Arts Course, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre. The lab space, which has recently piqued the interest of the local media, The class is open to all students, regardless of major, interested in learning more about companion robots and the place they will hold in our future. Greer said, “The interdisciplinary nature of the lab and the course is one of the innovative qualities and what seems to interest the public and the media.” In the last two days, Greer and the Robotics Living Lab team have spoken with CBS Channel 11, NBC Channel 5, and the Star-telegram about the new lab and course initiatives with very positive receptions. The flurry of activity follows UTA’s press release on the new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer said, “People are very interesting in social robots, it is exciting to share this news and where UTA is headed in this field with the DFW community.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2017/11/16/ut-arlingtons-emotion-robotics-living-lab-is-open-and-ready-for-a-close-up/
August 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Annual Magazine. “This report about the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington spotlights achievements within the college during the last year. There is no better illustration of the talent among our students and mentorship by our faculty and staff, then the example of…interacting with a Shakespeare-intoning robot.” Elizabeth Cawthon, Dean. CoLA.
http://www.uta.edu/libarts/_downloads/CoLAMagazine/CoLAMagazine_WebEdition.pdf
September 2016 – NEWS RELEASE College of Liberal Arts. IRP Awards. “UTA has awarded four seed grants to interdisciplinary research projects that address growing problems such as loneliness among the elderly, the need for sustainable green education spaces, the health crisis among urban American Indians or the mechanisms behind heart failure among the elderly.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/uta-awards-four-2016-interdisciplinary-research-program-grants-for-innovative-ideas-that-address-high-priority-issues-in-society/
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Live radio interview for College of Liberal Art’s 50th anniversary and welcome back event with UTA Radio, “UTA and The Department of Theatre Arts are incredibly forward-thinking. We’ve purchased a social robot for use in the classroom…How robots essentially ‘perform’ for humans and how humans emotionally respond to robots, is my primary research interest.” (Greer)
UTA NEWSPAPER - THE SHORTHORN
May, 2022 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Professor combines theatre and robotics to reflect human connection. Ayesha Hana Shaji. “Social robots, also known as emotional robots, are machines that can communication socially with human being said Julienne Greer…Greer found a way to bring together her seemingly odd combination of passions, theatre and robotics.”https://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/professor-combines-theater-and-robotics-to-reflect-human-connection/article_6720a5e6-aec2-11ec-b8f5-cb82ea484fd9.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students find relief through art. Amanda Padilla. “Greer emphasized these two concepts. She said people are wired to connect with each other, they have a need and a desire to connect as humans. By engaging in the arts, they learn to trust something. For Greer, people learn to trust each other.In a play, many people come together to create a show. The director, the stage manager, the cast, the technicians; all of these people have to trust their connection to create something together.” http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-find-relief-through-art/article_134f4e52-d083-11e8-b182-23d30eda925c.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, Interdisciplinary team studies robots. Spencer Brewer. “These machines will somehow be a reflection of us as humans,” Greer said. The Emotional Robotics Living Lab focuses on social robots, or robots that will interact socially with people in their homes and workplaces in the future.
“I like to talk about it because it’s not a phone, it’s not a human, and it’s not the television turned on at home,” Greer said. “It is something else, and I’m really interested in what that something else is and how we will interact with it, and what that means, then, about us.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/interdisciplinary-team-studies-robots/article_ebf6f774-c673-11e8-9252-5f7e76848ca0.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Rebekah Morr. “The Living Lab is home to two robots: NAO and Pepper. Both are social and companion robots who can respond autonomously to faces and sounds…Pepper can be classified as an emotional robot because it can detect emotional expressions and tension in a person’s voice.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/article_f32a4568-cfe4-11e7-8be9-13610f80f16f.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Duy Vu. “Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts and Emotional Robotics Living Lab director, explains the functionality of Pepper, a social companion robot, on Nov. 21 in the lab at Preston Hall.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/image_ac03b0f0-cf00-11e7-af15-cf6b2e776c41.html
April 2017 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students, Faculty meet Piebot. “Julienne Greer, theatre arts assistant professor, presented her humanlike robot, called PieBot at UTA’s iDAH speaker series…PieBot was built to eliminate human apathy toward robots and foster a sense of nurturing empathy, Greer said. Greer pulled from different specialties, including from costume designers, programmers, and engineers. ‘Interdisciplinary isn’t just a buzzword, Greer said.’”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-faculty-meet-piebot/article_9ed3b58c-1b0b-11e7-aa25-bf218a04f8f4.html
September 2016 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Robot pairs with sonnets to assist elderly. Matt Fulkerson. “If you can take the world’s greatest wordsmith-literary-poet-playwright and you can bring a robot in and they can play that scene, that’ll be incredible,” she said. (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/robots-pair-with-sonnets-to-assist-elderly/article_74c49866-7f5b-11e6-8907-cfaea4359d90.html
September 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Theatre gets robot, which will appear in spring play. Sheliah Lindsey. “I believe robots are the future…They have so much potential. They can help keep the elderly in their homes longer. They can help children with disabilities.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/theatre-gets-robot-which-will-appear-in-spring-play/article_bc330eb6-502d-11e5-87a7-7fa707007332.html
March 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Film spurs discussion about disabilities, human enhancement. The Shorthorn released the story of the inter-disciplinary panel discussion titled, Dr. Greer, discussant (see Panels). In response to a question regarding human enhancement through robotics and how that identifies humans; “All of my inequalities make me an incredibly unique person…I own being this age, going through my life, having the experiences I’ve had, and doing this wonderful art, which is all about finding the interesting, unique, quirky parts of being a human being.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/film-spurs-discussion-about-disabilities-human-enhancement/article_a004f966-cd1f-11e4-b454-0bae11a94667.html
December 2014 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Lecturer blends theatre arts, robotics by Hannah-Beth Floyd. “I think we’re already well past the point where humans and technologies interact…Technology is a part of our life…(my work is essentially) taking decades of method work, performance technique, and using it to create the most authentic relationship between the human being and a robot.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/lecturer-blends-theater-arts-robotics/article_85eeab54-7a76-11e4-8344-3f24595643ac.html
UTA - INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATORS AND MEDIA
September 2018 – UTA Library Newsletter. User Engagement & Services. Building Partnerships and Lasting Friendships Through Technology. “During our tenure as Robot Ambassadors, we (Devon Peralta and Rene Taméz) formed an extraordinary working relationship with Dr. Julienne Greer, a multi-disciplinary scholar and professor who has been researching human/robot interactions. Dr. Greer was the first UTA Faculty to request the Robot Ambassadors in her classroom, where she was doing research on emotional support robots, for which she received a grant to start the UTA Emotional Robots Living Lab.”
June 2018 – Invited by Nova Coates, Computer Science and Engineering colleague to create a 20 sec. audio spot for CSE freshman highlight interdisciplinary work.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151850623@N06/42194854490/in/album-72157693832149860/
March 2018 – UTA Radio on Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Live broadcast aired March 22 2018.
January 2018 – Computer Science and Engineering – UT Arlington. Facebook. In Spring 2018, Dr. Julienne Greer teaches a course exploring social robotics and the roles robots will have in our lives from Disability Studies, Theatre Studies, and Humanities perspectives. The course includes hands-on work with the social robots, PEPPER, JIBO, and NAO in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. If you have any questions about this class please contact ltucker@uta.edu or Dr. Julienne Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre, Social Robotics and Performance.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cseutarlington/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1943693469037365
December 2017 – College of Engineering – IN THE NEWS. “Robotics Tomorrow reported…UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots.”
November 2017 – UTARI. Greer’s New Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UT Arlington assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2017/NBC5_nao.php
November 2017 – UTARI. Meet the robot engaging seniors in the Arts. “Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. ‘The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,’ said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA.”
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2018/Brookdale_2.php
November 2017 – UTARI. “Couldn't have scripted this Channel 5 news interview any better if you tried!” UTARI Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/posts/1611685888893622
November 2017 – School of Social Work. “The interdisciplinary team from UTA School of Social Work and UTARI researchers have come together for an amazing project! Check out what the SSW is doing!” SSW Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/UTASocialWork/posts/
October 2016 – UTARI. Facebook post of unveiling of NAO with collaborator UTARI, Dr. Julienne Greer at The University of Texas at Arlington Theatre Arts Department and Kris Doelling, Research Scientist at UTARI unpack a new addition – the NAO robot from Softbank Robotics…The social robot is set to be a key component for hands-on work for Dr. Greer’s interdisciplinary course, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre. https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/photos/pcb.1208605852534963/1208605765868305/?type=3
April 2016 – UTARI. National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI) Collaborator with UTARI developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. On April 6, 2016, 10 Theatre Arts undergraduate students assembled at UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot.
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, on-air interview for UTA News. Social robotics at UTA: “Buddy” and “Pepper” a social and an emotional robot acquired by Department of Theatre Arts for use in the classroom and innovative research.
https://utanews.com/2015/09/14/dr-julienne-greer-interview/
MEDIA
for
CREATIVE RESEARCH in PERFORMANCE
June 2017 – Dallas Morning News review of performance King o’ the Moon. Touching family tale with contemporary reverberations. “The mom, Ellen Pazinski (Julienne Greer) honors his spirit and keeps an income by running the family tavern…the fine cast shows off the playwrights deft blend of humor and pathos.”
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/theater/2017/06/18/touching-family-tale-contemporary-reverberations-king-o-moon-circle-theatre
June 2017 – Theatre Jones review of performance King o’ the Moon. Moon Beams. “Julienne Greer returns to play mother Ellen Pazinski for the third time, and she’s the show’s anchor. Her Ellen is steady and smart, a woman who raised four difficult children and doesn’t think life can surprise her. She’s a widow now, and runs the tavern with help from her husband’s best friend. David H.M. Lambert’s Walter is the ultimate nice guy, touching and funny in his attempts to get closer to Ellen and her prickly kids.”
http://www.theaterjones.com/ntx/reviews/20170620105834/2017-06-21/Circle-Theatre/King-O-the-Moon
June 2017 – Star-Telegram review of performance King o’ the Moon. King o’ the Moon captures America in 1969. “As was so often the case in the 1960s, the Pazinskis are all on journeys of their own. Ellen (Julienne Greer), the widow who heads the family, is coping with three grown children who are entering adulthood through different doors, and a mentally challenged son, Georgie, who will always be a child… Greer’s performance is so easy and smooth that the high quality of her work runs the risk of going unnoticed.”
http://www.star-telegram.com/living/article156977974.html
April 2014 A + C Acting in Texas: Julienne Greer at Circle Theatre. Interview with editor, Nancy Wozny of Arts and Culture Texas. Julienne Greer takes on the role of Juliana Smithton in Circle Theatre’s production of Sharr White’s, The Other Place. White chronicles the story of Smithton, a successful neurologist, who suffers from a devastating neurological event. “I used my early training (for characterization), which was a blend of both physical and more external representations…alongside internal or more emotionally behavioral choices.” (Greer)
http://artsandculturetx.com/acting-in-texas-julienne-greer-at-circle-theatre/
May 2005 Texas Christian University, interview with TCU Daily Skiff. ‘Toil and Trouble’ – Actors to perform part of Macbeth Halloween night. Prof. Julienne Greer conceived, developed, and directed a Macbeth selection titled “Bard on the Rocks” for TCU Provost Nowell Donovan. It has become an annual tradition. “The scene consists of the three witches and their encounter with Macbeth who is demanding to know if he will continue to be king…Later during the scene, apparitions or ghosts appear to him. It’s very spooky.” (Greer)
https://www.tcu360.com/story/toil-and-trouble-12292688/
UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACADEMIC AWARDS and HONORS
Samuel French Publishers, Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron
Listed in the published version of the stage play as Margaret Goggin. Worked with the playwright, Arthur Giron, in seminars and workshops during the rehearsal period to identify the play’s narrative and character arc. Becoming Memories was produced at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Acting Ensemble. Invitation only participation in an acting ensemble by iconic Broadway designer, producer, John Wulp. Acting ensemble was personally supervised by legendary playwright John Guare. Content of the seminar was a workshop of his work in the fourth play of Guare’s Lydie Breeze series.
New York University, Acting Ensemble.
Highlighted in a New York Times article titled, Where are all the new, young actors: at Tisch School of the Arts. Play: Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron.
ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHING
2020-Present Associate Chair Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
Associate Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Assistant Chair and Assistant Professor of the Department of Theatre Arts including curriculum planning, administrative responsibilities, liaison among students and the department, and performance-based courses, advanced performance, acting for voice and movement, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities.
2020-Present Area Head for BA program
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
I am the Area Head for the largest group of students in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. I mentor and guide BA students in their individual and chosen career trajectories. Opportunities within the Department include performance, stage combat, improvisation, and social robotics and technology.
2016-Present Assistant Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Professor advanced performance, acting for the stage and camera, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, Departmental courses, Dialects in Performance, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre: a course based on the emerging intersection of Theatre and Social Robotics. Head of publicity for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, committee member for Academic Curriculum, Research, Marketing, Performance, recruiting (see Service). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2012-2016 Senior Lecturer
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company & Maverick Dance Company
University of Texas at Arlington
Professor of beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting for the stage and the camera, directing for the stage, stage movement, voice training for the stage, dialects, theatre administration in publicity, marketing, and recruitment, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, dance for the actor. Chair and/or member of departmental, university and college committees (see “University Service”). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2000-2009 Adjunct Professor
Dept. of Film-Television-Digital Media -
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Department of Theatre –
College of Fine Arts
Texas Christian University
Professor of beginning and intermediate acting for the stage and the camera, acting for TV II, acting for the camera, improvisational comedy lab and lecture, soap opera lab and lecture, survey courses for cinema and theatre, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, and working actor seminar. Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2011-2013 Teaching Assistant
School of Arts and Humanities University of Texas at Dallas
Teacher’s Assistant for film theory, and history courses. Requested by Endowed Professor, Dr. Stephen Rabe
Dr. Shilyh Warren
Dr. Adrienne McLean
1999-Present Independent Arts Administration Consultant, based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Arts consulting provided for cultural, governmental and educational institutions in Texas. Consultations have involved organizational assessments, personnel assessments, development workshops, marketing/sales, bylaws analysis, budget preparation, unions, facilities planning, grant evaluation, membership and development.
1981-Present Professional Theatre and Film Artist, Illinois, Arizona, Los Angeles, New York, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. Presently based in Fort Worth, Texas. (Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Screenplay writer, and Producer: see Creative Activities/Research).
2008 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Seussical, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class.
Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Seussical, Jr.
2007 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Annie, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class. Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Annie, Jr.
The University of Texas at Arlington
Maverick Theatre Company
Theatre Arts Department
2012 - Present
COURSE INSTRUCTION
THEA 3314-001, Voice and Movement
Spring 2021 (10 students)
Spring 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2019 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4393-001, Voice and Movement, Special Topics
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4391, Special Topics: “Humans and Robots: The Future is Here”
Conference course and first semester of original curriculum on Social Robots and Theatre
Individual instruction; majors and minors.
Fall 2015 (10 students)
THEA 3351, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre (individual instruction)
Spring 2021 (9 students)
Fall 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2020 (12 students)
Spring 2019 (20 students)
Fall 2018 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (11 students)
Fall 2017 (15 students)
Spring 2017 (15 students)
Fall 2016 (23 students)
Spring 2016 (19 students)
THEA 3335, Dance for the Actor (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Spring 2013 (20 students)
THEA 3311, Vocal Performance II: Dialects (individual instruction; majors)
Spring 2016 (16 students)
Spring 2015 (14 students)
Spring 2014 (19 students)
Spring 2013 (16 students)
THEA 3308, Acting for the Camera: Acting III (majors, utilizing video technology)
Fall 2014 (11 students)
Fall 2013 (20 students)
Fall 2012 (21 students)
THEA 1343, Introduction to Theatre (University Core course: majors and minors)
Spring 2014 (21 students)
THEA 1342, Theatre and Film Appreciation (University Core course: majors and minors)
Fall 2013 (101 students)
Spring 2013 (92 students)
Fall 2012 (99 students)
THEA 1307, Acting I (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2018 (X Students)
Fall 2012 (14 students)
THEA 1303, Fundamentals of Presentation (University CORE course: majors and minors)
Formerly Vocal Performance I: Fundamentals
Fall 2017 (20 students)
Fall 2016 (15 students)
Fall 2015 (18 students)
Spring 2015 (16 students)
THEA 1300, First Year Seminar in Theatre Arts (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2014 (20 students)
Fall 2013 (10 students)
THEA 0181, Theatre Practicum (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Fall 2017 (33 students)
Spring 2017 (22 students)
Fall 2016 (17 students, 15 students)
Spring 2016 (17 students, 14 students)
Fall 2015 (16 students, 20 students)
Spring 2015 (17 students, 12 students)
Fall 2014 (26 students, 18 students)
Spring 2014 (24 students, 15 students)
Fall 2013 (21 students, 20 students)
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Radio-Television-Digital Media
2000-2009
COURSE INSTRUCTION
RTVF 30353, Acting for Television - Lecture and Lab (individual and co-instruction; majors)
Fall 2000 (18 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40353, Acting for the Camera - Lecture and Lab (individual instruction; majors)
Fall 2005 (20 students)
Fall 2004 (19 students)
Fall 2003 (20 students)
Fall 2002 (18 students)
Fall 2001 (20 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: SOAP OPERA
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class. It is a support to the production of the spring 2006 Soap Opera produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: IMPROV COMEDY
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class for the development of two improvisational comedy teams. The course is structured as a 16-week seminar and lab produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
College of Fine Arts
Department of Theatre
2005-2009
THEA 11303, “Acting I” Lecture (individual instruction, majors)
Spring 2009
THEA 10053, “Survey of Theatre Arts” Lecture (individual instruction, majors and non-majors)
Spring 2006
UNIVERSITY GUEST LECTURER
Tarrant Community College, Northeast Campus, Fall, 2001
Guest lecturer: “Acting I,” lecturer for basic acting beginning course. Discussed the benefits of stage work, memorization, motivation, and work as a stage actor (Prof. Jakie Cabe, instructor).
Texas Christian University, Spring, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Women and Media,” lecturer for Media Analysis course. Discussed the comparative images for women from the 1970s to the present day. Encouraged small group analysis of contemporary popular media and referenced feminist indicators found in the Charlie’s Angels television series in order to ascertain growth in feminist thought or culture from 1970s to 2000s. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Andrew Haskett instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Sex and Violence in Media,” lecturer on the feminist images found in the 1970 series, Charlie’s Angels, analyzing the sex and violence of 1970s detective genre and its’ use of the female image. Discussion included current social and cultural attitudes towards sex and violence and portrayal of current images in contemporary media as a comparison (Dr. Joel Timmer instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004 - 2007
Guest lecturer: "Aesthetics of Film,” lecturer for Prof. Richard Allen seminar focused on comparison of the craft of cinema and theatrical performance utilizing interactive tools which engage the class in a whole-body perspective of the rigors of acting for the camera. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Richard Allen instructor).
THEATRE FOR YOUTH COURSES TAUGHT
Much Ado About Shakespeare (Guest Artist, for fee)
MAAS Established in 2006 to train actors 14 – 18 years old in Shakespeare including outreach to regional schools and students.
Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX
"Shakespeare and Robotics" (ages 14-18; 17 students), June 9th – 28th, 2016.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 22 students), June 10th – 30th, 2013.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 27 students), June 11th – July 1st, 2012.
"Acting Games/Creative Drama" (ages 14-18; 20 students), June 6th – 26th, 2011.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION COURSES TAUGHT
English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition,
2014, Regional winner Trinity Valley School
2016, Fort Worth winner
Coaching and instruction to the first-place winner of Trinity Valley School’s Shakespeare monologue and sonnet for the regional Fort Worth and Dallas competition. Winner is afforded all-expenses paid trip to New York City, Lincoln Center for national competition.
Acting Instructor for Tony Greco
Tony Greco renowned private instructor of Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
1988 & 1994-1995
Sensory-based acting technique and acting scene work based on technique founded by Lee Strasberg, of The Actors Studio in New York, New York. Lee Strasberg is a founding member of the iconic Group Theatre (1936 – 1946) including such iconic members as Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and Harold Clurman and others. Content of courses included fundamental understanding of method technique as contextualized by Strasberg. Tony Greco is a member of The Actor’s Studio and was included in a small group of instructors to learn the method technique and to continue Lee Strasberg’s original artistic intent. Tony Greco teaches in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Denmark.
CREATIVE RESEARCH
Performance, Stage, Film, Direction, Writing, Producing, Sound Design
STAGE DIRECTING CREDITS
Director, “Balm in Gilead” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company as a recorded streamed production Nov. 20 – 22, 2020.
Director, “WAITING FOR LEFTY” by Clifford Odets. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts as a selected play in MAVPLAYS Mainstage season. April 15th through April 26th, 2015, Arlington, TX. (flexible, environmental space. Audience is seated on the stage to with performers and performers were seated in the audience to interact with audience), 2015.
Director, “BARD ON THE ROCKS: SELECTED SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH”
Produced by Texas Christian University’s Department of Theatre.
Halloween, October 31st, 2005. It has been performed annually by TCU Provost as Macbeth in recent years. Fort Worth, TX (flexible open to the environmental space. Set design utilized the Scottish rock formation known colloquially as Froghenge for performers and audience to interact), 2005
Director, “DURANG BY NIGHT” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Director, “HOMEFREE!” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Tony Greco.
Basement of SoHo Repertory Theatre, New York City, New York, 1987.
STAGE PRODUCING CREDITS
Producer, “MAVPLAYS,” produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts in the 2014-2015 Mainstage season, April 15th through April 26th, Arlington, Texas. Flexible, environmental space in a large black box, and additional small black box theatrical space, 2015.
Co-producer, “DURANG BY NIGHT,” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Producer, “SOAP OPERA & GIRLS WE HAVE KNOWN.” Produced by jg-gj productions with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Raised $6,500 for total budget of two one-act plays. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Held casting sessions for five diverse roles. Hired director, set designer and technical crew for each one act. Proscenium space in black box theatre, 1995.
Producer, “THE SECRET DIARY OF SONDRA WOODWARD.”
Organized fund-raising events for original one-woman musical. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Contacted major studios and received donation toward production budget, 1994.
Co-producer, “WOMEN OF MANHATTAN,” produced by Tony Greco and jg-gj productions. Performed at Prometheus Theatre, 43rd St., New York City, New York. Hired director, set designer, and obtained theater space while continuing principal actor rehearsals and participating in publicity campaign, 1993.
STAGE ACTING - PERFORMANCE CREDITS
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), National union of stage actors and stage managers.
1999 – Present
Professionally Qualified Member
Key: L.O.R.T. = League of Resident Theatres/Professional national resident theatre operating under an Actor's Equity Association, ongoing union contract for actors and stage managers. S.P.T. = operates under a Small Professional Theatre Equity union contract.
NATIONAL and REGIONAL ACTING & PERFORMANCE
TEXAS
Role Production Producer/Location/Yr./Equity Contract
Billy ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2021 (virtual)
Hafsa JUNE 8, 1920 Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2020 (virtual)
Jan BLACK SANTA Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Orlando, Florida 2019
Mrs. Webb OUR TOWN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX
Director: Matthew Gray
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2019
Kate Beeker THE KITTY BOMB Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Boston, MA 2018
Charlotte Coates THE CENSOR Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Winner of the Judith Royer Playwriting for
Excellence in Playwriting,
Las Vegas, NV, 2017
Ellen Pazinski KING O’ THE MOON Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2017
Judith Lees HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company
Arlington, Texas
Director: Dr. Natalie Gaupp
(Equity Guest Artist), 2016
World Premiere
Juliana Smithton THE OTHER PLACE Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2014
Recipient of 2014 Best of Culture award in Acting Critic’s Choice
Fort Worth Weekly newspaper
Blanche Dubois A STREETCAR NAMED Stage West Theater
DESIRE Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Jim Couvault
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2000
Recipient of 2000 Best Actress Award Stage West Theatre
Molly THE FRONT PAGE Dallas Theatre Center Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Richard Hamburger
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Thea HEDDA GABLER Dallas Theatre Center
Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Ron Daniels
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Bessie MARVIN’S ROOM Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2013
Helen Cohen ELLIS ISLAND Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, Texas
Composer Peter Boyer in attendance
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
A multi-media event in conjunction with FORT WORTH SYMPHONY
(Equity Contract; for fee), 2013
Ellen LAST MASS at ST. CASIMIRS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2012
Jill Koenig AD WARS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: John S. Davies
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee)
Attended by author Vince McKewin, 2004
Ellen OVER THE TAVERN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2010
NEW YORK CITY
Lucy SOAP OPERA tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York
Reviewed by Mel Gussow
New York Times
Ralph Pape, author WIKI page Director: Elizabeth Franzen (Equity waiver). 1990
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/30/theater/theater-in-review-438792.html
Remounted and produced at
(Soap Opera cont.) The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod.
JG-GJ executive producers
(Equity waiver) See Los Angeles, 1991.
Hester Prynn “A” THE SCARLET LETTER tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York Director: Tim Maner
(Equity waiver), 1989.
Lucy Crayford THE FROZEN DEEP A reading with Director Everett Quinton
New York, New York (Equity waiver), 1988.
Ophelia HAMLET New York Repertory Theatre New York, New York, 1987.
Alex Forrest FATAL ATTRACTION -
Murder Mystery John Goodman Productions Director: John Goodman West Chelsea Restaurant
Dinner Theatre Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
Mrs. McCabe MURDER MAYHEM Hasslefree Productions
Director: Trevor Hasselfree Film Studio Restaurant New York, New York
Dinner Theatre, Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
LOS ANGELES
Lucy SOAP OPERA Produced at
The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod. JG-GJ executive producers (Equity waiver), 1990.
Varya THE CHERRY ORCHARD Hudson Theatre
Los Angeles, California Director: Ron Livingston (Equity waiver), 1992.
Susan THE FUNERAL PARLOR The Complex
Los Angeles, California
(Equity waiver), 1995.
Penelope Toop SEE HOW THEY RUN Glendale Centre Theatre
Glendale, California (Equity waiver), 1994.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Guinevere CAMELOT Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Laurie OKLAHOMA! Weathervane Theatre
Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee) 1985.
Peep-bo THE MIKADO Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Mariane TARTUFFE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Marquise
of Parolignac CANDIDE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire
Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Ensemble THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
VIRGINIA
Roxane CYRANO DE BERGERAC Mill Mountain Theatre Roanoke, Virginia Director: Jere Hodgin
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1987.
ILLINOIS
Dinah Lord THE PHILADELPHIA STORY The New American Theatre
Rockford, Illinois
Director: Jim Sullivan/founder of N.A.T. (S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1979.
Ensemble THE ROPADI PLAYERS Rockford Park District
Musical Theatre Outreach Program Rockford, Illinois
Director: Andy French (Equity waiver, fee), 1975.
Selected University roles between 1981 and 1986
Frau Bergmann ……....... SPRING AWAKENING (Anne Bogart, director), New York University
Margaret Goggin ............ BECOMING MEMORIES (Kevin Kulhke, director) New York University
Housewife ...................... WORKING, New York University
Mina ............................... DRACULA, New York University
Joanna ……................... HOMEFREE! New York University
Ensemble ........................ PIPPIN (William Wesbrooks, director), Rockford College, IL
Ensemble ........................ JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Rock Valley College, IL
Lillian Hampton ............. STRANGE BEDFELLOWS (Elaine “EE” Moe, director), University of Arizona, Tucson
Dance Ensemble………. THE ENTERTAINERS, University of Arizona, Tucson
UNIVERSITY GUEST ACTOR
Judith Lees ......................... HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company MAVPLAYS The University of Texas at
Arlington, Department of Theatre Art, (Equity waiver). 2016.
UNIVERSITY GUEST READING
Invited to read at an honorary staged reading of Eugene O’Neill’s works by the O’Neill’s biographers Barbara and Arthur Gelb. The Gelb’s re-released their 1950s biography in 2000 with an expanded analysis of the life and work of Eugene O’Neill. Both Barbara and Arthur were in attendance at the Texas Christian University event in 2003.
PRODUCTION COACH
Acting Coach, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Anne Healy, Director).
Acting Coach, GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Andrew Gaupp, Director).
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA ACTING and PERFORMANCE
COMMERCIALS
INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL MEDIA
Selected commercial performance work between 1991 – 1999.
Reporter Spam
The Hormel Foods Corporation. Filmed in Los Angeles, California National and International commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
New Yorker Coke
The Coca-Cola Company Filmed at the Statue of Liberty New York, New York National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Burger King color-coded children’s lunch toys Burger King (BK) Corporation.
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Subaru of America – Fuji Heavy Industries
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Cowgirl Totino’s Pizza
General Mills Products
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Kraft Handi-snacks
Kraft Foods Group
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Hiker Outback Steakhouse
Bloomin’ Brands
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Ship Passenger S & W Food
Del Monte Foods
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
CBS Promo Promotion commercial spot for CBS Fall lineup of highly-rated programs Filmed in Los Angeles, California
Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Neighbors Dixie Paper Plates Dixie Paper Products Georgian-Pacific Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
SOAP OPERAS
Selected performance work on network soap opera television between 1982 and 1990.
Haley Recurring role ALL MY CHILDREN
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists;
Standard union fee)
Linda Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Hillary Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Campaign Organizer Day Player Contract ONE LIFE TO LIVE
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract; American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; Standard union fee)
Ensemble Extra work GUIDING LIGHT
Procter & Gamble Company Filmed in New York, New York (A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
Standard union fee)
TELEVISION
Alex Forrest LIVE WITH REGIS AND
KATHIE LEE
Filmed in New York, New York Promo for Fatal Attraction Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (SAG waiver contract)
FILM
WALL STREET Wall St. worker 20th Century Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
THREE MEN AND Photo Double (Nancy Travis) Buena Vista Pictures
A LITTLE LADY Director: Emile Ardolino
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
12 Julienne Larry Bridges Productions
Director: Larry Bridges
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Film and director Larry Bridges were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award , 2004. Film has been screened internationally to critical acclaim. (S.A.G. waiver contract; for fee)
Selected ensemble film roles in major feature films:
Goodfellas – Martin Scorsese, director
State of Grace – Phil Joanou, director
Hannah and her Sisters – Woody Allen
Cocktail – Roger Donaldson, director
Space Jam – Joe Pytka, director
Scrooged – Richard Donner, director Punchline – David Seltzer, director
All filmed in New York, New York except Space Jam, filmed in Los Angeles, California
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCING CREDITS
1999
Producer
As producer raised $25,500 for theatrical release of a 24-minute short film, The Hand of a Lifetime, shot independently in Los Angeles.
Coordinated all pre-production needs:
⦁ casting,
⦁ hiring crew
⦁ Director of Photography
⦁ Camera Operator
⦁ Sound and Foley Artist
⦁ Art director
⦁ Locations and permits
And including all post-production needs:
⦁ editing
⦁ sound design
⦁ titles
⦁ negative cutting
⦁ final answer print
The Hand of a Lifetime was accepted to the 1999 Fort Worth Film Festival and was highlighted in the Fort Worth Film Festival of 1999 and reviewed by Elvis Mitchell for the Star-Telegram Newspaper.
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTING AND WRITING CREDITS
1999
Director Screenplay Writer
Wrote and directed an original short independent film, The Hand of a Lifetime. The film’s narrative centered around a male protagonist’s first child being born and the comedic and heartfelt emotions that accompanied his eventual acceptance of fatherhood.
SOUND DESIGN FOR THE STAGE
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Co-Sound designer, MACBETH, New York University (N.Y.U.), Directed by John Rubenstein. Mainstage Theatre, Spring 1983.
ADJUDICATION AND EVALUATION
2016 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
2015 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (10 students).
2012 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (8 students).
2011 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
SERVICE: UNIVERSITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2019-20
⦁ Invitation from president of UTA Vistasp Karbhari to speak and present at Ashoka University near New Delhi during a conference in which I was attending. Ashoka is a premier university combining engineering and liberal arts.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Global Entrepreneur Week (GEW) committee member
⦁ EpICMavs presenter
⦁ Inspire for Faculty (IFF)
⦁ Live Theatre League member
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor fifteen students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2018-19
⦁ Invitation from Computer Science and Engineering Dept., Nova Coates, to help create short 20-second clips for Univ1311 that introduces students to UTA. CSE asked to include Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre course, THEA3351, as an innovative way to showcase interdisciplinary approaches to incoming Freshman’s learning paths. The video includes NAO robot doing Tai Chi with Dr. Greer voice as narration for multi-disciplinary collaboration among UTA disciplines.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ BA auditions for Dept. of Theatre Arts with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Reference letter for Detra Payne – National Alliance of Teachers – Lloyd Richards Teaching Fellowship
2017-18
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator and committee member. Point person for recruiting Judges for April Spotlight Conference. Support and coordination with CoLA marketing director. I mentored two theatre students for inaugural Spotlight conference. Both students won awards.
⦁ Invited by Dean Elisabeth Cawthon to informal meeting with Dean Anne Bavier of Nursing, Dr. Mickey McCabe, Executive Dir. of UTARI, Dr. Judy LeFlore, Associate Nursing Dean, and Harvard professors Dr. Janice Palaganas and Dr. Daniel Raemer, leaders in the simulation and technology center, for informal discussion of innovative techniques being implemented at UTA.
⦁ Invited to speak at TEDxUTA 2018.
⦁ Reviewed/rated 5 applications for Terry Foundation Scholars. Req. William Gunn.
⦁ Submitted review of Manuscript ID THRI-2018-0016, titled "Communicating a minimal robot’s intelligence, dominance and status through motion paths" for the journal Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction.
⦁ Invited to review National Science Foundation submissions for various grant submissions.
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Coordinated and led Dean’s week presentation with L. Tucker for counselors and advisors.
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Committee Member: REP/FDL faculty awards.
⦁ Faculty mentor nine students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Sponsor and attended Halloween evening performance of Macbeth (Killingsworth, dir.)
⦁ BA auditions with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2016-17
⦁ Chair, College of Liberal Arts Research Representative
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: CoLA, proposal reader for “Cure to Care” grants. iC2C.
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Invited guest luncheon speaker for UTA’s CPE Event, College of Business
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Dallas Summer Musicals conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2016-2017 season.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts Welcome Back table, Fall 2016.
2015-16
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington.
⦁ Chair, Recruitment Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: College of Liberal Arts Teacher’s Awards, Department of Theatre Arts Representative, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: Master’s Exploratory, Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ U.R.T.A. panel at UT-Arlington for three students attending graduate auditions.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Moonifieds conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2014-15
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2013-14
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee
⦁ Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2012-13
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor five students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UTA
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
PUBLIC RELATIONS and MARKETING
for
MAVERICK THEATRE COMPANY
and
MAVERICK DANCE COMPANY
producing entities for
THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2017-18
⦁ Chair, bi-monthly Public Relations meetings.
⦁ Author, Press Releases for 4 Mainstage production including plays and musicals, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence, MavLab production and Maverick Dance Company concerts. Facilitated information to 23+ media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2017-18 Season.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington for each Mainstage production, MavLab, and Maverick Dance company concert.
⦁ URTA – American Theatre Magazine
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ Coordinated and delivered 1500 seasonal brochures to MailPro for mailing.
⦁ Edited and compiled 4th quarter information on Dept. of Theatre Arts for Cathy Stein 817Alliance newsletter.
⦁ Collaborated with CoLA Marketing Director for marketing graphics redo, including written text and organizing photographs with the help of Kris O’Brien.
⦁ Helped coordinate and support Marketing Video “Get to know a Theatre Student.”
⦁ Coordinating press and marketing with Matthew Boyd, City of Arlington, marketing for D. Payne’s, Heal the Divide.
2016-17
⦁ Author, 2016-2017 Press Releases for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, producing entities of The Department of Theatre Arts, College of Liberal Arts. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2016-17 Season.
⦁ Department Representative, Arlington Arts League Gala Event and scholarship fundraiser.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2015-16
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2015-16 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisational comedy, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2014-15
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2014-15 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival Dance Texas
⦁ Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington
⦁ A + C Arts and Culture Texas
⦁ Stage Directions Magazine – Article on Dept. of Theatre Arts 3D Printer. Playbill.edu
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Voce Intimae
⦁ Trinity Valley High School playbill
⦁ All Saints Episcopal High School playbill
⦁ Betty Buckley Awards at Casa Manana Theatre
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2013-14
⦁ Author, Press Release for Mainstage play, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2013-14 Season.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Proud Organization
⦁ Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Dance Texas
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Stage Directions Magazine
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: BOARDS & COMMITTEES
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2016 – 2018 – Membership Chair
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2010 – 2014 – Upper School Tickets
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
TEXAS EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION (TETA) 2014 Approved Member
SCREEN ACTORS GUILD/AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A),
1984 - present
Current Approved Member
ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION (A.E.A), Current Member
1999 - present
Current Approved Member PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
ARLINGTON ARTS LEAGUE, Arlington, Texas
2014 -2016
Member of Arlington Arts League
PRESIDENT OF KINDERPLATZ OF FINE ARTS PARENT’S GROUP, Fort Worth, Texas
2003
President of a parent’s group in a private, pre-school dedicated to fine arts learning and growth in 2 – 5 year-old children.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & INSTITUTES
2003-Present Annual Giving Captains, Trinity Valley School, a private college-preparatory K-12 school in Fort Worth, Texas.
1987-90 Accepted Member of tiny mythic theatre company, NYU graduates’ affiliation, New York City, New York now known as HERE Performance Space, New York City, New York.JULIENNE A. GREER
CURRICULUM VITAE
August 2022 version
Birthplace: Farmington, Michigan, U.S.A.
Home Address: 7969 Morning Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76123
Home Phone: Metro (817) 454-1225
Office Address: University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts, Fine Arts Building, Room 268B, 502 S. Cooper Street,
Box 19103, Arlington, Texas 76019-0103
Office Phone: Metro (817) 272-0729 or Metro (817) 272-2650
Office Facsimile: Metro (817) 272-2697
E-mail: <jgreer@uta.edu>
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: Associate Chair of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
Associate Professor of Theatre Arts: Social Robotics and Performance,
Director, Emotional Robotics Living Laboratory,
BA Area Head of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
College of Liberal Arts,
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
SPECIALIZATIONS: Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Social Robotics, Performance, Applied Drama
CURRENT RESEARCH: Applying theatre and performance theory to artificial intelligence and social robotics creating trust and authentically emotional interactions between humans and robots.
Dr. Julienne A. Greer is an inter-disciplinary scholar + artist working at the emerging intersection of social robotics and theatre. Her primary focus is Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) to “humanize” a social robot’s performance to the nuances and subtleties of human behavior. Social awareness and empathetic response in robotics platforms are key to their successful use by humans. Principal research interests include character and personality development for artificial intelligence, social robotics, performance theory, applied drama, empathy application, embodied emotion, and acting theory techniques targeted toward an application between human beings and technology. She is a collaborator with many diverse disciplines including engineering, social work, computer science, education, disabilities studies, psychology, and healthcare, solving problems through innovation for education and research.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
DEGREES HELD
2013 Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities (Ph.D.) - Aesthetic Studies,
School of Arts and Humanities,
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas.
5 Years, Interdisciplinary Foci: Humanities, Performance, and Game Studies.
Dissertation: Affective Connections: Performance Studies, Videogames, and Digital Characters.
Dr. Monica Evans, Supervising Professor
Abstract: A multi-disciplinary analysis of existing performance techniques from theatre and cinema studies re-contextualized to apply to the emerging emotional bond in videogames between the game player and a digital character. It is my perspective that the affective bond between the game player and the digital character in a game is as vital and essential to the experience of playing the game as the affective relationship between the performer and the audience in a play or film.
2005 Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) in Media Arts
Bob Schieffer College of Communication,
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
Thesis: Feminism and Sexuality in Charlie’s Angels: Building a New Paradigm for Enjoying Action Heroines.
Dr. Joel Timmer, Supervising Professor
Abstract: An analysis of the first season of the 1970s Charlie’s Angels television series in order to reveal elements of feminism leading to an inclusion of glamour and sexuality in the criteria for feminist texts to recoup and own images that have previously been viewed as misogynistic.
1986 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A.) in Drama,
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, New York, New York.
Areas of Concentration: Acting, Performance
1981 High School Diploma, Boylan Central Catholic School, Rockford, IL.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/UNION
1984-Present American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (A.F.T.R.A.)
The national union of professional television and radio actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG- AFTRA.
1987-Present Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.)
The national union of professional television and film actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG-AFTRA.
1999-Present Actor's Equity Association (A.E.A.)
The national union of professional actors and stage managers, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation.
2011-Present Interdisciplinary.net
A forum for the exchange and interaction of inter-disciplinary ideas, research and points of view that bear on a wide range of issues of concern and interest in the contemporary world.
GRANTS AWARDED
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2019) grant for Using Arts and Social Sciences to enhance social companion robots’ adaptive abilities to improve health outcomes. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, Computer Science and Engineering-College of Engineering, College of Science-Psychology and College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Study content: The objective of this proposal is a pilot study that examines the impact of a social robot, adaptive control methodologies, and applied theatre techniques, and exercise to impact prospective memory and physical goals in older adults (N = 20). This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform using innovative machine learning techniques that promote and allow the robot to adapt its interaction with the human dynamically to improve exercise goals among older adults. To achieve this, the proposed research is integrating arts-driven methodology, including trust and connection, and novel robot control and learning approaches for interactions between humans and robots to impact prospective memory.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2017 - present
NID - NIDILRR - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (WIT RERC). (UTA Site). Modeling socially assistive robotic caretakers for individuals with developmental disabilities having older adult caregivers. RERC on Wireless Inclusive Technologies. National Institute on Disability and Independent Living Research (NIDILRR), (9/30/21). Total Grant $4,525,000 (UTA, $108,000) the Primary Investigator is Dr. John Bricout of UTA’s School of Social Work. Dr. Ling Xu site PI.
Study content: Study aims to explore and create a collaborative relationship between a care recipient, an older adult caretaker, and a socially assistive robot (SAR) in order to develop engaging interaction for caregiver respite. Study will incorporate future work with Department of Theatre Arts NAO and Pepper robot units in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab, UT-Arlington. J. Greer, director.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2018 - 2021
Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities (NSF grant CNS-1757641)
REU - Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities. Summer program research internships for qualified undergraduates to participate in research in the field of assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Theatre arts methodology is applied as a platform for engagement, connection, and trust in human-robot interaction, one of several multi-disciplinary projects the participants will engage in during 10-week internship. Budget $318,778.
Study content: In this project, the CSE Department, in partnership with several other departments at UTA, will offer a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focusing on assistive technologies (AT) for people with disabilities (PWD). The proposed theme encompasses innovative and novel topics that can help PWD meet barriers of different kinds - attitudinal, architectural, and technological - in accessing employment, navigating public spaces, freely communicating, and living independently. During this summer, each student will be working in a multi-disciplinary setting and exposed to innovative and novel inter-disciplinary projects through research and prototyping. The REU participants will work on computer programming, algorithms, sensors, data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, sensors, sign language, facial recognition, emotion and behavior analysis, smart care, augmented reality, data analytics, robots, human-machine interaction.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2016
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded the second annual UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grant for Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. One of only four grants awarded to the UTA research community. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work.
Study content: The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. This study examines theater performance methodologies through a social robotic platform. This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults by incorporating arts-driven methodology. This grant will continue through 2016 and 2017.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing - 2018
Phase II – Shakespeare and Robots.
The proposal seeks to expand the Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults with participants that are diagnosed with mild cognitive decline. As PI on the original study, I am collaborating with the School of Social Work Presidential Fellows recipient, Dr. Noelle Fields, to test the outcomes of the study on a new participant sample at Brookdale Assisted Living in Arlington.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2015
Digital Arts and Humanities Initiatives (DAHI) A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI.
Primary investigator for an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts and UTA Research Institute (UTARI) from the University of Texas at Arlington. The team will conduct a pilot study in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) at three separate locations; Office of Student Disabilities, Lakewood Retirement Community, Theatre Arts main office. Awarded from the College of Liberal Arts, Jan. 15th, 2016.
Study content: This is a study to inform how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI. The scope of the project will be the development of a pilot study and data collection of human-robot responses from three separate locations and with dissimilar subjects. Measurement will be through an adaptation of the NARS (Negative Attitudes toward Robots Scale), visual qualitative observation, log entries of human-robot interactions during the study, and ambient sound recordings for the detection of laughter and vocal responses from participants. The innovative approach of this research comes from the interdisciplinary work of UTA Theatre Arts and UTARI, bringing together divergent disciplines of theater arts and robotics. This study builds on previous published work on social robots, voice, movement theatre techniques, and healthcare settings to further the body of HRI literature. The robot will be controlled through a “Wizard-of-Oz” methodology scenario performed by undergraduate research assistants under the supervision of faculty. The project will conduct an innovative investigation of the best social robot and HRI practices available at UT-Arlington (UTARI robotic platform laboratory) as well as best practices for improvisation/humor techniques, applied drama, and performance studies. Preliminary data will be collected to allow for future studies and breakthroughs in Human-Robot Interaction. This proposal is well-suited to add to a discussion of UT-Arlington’s strategic initiatives; Health and the Human Condition and Data-Driven Discovery.
ONGOING GRANT DEVELOPMENT
Purchased social robot, Little Sophia, (pending) from Hanson Robotics, Inc. for the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Robot will be used in grant development of design implications of social robots and children with significant Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) themes.
GRANT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED and/or in DEVELOPMENT
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Research Enhance Program
Proposal submitted with Prof. Fillia Makedon. “InBlue: A smart system of sensors, theatre, and robots to help college depression”.
Depression is a leading cause of suicide and the second most common cause of death among college students. It is pervasive in colleges today and frequently goes undetected and untreated. The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that 39% of college students “felt so depressed that it was difficult to function” at least once during 2016-2017. College depression can lead to poor academic and work performance, substance abuse, social dysfunction, legal difficulties, gun violations, ill health, suicide attempts or completed suicide. Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include symptoms shown in Table 1. Identifying early warning signs of depression is crucial in preventing negative consequences and helping educators and mental health experts make targeted counselling and intervention decisions. To address college depression, it is of great interest to academia and the healthcare industry, to see how sensor technologies (e.g. mobile smartphones, wearable sensors, social robots) could be used to improve the wellbeing and mental health of users. Smartphones and wearables are excellent devices that can passively collect real time behavioural data, and be used to complement traditional depression diagnosis and monitoring, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
Keck Foundation – Undergraduate Categorization
One-page conceptual theme submitted to Randall Gentry, Dr. Duane Dimos, and Dr. Ann Cavallo. The proposal for Keck Foundation is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Building on the success of two pilot studies, a proposal is submitted by UTA to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene. The study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on an innovative five-point theatre model to decrease depression, loneliness, and increase engagement among older adults.
UTA Lead - 2018
NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
A collaboration external funding with TechComb, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and Univ. of Texas at Arlington. Greer is UTA Lead on the proposal. Title: Boosting STEM Patronage of Libraries and Museums through Interactive Social Robots.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Exploratory/Developmental Research (R21)
The proposal for NIH is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Focusing on the health benefits to the older adults and the success of two pilot studies, a proposal will be drafted to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene and the study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on the theatre methodology process of composing a live performance.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2017
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
Primary collaborator on the resubmission of an 18+ page proposal that comes under the AISL project type: (4) Innovations in Development. This project will incorporate robotics technology and advanced human robot interaction tools to help the audience build interest in STEM concepts, engage in hands-on activities to explore STEM potentials, and take part in a network of learners sharing their experience, ideas, and achievements in STEM. These three primary STEM objectives i.e. excitement, engagement, and expression, otherwise termed as E3, will be realized through a unique merger of theatre arts and robotics science methodologies into a metasystem of diverse autonomous robotic hardware and a novel platform agnostic human-robot interaction software. It is important to note this is a re-submission to NSF due in part to the positive response from NSF project managers regarding the core component of Theatre Arts Methodologies.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2016
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Smart and Autonomous Systems (S&AS)
This foundational proposal was a collaboration of UT-Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and UTARI (UTA research institute). The study will develop a new type of robot learning framework for next generation intelligent physical system. The proposed framework will implement a novel neuro-adaptive control technique for advanced human robot interaction, which will enable future robotic systems to derive seamless experiential learning from unaltered human behavior. Potential use case scenarios include a humanoid robot interacting with a diverse group of students and engaging them with innovative theatre methodology performance techniques in informative communication. Human aspects, such as trust, emotion-bias towards performance, and organic selection, are built into the analytical model for the proposed humanistic robot learning framework, which enables life-long evolution of the robot. The proposed project is driven by the motivation to make robots a part of the human society and not a parallel alien race, and, therefore, to evolve them through human ingenuity, emotions, and fallibility.
Principal Investigator (PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
An interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Theatre Arts and the Electrical Engineering Department at University of Texas at Arlington. Proposal was written and developed for UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with co-principal investigator, Dr. Dan Popa. Proposal received positive response and was within the top 10 proposals for the year. Proposal titled Live Theatre – Robot Live: a collaboration of robotics and performance.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will develop software to allow a robot to perform on-stage in a seminal role during the Mainstage season. This proposal will utilize faculty and student roles working in an inter-disciplinary environment.
Co-Principal investigator (Co-PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
Interdisciplinary collaboration between Department of Theatre Arts, UTARI, and the Director of the Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington. Wrote and developed a grant proposal for UTA’s Inter-Disciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with Kris Doelling, research scientist II, Manoj Mittal, research scientist II and Co-PI, Dr. Sarah F. Rose. Proposal titled Cyber Human Relationships: Engineering a relational model using theatre arts methodology structured to improve health and the human condition.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will engineer a cyber-human relational model using theatre arts methodology in order to address significant gaps in the current state of healthcare. We believe theatre arts, social robotics and relational methodologies are emerging as innovative components of healthcare for persons with disabilities.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) Panelist Reviewer
Invited to be a review panelist for proposals for the National Robotics Initiative 2.0 – a highly competitive funding opportunity for NSF totaling $35,000,000 billion in funds.
PUBLICATIONS, JOURNAL ARTICLES, and PAPERS
PAPERS
Paper, Second Author. Assistive Technology. 2021. The “humane in the loop”: inclusive research design and policy approaches to foster capacity building assistive technologies in the Covid-19 era.
Paper, Lead Author. Wireless Inclusive RERC 2021 One Forum, Atlanta, GA, 2021 – Conference theme: Include. Innovate. Transform. Theatre and robots: envisioning interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the stage. Conference proceedings.
Journal, Co-Author. Aging and Mental Health. 2019. Shall I compare thee…to a robot?: An exploratory pilot study using participatory arts and social robotics to improve psychological well-being in later life. Impact Factor: 2.956.
Paper, Lead Author. The 28th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication - RO-MAN 2019, New Delhi, India – Conference theme: Responsible robotics and AI for the real world. Shakespeare and Robots: Participatory performance art for older adults. Published in conference proceedings.
Paper, Lead Author. 1st Annual IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication conference. Laguna Hills, CA. Promoting Theatre Methodology for expressive robot movement and behavior.
Abstract, Co-Author. Innovation In Aging, 2019, Vol. 3, No. S1. NAO takes a bow: Using social robots to enhance the mood of older adults living in residential care settings.
Paper, Co-Author. 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics – IMSCI 2018. Robot Theatre to Boost Excitement, Engagement, and Expression (E3) of STEM., Orlando, FL. July 8 – 11, 2018. Conference proceedings.
Paper, Author. RO-MAN 2017, Lisbon, Portugal - Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life – Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Peer-reviewed full paper. Conference proceedings.
Paper and Journal, Author. International Conference on Social Robotics (icsr 2014). Building Emotional Authenticity Between Humans and Robots. Author. University of Technology Sydney epress. Sydney, Australia. 2014. Conference proceedings.
BOOK CHAPTER
Author, contributing to chapter in Exploring Videogames: Culture, Design, and Identity, edited by Nick Webber and Daniel Riha. Invited to expand accepted paper for the 2011 International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom. Published by Inter-Disciplinary Press. Introduction by Nick Webber follows, ‘Videogame Cultures: includes work from Julienne Greer, from Ben Abraham, from me, and from Daniel Riha. Greer’s chapter on digital companions encourages us to think about videogames as cultural objects with which players interact; here, games provide companions in which players become emotionally invested, even though these companions may in fact prove to be opponents. Many of these companions are carefully designed, playing on cultural referents to encourage certain kinds of responses from players – an instinct to nurture, say, or to love. Indeed, as Greer reports, scholars have been surprised by the strength of the bonds that are created by these companions, which produce meaningful relationships for the player in a similar way to those formed between humans and robots. For Greer, such relationships also have the quality of authenticity, in the pleasure of the emotional connection and the communication of one’s thoughts, rejecting Turkle’s perspective that authenticity here is found in the comprehension and acceptance of the relationship by both parties.
Pending Book Chapter Fall 2022: All the worlds a stage: Health/Art techniques between humans and robots
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE, PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, and/or
PAPERS
NEW DELHI, INDIA 2019
Invited presenter to Ashoka University. Ashoka University is a research-based private university located outside of Delhi in the Sonipat, Haryana, India. It is an emerging university with a close collaboration of Liberal Arts and STEM collaborations. Presentation included meetings with faculty, Dean of International Student Affairs, and 45+ student attended 1 ½ hour in duration focusing on the current state-of-the-art of social robotics and theatre methodology. Invitation was initiated by President Vistasp Karbhari, University of Texas at Arlington.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA 2018
Facilitator of student-led skype interview in Spanish. Colombia science-based educational website. Topic – Emotional Robotics Living Lab and theatre and robots.
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Guest and Paper presentation: RO-MAN 2017- Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life - The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Paper title, Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. Peer-reviewed full paper with conference proceedings publication.
KOREA – U.S.
Guest and Paper presentation: United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (UKC 2016) - United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is jointly organized by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) and The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) held on August 10 – August 13, 2016, Dallas, TX. The theme of UKC 2016 is “Enriching Lives through Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship” and its goal is to promote solving issues of the world through science, technology, and entrepreneurship to greatly improve the quality of people’s lives. The UKC 2016 is the flagship and largest academic conference between the United States and Korea.
LONDON, U.K.
Guest Speaker and presentation: The Robotics Innovation Show. 2015 Invited speaker and presenter at “The Robotics Innovation Show 2015” at ExCel in London, United Kingdom. October 20-21, 2015. Presentation content: “Empathy and Embodiment: Understanding humans in order to understand social robots.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Conference on Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) Invited Social Robotics Conference article/paper, "Building emotional authenticity between humans and robots." Paper was accepted at the International Conference of Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) - Social Intelligence in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 27 – 29. Selected to present an interactive workshop.
OXFORD, U.K.
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference. Invited Game Studies Conference article/paper, "Digital companions: analyzing the emotive connection between players and non-player companions in video game space." Paper was accepted at the International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom, 2011. Conference sponsored by Inter-Disciplinary.net: A Global Network for Dynamic Research and Publishing. Member of Inter-Disciplinary.net.
NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, WORKSHOP and/or
PAPER
2022 3rd IEEE TransdisciplinaryAI2022. Laguna Hills, CA.. Co-program chair of TransAI. .
2021 2st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and
2019 Urban Serving Universities (USU) Social Determinants of Health workshop. Cincinnati, OH. Invited to participate in a cohort of University of Texas at Arlington faculty and executive administration including Theatre Arts, Associate Vice-President of Research, Civil Engineering, School of Social Work, and College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Workshop content covered assimilation of the creative process for innovative ideas to help address public health problems – specifically for UTA, social isolation.
2019 1st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and behavior. Co-located with Transdisciplinary conference 2020. Currently invited to be co-program chair of AI and Humanities for Transdisciplinary 2020 and Humanized Computing and Communication 2020.
2018 The Gerontological Society of America's 70th Annual Scientific Meeting. Boston, MA, Nov. 14 – 18. Poster Acceptance, Abstract required for acceptance.
Abstract title: “Shall I compare thee to a …robot? The use of creative arts and social robotics with older adults.”
Abstract:
Research suggests that creative engagement in later life has a positive effect on mood in older adults. Research has also utilized social robots to address the psychosocial needs of older adults. However, few studies have linked participatory arts (e. g. theatre) as the creative engagement activity using a social robotic platform with older adults. An interdisciplinary team designed and implemented an intervention integrating theater and social robotics with the aim of improving the mood of study participants. A purposive sample of older adults age 65 and older (N = 8) participated in this pilot study. Participants completed 3 sessions of the Shakespearean theatre and social robotics intervention using the robot, Nao. Mixed methods included interview questions as well as short survey measures of depression, loneliness, and a simplified face scale for mood pre and post intervention. Results from the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests suggested that the overall level of depression of the participants was reduced significantly after session 1 (z = -2. 33, p < . 05), after session 2 (z = -2. 04, p < . 05), and after session 3 (z = -2. 00, p < . 05). Scores on the loneliness and the simplified face scale also decreased after the three sessions, however, the changes were not statistically significant. Qualitative findings suggest that participants were highly engaged, comfortable, and receptive to the intervention. We discuss the promising aspects and limitations of this innovative study, the utility of social robotics for providing artistic engagement for older adults, and implications for interdisciplinary practice.
2018 IMSCI, The 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics: Orlando, FL. Co-Author. Paper Invitation and Acceptance: This paper presents a novel framework for advancing informal STEM learning in kids between the ages of 10 and 15, using robotics as a platform, enabler, as well as channel for STEM. Being a cross-disciplinary technology, Robotics not only connects theory and applications of science, mathematics, and engineering fundamentals, but also delivers instant gratification from the efforts put in, through active hands-on human-robot interaction. Supported by multiple real-world feasibility studies, the presented framework hypothesizes that if made easy to build, teach, interact, and play with robots, it can be a potent facilitator of STEM, especially in young children – an age group which is naturally curious and enthusiastic about new findings. July 8 – 11 2018.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Kitty Bomb.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Paper presentation and Coordinator of Dramaturgy group. A recontextualization of Erving Goffman’s work.
2017 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Censor. Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting award
REGIONAL SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, PANELIST and/or
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Presentation for TCU ethics module for training “empathetic scholars”. June 2020.
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Demonstration of NAO the robot to the inaugural class of TCU’s medical school training “empathetic scholars” as the next generation of medical healers. October 2019.
Presentation: Girl Scout of Dallas Inaugural Grand Opening STEM Center. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and therapeutic robotic cat for opening day of 75-acre Girl Scout STEM Center. Community outreach to young women and girls on the interdisciplinary nature of emotional robotics at UTA. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Research Center Symposium Guest Luncheon. Invited by FWMSH as guest to lunch and research symposium with faculty from Baylor, UNT, and Stephen F. Austin universities. NAO demonstration. Key outreach for Museums for presentation in Informal Learning sites. May 2018.
Keynote Speaker: Arlington Kiwanis Club. Keynote speaker for lunch. How theatre methodologies can impact social robotics. Community outreach to older adults who are key subjects in robotics research. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Business Press - Entrepreneur Breakfast. Demonstration of NAO social robot in collaboration with UTARI. Community outreach with key Fort Worth business executives. Executive Director UTARI in attendance – Mickey McCabe. April 2018.
Presentation: Texas Dallas Library National Conference. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and robotic therapeutic cat. Invited by Dean of UTA library, Dr. Rebecca Bichel. A half-day demonstration to 500+ attendees. Mentored three UTA students in demonstration and presentation of key UTA research and social robot values. April 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival. Presentation of social robot, JIBO, for a half-day demonstration at the University of Texas at Arlington Communications tent. Community outreach on behalf of the STEM interdisciplinary values at UTA. April 2018.
Guest Speaker and Presentation: Arlington Public Library (New York Avenue location). Presentation to APL group, Girls Who Code, with social robot, NAO. March 2018.
Presentation at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. NAO presentation with UTARI team. October 2017. Community outreach for higher visibility of UTA in the DFW area and interdisciplinary concepts of Theatre and Social Robotics for children. Presentation with AISL sponsor, FWMSH, continues to create bridges in the community between UTA and DFW informal education sites.
Guest Speaker and MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS: Arlington Public Library. In preparation for the AISL 2.4 million submission to NSF, community outreach and sponsored partners were cultivated with various DFW organizations. Arlington Public Library was featured strongly in the bridge building. Multiple presentation at various libraries for the dates; Sept. 11, 14, 19, and Oct. 9, among others.
Guest Speaker & Panelist: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Rising Tide Initiative Launch and Panel Discussion. An inaugural evening with the theme of Emerging Technologies: Meeting our Future. The Rising Tide Initiative has a mission to enhance entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology in Fort Worth and Tarrant County through a vibrant and collaborative technological ecosystem. April 2017. http://www.fortworthbusiness.com/news/fwmsh-hosting-rising-tide-initiative-event-friday/article_d12988e2-2a90-11e7-b0c5-f3f5c3095f6f.html
Guest Speaker/Panelist: Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous (LASERs). Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous event at University of North Texas this fall, also known as LASERs. LASERs are an exciting event series at the intersection of arts and sciences that bring together leading experts to talk about their work and experiences at the forefront of discovery and creativity. Each evening event includes presenters from the sciences, technology, industry, and the arts who offer expertise from an angle that connect to the mixed-discipline community from the arts, sciences, industry, and technology in attendance. Dr. Greer was one of three invited guest speakers and panelists. October 2016. Video content at http://arteca.mit.edu/video/julienne-greer-laser
Collaborator: Invited by David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics to presentation, “SXSW Interactive” in Austin, Texas. Invitation given to increase possible collaboration between Hanson Robotics and Dr. Greer’s emotional work in social robotics. Discussion with Hanson and attendance at a private viewing of research with Hanson robot, Philip K. Dick, Android. March 2016.
University of Texas at Arlington SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, and/or PANELIST
Keynote Speaker: iStart Valley. Innovative ideas. Transferring ideas into StartUps. A MAVS100 company. August, 2021.
Science Café Presenter: UTA Libraries zoom outreach to science and technology interests students and general public. A 45-min. live zoom presentation with real-time questions regarding Social Robotics and Theatre integration. April, 2020
Keynote Speaker: UTA CPE Department of Accounting Scholarship Banquet Gala. Keynote speaker for evenSciencing gala. Empathy and Embodiment: How theatre methodology informs social robotics. May 2018.
Guest Speaker: TEDxUTA. Live streaming presentation. Titled Will a robot be your next best friend? to a live audience at TEDxUTA at conference venue. April 2018.
Emotional Robotics Living Lab: Director. Formal Opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at Preston Hall, Room 304 to 30+ invitees including Office of Research, Office of Communications, College of Liberal Arts Dean’s office and Dept. of Theatre Arts. Hands-on activities and presentations including NAO, Pepper, Jibo, and Joy-for-all robotic cat. March 2018.
Guest Speaker: Healthline Meeting. Human-Robot Interaction: Social Robots and Healthcare. Invited by Health Libraries Information Network. January 2018.
Presentation: School of Social Work Meet and Greet for Research. 3 Slides, 3 minutes. An interdisciplinary meeting organized to present interdisciplinary work for collaboration with the SSW. January 2018.
Invited Guest Speaker and Presentation. One of 5 faculty members invited to present, the only member from the College of Liberal Arts, by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon, Dean of CoLA. Presentation was attended by University of Texas at Arlington President Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, Vice President of Research, Dr. Dimos, and honored guests, 7 executive VIPs from UT Systems health. NAO presentation of health-related work with IRP funded grant, Shakespeare and Robots. November 2017.
Guest Speaker: Digital Arts and Humanities Initiative (DAHI) Speaker Series. The DAHI team will present the findings of the study A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI in the University of Texas at Arlington Library 6th floor Parlor. April 2017.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. Second year of presenting the robot, Nao, to 500+ middle and high school students. Presentation included multiple groups rotating in for a demonstration ranging from 12 minutes to 30 minutes. Demonstration included verbal commands, human-to-robot interaction, various animations including, Puppet, Air Guitar, Rowing the Boat, and concluded with Shakespearean Sonnet 18. April 2017.
Speaker and Silver Sponsor: University of Texas at Arlington INNOVATION DAY A high school and college student competition featuring student and faculty startup pitches. Department of Theatre Arts participated as a silver sponsor alongside UTARI. Presentations were made by Dr. Greer with NAO the robot on theatre methodologies in social robotics. Conference is an annual event held on February 2017.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington, Honors College Colloquium Series – Will a Robot be your Next Friend? How theatre methodologies are utilized to enhance the relationship in human-robot interaction (HRI). The pros and cons of social robots entering the U.S. market in 2017. And, an introduction to the Department of Theatre’s research robot, Nao. This presentation was part of a monthly colloquium hosted by the Honors College in which a member of the UTA faculty discusses his or her research. Greer presentation given to honors students (30+) on research with the robot, Nao, which stands at the intersections of Theatre, Computer Science, Psychology, and Healthcare. Kevin Gustafson, Interim Dean of the Honors College, “Yours was easily among the most engaging of the more than twenty colloquia we have sponsored over the past four years.” December 2016.
Invited Panelist: Research Integrity Symposium. Research Integrity Symposium sponsored by the Steering Committee that manages the Responsible Conduct of Research Training Program (RCR) at University of Texas at Arlington. This year’s theme will be Collaborative Research. The issued to be discussed will be: research integrity, responsible conduct, management of collaborations, formal agreements as well as informal arrangements addressing matters such as authorship, roles and responsibilities, research compliance, and mentoring of trainees. October 2016.
Guest Speaker: Invited to present on the intersection of social robotics and theatre at the College of Business, Accounting Departments’ CPE Day at University of Texas at Arlington on August 2016.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. I began work with UTARI collaborating and developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. Invited ten Theatre Arts undergraduate students to UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot. April 2016.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington. Focus on Faculty. Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 2016. https://library.uta.edu/events/focus-faculty-julienne-greer
Panelist: Invited Research Discussant & Panel member. Fixed: The Science Fiction of Human Enhancement. Interdisciplinary panel. Invited by the Director of Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington to participate on a panel with UTA faculty John Bricout, associate dean of the School of Social Work, and Janet Morrow, disabilities studies adjunct professor. Moderated discussion and talk back after a viewing of the film, March 2015.
PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY AWARDS AND HONORS
2019 - University of Texas at Arlington, 2019 COLA Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure Track Faculty, “selected because of your outstanding record of teaching as well as your interdisciplinary approach to teaching theatre arts through social robotics and performance
2016 - University of Texas at Arlington, Focus on Faculty Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 20th, 2016.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Endowment Award given by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon and the Dean's Office of the College of Liberal Arts - Endowment Award for Research and Creative Activity - toward the purchase of Pepper, the emotional robot, from SoftBank Robotics for use in a multi-disciplinary Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) course created by Dr. Julienne Greer titled Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited speaker to AGS staff luncheon on behalf of Department of Theatre Arts, publicity and university outreach for Theatre Arts 2015-2016 season.
2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited participant in inaugural grant writing group. Five faculty participants were chosen to interact with senior grant writers, Office of Development and Office of the Provost, Division of Faculty Affairs.
2014 - Star-Telegram Best Actress in a Performance - 2014 as Juliana Singleton in Dallas-Fort Worth premier of The Other Place by Sharr White, Circle Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas.
2011 - University of Texas at Dallas Travel/Professional Development Award. Travel expenses to Oxford, University in England, United Kingdom. Mansfield College. Videogame Cultures is a premier game studies conference in Europe.
2001 Best Actress in a Play, Stage West, Honor from Board of Directors. Blanche Dubois, in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
AWARDS/HONORS
Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure-Track Faculty, 2019. University of Texas at Arlington, College of Liberal Arts, Dept. of Theatre Arts.
Outstanding Mainstage Production, 2014-15 Season, MAVPLAYS, Dept. of Theatre Arts’ Student/Faculty Awards. April, 2015. Producer: MAVPLAYS; Director: Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets.
Most Inspiring Professor, Nominee 2004, Department of Theatre, Texas Christian University.
Panhellenic Council Awards.
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
INTERNATIONAL
ITALY – April 2018
Disablog.it. Provide assistive technology to disabled people through the study of disability itself. “Le tecnologie assistive, comprese quelle basate sull’intelligenza artificiale, possono svolgere un ruolo importante nel plasmare il modo in cui le persone con disabilità sono in grado di muoversi nelle attività quotidiane. Tuttavia, ciò che può sembrare una buona idea per un ingegnere potrebbe non essere una realtà di fatto quando una persona con disabilità cerca di utilizzare la tecnologia.”
http://www.disablog.it/fornire-tecnologia-assistiva-alle-persone-disabili-tramite-lo-studio-della-disabilita-stessa/
KOREA - November 2017
Irobotnews.com. 텍사스알링턴대, 로봇-인간 정서 교감 연구 Human Emotional Empathy Research.
“Our idea is not to replace people, but to meet the gap," said UTA director of theater arts and professor Julienne Greer. "Above all, through performing arts we wish to interact with robots and people of various ages to create a solidarity of trust and emotion."
http://www.irobotnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12256
FRANCE – November 2017
InfoHighTech.com. LE NOUVEAU LABORATOIRE DE ROBOTIQUE ÉMOTIONNELLE ÉTUDIE L’INTERACTION HOMME-ROBOT. [The New Laboratory of Emotional Robotics Study in the interaction of human-robot]
“Julienne Greer et ses collègues Ling Xu et Noelle Fields, deux professeurs adjoints à la School of Social Work de l’UTA, et Kris Doelling, ingénieur de recherche à l’UTA Research Institute (UTARI), ont récemment mené une étude auprès d’adultes âgés dans un établissement indépendant au Texas. Le robot et les adultes ont interagi en utilisant des sonnets bien connus de Shakespeare. Cette étude, financée par une subvention de 20 000 dollars du Programme de recherche interdisciplinaire de l’UTA, a révélé qu’après trois semaines d’interactions, il y avait une baisse significative de la dépression et une augmentation de l’engagement social humain-robot chez ces personnes âgées.”
https://www.infohightech.com/le-nouveau-laboratoire-de-robotique-emotionnelle-etudie-linteraction-homme-robot/
BELGIUM – April 2017
Human 2.0 – Exploring Cyborgs. Lectures – Expo – Film.
In partial requirements for his master’s degree at The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, abbreviated KU Leuven, alum Andrew Beckman, organized with his peers, an evening of cyborg culture. Dr. Greer participated via video with NAO the robot. “What is a cyborg? What isn’t a cyborg a human 2.0? Where do we draw the line that separates humans from cyborgs?
https://www.facebook.com/events/439715329714287/
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
NATIONAL
National media and news outlets which ran UTA press release(s) story of the opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab and the analysis of Shakespeare and Robots research study:
UTA Communication analytics reported $100,000 advertising buys for TV spots featuring Dr. Greer’s work and Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
April 2018 – EurekaAlert! Science News. UTA grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/uota-ugt041318.php
April 2018 – PHYS.ORG. Grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be Integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://phys.org/wire-news/285330818/grant-to-help-minority-students-link-assistive-technology-with-d.html
April 2018 – DisabledWorld.com. UTA Grant to Help Minority Students Link Assistive Technology with Disabilities Studies. “Assistive technology program will teach undergraduate students, especially minority and female students and those with disabilities, how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities.
https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/finance/uta-grant.php
January 2018 – Xconomy. UTA Using Robots, Shakespeare to Study Ways to Address Loneliness. Angela Shah.
“A study at the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington is exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression…UTA’s living lab, which is made up of spaces set up to look like a person’s home – is part of a multidisciplinary effort that includes professors in theatre arts, social work, and engineering.”
https://www.xconomy.com/texas/2018/01/19/uta-using-robots-shakespeare-to-study-ways-to-address-loneliness/
January 2018 – KRWG New Mexico State: Justin Martin talks with Julienne Greer, director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington, about the emotional side of robots.
Audio:
http://krwg.org/post/local-newscast-1-53
November 2017 – EurekAlert! The Global Sources for Science News. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support. “The ideas here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,” said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uota-uer111317.php
November 2017 – Robotics Tomorrow. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. The new lab will feature two robots from SoftBank Robotics, NAO and Pepper. Pepper is a 4-foot humanoid robot with large, expressive eyes and lifelike gestures that can connect with people on an emotional level. NAO is a smaller humanoid robot, designed to be an interactive companion.”
https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/article/2017/11/uta%EF%BF%BD%EF%BF%BDs-emotional-robotics-living-lab-will-research-how-robots-can-be-integrated-into-homes-as-companions-and-caregivers/11072
November 2017 - PHYS.ORG. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? ‘We want to look at what it means to have a robot in the room, and plan to use theatre methodology to make that experience as engaging as possible," Greer added. ‘Both robots are also actively used in the curriculum of the course I teach, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre every semester, which involves hands-on student/robot interactions.’”
https://phys.org/wire-news/272048432/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-compani.html
November 2017 – TIEECO.org Silicon Valley. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “The new lab is studying whether or not a robot can fill in the emotional gap needed to be a companion or caretaker to humans.”
https://www.tieeco.org/ecosystem/news/n/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds
November 2017 – Robotics Trends. New Emotional Robotics Lab to Study Human-Robot Interaction. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots.” http://conflict.md/2017/11/15/new-emotional-robotics-lab-to-study-human-robot-interaction/
November 2017 – ASEE First Bell. University of Texas Using Literature to Forge Emotional Bonds Between Humans, Robots. The Dallas Morning News (11/20, Brumfield) reports the University of Texas at Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab “is using the work of none other than William Shakespeare” to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safety with humans and to “learn how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional as well as physical support.” The piece quotes UTA theater arts professor Julienne Greer saying, “The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap. We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.” http://mailview.bulletinmedia.com/mailview.aspx?m=2017112101asee&r=6106399-da88&render=y
November 2017 – News Cision. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “The lab is designed with home spaces for older adults featuring mid-century furniture as well as a more modern play space for projects using children or younger adults.”
http://news.cision.com/university-of-texas-at-arlington/r/uta-s-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companions-caregivers,c2390637
November 2017 – PublicNow.com. Robots and Theatre. NAO and Pepper in the new lab. How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers?
http://www.publicnow.com/view/3E87CF16C169F1B824FAEBA8EC850949936A99B5?2017-11-13-20:30:17+00:00-xxx5895
November 2017 – DailyTopicI. Texas-based Emotional Robotics Living Lab Creates Caregiver Robots - Robotics. “Public research school University of Texas at Arlington opened its Emotional Robotics Living Lab to determine how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional support or to serve as caregivers.”
http://dailytopici.com/news/view/8270
November 2017 – CQRCENGAGE.com. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? “The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA's Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://cqrcengage.com/auvsi/app/document/25102365?1
November 2017 – McKnight’s Senior Living. Universities study robots to help senior living residents. Lois A. Bowers. “Independent living and assisted living communities are serving as testing grounds as University of Texas at Arlington researchers try to develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers. Researchers hope the efforts meet resident needs and help operators address labor challenges.”
https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/universities-study-robots-to-help-senior-living-residents/article/707478/
November 2017 – AZOrobotics.com. New Emotional Robotic Living Lab will Investigate the Integration of Robots into Homes. “We are now looking to make the experience more immersive so that the robot and the adults play out an entire scene of Shakespeare together…we hypothesize that the more immersive the theatre intervention, the deeper and more positive the responses in older adults will be in regards to depression and social engagement’”
https://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=9587
November 2017 – ScienMag Science Magazine. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to Focus on Robots as Companions/Caregivers. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://scienmag.com/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companionscaregivers/
November 2017 – Bob Heyer-Gray. Librarian at University of California – Davis. University of Texas using literature to forge emotional bonds between humans, robots. “Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is ‘using the work of no other than William Shakespeare’ to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safely with humans.”
November 2017 – BotWeb.net. The latest robotics news from around the web. “‘The idea here is not to replace humans, but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.”
October 2017 – LeadingAge.com. Robots and Self-Driving Taxis on the Rise in Senior Living by Donna Childress. Companion robots and others offer large potential to engage older adults. “NAO, which challenged the residents to give the final lines of a Shakespeare sonnet and can do things like shake hands and join residents for tai chi, was a hit… ‘Older adults really did find this futuristic machine…quite fascinating…I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’” https://www.leadingage.org/cast/robots-and-self-driving-taxis-rise-senior-living
October 2017 – Andrea Hektner.com. Repeat after me, robots are not humans. “Within her area of study, Greer dedicates herself to understanding all the facets underlining the many ways in which humans interact with one another…The interesting concept of Greer’s work is that humans must first understand humanity in order to make way for the incoming generation of robots, which she argues can be achieved through the theatrical arts.”
https://andreahektner.com/2016/06/20/repeat-after-me-robots-are-not-humans/
September 2017 – Seniorhousingnews.com. Senior Living Sees Slow But Steady Robot Revolution by Tim Regan. “Most recently, a Brookdale community in Arlington, Texas, hosted researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), to determine whether reciting Shakespeare with a robot could lessen symptoms of depression and increase engagement for seniors… ‘Will more assisted living facilities see robots in this way, not just for service, but also as companions? I absolutely think so,” she says. “I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’”
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/09/15/senior-living-sees-slow-steady-robot-revolution/
August 2017 – Brookdale.com, Brookdale Senior Living Solutions; Technology and Innovation Section by Andrew Smith. NAO takes a bow: Meet the robot engaging seniors in the arts. Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. “The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,” said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA. For three weeks, eight Brookdale residents spent an hour each week reciting Shakespeare with NAO. NAO recited the first 12 lines of Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) with all the drama of a professional actor and then asked the residents to complete the last two lines. While some residents were hesitant at first, the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Based on the data from our study, findings suggest that there was a significant increase in engagement and a significant decrease in depression,” said Dr. Greer. “We learned that social robots are poised to become viable collaborative companions in places like Brookdale.” The poetry performance was just the beginning of NAO’s interaction. The robot can shake hands, accompany seniors on a walk, perform Tai Chi and tell stories. The versatility was a hit with residents…NAO is a perfect example of how something that seems so simple (a Shakespeare reciting robot) can significantly improve quality of life. It also demonstrates that seniors, just like the rest of us, get excited and engaged with novel technologies. https://www.brookdalenews.com/nao-takes-bow-meet-robot-engaging-seniors-in-arts.htm
March 2017 – FOX 10, MyFoxZone. KIDY San Angelo, TX. Robots Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly… ‘Researchers are using a robot reciting Shakespeare with senior citizens, in what is known as ‘participatory art.’”
https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416978351
March 2017 – FOX 15, MyFoxZone. KXVA Abilene, TX. Robot Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly.’”
Article and Video:
https://www.fox15abilene.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416977500
January 2016 – DISCOVERY.COM Discovery News. Why We Want Our Robots to Like Us. Glenn McDonald. “Julienne Greer, a theater professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has a unique insight into the issue of Human Robot Interaction, or HRI. In recent years, Greer and her students have worked directly with computer scientists and engineers in the U-T system, creating the new class Humans and Robots to explore the emerging emotional connections between people and machines. ‘My time spent in theatre arts seems to indicate that we are all wired to connect to empathetic human experiences, especially emotional experiences, and we feel the most 'like ourselves' when we do,’ Greer says.” [Discovery News source has changed the following link is correct for the original article.]
https://engineering.nd.edu/news-publications/engineering-in-the-news/why-we-want-our-robots-to-like-us
November 2014 – NDTV.com, The Future Awaits the Rise of Affectionate Robots. “A new study into a robot named Pepper who has been hailed as an emotionally responsive humanoid robot, can help scientists build more affection robots.”
http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/the-future-awaits-the-rise-of-affectionate-robots-703178
November 2014 – The Aurora Fox Arts Center. From STEM to STEAM, Theatre and Robots? “Performing Arts and ‘Theatre’ hold a regular spot on lists like Forbes’ “The Ten Worst College Majors” and The Daily Beast’s “The Thirteen Most Useless Majors”. But Julienne Greer sees that changing…When Julienne Greer heard about the new “emotional” robots coming out of Japan (like Aldebaran’s Pepper) she was intrigued. These robots are designed to be in-home companions that can read people’s moods and respond appropriately…The take-away? An actress (with a Theatre degree) is successfully working with scientists to develop super cool technology. Looks like that major wasn’t so useless after all.” [Link has expired as of 7/18/18]
http://aurorafoxartscenter.org/cms/2014/11/25/from-stem-to-steam/
November 2014 – Cosmos Magazine, How to Make Robots More Like Humans. “Actor, producer and director Julienne Greer is helping engineers build more responsive robots…Part of her work involves categorizing behaviors and gestures and understanding how these gestures can create emotion in humans. Robot engineers may be able to apply these principles when programming robots… ‘Performance, connection and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots.’”
https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/how-to-make-robots-more-like-humans
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
REGIONAL – DFW
April 2018 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Developing Assistive Technologies Program with $381K Grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded the grant to fund the program that will teach undergraduate students, particularly minority and female students with disabilities, how to design the assistive technology. Ishfaq Ahmad, professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department is the principal investigator, UTA said. Other co-principal investigators are Julienne Greer, assistant professor in theater arts; and assistant professors of computer science and engineering Manfred Huber and Vassilis Athitsos.
https://dallasinnovates.com/381k-grant-help-develop-uta-assistive-technologies-program/
December 2017 – KERANews.org. Robots Reciting Shakespeare with Seniors in UTA Study Hints at Future Companion Role. Justin Martin and Molly Evans. “Robots are assuming more and more roles in our daily lives…In the study, older adults interacted with a robot using Shakespearean sonnets. The study comes from UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which explores the bigger idea of robots as companions and caregivers in the future. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre arts and the lab’s director, explains how one of the robots, called NAO, was used in the study… ‘It was not just reciting Shakespeare. We made this study because we wanted the robot to participate with the older adult. Now, when someone is participating in an art, they’re not just looking at that painting, they’re not just listening to that music. They are actually in a process of doing, and that was shown to have incredibly positive results.’” Article, Video, and Audio files to follow:
http://keranews.org/post/robots-reciting-shakespeare-seniors-uta-study-hints-future-companion-role
Youtube – 10 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A7I_peskTk
December 2017 – Arlington Voice. Robotics theatrics pairs UTA research with Arlington seniors. “NAO is one of two advanced robots used in the lab to test the emotional engagement between man and machine. It’s (NAO) arm, no longer than that of a toddler, reaches toward the sky as it recites Shakespeare Sonnet 18… ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer day.’”
https://arlingtonvoice.com/arlington/education/2017/12/02/robotic-theatrics-pairs-uta-research-arlington-seniors
November 2017 – Star-Telegram News. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? Bill Hana. “NAO, a 23-inch tall robot, performs a 30-second Tai Chi routine, gracefully moving its arms up in the air. At the same time, Kevyn Martinez, a 20-year-old communications major at the University of Texas at Arlington, stands behind the small robot, mirroring its movements. The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/arlington/article186305888.html
November 2017 – DallasNews.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says. Loyd Brumfield. “We all know that robots with human-like functions are coming. But as we have learned in everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Westworld, how do we know they can be trusted. Maybe artists hold the key to that answer more so than scientists or engineers. ‘The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theater arts at UTA and director of the lab. ‘We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2017/11/20/robots-caregivers-afraid-uta-says
November 2017 – PressReader.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20171121/282110636909639
November 2017 – NBC DFW Channel 5 News. Shakespeare Performing Robots Show Promise for Mental Health in UTA Study. Tim Ciesco. “A theater arts professor, a mechanical engineering student, and a small robot all meet in a classroom. That's not the opening line of an obscure joke -- it's what actually happens inside UT-Arlington's new Emotional Robotics Living Lab… ‘Theater arts is a discipline of connection, empathy, voice, movement, relationship -- and in the end trust,’ said Greer. ‘I think it's stimulating. I think by utilizing arts content it's more life-like.’” Article and Video follows:
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Shakespeare-Performing-Robots-Show-Promise-for-Mental-Health-in-UTA-Study-458674103.html
November 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11&21 News. UTA Working to Make Robots Become More Human. Robbie Owens. “Once the stuff of science fiction, robots today run our factories and touch nearly aspect of our lives. Now, an interdisciplinary research project at University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) looks to explore what could happen if robots can learn to touch our hearts. Dr. Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, and Director of the university’s ‘Living Lab’ where participants interact with the robots in a home-like setting… ‘We can bring all the things that make theater so human: the ability to connect, the ability to understand another human being’s life… empathy… I am programming robots that will allow you to stay in your home longer,’ said Dr. Greer, ‘When I say that, that’s when people go: `how quickly can you get them to me?’”
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/11/14/uta-robots-human/
November 2017 – WALA Fox Channel 10, Alabama. Robots with Emotions?
“Social companion robots with the goal to let people live independently into later life.” https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30774829?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Fox 13, Tampa, Florida. “Students and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington are trying to create robots that have emotions.”
Video with UTA Dept. of Theatre Arts students:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30775344?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “In the study, a robot and adults interacted using sonnets from Shakespeare, and researchers found that after three weeks, there was a major drop in depression and an increase in robot-human social engagement among the older adults.”
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds/
November 2017 – KRLD 1080 am RADIO. Audio interview on the opening of Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Audio:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30692189?token=2912f455-cfc2-4423-9da3-adfec9cb7a4b
November 2017 – Arlington-TX.gov. UTA Launches Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support… ‘We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/11/14/uta-launches-emotional-robotics-living-lab/
November 2017 – Texas Digital Humanities Consortium. Promoting digital research in Texas and beyond. Lisa Spiro. “Dr. Julienne Greer was awarded one of UTA’s second annual Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grants for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults.” She leads an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. Dr. Greer and colleagues also received funding for A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI, which examines how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI.”
https://www.txdhc.org/members/lspiro/activity/1273/
September 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11 “Dr. Julienne Greer, an Assistant Professor of Social Robotics and Performance, says they are using something called participatory arts to help robots interact with senior citizens…The content of the art is said to enhance a person’s cognitive skills, as well as offer companionship for older adults… ‘We want the older adults to feel engaged in an art form…we are very hopeful the same positive results that happen in human to human models will happen with a human to robot model…’ Theater for Psychological Well-Being. The goal is to provide an intervention tool for early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Team: Dr. Julienne Greer, UTA College of Theatre Arts, Dr. Noelle Fields, UTA School of Social Work. Sponsor: UTA: Interdisciplinary Research Program.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=3xzNF16ZBqo
April 2017 – CW33 To Bot or not to Bot: Meet the little robot who can perform Shakespeare! Chris Skupien. “Here in the 21st century, robots are nothing new. But have you ever seen one recite a sonnet? ‘This robot is considered a social or companion robot…This is the robot that might be a friend and that is where the theatre methodology comes in.’”
Article and Video:
http://cw33.com/2017/04/27/to-bot-or-not-to-bot-meet-the-little-robot-who-can-perform-shakespeare/
Dec. 2016 – Star-Telegram by Sara Pintilie. Shall AI compare thee? UTA robot recites Shakespeare for science. Star-Telegram article/video initially requested by Dr. Vistap Karbhari, President of UT-Arlington.
“University of Texas at Arlington’s Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts: social robotics and performance, wants to use NAO and Shakespeare to help older adults in a new interdisciplinary study. Interdisciplinary research can promote a new way to tackle a problem or a fresh approach to age-old questions. It can produce exciting and refreshing elements, like a Shakespeare-reciting robot. Greer’s study, when it begins in April, will have older adults listen as NAO recites the first 12 lines of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, and the people will recite the last two lines. ‘The pilot date will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults, the study says.’”
Article and Video:
http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article120016593.html
Dec. 2016 – Dallas Observer. The University of Texas at Arlington’s Theatre Department has a new student – a Robot by Pablo Arauz. “Nao the robot is a little over a month old but can already recite poetry as if it feels passion… Greer is an assistant professor of theater and an actor. Her life’s work has been to study how humans interact with other humans, but recently she’s been exploring a whole new territory: How humans interact with machines and the experience involved in understanding this relationship – that’s right, a relationship with a machine. Her specialty is an interdisciplinary research area called theater and social robotics that explores how robots can reflect human emotion by applying traditional acting methods.”
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-university-of-texas-at-arlingtons-theater-department-has-a-new-student-a-robot-8987400
December 2016 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Theatre Prof Will Use Robot in Study on Human-Machine Connection. UTA professor Julienne Greer will use an autonomous humanoid robot in an upcoming study exploring the connection between humans and machines.
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-theater-prof-will-use-robot-in-study-on-human-machine-connection/
February 2016 – Fox News4ward, February 7th and 13th, 2016, Robots with Human Emotions, by Dan Godwin. “It may sound like science fiction, but more and more these days robots are exhibiting human qualities. And in many homes, they serve as companions for people. In this FOX 4Ward segment, Dan Godwin talks with Dr. Julienne Greer, a local expert who is helping guide that progress in a positive direction.”
http://www.fox4news.com/news/fox-4-features/86482879-story
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
UTA IN THE NEWS
April 20th, 2018 – UTA In the News
Technologies in Disabilities grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded a $381,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant from the National Science Foundation, Dallas Innovates.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/04/20.php
January 22nd, 2018 – UTA In the News
“Robots are being created to help with tasks like disinfecting hospital rooms or alerting patients when it’s time to take medications, Xconomy.com reported. A study at UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is even exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre at UTA, serves as the director of the lab, which was launched in November.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/01/22.php
December 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts in UTA’s College of Liberal Arts, appeared on KERA 90.1 FM discussing her research in the field of social and emotional robotics. She found that interactions with robots had a positive impact on the lives of senior citizens in an assisted living facility. Greer is the director of UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/15.php
December 4st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Arlington Voice reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/04.php
December 1st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Robotics Tomorrow reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/01.php
November 27th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Robotics Living Lab
“The Star-Telegram reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/27.php
November 22nd, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Innovates, ASEE First Bell,
China's Irobotnews and France's Infohightech reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/22.php
November 20th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC 5 reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/20.php
November 17th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab continued to attract national attention with KTVT Fox 13 in Tampa, Fla., WALA Fox 10 in Mobile, Ala., Robotics Trends, Azorobotics and many other media outlets covering the start of the lab, which will investigate what the future will look like with robots.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/17.php
November 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Researchers at UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab are investigating what the future will look like with robots. They're also examining how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support, KTVT CBS 11, KRLD 1080 AM, ArlingtonTx.gov, CBSDFW.com, McKnight’s Senior Living, ScienMag and Phys.org reported. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts, is directing the new lab.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/15.php
UTA PRESS RELEASES
January 2020 – UTA Press Release. UTA takes on loneliness crisis. Dana Jennings. “We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life,” said Greer, who also is director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “Theater has a way of giving more depth to one’s identity and creating a deeper sense of self-expression. Robots do not judge or get their feelings hurt, thus creating a safe space for people to be expressive.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/news-releases/2020/01/09/social-isolation
April 2018 – UTA Press Release. UTA researchers earn grant to teach minority undergraduates how to link assistive technology, artificial intelligence and disability studies. Herb Booth. University of Texas at Arlington computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor…were awarded a three-year, $318,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2018/04/nsf-adaptive-tech-undergrad.php
November 2017 – UTA Press Release. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. Louisa Kellie.
“Greer and an interdisciplinary team recently carried out a study with older adults at an independent living facility in Texas where the robot and adults interacted using well-known sonnets from Shakespeare. This study, which was funded with a seed grant from UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program, found that after three weeks of interactions, there was a significant drop in depression and increase in human-robot social engagement among those older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2017/11/Greer%20release%20robots.php
November 2017 - UTA Newsroom. Sonnet Technology. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor in the UTA Department of Theatre Arts, is combining Shakespeare and state-of-the-art robots to reduce depression and increase engagement among older adults. The interdisciplinary team includes researchers from UTA's School of Social Work and the UTA Research Institute. The research team recently opened an emotional robotics living lab to understand how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers.
https://www.uta.edu/news/video/2017/11/Shakespeare-Robot.php
Youtube: 1.23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=olH9WOR9GtE
November 2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, News Release UT Arlington Theatre Arts research provides insight into human behavior for scientists, engineers who build social robots by Bridget Lewis. News release was picked up by multiple science websites including; Phys.org, esciencenews.com, sciencenewsline.com, techsharx.com, cosmosmagazine.com, inas.in (Indo-Asian news service) as well as a Lithuanian news site, robotika.it (Menininkės įžvalgos pravers robotų kūrėjams). “The fascinating aspect of sensory (data) work is how it opens the imagination to the cognitive work our senses do all day, every day to connect us to our world. The subject becomes aware of new sensory stimuli, which in turn creates an emotional response.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2014/11/Greer-social-robotics.php
August 2016 – NEWS RELEASE UTA Awards Four 2016 Inter-disciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016). UTA awarded grants for innovative ideas that address high-priority issues in society. I was granted one of only four awards University-wide for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on the psychological well-being of older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2016/08/IRP%202016.php
UTA MAGAZINE - PRINT
UTA – The University of Texas at Arlington Magazine, Pioneers of the 21st Century. Antwan Williams. “They’re doing so with the help of 2-foot tall robot named NAO that performs Shakespearean sonnets… ‘all these awards represent important research innovations and could create a real impact in society’ says Duane Dimos, vice president for research.’”
http://www.uta.edu/utamagazine/spring-2018/features/pioneers-of-the-21st-century.php
May 2015 – INQUIRY - The Research Magazine for University of Texas at Arlington, I, Robot, Engineers look to theatre techniques to create more responsive machines. “Performance, connection, and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots…We must be specific in programming robots to respond to, and eventually learn from, the human relationships they will be a part of.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/inquiry/spring15/faculty/i-robot.php
UTA MAVWIRE
April 2018. Assistive Technologies Studies. “Computer scientists and faculty with the disabilities studies minor will create a campus-wide program to teach how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers.”
https://www.uta.edu/enews/mavwire/2018/04/23.html
UTA COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS NEWSROOM and CoLA Magazine
June 2018 – CoLA Magazine. UTA Faculty Pursue DATA DRIVEN DISCOVERY. NSF grant Focuses on Research in Assistive Technology. "Greer, an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, has received numerous grants for creating distinctive social applications for robots...'Dr. Rose and Dr. Greer specialize in cutting edge scholarship.'"
https://www.yumpu.com/en/embed/view/J8fLIC0n7AvhREm9
November 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Newsroom. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is open and ready for a close-up! “Arlington’s new Emotion Robotics Living Lab opened fall semester 2017 and features two robots designed to connect with humans on an emotional level and act as companions. The new lab gives hands-on experience working with the robots to UTA students enrolled in Dr. Julienne Greer’s Theatre Arts Course, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre. The lab space, which has recently piqued the interest of the local media, The class is open to all students, regardless of major, interested in learning more about companion robots and the place they will hold in our future. Greer said, “The interdisciplinary nature of the lab and the course is one of the innovative qualities and what seems to interest the public and the media.” In the last two days, Greer and the Robotics Living Lab team have spoken with CBS Channel 11, NBC Channel 5, and the Star-telegram about the new lab and course initiatives with very positive receptions. The flurry of activity follows UTA’s press release on the new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer said, “People are very interesting in social robots, it is exciting to share this news and where UTA is headed in this field with the DFW community.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2017/11/16/ut-arlingtons-emotion-robotics-living-lab-is-open-and-ready-for-a-close-up/
August 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Annual Magazine. “This report about the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington spotlights achievements within the college during the last year. There is no better illustration of the talent among our students and mentorship by our faculty and staff, then the example of…interacting with a Shakespeare-intoning robot.” Elizabeth Cawthon, Dean. CoLA.
http://www.uta.edu/libarts/_downloads/CoLAMagazine/CoLAMagazine_WebEdition.pdf
September 2016 – NEWS RELEASE College of Liberal Arts. IRP Awards. “UTA has awarded four seed grants to interdisciplinary research projects that address growing problems such as loneliness among the elderly, the need for sustainable green education spaces, the health crisis among urban American Indians or the mechanisms behind heart failure among the elderly.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/uta-awards-four-2016-interdisciplinary-research-program-grants-for-innovative-ideas-that-address-high-priority-issues-in-society/
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Live radio interview for College of Liberal Art’s 50th anniversary and welcome back event with UTA Radio, “UTA and The Department of Theatre Arts are incredibly forward-thinking. We’ve purchased a social robot for use in the classroom…How robots essentially ‘perform’ for humans and how humans emotionally respond to robots, is my primary research interest.” (Greer)
UTA NEWSPAPER - THE SHORTHORN
May, 2022 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Professor combines theatre and robotics to reflect human connection. Ayesha Hana Shaji. “Social robots, also known as emotional robots, are machines that can communication socially with human being said Julienne Greer…Greer found a way to bring together her seemingly odd combination of passions, theatre and robotics.”https://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/professor-combines-theater-and-robotics-to-reflect-human-connection/article_6720a5e6-aec2-11ec-b8f5-cb82ea484fd9.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students find relief through art. Amanda Padilla. “Greer emphasized these two concepts. She said people are wired to connect with each other, they have a need and a desire to connect as humans. By engaging in the arts, they learn to trust something. For Greer, people learn to trust each other.In a play, many people come together to create a show. The director, the stage manager, the cast, the technicians; all of these people have to trust their connection to create something together.” http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-find-relief-through-art/article_134f4e52-d083-11e8-b182-23d30eda925c.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, Interdisciplinary team studies robots. Spencer Brewer. “These machines will somehow be a reflection of us as humans,” Greer said. The Emotional Robotics Living Lab focuses on social robots, or robots that will interact socially with people in their homes and workplaces in the future.
“I like to talk about it because it’s not a phone, it’s not a human, and it’s not the television turned on at home,” Greer said. “It is something else, and I’m really interested in what that something else is and how we will interact with it, and what that means, then, about us.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/interdisciplinary-team-studies-robots/article_ebf6f774-c673-11e8-9252-5f7e76848ca0.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Rebekah Morr. “The Living Lab is home to two robots: NAO and Pepper. Both are social and companion robots who can respond autonomously to faces and sounds…Pepper can be classified as an emotional robot because it can detect emotional expressions and tension in a person’s voice.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/article_f32a4568-cfe4-11e7-8be9-13610f80f16f.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Duy Vu. “Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts and Emotional Robotics Living Lab director, explains the functionality of Pepper, a social companion robot, on Nov. 21 in the lab at Preston Hall.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/image_ac03b0f0-cf00-11e7-af15-cf6b2e776c41.html
April 2017 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students, Faculty meet Piebot. “Julienne Greer, theatre arts assistant professor, presented her humanlike robot, called PieBot at UTA’s iDAH speaker series…PieBot was built to eliminate human apathy toward robots and foster a sense of nurturing empathy, Greer said. Greer pulled from different specialties, including from costume designers, programmers, and engineers. ‘Interdisciplinary isn’t just a buzzword, Greer said.’”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-faculty-meet-piebot/article_9ed3b58c-1b0b-11e7-aa25-bf218a04f8f4.html
September 2016 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Robot pairs with sonnets to assist elderly. Matt Fulkerson. “If you can take the world’s greatest wordsmith-literary-poet-playwright and you can bring a robot in and they can play that scene, that’ll be incredible,” she said. (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/robots-pair-with-sonnets-to-assist-elderly/article_74c49866-7f5b-11e6-8907-cfaea4359d90.html
September 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Theatre gets robot, which will appear in spring play. Sheliah Lindsey. “I believe robots are the future…They have so much potential. They can help keep the elderly in their homes longer. They can help children with disabilities.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/theatre-gets-robot-which-will-appear-in-spring-play/article_bc330eb6-502d-11e5-87a7-7fa707007332.html
March 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Film spurs discussion about disabilities, human enhancement. The Shorthorn released the story of the inter-disciplinary panel discussion titled, Dr. Greer, discussant (see Panels). In response to a question regarding human enhancement through robotics and how that identifies humans; “All of my inequalities make me an incredibly unique person…I own being this age, going through my life, having the experiences I’ve had, and doing this wonderful art, which is all about finding the interesting, unique, quirky parts of being a human being.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/film-spurs-discussion-about-disabilities-human-enhancement/article_a004f966-cd1f-11e4-b454-0bae11a94667.html
December 2014 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Lecturer blends theatre arts, robotics by Hannah-Beth Floyd. “I think we’re already well past the point where humans and technologies interact…Technology is a part of our life…(my work is essentially) taking decades of method work, performance technique, and using it to create the most authentic relationship between the human being and a robot.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/lecturer-blends-theater-arts-robotics/article_85eeab54-7a76-11e4-8344-3f24595643ac.html
UTA - INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATORS AND MEDIA
September 2018 – UTA Library Newsletter. User Engagement & Services. Building Partnerships and Lasting Friendships Through Technology. “During our tenure as Robot Ambassadors, we (Devon Peralta and Rene Taméz) formed an extraordinary working relationship with Dr. Julienne Greer, a multi-disciplinary scholar and professor who has been researching human/robot interactions. Dr. Greer was the first UTA Faculty to request the Robot Ambassadors in her classroom, where she was doing research on emotional support robots, for which she received a grant to start the UTA Emotional Robots Living Lab.”
June 2018 – Invited by Nova Coates, Computer Science and Engineering colleague to create a 20 sec. audio spot for CSE freshman highlight interdisciplinary work.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151850623@N06/42194854490/in/album-72157693832149860/
March 2018 – UTA Radio on Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Live broadcast aired March 22 2018.
January 2018 – Computer Science and Engineering – UT Arlington. Facebook. In Spring 2018, Dr. Julienne Greer teaches a course exploring social robotics and the roles robots will have in our lives from Disability Studies, Theatre Studies, and Humanities perspectives. The course includes hands-on work with the social robots, PEPPER, JIBO, and NAO in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. If you have any questions about this class please contact ltucker@uta.edu or Dr. Julienne Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre, Social Robotics and Performance.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cseutarlington/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1943693469037365
December 2017 – College of Engineering – IN THE NEWS. “Robotics Tomorrow reported…UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots.”
November 2017 – UTARI. Greer’s New Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UT Arlington assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2017/NBC5_nao.php
November 2017 – UTARI. Meet the robot engaging seniors in the Arts. “Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. ‘The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,’ said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA.”
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2018/Brookdale_2.php
November 2017 – UTARI. “Couldn't have scripted this Channel 5 news interview any better if you tried!” UTARI Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/posts/1611685888893622
November 2017 – School of Social Work. “The interdisciplinary team from UTA School of Social Work and UTARI researchers have come together for an amazing project! Check out what the SSW is doing!” SSW Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/UTASocialWork/posts/
October 2016 – UTARI. Facebook post of unveiling of NAO with collaborator UTARI, Dr. Julienne Greer at The University of Texas at Arlington Theatre Arts Department and Kris Doelling, Research Scientist at UTARI unpack a new addition – the NAO robot from Softbank Robotics…The social robot is set to be a key component for hands-on work for Dr. Greer’s interdisciplinary course, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre. https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/photos/pcb.1208605852534963/1208605765868305/?type=3
April 2016 – UTARI. National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI) Collaborator with UTARI developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. On April 6, 2016, 10 Theatre Arts undergraduate students assembled at UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot.
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, on-air interview for UTA News. Social robotics at UTA: “Buddy” and “Pepper” a social and an emotional robot acquired by Department of Theatre Arts for use in the classroom and innovative research.
https://utanews.com/2015/09/14/dr-julienne-greer-interview/
MEDIA
for
CREATIVE RESEARCH in PERFORMANCE
June 2017 – Dallas Morning News review of performance King o’ the Moon. Touching family tale with contemporary reverberations. “The mom, Ellen Pazinski (Julienne Greer) honors his spirit and keeps an income by running the family tavern…the fine cast shows off the playwrights deft blend of humor and pathos.”
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/theater/2017/06/18/touching-family-tale-contemporary-reverberations-king-o-moon-circle-theatre
June 2017 – Theatre Jones review of performance King o’ the Moon. Moon Beams. “Julienne Greer returns to play mother Ellen Pazinski for the third time, and she’s the show’s anchor. Her Ellen is steady and smart, a woman who raised four difficult children and doesn’t think life can surprise her. She’s a widow now, and runs the tavern with help from her husband’s best friend. David H.M. Lambert’s Walter is the ultimate nice guy, touching and funny in his attempts to get closer to Ellen and her prickly kids.”
http://www.theaterjones.com/ntx/reviews/20170620105834/2017-06-21/Circle-Theatre/King-O-the-Moon
June 2017 – Star-Telegram review of performance King o’ the Moon. King o’ the Moon captures America in 1969. “As was so often the case in the 1960s, the Pazinskis are all on journeys of their own. Ellen (Julienne Greer), the widow who heads the family, is coping with three grown children who are entering adulthood through different doors, and a mentally challenged son, Georgie, who will always be a child… Greer’s performance is so easy and smooth that the high quality of her work runs the risk of going unnoticed.”
http://www.star-telegram.com/living/article156977974.html
April 2014 A + C Acting in Texas: Julienne Greer at Circle Theatre. Interview with editor, Nancy Wozny of Arts and Culture Texas. Julienne Greer takes on the role of Juliana Smithton in Circle Theatre’s production of Sharr White’s, The Other Place. White chronicles the story of Smithton, a successful neurologist, who suffers from a devastating neurological event. “I used my early training (for characterization), which was a blend of both physical and more external representations…alongside internal or more emotionally behavioral choices.” (Greer)
http://artsandculturetx.com/acting-in-texas-julienne-greer-at-circle-theatre/
May 2005 Texas Christian University, interview with TCU Daily Skiff. ‘Toil and Trouble’ – Actors to perform part of Macbeth Halloween night. Prof. Julienne Greer conceived, developed, and directed a Macbeth selection titled “Bard on the Rocks” for TCU Provost Nowell Donovan. It has become an annual tradition. “The scene consists of the three witches and their encounter with Macbeth who is demanding to know if he will continue to be king…Later during the scene, apparitions or ghosts appear to him. It’s very spooky.” (Greer)
https://www.tcu360.com/story/toil-and-trouble-12292688/
UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACADEMIC AWARDS and HONORS
Samuel French Publishers, Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron
Listed in the published version of the stage play as Margaret Goggin. Worked with the playwright, Arthur Giron, in seminars and workshops during the rehearsal period to identify the play’s narrative and character arc. Becoming Memories was produced at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Acting Ensemble. Invitation only participation in an acting ensemble by iconic Broadway designer, producer, John Wulp. Acting ensemble was personally supervised by legendary playwright John Guare. Content of the seminar was a workshop of his work in the fourth play of Guare’s Lydie Breeze series.
New York University, Acting Ensemble.
Highlighted in a New York Times article titled, Where are all the new, young actors: at Tisch School of the Arts. Play: Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron.
ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHING
2020-Present Associate Chair Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
Associate Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Assistant Chair and Assistant Professor of the Department of Theatre Arts including curriculum planning, administrative responsibilities, liaison among students and the department, and performance-based courses, advanced performance, acting for voice and movement, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities.
2020-Present Area Head for BA program
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
I am the Area Head for the largest group of students in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. I mentor and guide BA students in their individual and chosen career trajectories. Opportunities within the Department include performance, stage combat, improvisation, and social robotics and technology.
2016-Present Assistant Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Professor advanced performance, acting for the stage and camera, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, Departmental courses, Dialects in Performance, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre: a course based on the emerging intersection of Theatre and Social Robotics. Head of publicity for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, committee member for Academic Curriculum, Research, Marketing, Performance, recruiting (see Service). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2012-2016 Senior Lecturer
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company & Maverick Dance Company
University of Texas at Arlington
Professor of beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting for the stage and the camera, directing for the stage, stage movement, voice training for the stage, dialects, theatre administration in publicity, marketing, and recruitment, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, dance for the actor. Chair and/or member of departmental, university and college committees (see “University Service”). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2000-2009 Adjunct Professor
Dept. of Film-Television-Digital Media -
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Department of Theatre –
College of Fine Arts
Texas Christian University
Professor of beginning and intermediate acting for the stage and the camera, acting for TV II, acting for the camera, improvisational comedy lab and lecture, soap opera lab and lecture, survey courses for cinema and theatre, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, and working actor seminar. Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2011-2013 Teaching Assistant
School of Arts and Humanities University of Texas at Dallas
Teacher’s Assistant for film theory, and history courses. Requested by Endowed Professor, Dr. Stephen Rabe
Dr. Shilyh Warren
Dr. Adrienne McLean
1999-Present Independent Arts Administration Consultant, based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Arts consulting provided for cultural, governmental and educational institutions in Texas. Consultations have involved organizational assessments, personnel assessments, development workshops, marketing/sales, bylaws analysis, budget preparation, unions, facilities planning, grant evaluation, membership and development.
1981-Present Professional Theatre and Film Artist, Illinois, Arizona, Los Angeles, New York, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. Presently based in Fort Worth, Texas. (Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Screenplay writer, and Producer: see Creative Activities/Research).
2008 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Seussical, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class.
Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Seussical, Jr.
2007 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Annie, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class. Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Annie, Jr.
The University of Texas at Arlington
Maverick Theatre Company
Theatre Arts Department
2012 - Present
COURSE INSTRUCTION
THEA 3314-001, Voice and Movement
Spring 2021 (10 students)
Spring 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2019 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4393-001, Voice and Movement, Special Topics
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4391, Special Topics: “Humans and Robots: The Future is Here”
Conference course and first semester of original curriculum on Social Robots and Theatre
Individual instruction; majors and minors.
Fall 2015 (10 students)
THEA 3351, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre (individual instruction)
Spring 2021 (9 students)
Fall 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2020 (12 students)
Spring 2019 (20 students)
Fall 2018 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (11 students)
Fall 2017 (15 students)
Spring 2017 (15 students)
Fall 2016 (23 students)
Spring 2016 (19 students)
THEA 3335, Dance for the Actor (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Spring 2013 (20 students)
THEA 3311, Vocal Performance II: Dialects (individual instruction; majors)
Spring 2016 (16 students)
Spring 2015 (14 students)
Spring 2014 (19 students)
Spring 2013 (16 students)
THEA 3308, Acting for the Camera: Acting III (majors, utilizing video technology)
Fall 2014 (11 students)
Fall 2013 (20 students)
Fall 2012 (21 students)
THEA 1343, Introduction to Theatre (University Core course: majors and minors)
Spring 2014 (21 students)
THEA 1342, Theatre and Film Appreciation (University Core course: majors and minors)
Fall 2013 (101 students)
Spring 2013 (92 students)
Fall 2012 (99 students)
THEA 1307, Acting I (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2018 (X Students)
Fall 2012 (14 students)
THEA 1303, Fundamentals of Presentation (University CORE course: majors and minors)
Formerly Vocal Performance I: Fundamentals
Fall 2017 (20 students)
Fall 2016 (15 students)
Fall 2015 (18 students)
Spring 2015 (16 students)
THEA 1300, First Year Seminar in Theatre Arts (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2014 (20 students)
Fall 2013 (10 students)
THEA 0181, Theatre Practicum (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Fall 2017 (33 students)
Spring 2017 (22 students)
Fall 2016 (17 students, 15 students)
Spring 2016 (17 students, 14 students)
Fall 2015 (16 students, 20 students)
Spring 2015 (17 students, 12 students)
Fall 2014 (26 students, 18 students)
Spring 2014 (24 students, 15 students)
Fall 2013 (21 students, 20 students)
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Radio-Television-Digital Media
2000-2009
COURSE INSTRUCTION
RTVF 30353, Acting for Television - Lecture and Lab (individual and co-instruction; majors)
Fall 2000 (18 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40353, Acting for the Camera - Lecture and Lab (individual instruction; majors)
Fall 2005 (20 students)
Fall 2004 (19 students)
Fall 2003 (20 students)
Fall 2002 (18 students)
Fall 2001 (20 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: SOAP OPERA
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class. It is a support to the production of the spring 2006 Soap Opera produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: IMPROV COMEDY
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class for the development of two improvisational comedy teams. The course is structured as a 16-week seminar and lab produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
College of Fine Arts
Department of Theatre
2005-2009
THEA 11303, “Acting I” Lecture (individual instruction, majors)
Spring 2009
THEA 10053, “Survey of Theatre Arts” Lecture (individual instruction, majors and non-majors)
Spring 2006
UNIVERSITY GUEST LECTURER
Tarrant Community College, Northeast Campus, Fall, 2001
Guest lecturer: “Acting I,” lecturer for basic acting beginning course. Discussed the benefits of stage work, memorization, motivation, and work as a stage actor (Prof. Jakie Cabe, instructor).
Texas Christian University, Spring, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Women and Media,” lecturer for Media Analysis course. Discussed the comparative images for women from the 1970s to the present day. Encouraged small group analysis of contemporary popular media and referenced feminist indicators found in the Charlie’s Angels television series in order to ascertain growth in feminist thought or culture from 1970s to 2000s. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Andrew Haskett instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Sex and Violence in Media,” lecturer on the feminist images found in the 1970 series, Charlie’s Angels, analyzing the sex and violence of 1970s detective genre and its’ use of the female image. Discussion included current social and cultural attitudes towards sex and violence and portrayal of current images in contemporary media as a comparison (Dr. Joel Timmer instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004 - 2007
Guest lecturer: "Aesthetics of Film,” lecturer for Prof. Richard Allen seminar focused on comparison of the craft of cinema and theatrical performance utilizing interactive tools which engage the class in a whole-body perspective of the rigors of acting for the camera. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Richard Allen instructor).
THEATRE FOR YOUTH COURSES TAUGHT
Much Ado About Shakespeare (Guest Artist, for fee)
MAAS Established in 2006 to train actors 14 – 18 years old in Shakespeare including outreach to regional schools and students.
Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX
"Shakespeare and Robotics" (ages 14-18; 17 students), June 9th – 28th, 2016.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 22 students), June 10th – 30th, 2013.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 27 students), June 11th – July 1st, 2012.
"Acting Games/Creative Drama" (ages 14-18; 20 students), June 6th – 26th, 2011.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION COURSES TAUGHT
English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition,
2014, Regional winner Trinity Valley School
2016, Fort Worth winner
Coaching and instruction to the first-place winner of Trinity Valley School’s Shakespeare monologue and sonnet for the regional Fort Worth and Dallas competition. Winner is afforded all-expenses paid trip to New York City, Lincoln Center for national competition.
Acting Instructor for Tony Greco
Tony Greco renowned private instructor of Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
1988 & 1994-1995
Sensory-based acting technique and acting scene work based on technique founded by Lee Strasberg, of The Actors Studio in New York, New York. Lee Strasberg is a founding member of the iconic Group Theatre (1936 – 1946) including such iconic members as Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and Harold Clurman and others. Content of courses included fundamental understanding of method technique as contextualized by Strasberg. Tony Greco is a member of The Actor’s Studio and was included in a small group of instructors to learn the method technique and to continue Lee Strasberg’s original artistic intent. Tony Greco teaches in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Denmark.
CREATIVE RESEARCH
Performance, Stage, Film, Direction, Writing, Producing, Sound Design
STAGE DIRECTING CREDITS
Director, “Balm in Gilead” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company as a recorded streamed production Nov. 20 – 22, 2020.
Director, “WAITING FOR LEFTY” by Clifford Odets. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts as a selected play in MAVPLAYS Mainstage season. April 15th through April 26th, 2015, Arlington, TX. (flexible, environmental space. Audience is seated on the stage to with performers and performers were seated in the audience to interact with audience), 2015.
Director, “BARD ON THE ROCKS: SELECTED SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH”
Produced by Texas Christian University’s Department of Theatre.
Halloween, October 31st, 2005. It has been performed annually by TCU Provost as Macbeth in recent years. Fort Worth, TX (flexible open to the environmental space. Set design utilized the Scottish rock formation known colloquially as Froghenge for performers and audience to interact), 2005
Director, “DURANG BY NIGHT” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Director, “HOMEFREE!” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Tony Greco.
Basement of SoHo Repertory Theatre, New York City, New York, 1987.
STAGE PRODUCING CREDITS
Producer, “MAVPLAYS,” produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts in the 2014-2015 Mainstage season, April 15th through April 26th, Arlington, Texas. Flexible, environmental space in a large black box, and additional small black box theatrical space, 2015.
Co-producer, “DURANG BY NIGHT,” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Producer, “SOAP OPERA & GIRLS WE HAVE KNOWN.” Produced by jg-gj productions with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Raised $6,500 for total budget of two one-act plays. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Held casting sessions for five diverse roles. Hired director, set designer and technical crew for each one act. Proscenium space in black box theatre, 1995.
Producer, “THE SECRET DIARY OF SONDRA WOODWARD.”
Organized fund-raising events for original one-woman musical. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Contacted major studios and received donation toward production budget, 1994.
Co-producer, “WOMEN OF MANHATTAN,” produced by Tony Greco and jg-gj productions. Performed at Prometheus Theatre, 43rd St., New York City, New York. Hired director, set designer, and obtained theater space while continuing principal actor rehearsals and participating in publicity campaign, 1993.
STAGE ACTING - PERFORMANCE CREDITS
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), National union of stage actors and stage managers.
1999 – Present
Professionally Qualified Member
Key: L.O.R.T. = League of Resident Theatres/Professional national resident theatre operating under an Actor's Equity Association, ongoing union contract for actors and stage managers. S.P.T. = operates under a Small Professional Theatre Equity union contract.
NATIONAL and REGIONAL ACTING & PERFORMANCE
TEXAS
Role Production Producer/Location/Yr./Equity Contract
Billy ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2021 (virtual)
Hafsa JUNE 8, 1920 Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2020 (virtual)
Jan BLACK SANTA Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Orlando, Florida 2019
Mrs. Webb OUR TOWN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX
Director: Matthew Gray
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2019
Kate Beeker THE KITTY BOMB Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Boston, MA 2018
Charlotte Coates THE CENSOR Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Winner of the Judith Royer Playwriting for
Excellence in Playwriting,
Las Vegas, NV, 2017
Ellen Pazinski KING O’ THE MOON Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2017
Judith Lees HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company
Arlington, Texas
Director: Dr. Natalie Gaupp
(Equity Guest Artist), 2016
World Premiere
Juliana Smithton THE OTHER PLACE Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2014
Recipient of 2014 Best of Culture award in Acting Critic’s Choice
Fort Worth Weekly newspaper
Blanche Dubois A STREETCAR NAMED Stage West Theater
DESIRE Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Jim Couvault
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2000
Recipient of 2000 Best Actress Award Stage West Theatre
Molly THE FRONT PAGE Dallas Theatre Center Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Richard Hamburger
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Thea HEDDA GABLER Dallas Theatre Center
Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Ron Daniels
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Bessie MARVIN’S ROOM Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2013
Helen Cohen ELLIS ISLAND Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, Texas
Composer Peter Boyer in attendance
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
A multi-media event in conjunction with FORT WORTH SYMPHONY
(Equity Contract; for fee), 2013
Ellen LAST MASS at ST. CASIMIRS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2012
Jill Koenig AD WARS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: John S. Davies
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee)
Attended by author Vince McKewin, 2004
Ellen OVER THE TAVERN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2010
NEW YORK CITY
Lucy SOAP OPERA tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York
Reviewed by Mel Gussow
New York Times
Ralph Pape, author WIKI page Director: Elizabeth Franzen (Equity waiver). 1990
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/30/theater/theater-in-review-438792.html
Remounted and produced at
(Soap Opera cont.) The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod.
JG-GJ executive producers
(Equity waiver) See Los Angeles, 1991.
Hester Prynn “A” THE SCARLET LETTER tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York Director: Tim Maner
(Equity waiver), 1989.
Lucy Crayford THE FROZEN DEEP A reading with Director Everett Quinton
New York, New York (Equity waiver), 1988.
Ophelia HAMLET New York Repertory Theatre New York, New York, 1987.
Alex Forrest FATAL ATTRACTION -
Murder Mystery John Goodman Productions Director: John Goodman West Chelsea Restaurant
Dinner Theatre Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
Mrs. McCabe MURDER MAYHEM Hasslefree Productions
Director: Trevor Hasselfree Film Studio Restaurant New York, New York
Dinner Theatre, Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
LOS ANGELES
Lucy SOAP OPERA Produced at
The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod. JG-GJ executive producers (Equity waiver), 1990.
Varya THE CHERRY ORCHARD Hudson Theatre
Los Angeles, California Director: Ron Livingston (Equity waiver), 1992.
Susan THE FUNERAL PARLOR The Complex
Los Angeles, California
(Equity waiver), 1995.
Penelope Toop SEE HOW THEY RUN Glendale Centre Theatre
Glendale, California (Equity waiver), 1994.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Guinevere CAMELOT Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Laurie OKLAHOMA! Weathervane Theatre
Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee) 1985.
Peep-bo THE MIKADO Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Mariane TARTUFFE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Marquise
of Parolignac CANDIDE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire
Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Ensemble THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
VIRGINIA
Roxane CYRANO DE BERGERAC Mill Mountain Theatre Roanoke, Virginia Director: Jere Hodgin
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1987.
ILLINOIS
Dinah Lord THE PHILADELPHIA STORY The New American Theatre
Rockford, Illinois
Director: Jim Sullivan/founder of N.A.T. (S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1979.
Ensemble THE ROPADI PLAYERS Rockford Park District
Musical Theatre Outreach Program Rockford, Illinois
Director: Andy French (Equity waiver, fee), 1975.
Selected University roles between 1981 and 1986
Frau Bergmann ……....... SPRING AWAKENING (Anne Bogart, director), New York University
Margaret Goggin ............ BECOMING MEMORIES (Kevin Kulhke, director) New York University
Housewife ...................... WORKING, New York University
Mina ............................... DRACULA, New York University
Joanna ……................... HOMEFREE! New York University
Ensemble ........................ PIPPIN (William Wesbrooks, director), Rockford College, IL
Ensemble ........................ JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Rock Valley College, IL
Lillian Hampton ............. STRANGE BEDFELLOWS (Elaine “EE” Moe, director), University of Arizona, Tucson
Dance Ensemble………. THE ENTERTAINERS, University of Arizona, Tucson
UNIVERSITY GUEST ACTOR
Judith Lees ......................... HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company MAVPLAYS The University of Texas at
Arlington, Department of Theatre Art, (Equity waiver). 2016.
UNIVERSITY GUEST READING
Invited to read at an honorary staged reading of Eugene O’Neill’s works by the O’Neill’s biographers Barbara and Arthur Gelb. The Gelb’s re-released their 1950s biography in 2000 with an expanded analysis of the life and work of Eugene O’Neill. Both Barbara and Arthur were in attendance at the Texas Christian University event in 2003.
PRODUCTION COACH
Acting Coach, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Anne Healy, Director).
Acting Coach, GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Andrew Gaupp, Director).
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA ACTING and PERFORMANCE
COMMERCIALS
INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL MEDIA
Selected commercial performance work between 1991 – 1999.
Reporter Spam
The Hormel Foods Corporation. Filmed in Los Angeles, California National and International commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
New Yorker Coke
The Coca-Cola Company Filmed at the Statue of Liberty New York, New York National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Burger King color-coded children’s lunch toys Burger King (BK) Corporation.
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Subaru of America – Fuji Heavy Industries
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Cowgirl Totino’s Pizza
General Mills Products
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Kraft Handi-snacks
Kraft Foods Group
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Hiker Outback Steakhouse
Bloomin’ Brands
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Ship Passenger S & W Food
Del Monte Foods
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
CBS Promo Promotion commercial spot for CBS Fall lineup of highly-rated programs Filmed in Los Angeles, California
Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Neighbors Dixie Paper Plates Dixie Paper Products Georgian-Pacific Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
SOAP OPERAS
Selected performance work on network soap opera television between 1982 and 1990.
Haley Recurring role ALL MY CHILDREN
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists;
Standard union fee)
Linda Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Hillary Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Campaign Organizer Day Player Contract ONE LIFE TO LIVE
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract; American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; Standard union fee)
Ensemble Extra work GUIDING LIGHT
Procter & Gamble Company Filmed in New York, New York (A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
Standard union fee)
TELEVISION
Alex Forrest LIVE WITH REGIS AND
KATHIE LEE
Filmed in New York, New York Promo for Fatal Attraction Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (SAG waiver contract)
FILM
WALL STREET Wall St. worker 20th Century Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
THREE MEN AND Photo Double (Nancy Travis) Buena Vista Pictures
A LITTLE LADY Director: Emile Ardolino
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
12 Julienne Larry Bridges Productions
Director: Larry Bridges
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Film and director Larry Bridges were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award , 2004. Film has been screened internationally to critical acclaim. (S.A.G. waiver contract; for fee)
Selected ensemble film roles in major feature films:
Goodfellas – Martin Scorsese, director
State of Grace – Phil Joanou, director
Hannah and her Sisters – Woody Allen
Cocktail – Roger Donaldson, director
Space Jam – Joe Pytka, director
Scrooged – Richard Donner, director Punchline – David Seltzer, director
All filmed in New York, New York except Space Jam, filmed in Los Angeles, California
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCING CREDITS
1999
Producer
As producer raised $25,500 for theatrical release of a 24-minute short film, The Hand of a Lifetime, shot independently in Los Angeles.
Coordinated all pre-production needs:
⦁ casting,
⦁ hiring crew
⦁ Director of Photography
⦁ Camera Operator
⦁ Sound and Foley Artist
⦁ Art director
⦁ Locations and permits
And including all post-production needs:
⦁ editing
⦁ sound design
⦁ titles
⦁ negative cutting
⦁ final answer print
The Hand of a Lifetime was accepted to the 1999 Fort Worth Film Festival and was highlighted in the Fort Worth Film Festival of 1999 and reviewed by Elvis Mitchell for the Star-Telegram Newspaper.
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTING AND WRITING CREDITS
1999
Director Screenplay Writer
Wrote and directed an original short independent film, The Hand of a Lifetime. The film’s narrative centered around a male protagonist’s first child being born and the comedic and heartfelt emotions that accompanied his eventual acceptance of fatherhood.
SOUND DESIGN FOR THE STAGE
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Co-Sound designer, MACBETH, New York University (N.Y.U.), Directed by John Rubenstein. Mainstage Theatre, Spring 1983.
ADJUDICATION AND EVALUATION
2016 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
2015 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (10 students).
2012 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (8 students).
2011 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
SERVICE: UNIVERSITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2019-20
⦁ Invitation from president of UTA Vistasp Karbhari to speak and present at Ashoka University near New Delhi during a conference in which I was attending. Ashoka is a premier university combining engineering and liberal arts.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Global Entrepreneur Week (GEW) committee member
⦁ EpICMavs presenter
⦁ Inspire for Faculty (IFF)
⦁ Live Theatre League member
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor fifteen students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2018-19
⦁ Invitation from Computer Science and Engineering Dept., Nova Coates, to help create short 20-second clips for Univ1311 that introduces students to UTA. CSE asked to include Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre course, THEA3351, as an innovative way to showcase interdisciplinary approaches to incoming Freshman’s learning paths. The video includes NAO robot doing Tai Chi with Dr. Greer voice as narration for multi-disciplinary collaboration among UTA disciplines.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ BA auditions for Dept. of Theatre Arts with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Reference letter for Detra Payne – National Alliance of Teachers – Lloyd Richards Teaching Fellowship
2017-18
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator and committee member. Point person for recruiting Judges for April Spotlight Conference. Support and coordination with CoLA marketing director. I mentored two theatre students for inaugural Spotlight conference. Both students won awards.
⦁ Invited by Dean Elisabeth Cawthon to informal meeting with Dean Anne Bavier of Nursing, Dr. Mickey McCabe, Executive Dir. of UTARI, Dr. Judy LeFlore, Associate Nursing Dean, and Harvard professors Dr. Janice Palaganas and Dr. Daniel Raemer, leaders in the simulation and technology center, for informal discussion of innovative techniques being implemented at UTA.
⦁ Invited to speak at TEDxUTA 2018.
⦁ Reviewed/rated 5 applications for Terry Foundation Scholars. Req. William Gunn.
⦁ Submitted review of Manuscript ID THRI-2018-0016, titled "Communicating a minimal robot’s intelligence, dominance and status through motion paths" for the journal Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction.
⦁ Invited to review National Science Foundation submissions for various grant submissions.
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Coordinated and led Dean’s week presentation with L. Tucker for counselors and advisors.
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Committee Member: REP/FDL faculty awards.
⦁ Faculty mentor nine students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Sponsor and attended Halloween evening performance of Macbeth (Killingsworth, dir.)
⦁ BA auditions with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2016-17
⦁ Chair, College of Liberal Arts Research Representative
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: CoLA, proposal reader for “Cure to Care” grants. iC2C.
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Invited guest luncheon speaker for UTA’s CPE Event, College of Business
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Dallas Summer Musicals conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2016-2017 season.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts Welcome Back table, Fall 2016.
2015-16
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington.
⦁ Chair, Recruitment Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: College of Liberal Arts Teacher’s Awards, Department of Theatre Arts Representative, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: Master’s Exploratory, Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ U.R.T.A. panel at UT-Arlington for three students attending graduate auditions.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Moonifieds conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2014-15
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2013-14
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee
⦁ Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2012-13
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor five students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UTA
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
PUBLIC RELATIONS and MARKETING
for
MAVERICK THEATRE COMPANY
and
MAVERICK DANCE COMPANY
producing entities for
THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2017-18
⦁ Chair, bi-monthly Public Relations meetings.
⦁ Author, Press Releases for 4 Mainstage production including plays and musicals, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence, MavLab production and Maverick Dance Company concerts. Facilitated information to 23+ media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2017-18 Season.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington for each Mainstage production, MavLab, and Maverick Dance company concert.
⦁ URTA – American Theatre Magazine
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ Coordinated and delivered 1500 seasonal brochures to MailPro for mailing.
⦁ Edited and compiled 4th quarter information on Dept. of Theatre Arts for Cathy Stein 817Alliance newsletter.
⦁ Collaborated with CoLA Marketing Director for marketing graphics redo, including written text and organizing photographs with the help of Kris O’Brien.
⦁ Helped coordinate and support Marketing Video “Get to know a Theatre Student.”
⦁ Coordinating press and marketing with Matthew Boyd, City of Arlington, marketing for D. Payne’s, Heal the Divide.
2016-17
⦁ Author, 2016-2017 Press Releases for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, producing entities of The Department of Theatre Arts, College of Liberal Arts. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2016-17 Season.
⦁ Department Representative, Arlington Arts League Gala Event and scholarship fundraiser.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2015-16
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2015-16 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisational comedy, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2014-15
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2014-15 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival Dance Texas
⦁ Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington
⦁ A + C Arts and Culture Texas
⦁ Stage Directions Magazine – Article on Dept. of Theatre Arts 3D Printer. Playbill.edu
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Voce Intimae
⦁ Trinity Valley High School playbill
⦁ All Saints Episcopal High School playbill
⦁ Betty Buckley Awards at Casa Manana Theatre
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2013-14
⦁ Author, Press Release for Mainstage play, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2013-14 Season.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Proud Organization
⦁ Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Dance Texas
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Stage Directions Magazine
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: BOARDS & COMMITTEES
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2016 – 2018 – Membership Chair
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2010 – 2014 – Upper School Tickets
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
TEXAS EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION (TETA) 2014 Approved Member
SCREEN ACTORS GUILD/AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A),
1984 - present
Current Approved Member
ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION (A.E.A), Current Member
1999 - present
Current Approved Member PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
ARLINGTON ARTS LEAGUE, Arlington, Texas
2014 -2016
Member of Arlington Arts League
PRESIDENT OF KINDERPLATZ OF FINE ARTS PARENT’S GROUP, Fort Worth, Texas
2003
President of a parent’s group in a private, pre-school dedicated to fine arts learning and growth in 2 – 5 year-old children.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & INSTITUTES
2003-Present Annual Giving Captains, Trinity Valley School, a private college-preparatory K-12 school in Fort Worth, Texas.
1987-90 Accepted Member of tiny mythic theatre company, NYU graduates’ affiliation, New York City, New York now known as HERE Performance Space, New York City, New York.JULIENNE A. GREER
CURRICULUM VITAE
August 2022 version
Birthplace: Farmington, Michigan, U.S.A.
Home Address: 7969 Morning Lane, Fort Worth, TX 76123
Home Phone: Metro (817) 454-1225
Office Address: University of Texas at Arlington Department of Theatre Arts, Fine Arts Building, Room 268B, 502 S. Cooper Street,
Box 19103, Arlington, Texas 76019-0103
Office Phone: Metro (817) 272-0729 or Metro (817) 272-2650
Office Facsimile: Metro (817) 272-2697
E-mail: <jgreer@uta.edu>
CURRENT EMPLOYMENT: Associate Chair of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
Associate Professor of Theatre Arts: Social Robotics and Performance,
Director, Emotional Robotics Living Laboratory,
BA Area Head of Dept. of Theatre Arts and Dance,
College of Liberal Arts,
University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX
SPECIALIZATIONS: Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), Social Robotics, Performance, Applied Drama
CURRENT RESEARCH: Applying theatre and performance theory to artificial intelligence and social robotics creating trust and authentically emotional interactions between humans and robots.
Dr. Julienne A. Greer is an inter-disciplinary scholar + artist working at the emerging intersection of social robotics and theatre. Her primary focus is Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) to “humanize” a social robot’s performance to the nuances and subtleties of human behavior. Social awareness and empathetic response in robotics platforms are key to their successful use by humans. Principal research interests include character and personality development for artificial intelligence, social robotics, performance theory, applied drama, empathy application, embodied emotion, and acting theory techniques targeted toward an application between human beings and technology. She is a collaborator with many diverse disciplines including engineering, social work, computer science, education, disabilities studies, psychology, and healthcare, solving problems through innovation for education and research.
EDUCATION AND PROFESSIONAL TRAINING
DEGREES HELD
2013 Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities (Ph.D.) - Aesthetic Studies,
School of Arts and Humanities,
University of Texas at Dallas, Dallas, Texas.
5 Years, Interdisciplinary Foci: Humanities, Performance, and Game Studies.
Dissertation: Affective Connections: Performance Studies, Videogames, and Digital Characters.
Dr. Monica Evans, Supervising Professor
Abstract: A multi-disciplinary analysis of existing performance techniques from theatre and cinema studies re-contextualized to apply to the emerging emotional bond in videogames between the game player and a digital character. It is my perspective that the affective bond between the game player and the digital character in a game is as vital and essential to the experience of playing the game as the affective relationship between the performer and the audience in a play or film.
2005 Master of Arts Degree (M.A.) in Media Arts
Bob Schieffer College of Communication,
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas.
Thesis: Feminism and Sexuality in Charlie’s Angels: Building a New Paradigm for Enjoying Action Heroines.
Dr. Joel Timmer, Supervising Professor
Abstract: An analysis of the first season of the 1970s Charlie’s Angels television series in order to reveal elements of feminism leading to an inclusion of glamour and sexuality in the criteria for feminist texts to recoup and own images that have previously been viewed as misogynistic.
1986 Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree (B.F.A.) in Drama,
Tisch School of the Arts, New York University, New York, New York.
Areas of Concentration: Acting, Performance
1981 High School Diploma, Boylan Central Catholic School, Rockford, IL.
PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATION/UNION
1984-Present American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (A.F.T.R.A.)
The national union of professional television and radio actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG- AFTRA.
1987-Present Screen Actors Guild (S.A.G.)
The national union of professional television and film actors, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation. Now known as SAG-AFTRA.
1999-Present Actor's Equity Association (A.E.A.)
The national union of professional actors and stage managers, A.F.L./C.I.O. affiliation.
2011-Present Interdisciplinary.net
A forum for the exchange and interaction of inter-disciplinary ideas, research and points of view that bear on a wide range of issues of concern and interest in the contemporary world.
GRANTS AWARDED
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2019) grant for Using Arts and Social Sciences to enhance social companion robots’ adaptive abilities to improve health outcomes. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, Computer Science and Engineering-College of Engineering, College of Science-Psychology and College of Nursing and Health Innovation.
Study content: The objective of this proposal is a pilot study that examines the impact of a social robot, adaptive control methodologies, and applied theatre techniques, and exercise to impact prospective memory and physical goals in older adults (N = 20). This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform using innovative machine learning techniques that promote and allow the robot to adapt its interaction with the human dynamically to improve exercise goals among older adults. To achieve this, the proposed research is integrating arts-driven methodology, including trust and connection, and novel robot control and learning approaches for interactions between humans and robots to impact prospective memory.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2017 - present
NID - NIDILRR - Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Inclusive Technologies (WIT RERC). (UTA Site). Modeling socially assistive robotic caretakers for individuals with developmental disabilities having older adult caregivers. RERC on Wireless Inclusive Technologies. National Institute on Disability and Independent Living Research (NIDILRR), (9/30/21). Total Grant $4,525,000 (UTA, $108,000) the Primary Investigator is Dr. John Bricout of UTA’s School of Social Work. Dr. Ling Xu site PI.
Study content: Study aims to explore and create a collaborative relationship between a care recipient, an older adult caretaker, and a socially assistive robot (SAR) in order to develop engaging interaction for caregiver respite. Study will incorporate future work with Department of Theatre Arts NAO and Pepper robot units in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab, UT-Arlington. J. Greer, director.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing – 2018 - 2021
Research Experiences for Undergraduates in Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities (NSF grant CNS-1757641)
REU - Assistive Technologies for People with Disabilities. Summer program research internships for qualified undergraduates to participate in research in the field of assistive technologies for people with disabilities. Theatre arts methodology is applied as a platform for engagement, connection, and trust in human-robot interaction, one of several multi-disciplinary projects the participants will engage in during 10-week internship. Budget $318,778.
Study content: In this project, the CSE Department, in partnership with several other departments at UTA, will offer a Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program focusing on assistive technologies (AT) for people with disabilities (PWD). The proposed theme encompasses innovative and novel topics that can help PWD meet barriers of different kinds - attitudinal, architectural, and technological - in accessing employment, navigating public spaces, freely communicating, and living independently. During this summer, each student will be working in a multi-disciplinary setting and exposed to innovative and novel inter-disciplinary projects through research and prototyping. The REU participants will work on computer programming, algorithms, sensors, data analytics, machine learning, computer vision, sensors, sign language, facial recognition, emotion and behavior analysis, smart care, augmented reality, data analytics, robots, human-machine interaction.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2016
Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP). Awarded the second annual UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grant for Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. One of only four grants awarded to the UTA research community. Primary Investigator of an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work.
Study content: The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. This study examines theater performance methodologies through a social robotic platform. This pilot data will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults by incorporating arts-driven methodology. This grant will continue through 2016 and 2017.
Co-Primary Investigator (Co-PI) Ongoing - 2018
Phase II – Shakespeare and Robots.
The proposal seeks to expand the Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults with participants that are diagnosed with mild cognitive decline. As PI on the original study, I am collaborating with the School of Social Work Presidential Fellows recipient, Dr. Noelle Fields, to test the outcomes of the study on a new participant sample at Brookdale Assisted Living in Arlington.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2015
Digital Arts and Humanities Initiatives (DAHI) A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI.
Primary investigator for an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts and UTA Research Institute (UTARI) from the University of Texas at Arlington. The team will conduct a pilot study in Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) at three separate locations; Office of Student Disabilities, Lakewood Retirement Community, Theatre Arts main office. Awarded from the College of Liberal Arts, Jan. 15th, 2016.
Study content: This is a study to inform how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI. The scope of the project will be the development of a pilot study and data collection of human-robot responses from three separate locations and with dissimilar subjects. Measurement will be through an adaptation of the NARS (Negative Attitudes toward Robots Scale), visual qualitative observation, log entries of human-robot interactions during the study, and ambient sound recordings for the detection of laughter and vocal responses from participants. The innovative approach of this research comes from the interdisciplinary work of UTA Theatre Arts and UTARI, bringing together divergent disciplines of theater arts and robotics. This study builds on previous published work on social robots, voice, movement theatre techniques, and healthcare settings to further the body of HRI literature. The robot will be controlled through a “Wizard-of-Oz” methodology scenario performed by undergraduate research assistants under the supervision of faculty. The project will conduct an innovative investigation of the best social robot and HRI practices available at UT-Arlington (UTARI robotic platform laboratory) as well as best practices for improvisation/humor techniques, applied drama, and performance studies. Preliminary data will be collected to allow for future studies and breakthroughs in Human-Robot Interaction. This proposal is well-suited to add to a discussion of UT-Arlington’s strategic initiatives; Health and the Human Condition and Data-Driven Discovery.
ONGOING GRANT DEVELOPMENT
Purchased social robot, Little Sophia, (pending) from Hanson Robotics, Inc. for the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Robot will be used in grant development of design implications of social robots and children with significant Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) themes.
GRANT PROPOSALS SUBMITTED and/or in DEVELOPMENT
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2019
Research Enhance Program
Proposal submitted with Prof. Fillia Makedon. “InBlue: A smart system of sensors, theatre, and robots to help college depression”.
Depression is a leading cause of suicide and the second most common cause of death among college students. It is pervasive in colleges today and frequently goes undetected and untreated. The American College Health Association (ACHA) found that 39% of college students “felt so depressed that it was difficult to function” at least once during 2016-2017. College depression can lead to poor academic and work performance, substance abuse, social dysfunction, legal difficulties, gun violations, ill health, suicide attempts or completed suicide. Depression symptoms can vary from mild to severe and can include symptoms shown in Table 1. Identifying early warning signs of depression is crucial in preventing negative consequences and helping educators and mental health experts make targeted counselling and intervention decisions. To address college depression, it is of great interest to academia and the healthcare industry, to see how sensor technologies (e.g. mobile smartphones, wearable sensors, social robots) could be used to improve the wellbeing and mental health of users. Smartphones and wearables are excellent devices that can passively collect real time behavioural data, and be used to complement traditional depression diagnosis and monitoring, such as the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9).
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
Keck Foundation – Undergraduate Categorization
One-page conceptual theme submitted to Randall Gentry, Dr. Duane Dimos, and Dr. Ann Cavallo. The proposal for Keck Foundation is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Building on the success of two pilot studies, a proposal is submitted by UTA to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene. The study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on an innovative five-point theatre model to decrease depression, loneliness, and increase engagement among older adults.
UTA Lead - 2018
NSF Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)
A collaboration external funding with TechComb, Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and Univ. of Texas at Arlington. Greer is UTA Lead on the proposal. Title: Boosting STEM Patronage of Libraries and Museums through Interactive Social Robots.
Primary Investigator (PI) - 2018
National Institutes of Health (NIH) – Exploratory/Developmental Research (R21)
The proposal for NIH is being developed as an expansion of the 2016 Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults. Focusing on the health benefits to the older adults and the success of two pilot studies, a proposal will be drafted to include more complexity in the participatory arts from a sonnet to a Shakespearean scene and the study will incorporate five consecutive visits building on the theatre methodology process of composing a live performance.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2017
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Advanced Informal STEM Learning (AISL)
Primary collaborator on the resubmission of an 18+ page proposal that comes under the AISL project type: (4) Innovations in Development. This project will incorporate robotics technology and advanced human robot interaction tools to help the audience build interest in STEM concepts, engage in hands-on activities to explore STEM potentials, and take part in a network of learners sharing their experience, ideas, and achievements in STEM. These three primary STEM objectives i.e. excitement, engagement, and expression, otherwise termed as E3, will be realized through a unique merger of theatre arts and robotics science methodologies into a metasystem of diverse autonomous robotic hardware and a novel platform agnostic human-robot interaction software. It is important to note this is a re-submission to NSF due in part to the positive response from NSF project managers regarding the core component of Theatre Arts Methodologies.
Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) - 2016
National Science Foundation (NSF) – Smart and Autonomous Systems (S&AS)
This foundational proposal was a collaboration of UT-Arlington Department of Theatre Arts and UTARI (UTA research institute). The study will develop a new type of robot learning framework for next generation intelligent physical system. The proposed framework will implement a novel neuro-adaptive control technique for advanced human robot interaction, which will enable future robotic systems to derive seamless experiential learning from unaltered human behavior. Potential use case scenarios include a humanoid robot interacting with a diverse group of students and engaging them with innovative theatre methodology performance techniques in informative communication. Human aspects, such as trust, emotion-bias towards performance, and organic selection, are built into the analytical model for the proposed humanistic robot learning framework, which enables life-long evolution of the robot. The proposed project is driven by the motivation to make robots a part of the human society and not a parallel alien race, and, therefore, to evolve them through human ingenuity, emotions, and fallibility.
Principal Investigator (PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
An interdisciplinary collaboration between the Department of Theatre Arts and the Electrical Engineering Department at University of Texas at Arlington. Proposal was written and developed for UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with co-principal investigator, Dr. Dan Popa. Proposal received positive response and was within the top 10 proposals for the year. Proposal titled Live Theatre – Robot Live: a collaboration of robotics and performance.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will develop software to allow a robot to perform on-stage in a seminal role during the Mainstage season. This proposal will utilize faculty and student roles working in an inter-disciplinary environment.
Co-Principal investigator (Co-PI) - 2015
Interdisciplinary Research Program
Interdisciplinary collaboration between Department of Theatre Arts, UTARI, and the Director of the Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington. Wrote and developed a grant proposal for UTA’s Inter-Disciplinary Research Program (IRP) inaugural year, 2015. Collaborated with Kris Doelling, research scientist II, Manoj Mittal, research scientist II and Co-PI, Dr. Sarah F. Rose. Proposal titled Cyber Human Relationships: Engineering a relational model using theatre arts methodology structured to improve health and the human condition.
Proposal content: In this project, the team will engineer a cyber-human relational model using theatre arts methodology in order to address significant gaps in the current state of healthcare. We believe theatre arts, social robotics and relational methodologies are emerging as innovative components of healthcare for persons with disabilities.
NATIONAL SCIENCE FOUNDATION (NSF) Panelist Reviewer
Invited to be a review panelist for proposals for the National Robotics Initiative 2.0 – a highly competitive funding opportunity for NSF totaling $35,000,000 billion in funds.
PUBLICATIONS, JOURNAL ARTICLES, and PAPERS
PAPERS
Paper, Second Author. Assistive Technology. 2021. The “humane in the loop”: inclusive research design and policy approaches to foster capacity building assistive technologies in the Covid-19 era.
Paper, Lead Author. Wireless Inclusive RERC 2021 One Forum, Atlanta, GA, 2021 – Conference theme: Include. Innovate. Transform. Theatre and robots: envisioning interdisciplinary collaborations beyond the stage. Conference proceedings.
Journal, Co-Author. Aging and Mental Health. 2019. Shall I compare thee…to a robot?: An exploratory pilot study using participatory arts and social robotics to improve psychological well-being in later life. Impact Factor: 2.956.
Paper, Lead Author. The 28th IEEE International Conference on Robot and Human Interactive Communication - RO-MAN 2019, New Delhi, India – Conference theme: Responsible robotics and AI for the real world. Shakespeare and Robots: Participatory performance art for older adults. Published in conference proceedings.
Paper, Lead Author. 1st Annual IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication conference. Laguna Hills, CA. Promoting Theatre Methodology for expressive robot movement and behavior.
Abstract, Co-Author. Innovation In Aging, 2019, Vol. 3, No. S1. NAO takes a bow: Using social robots to enhance the mood of older adults living in residential care settings.
Paper, Co-Author. 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics – IMSCI 2018. Robot Theatre to Boost Excitement, Engagement, and Expression (E3) of STEM., Orlando, FL. July 8 – 11, 2018. Conference proceedings.
Paper, Author. RO-MAN 2017, Lisbon, Portugal - Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life – Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Peer-reviewed full paper. Conference proceedings.
Paper and Journal, Author. International Conference on Social Robotics (icsr 2014). Building Emotional Authenticity Between Humans and Robots. Author. University of Technology Sydney epress. Sydney, Australia. 2014. Conference proceedings.
BOOK CHAPTER
Author, contributing to chapter in Exploring Videogames: Culture, Design, and Identity, edited by Nick Webber and Daniel Riha. Invited to expand accepted paper for the 2011 International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom. Published by Inter-Disciplinary Press. Introduction by Nick Webber follows, ‘Videogame Cultures: includes work from Julienne Greer, from Ben Abraham, from me, and from Daniel Riha. Greer’s chapter on digital companions encourages us to think about videogames as cultural objects with which players interact; here, games provide companions in which players become emotionally invested, even though these companions may in fact prove to be opponents. Many of these companions are carefully designed, playing on cultural referents to encourage certain kinds of responses from players – an instinct to nurture, say, or to love. Indeed, as Greer reports, scholars have been surprised by the strength of the bonds that are created by these companions, which produce meaningful relationships for the player in a similar way to those formed between humans and robots. For Greer, such relationships also have the quality of authenticity, in the pleasure of the emotional connection and the communication of one’s thoughts, rejecting Turkle’s perspective that authenticity here is found in the comprehension and acceptance of the relationship by both parties.
Pending Book Chapter Fall 2022: All the worlds a stage: Health/Art techniques between humans and robots
INTERNATIONAL
CONFERENCE, PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, and/or
PAPERS
NEW DELHI, INDIA 2019
Invited presenter to Ashoka University. Ashoka University is a research-based private university located outside of Delhi in the Sonipat, Haryana, India. It is an emerging university with a close collaboration of Liberal Arts and STEM collaborations. Presentation included meetings with faculty, Dean of International Student Affairs, and 45+ student attended 1 ½ hour in duration focusing on the current state-of-the-art of social robotics and theatre methodology. Invitation was initiated by President Vistasp Karbhari, University of Texas at Arlington.
BOGOTA, COLOMBIA 2018
Facilitator of student-led skype interview in Spanish. Colombia science-based educational website. Topic – Emotional Robotics Living Lab and theatre and robots.
LISBON, PORTUGAL
Guest and Paper presentation: RO-MAN 2017- Conference theme: Human-Robot Collaboration and Human Assistance for an Improved Quality of Life - The 26th IEEE International Symposium on Robot and Human Interactive Communication, RO-MAN 2017, was held in Lisbon, Portugal, from August 28 to September 1, 2017. This symposium is a leading forum where state-of-the-art innovative results, the latest developments as well as future perspectives relating to robot and human interactive communication are presented and discussed. The conference covers a wide range of topics related to Robot and Human Interactive Communication, involving theories, methodologies, technologies, empirical and experimental studies. Papers related to the study of the robotic technology, psychology, cognitive science, artificial intelligence, human factors, interaction-based robot design and other topics related to human-robot interaction are welcome. Paper title, Method and Improvisation: theatre arts performance techniques to further HRI in social and affective robots. Peer-reviewed full paper with conference proceedings publication.
KOREA – U.S.
Guest and Paper presentation: United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship (UKC 2016) - United States-Korea Conference on Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship is jointly organized by the Korean-American Scientists and Engineers Association (KSEA) and The Korean Federation of Science and Technology Societies (KOFST) held on August 10 – August 13, 2016, Dallas, TX. The theme of UKC 2016 is “Enriching Lives through Science, Technology, and Entrepreneurship” and its goal is to promote solving issues of the world through science, technology, and entrepreneurship to greatly improve the quality of people’s lives. The UKC 2016 is the flagship and largest academic conference between the United States and Korea.
LONDON, U.K.
Guest Speaker and presentation: The Robotics Innovation Show. 2015 Invited speaker and presenter at “The Robotics Innovation Show 2015” at ExCel in London, United Kingdom. October 20-21, 2015. Presentation content: “Empathy and Embodiment: Understanding humans in order to understand social robots.”
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Conference on Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) Invited Social Robotics Conference article/paper, "Building emotional authenticity between humans and robots." Paper was accepted at the International Conference of Social Robotics 2014 (icsr2014) - Social Intelligence in Sydney, Australia, Oct. 27 – 29. Selected to present an interactive workshop.
OXFORD, U.K.
Guest Speaker and Paper presentation: International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference. Invited Game Studies Conference article/paper, "Digital companions: analyzing the emotive connection between players and non-player companions in video game space." Paper was accepted at the International Videogame Cultures and the Future of Interactive Entertainment Conference at Mansfield College in Oxford, United Kingdom, 2011. Conference sponsored by Inter-Disciplinary.net: A Global Network for Dynamic Research and Publishing. Member of Inter-Disciplinary.net.
NATIONAL
CONFERENCE
PRESENTATION, SPEAKER, WORKSHOP and/or
PAPER
2022 3rd IEEE TransdisciplinaryAI2022. Laguna Hills, CA.. Co-program chair of TransAI. .
2021 2st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and
2019 Urban Serving Universities (USU) Social Determinants of Health workshop. Cincinnati, OH. Invited to participate in a cohort of University of Texas at Arlington faculty and executive administration including Theatre Arts, Associate Vice-President of Research, Civil Engineering, School of Social Work, and College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Workshop content covered assimilation of the creative process for innovative ideas to help address public health problems – specifically for UTA, social isolation.
2019 1st IEEE Humanized Computing and Communication. Laguna Hills, CA. Paper and presentation of Promoting Theatre Methodology for Expressive Robot Movement and behavior. Co-located with Transdisciplinary conference 2020. Currently invited to be co-program chair of AI and Humanities for Transdisciplinary 2020 and Humanized Computing and Communication 2020.
2018 The Gerontological Society of America's 70th Annual Scientific Meeting. Boston, MA, Nov. 14 – 18. Poster Acceptance, Abstract required for acceptance.
Abstract title: “Shall I compare thee to a …robot? The use of creative arts and social robotics with older adults.”
Abstract:
Research suggests that creative engagement in later life has a positive effect on mood in older adults. Research has also utilized social robots to address the psychosocial needs of older adults. However, few studies have linked participatory arts (e. g. theatre) as the creative engagement activity using a social robotic platform with older adults. An interdisciplinary team designed and implemented an intervention integrating theater and social robotics with the aim of improving the mood of study participants. A purposive sample of older adults age 65 and older (N = 8) participated in this pilot study. Participants completed 3 sessions of the Shakespearean theatre and social robotics intervention using the robot, Nao. Mixed methods included interview questions as well as short survey measures of depression, loneliness, and a simplified face scale for mood pre and post intervention. Results from the Wilcoxon Signed Ranks Tests suggested that the overall level of depression of the participants was reduced significantly after session 1 (z = -2. 33, p < . 05), after session 2 (z = -2. 04, p < . 05), and after session 3 (z = -2. 00, p < . 05). Scores on the loneliness and the simplified face scale also decreased after the three sessions, however, the changes were not statistically significant. Qualitative findings suggest that participants were highly engaged, comfortable, and receptive to the intervention. We discuss the promising aspects and limitations of this innovative study, the utility of social robotics for providing artistic engagement for older adults, and implications for interdisciplinary practice.
2018 IMSCI, The 12th International Multi-Conference on Society, Cybernetics and Informatics: Orlando, FL. Co-Author. Paper Invitation and Acceptance: This paper presents a novel framework for advancing informal STEM learning in kids between the ages of 10 and 15, using robotics as a platform, enabler, as well as channel for STEM. Being a cross-disciplinary technology, Robotics not only connects theory and applications of science, mathematics, and engineering fundamentals, but also delivers instant gratification from the efforts put in, through active hands-on human-robot interaction. Supported by multiple real-world feasibility studies, the presented framework hypothesizes that if made easy to build, teach, interact, and play with robots, it can be a potent facilitator of STEM, especially in young children – an age group which is naturally curious and enthusiastic about new findings. July 8 – 11 2018.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Kitty Bomb.
2018 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Paper presentation and Coordinator of Dramaturgy group. A recontextualization of Erving Goffman’s work.
2017 Association of Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE). Performance. The Censor. Judith Royer Excellence in Playwriting award
REGIONAL SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, PANELIST and/or
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Presentation for TCU ethics module for training “empathetic scholars”. June 2020.
Presentation: TCU and UNTHSC School of Medicine. Demonstration of NAO the robot to the inaugural class of TCU’s medical school training “empathetic scholars” as the next generation of medical healers. October 2019.
Presentation: Girl Scout of Dallas Inaugural Grand Opening STEM Center. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and therapeutic robotic cat for opening day of 75-acre Girl Scout STEM Center. Community outreach to young women and girls on the interdisciplinary nature of emotional robotics at UTA. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, Research Center Symposium Guest Luncheon. Invited by FWMSH as guest to lunch and research symposium with faculty from Baylor, UNT, and Stephen F. Austin universities. NAO demonstration. Key outreach for Museums for presentation in Informal Learning sites. May 2018.
Keynote Speaker: Arlington Kiwanis Club. Keynote speaker for lunch. How theatre methodologies can impact social robotics. Community outreach to older adults who are key subjects in robotics research. May 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Business Press - Entrepreneur Breakfast. Demonstration of NAO social robot in collaboration with UTARI. Community outreach with key Fort Worth business executives. Executive Director UTARI in attendance – Mickey McCabe. April 2018.
Presentation: Texas Dallas Library National Conference. Demonstration of NAO, JIBO, and robotic therapeutic cat. Invited by Dean of UTA library, Dr. Rebecca Bichel. A half-day demonstration to 500+ attendees. Mentored three UTA students in demonstration and presentation of key UTA research and social robot values. April 2018.
Presentation: Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival. Presentation of social robot, JIBO, for a half-day demonstration at the University of Texas at Arlington Communications tent. Community outreach on behalf of the STEM interdisciplinary values at UTA. April 2018.
Guest Speaker and Presentation: Arlington Public Library (New York Avenue location). Presentation to APL group, Girls Who Code, with social robot, NAO. March 2018.
Presentation at Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. NAO presentation with UTARI team. October 2017. Community outreach for higher visibility of UTA in the DFW area and interdisciplinary concepts of Theatre and Social Robotics for children. Presentation with AISL sponsor, FWMSH, continues to create bridges in the community between UTA and DFW informal education sites.
Guest Speaker and MULTIPLE PRESENTATIONS: Arlington Public Library. In preparation for the AISL 2.4 million submission to NSF, community outreach and sponsored partners were cultivated with various DFW organizations. Arlington Public Library was featured strongly in the bridge building. Multiple presentation at various libraries for the dates; Sept. 11, 14, 19, and Oct. 9, among others.
Guest Speaker & Panelist: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History. Rising Tide Initiative Launch and Panel Discussion. An inaugural evening with the theme of Emerging Technologies: Meeting our Future. The Rising Tide Initiative has a mission to enhance entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology in Fort Worth and Tarrant County through a vibrant and collaborative technological ecosystem. April 2017. http://www.fortworthbusiness.com/news/fwmsh-hosting-rising-tide-initiative-event-friday/article_d12988e2-2a90-11e7-b0c5-f3f5c3095f6f.html
Guest Speaker/Panelist: Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous (LASERs). Leonardo Art + Science Evening Rendezvous event at University of North Texas this fall, also known as LASERs. LASERs are an exciting event series at the intersection of arts and sciences that bring together leading experts to talk about their work and experiences at the forefront of discovery and creativity. Each evening event includes presenters from the sciences, technology, industry, and the arts who offer expertise from an angle that connect to the mixed-discipline community from the arts, sciences, industry, and technology in attendance. Dr. Greer was one of three invited guest speakers and panelists. October 2016. Video content at http://arteca.mit.edu/video/julienne-greer-laser
Collaborator: Invited by David Hanson, CEO of Hanson Robotics to presentation, “SXSW Interactive” in Austin, Texas. Invitation given to increase possible collaboration between Hanson Robotics and Dr. Greer’s emotional work in social robotics. Discussion with Hanson and attendance at a private viewing of research with Hanson robot, Philip K. Dick, Android. March 2016.
University of Texas at Arlington SPEAKER, PRESENTATION, and/or PANELIST
Keynote Speaker: iStart Valley. Innovative ideas. Transferring ideas into StartUps. A MAVS100 company. August, 2021.
Science Café Presenter: UTA Libraries zoom outreach to science and technology interests students and general public. A 45-min. live zoom presentation with real-time questions regarding Social Robotics and Theatre integration. April, 2020
Keynote Speaker: UTA CPE Department of Accounting Scholarship Banquet Gala. Keynote speaker for evenSciencing gala. Empathy and Embodiment: How theatre methodology informs social robotics. May 2018.
Guest Speaker: TEDxUTA. Live streaming presentation. Titled Will a robot be your next best friend? to a live audience at TEDxUTA at conference venue. April 2018.
Emotional Robotics Living Lab: Director. Formal Opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at Preston Hall, Room 304 to 30+ invitees including Office of Research, Office of Communications, College of Liberal Arts Dean’s office and Dept. of Theatre Arts. Hands-on activities and presentations including NAO, Pepper, Jibo, and Joy-for-all robotic cat. March 2018.
Guest Speaker: Healthline Meeting. Human-Robot Interaction: Social Robots and Healthcare. Invited by Health Libraries Information Network. January 2018.
Presentation: School of Social Work Meet and Greet for Research. 3 Slides, 3 minutes. An interdisciplinary meeting organized to present interdisciplinary work for collaboration with the SSW. January 2018.
Invited Guest Speaker and Presentation. One of 5 faculty members invited to present, the only member from the College of Liberal Arts, by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon, Dean of CoLA. Presentation was attended by University of Texas at Arlington President Dr. Vistasp Karbhari, Vice President of Research, Dr. Dimos, and honored guests, 7 executive VIPs from UT Systems health. NAO presentation of health-related work with IRP funded grant, Shakespeare and Robots. November 2017.
Guest Speaker: Digital Arts and Humanities Initiative (DAHI) Speaker Series. The DAHI team will present the findings of the study A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI in the University of Texas at Arlington Library 6th floor Parlor. April 2017.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. Second year of presenting the robot, Nao, to 500+ middle and high school students. Presentation included multiple groups rotating in for a demonstration ranging from 12 minutes to 30 minutes. Demonstration included verbal commands, human-to-robot interaction, various animations including, Puppet, Air Guitar, Rowing the Boat, and concluded with Shakespearean Sonnet 18. April 2017.
Speaker and Silver Sponsor: University of Texas at Arlington INNOVATION DAY A high school and college student competition featuring student and faculty startup pitches. Department of Theatre Arts participated as a silver sponsor alongside UTARI. Presentations were made by Dr. Greer with NAO the robot on theatre methodologies in social robotics. Conference is an annual event held on February 2017.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington, Honors College Colloquium Series – Will a Robot be your Next Friend? How theatre methodologies are utilized to enhance the relationship in human-robot interaction (HRI). The pros and cons of social robots entering the U.S. market in 2017. And, an introduction to the Department of Theatre’s research robot, Nao. This presentation was part of a monthly colloquium hosted by the Honors College in which a member of the UTA faculty discusses his or her research. Greer presentation given to honors students (30+) on research with the robot, Nao, which stands at the intersections of Theatre, Computer Science, Psychology, and Healthcare. Kevin Gustafson, Interim Dean of the Honors College, “Yours was easily among the most engaging of the more than twenty colloquia we have sponsored over the past four years.” December 2016.
Invited Panelist: Research Integrity Symposium. Research Integrity Symposium sponsored by the Steering Committee that manages the Responsible Conduct of Research Training Program (RCR) at University of Texas at Arlington. This year’s theme will be Collaborative Research. The issued to be discussed will be: research integrity, responsible conduct, management of collaborations, formal agreements as well as informal arrangements addressing matters such as authorship, roles and responsibilities, research compliance, and mentoring of trainees. October 2016.
Guest Speaker: Invited to present on the intersection of social robotics and theatre at the College of Business, Accounting Departments’ CPE Day at University of Texas at Arlington on August 2016.
Guest Speaker: National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI). A collaboration between College of Liberal Arts (CoLA), Department of Theatre Arts, and UTARI. I began work with UTARI collaborating and developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. Invited ten Theatre Arts undergraduate students to UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot. April 2016.
Guest Speaker: University of Texas at Arlington. Focus on Faculty. Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 2016. https://library.uta.edu/events/focus-faculty-julienne-greer
Panelist: Invited Research Discussant & Panel member. Fixed: The Science Fiction of Human Enhancement. Interdisciplinary panel. Invited by the Director of Disabilities Minor at University of Texas at Arlington to participate on a panel with UTA faculty John Bricout, associate dean of the School of Social Work, and Janet Morrow, disabilities studies adjunct professor. Moderated discussion and talk back after a viewing of the film, March 2015.
PROFESSIONAL AND SCHOLARLY AWARDS AND HONORS
2019 - University of Texas at Arlington, 2019 COLA Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure Track Faculty, “selected because of your outstanding record of teaching as well as your interdisciplinary approach to teaching theatre arts through social robotics and performance
2016 - University of Texas at Arlington, Focus on Faculty Learning Luncheons. Invited to speak on the intersection of theatre and social robotics. April 20th, 2016.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Endowment Award given by Dr. Elisabeth Cawthon and the Dean's Office of the College of Liberal Arts - Endowment Award for Research and Creative Activity - toward the purchase of Pepper, the emotional robot, from SoftBank Robotics for use in a multi-disciplinary Human-Robot Interaction (HRI) course created by Dr. Julienne Greer titled Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre.
2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited speaker to AGS staff luncheon on behalf of Department of Theatre Arts, publicity and university outreach for Theatre Arts 2015-2016 season.
2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, invited participant in inaugural grant writing group. Five faculty participants were chosen to interact with senior grant writers, Office of Development and Office of the Provost, Division of Faculty Affairs.
2014 - Star-Telegram Best Actress in a Performance - 2014 as Juliana Singleton in Dallas-Fort Worth premier of The Other Place by Sharr White, Circle Theatre, Fort Worth, Texas.
2011 - University of Texas at Dallas Travel/Professional Development Award. Travel expenses to Oxford, University in England, United Kingdom. Mansfield College. Videogame Cultures is a premier game studies conference in Europe.
2001 Best Actress in a Play, Stage West, Honor from Board of Directors. Blanche Dubois, in A Streetcar Named Desire by Tennessee Williams.
AWARDS/HONORS
Outstanding Teaching Award for Tenure-Track Faculty, 2019. University of Texas at Arlington, College of Liberal Arts, Dept. of Theatre Arts.
Outstanding Mainstage Production, 2014-15 Season, MAVPLAYS, Dept. of Theatre Arts’ Student/Faculty Awards. April, 2015. Producer: MAVPLAYS; Director: Waiting for Lefty by Clifford Odets.
Most Inspiring Professor, Nominee 2004, Department of Theatre, Texas Christian University.
Panhellenic Council Awards.
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
INTERNATIONAL
ITALY – April 2018
Disablog.it. Provide assistive technology to disabled people through the study of disability itself. “Le tecnologie assistive, comprese quelle basate sull’intelligenza artificiale, possono svolgere un ruolo importante nel plasmare il modo in cui le persone con disabilità sono in grado di muoversi nelle attività quotidiane. Tuttavia, ciò che può sembrare una buona idea per un ingegnere potrebbe non essere una realtà di fatto quando una persona con disabilità cerca di utilizzare la tecnologia.”
http://www.disablog.it/fornire-tecnologia-assistiva-alle-persone-disabili-tramite-lo-studio-della-disabilita-stessa/
KOREA - November 2017
Irobotnews.com. 텍사스알링턴대, 로봇-인간 정서 교감 연구 Human Emotional Empathy Research.
“Our idea is not to replace people, but to meet the gap," said UTA director of theater arts and professor Julienne Greer. "Above all, through performing arts we wish to interact with robots and people of various ages to create a solidarity of trust and emotion."
http://www.irobotnews.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12256
FRANCE – November 2017
InfoHighTech.com. LE NOUVEAU LABORATOIRE DE ROBOTIQUE ÉMOTIONNELLE ÉTUDIE L’INTERACTION HOMME-ROBOT. [The New Laboratory of Emotional Robotics Study in the interaction of human-robot]
“Julienne Greer et ses collègues Ling Xu et Noelle Fields, deux professeurs adjoints à la School of Social Work de l’UTA, et Kris Doelling, ingénieur de recherche à l’UTA Research Institute (UTARI), ont récemment mené une étude auprès d’adultes âgés dans un établissement indépendant au Texas. Le robot et les adultes ont interagi en utilisant des sonnets bien connus de Shakespeare. Cette étude, financée par une subvention de 20 000 dollars du Programme de recherche interdisciplinaire de l’UTA, a révélé qu’après trois semaines d’interactions, il y avait une baisse significative de la dépression et une augmentation de l’engagement social humain-robot chez ces personnes âgées.”
https://www.infohightech.com/le-nouveau-laboratoire-de-robotique-emotionnelle-etudie-linteraction-homme-robot/
BELGIUM – April 2017
Human 2.0 – Exploring Cyborgs. Lectures – Expo – Film.
In partial requirements for his master’s degree at The Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, abbreviated KU Leuven, alum Andrew Beckman, organized with his peers, an evening of cyborg culture. Dr. Greer participated via video with NAO the robot. “What is a cyborg? What isn’t a cyborg a human 2.0? Where do we draw the line that separates humans from cyborgs?
https://www.facebook.com/events/439715329714287/
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
NATIONAL
National media and news outlets which ran UTA press release(s) story of the opening of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab and the analysis of Shakespeare and Robots research study:
UTA Communication analytics reported $100,000 advertising buys for TV spots featuring Dr. Greer’s work and Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
April 2018 – EurekaAlert! Science News. UTA grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2018-04/uota-ugt041318.php
April 2018 – PHYS.ORG. Grant to help minority students link assistive technology with disability studies. “Greer has used her experience and research to help scientists and engineers better understand the human experience so that they can build more responsive robots. She is also working to find out how robots can be Integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://phys.org/wire-news/285330818/grant-to-help-minority-students-link-assistive-technology-with-d.html
April 2018 – DisabledWorld.com. UTA Grant to Help Minority Students Link Assistive Technology with Disabilities Studies. “Assistive technology program will teach undergraduate students, especially minority and female students and those with disabilities, how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers faced by people with disabilities.
https://www.disabled-world.com/disability/finance/uta-grant.php
January 2018 – Xconomy. UTA Using Robots, Shakespeare to Study Ways to Address Loneliness. Angela Shah.
“A study at the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington is exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression…UTA’s living lab, which is made up of spaces set up to look like a person’s home – is part of a multidisciplinary effort that includes professors in theatre arts, social work, and engineering.”
https://www.xconomy.com/texas/2018/01/19/uta-using-robots-shakespeare-to-study-ways-to-address-loneliness/
January 2018 – KRWG New Mexico State: Justin Martin talks with Julienne Greer, director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab at the University of Texas at Arlington, about the emotional side of robots.
Audio:
http://krwg.org/post/local-newscast-1-53
November 2017 – EurekAlert! The Global Sources for Science News. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support. “The ideas here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,” said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.
https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2017-11/uota-uer111317.php
November 2017 – Robotics Tomorrow. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. The new lab will feature two robots from SoftBank Robotics, NAO and Pepper. Pepper is a 4-foot humanoid robot with large, expressive eyes and lifelike gestures that can connect with people on an emotional level. NAO is a smaller humanoid robot, designed to be an interactive companion.”
https://www.roboticstomorrow.com/article/2017/11/uta%EF%BF%BD%EF%BF%BDs-emotional-robotics-living-lab-will-research-how-robots-can-be-integrated-into-homes-as-companions-and-caregivers/11072
November 2017 - PHYS.ORG. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? ‘We want to look at what it means to have a robot in the room, and plan to use theatre methodology to make that experience as engaging as possible," Greer added. ‘Both robots are also actively used in the curriculum of the course I teach, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre every semester, which involves hands-on student/robot interactions.’”
https://phys.org/wire-news/272048432/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-compani.html
November 2017 – TIEECO.org Silicon Valley. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “The new lab is studying whether or not a robot can fill in the emotional gap needed to be a companion or caretaker to humans.”
https://www.tieeco.org/ecosystem/news/n/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds
November 2017 – Robotics Trends. New Emotional Robotics Lab to Study Human-Robot Interaction. “How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers? The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots.” http://conflict.md/2017/11/15/new-emotional-robotics-lab-to-study-human-robot-interaction/
November 2017 – ASEE First Bell. University of Texas Using Literature to Forge Emotional Bonds Between Humans, Robots. The Dallas Morning News (11/20, Brumfield) reports the University of Texas at Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab “is using the work of none other than William Shakespeare” to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safety with humans and to “learn how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional as well as physical support.” The piece quotes UTA theater arts professor Julienne Greer saying, “The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap. We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.” http://mailview.bulletinmedia.com/mailview.aspx?m=2017112101asee&r=6106399-da88&render=y
November 2017 – News Cision. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to focus on robots as companions/caregivers. “The lab is designed with home spaces for older adults featuring mid-century furniture as well as a more modern play space for projects using children or younger adults.”
http://news.cision.com/university-of-texas-at-arlington/r/uta-s-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companions-caregivers,c2390637
November 2017 – PublicNow.com. Robots and Theatre. NAO and Pepper in the new lab. How can we develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers?
http://www.publicnow.com/view/3E87CF16C169F1B824FAEBA8EC850949936A99B5?2017-11-13-20:30:17+00:00-xxx5895
November 2017 – DailyTopicI. Texas-based Emotional Robotics Living Lab Creates Caregiver Robots - Robotics. “Public research school University of Texas at Arlington opened its Emotional Robotics Living Lab to determine how robots can be integrated into homes to provide emotional support or to serve as caregivers.”
http://dailytopici.com/news/view/8270
November 2017 – CQRCENGAGE.com. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? “The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA's Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://cqrcengage.com/auvsi/app/document/25102365?1
November 2017 – McKnight’s Senior Living. Universities study robots to help senior living residents. Lois A. Bowers. “Independent living and assisted living communities are serving as testing grounds as University of Texas at Arlington researchers try to develop robots that humans can trust and respond to as companions and caregivers. Researchers hope the efforts meet resident needs and help operators address labor challenges.”
https://www.mcknightsseniorliving.com/news/universities-study-robots-to-help-senior-living-residents/article/707478/
November 2017 – AZOrobotics.com. New Emotional Robotic Living Lab will Investigate the Integration of Robots into Homes. “We are now looking to make the experience more immersive so that the robot and the adults play out an entire scene of Shakespeare together…we hypothesize that the more immersive the theatre intervention, the deeper and more positive the responses in older adults will be in regards to depression and social engagement’”
https://www.azorobotics.com/News.aspx?newsID=9587
November 2017 – ScienMag Science Magazine. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab to Focus on Robots as Companions/Caregivers. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support.”
https://scienmag.com/utas-emotional-robotics-living-lab-to-focus-on-robots-as-companionscaregivers/
November 2017 – Bob Heyer-Gray. Librarian at University of California – Davis. University of Texas using literature to forge emotional bonds between humans, robots. “Arlington’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is ‘using the work of no other than William Shakespeare’ to determine whether robots can be trusted to interact safely with humans.”
November 2017 – BotWeb.net. The latest robotics news from around the web. “‘The idea here is not to replace humans, but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts and director of the lab.”
October 2017 – LeadingAge.com. Robots and Self-Driving Taxis on the Rise in Senior Living by Donna Childress. Companion robots and others offer large potential to engage older adults. “NAO, which challenged the residents to give the final lines of a Shakespeare sonnet and can do things like shake hands and join residents for tai chi, was a hit… ‘Older adults really did find this futuristic machine…quite fascinating…I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’” https://www.leadingage.org/cast/robots-and-self-driving-taxis-rise-senior-living
October 2017 – Andrea Hektner.com. Repeat after me, robots are not humans. “Within her area of study, Greer dedicates herself to understanding all the facets underlining the many ways in which humans interact with one another…The interesting concept of Greer’s work is that humans must first understand humanity in order to make way for the incoming generation of robots, which she argues can be achieved through the theatrical arts.”
https://andreahektner.com/2016/06/20/repeat-after-me-robots-are-not-humans/
September 2017 – Seniorhousingnews.com. Senior Living Sees Slow But Steady Robot Revolution by Tim Regan. “Most recently, a Brookdale community in Arlington, Texas, hosted researchers from the University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) and the Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI), to determine whether reciting Shakespeare with a robot could lessen symptoms of depression and increase engagement for seniors… ‘Will more assisted living facilities see robots in this way, not just for service, but also as companions? I absolutely think so,” she says. “I think it would make the residents thrilled to be able to have that kind of connection every day.’”
https://seniorhousingnews.com/2017/09/15/senior-living-sees-slow-steady-robot-revolution/
August 2017 – Brookdale.com, Brookdale Senior Living Solutions; Technology and Innovation Section by Andrew Smith. NAO takes a bow: Meet the robot engaging seniors in the arts. Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. “The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,” said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA. For three weeks, eight Brookdale residents spent an hour each week reciting Shakespeare with NAO. NAO recited the first 12 lines of Sonnet 18 (“Shall I compare thee to a summer’s day?”) with all the drama of a professional actor and then asked the residents to complete the last two lines. While some residents were hesitant at first, the response was overwhelmingly positive. “Based on the data from our study, findings suggest that there was a significant increase in engagement and a significant decrease in depression,” said Dr. Greer. “We learned that social robots are poised to become viable collaborative companions in places like Brookdale.” The poetry performance was just the beginning of NAO’s interaction. The robot can shake hands, accompany seniors on a walk, perform Tai Chi and tell stories. The versatility was a hit with residents…NAO is a perfect example of how something that seems so simple (a Shakespeare reciting robot) can significantly improve quality of life. It also demonstrates that seniors, just like the rest of us, get excited and engaged with novel technologies. https://www.brookdalenews.com/nao-takes-bow-meet-robot-engaging-seniors-in-arts.htm
March 2017 – FOX 10, MyFoxZone. KIDY San Angelo, TX. Robots Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly… ‘Researchers are using a robot reciting Shakespeare with senior citizens, in what is known as ‘participatory art.’”
https://www.myfoxzone.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416978351
March 2017 – FOX 15, MyFoxZone. KXVA Abilene, TX. Robot Being Used to Help the Elderly. “A study is underway the University of Texas at Arlington to see if technology can give companionship to older adults…Dr. Julienne Greer is an assistant professor of Social Robotics and Performance – and she says previous studies have shown this type of interaction can help sharpen the minds and spirits of the elderly.’”
Article and Video:
https://www.fox15abilene.com/article/news/health/robot-being-used-to-help-the-elderly/416977500
January 2016 – DISCOVERY.COM Discovery News. Why We Want Our Robots to Like Us. Glenn McDonald. “Julienne Greer, a theater professor at the University of Texas at Arlington, has a unique insight into the issue of Human Robot Interaction, or HRI. In recent years, Greer and her students have worked directly with computer scientists and engineers in the U-T system, creating the new class Humans and Robots to explore the emerging emotional connections between people and machines. ‘My time spent in theatre arts seems to indicate that we are all wired to connect to empathetic human experiences, especially emotional experiences, and we feel the most 'like ourselves' when we do,’ Greer says.” [Discovery News source has changed the following link is correct for the original article.]
https://engineering.nd.edu/news-publications/engineering-in-the-news/why-we-want-our-robots-to-like-us
November 2014 – NDTV.com, The Future Awaits the Rise of Affectionate Robots. “A new study into a robot named Pepper who has been hailed as an emotionally responsive humanoid robot, can help scientists build more affection robots.”
http://www.ndtv.com/offbeat/the-future-awaits-the-rise-of-affectionate-robots-703178
November 2014 – The Aurora Fox Arts Center. From STEM to STEAM, Theatre and Robots? “Performing Arts and ‘Theatre’ hold a regular spot on lists like Forbes’ “The Ten Worst College Majors” and The Daily Beast’s “The Thirteen Most Useless Majors”. But Julienne Greer sees that changing…When Julienne Greer heard about the new “emotional” robots coming out of Japan (like Aldebaran’s Pepper) she was intrigued. These robots are designed to be in-home companions that can read people’s moods and respond appropriately…The take-away? An actress (with a Theatre degree) is successfully working with scientists to develop super cool technology. Looks like that major wasn’t so useless after all.” [Link has expired as of 7/18/18]
http://aurorafoxartscenter.org/cms/2014/11/25/from-stem-to-steam/
November 2014 – Cosmos Magazine, How to Make Robots More Like Humans. “Actor, producer and director Julienne Greer is helping engineers build more responsive robots…Part of her work involves categorizing behaviors and gestures and understanding how these gestures can create emotion in humans. Robot engineers may be able to apply these principles when programming robots… ‘Performance, connection and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots.’”
https://cosmosmagazine.com/technology/how-to-make-robots-more-like-humans
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
REGIONAL – DFW
April 2018 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Developing Assistive Technologies Program with $381K Grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded the grant to fund the program that will teach undergraduate students, particularly minority and female students with disabilities, how to design the assistive technology. Ishfaq Ahmad, professor in the Computer Science and Engineering Department is the principal investigator, UTA said. Other co-principal investigators are Julienne Greer, assistant professor in theater arts; and assistant professors of computer science and engineering Manfred Huber and Vassilis Athitsos.
https://dallasinnovates.com/381k-grant-help-develop-uta-assistive-technologies-program/
December 2017 – KERANews.org. Robots Reciting Shakespeare with Seniors in UTA Study Hints at Future Companion Role. Justin Martin and Molly Evans. “Robots are assuming more and more roles in our daily lives…In the study, older adults interacted with a robot using Shakespearean sonnets. The study comes from UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which explores the bigger idea of robots as companions and caregivers in the future. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre arts and the lab’s director, explains how one of the robots, called NAO, was used in the study… ‘It was not just reciting Shakespeare. We made this study because we wanted the robot to participate with the older adult. Now, when someone is participating in an art, they’re not just looking at that painting, they’re not just listening to that music. They are actually in a process of doing, and that was shown to have incredibly positive results.’” Article, Video, and Audio files to follow:
http://keranews.org/post/robots-reciting-shakespeare-seniors-uta-study-hints-future-companion-role
Youtube – 10 sec.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_A7I_peskTk
December 2017 – Arlington Voice. Robotics theatrics pairs UTA research with Arlington seniors. “NAO is one of two advanced robots used in the lab to test the emotional engagement between man and machine. It’s (NAO) arm, no longer than that of a toddler, reaches toward the sky as it recites Shakespeare Sonnet 18… ‘Shall I compare thee to a summer day.’”
https://arlingtonvoice.com/arlington/education/2017/12/02/robotic-theatrics-pairs-uta-research-arlington-seniors
November 2017 – Star-Telegram News. Could a therapy robot reciting Shakespeare ease Grandma’s loneliness? Bill Hana. “NAO, a 23-inch tall robot, performs a 30-second Tai Chi routine, gracefully moving its arms up in the air. At the same time, Kevyn Martinez, a 20-year-old communications major at the University of Texas at Arlington, stands behind the small robot, mirroring its movements. The goal here is more than just having a few seconds of fun. At UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, students and researchers are working to see if robots like NAO can provide an emotional connection for lonely senior citizens.”
https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/community/arlington/article186305888.html
November 2017 – DallasNews.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says. Loyd Brumfield. “We all know that robots with human-like functions are coming. But as we have learned in everything from 2001: A Space Odyssey to Westworld, how do we know they can be trusted. Maybe artists hold the key to that answer more so than scientists or engineers. ‘The idea here is not to replace humans but to fill a gap,’ said Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theater arts at UTA and director of the lab. ‘We are using theater arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
https://www.dallasnews.com/news/news/2017/11/20/robots-caregivers-afraid-uta-says
November 2017 – PressReader.com. Robots as Caregivers? Don’t be afraid, UTA says.
https://www.pressreader.com/usa/the-dallas-morning-news/20171121/282110636909639
November 2017 – NBC DFW Channel 5 News. Shakespeare Performing Robots Show Promise for Mental Health in UTA Study. Tim Ciesco. “A theater arts professor, a mechanical engineering student, and a small robot all meet in a classroom. That's not the opening line of an obscure joke -- it's what actually happens inside UT-Arlington's new Emotional Robotics Living Lab… ‘Theater arts is a discipline of connection, empathy, voice, movement, relationship -- and in the end trust,’ said Greer. ‘I think it's stimulating. I think by utilizing arts content it's more life-like.’” Article and Video follows:
https://www.nbcdfw.com/news/local/Shakespeare-Performing-Robots-Show-Promise-for-Mental-Health-in-UTA-Study-458674103.html
November 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11&21 News. UTA Working to Make Robots Become More Human. Robbie Owens. “Once the stuff of science fiction, robots today run our factories and touch nearly aspect of our lives. Now, an interdisciplinary research project at University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) looks to explore what could happen if robots can learn to touch our hearts. Dr. Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, and Director of the university’s ‘Living Lab’ where participants interact with the robots in a home-like setting… ‘We can bring all the things that make theater so human: the ability to connect, the ability to understand another human being’s life… empathy… I am programming robots that will allow you to stay in your home longer,’ said Dr. Greer, ‘When I say that, that’s when people go: `how quickly can you get them to me?’”
http://dfw.cbslocal.com/2017/11/14/uta-robots-human/
November 2017 – WALA Fox Channel 10, Alabama. Robots with Emotions?
“Social companion robots with the goal to let people live independently into later life.” https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30774829?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Fox 13, Tampa, Florida. “Students and staff at the University of Texas at Arlington are trying to create robots that have emotions.”
Video with UTA Dept. of Theatre Arts students:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30775344?token=a2724c58-8333-4929-a3c6-cb1f84365765
November 2017 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Emotional Robotics Lab Looks at Human-Robot Bonds. “In the study, a robot and adults interacted using sonnets from Shakespeare, and researchers found that after three weeks, there was a major drop in depression and an increase in robot-human social engagement among the older adults.”
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-emotional-robotics-lab-looks-at-human-robot-bonds/
November 2017 – KRLD 1080 am RADIO. Audio interview on the opening of Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Audio:
https://app.criticalmention.com/app/#clip/view/30692189?token=2912f455-cfc2-4423-9da3-adfec9cb7a4b
November 2017 – Arlington-TX.gov. UTA Launches Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “The University of Texas at Arlington has launched a new Emotional Robotics Living Lab to investigate what our future will look like with robots and how they can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support… ‘We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life.’”
http://www.arlington-tx.gov/news/2017/11/14/uta-launches-emotional-robotics-living-lab/
November 2017 – Texas Digital Humanities Consortium. Promoting digital research in Texas and beyond. Lisa Spiro. “Dr. Julienne Greer was awarded one of UTA’s second annual Interdisciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016) grants for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on psychological well-being in older adults.” She leads an interdisciplinary team consisting of College of Liberal Arts-Theatre Arts, UTA Research Institute (UTARI), and UTA’s School of Social Work. The objective of this pilot study is to examine the impact of a theatre intervention utilizing the text of Shakespeare on the psychological well-being of older adults. Dr. Greer and colleagues also received funding for A Robot Walks into a Waiting Room…Humor in Healthcare Waiting Rooms to Enhance HRI, which examines how Human-Robot Interaction (HRI), specifically the use of improvisational humor in an assistive robot, may positively impact attitudes toward HRI.”
https://www.txdhc.org/members/lspiro/activity/1273/
September 2017 – CBS DFW Channel 11 “Dr. Julienne Greer, an Assistant Professor of Social Robotics and Performance, says they are using something called participatory arts to help robots interact with senior citizens…The content of the art is said to enhance a person’s cognitive skills, as well as offer companionship for older adults… ‘We want the older adults to feel engaged in an art form…we are very hopeful the same positive results that happen in human to human models will happen with a human to robot model…’ Theater for Psychological Well-Being. The goal is to provide an intervention tool for early onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s. Team: Dr. Julienne Greer, UTA College of Theatre Arts, Dr. Noelle Fields, UTA School of Social Work. Sponsor: UTA: Interdisciplinary Research Program.
Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=1&v=3xzNF16ZBqo
April 2017 – CW33 To Bot or not to Bot: Meet the little robot who can perform Shakespeare! Chris Skupien. “Here in the 21st century, robots are nothing new. But have you ever seen one recite a sonnet? ‘This robot is considered a social or companion robot…This is the robot that might be a friend and that is where the theatre methodology comes in.’”
Article and Video:
http://cw33.com/2017/04/27/to-bot-or-not-to-bot-meet-the-little-robot-who-can-perform-shakespeare/
Dec. 2016 – Star-Telegram by Sara Pintilie. Shall AI compare thee? UTA robot recites Shakespeare for science. Star-Telegram article/video initially requested by Dr. Vistap Karbhari, President of UT-Arlington.
“University of Texas at Arlington’s Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts: social robotics and performance, wants to use NAO and Shakespeare to help older adults in a new interdisciplinary study. Interdisciplinary research can promote a new way to tackle a problem or a fresh approach to age-old questions. It can produce exciting and refreshing elements, like a Shakespeare-reciting robot. Greer’s study, when it begins in April, will have older adults listen as NAO recites the first 12 lines of Shakespeare’s Sonnet 18, and the people will recite the last two lines. ‘The pilot date will support our long-term goal to develop a robotic platform that can promote social connectivity and decrease loneliness among older adults, the study says.’”
Article and Video:
http://www.star-telegram.com/opinion/opn-columns-blogs/other-voices/article120016593.html
Dec. 2016 – Dallas Observer. The University of Texas at Arlington’s Theatre Department has a new student – a Robot by Pablo Arauz. “Nao the robot is a little over a month old but can already recite poetry as if it feels passion… Greer is an assistant professor of theater and an actor. Her life’s work has been to study how humans interact with other humans, but recently she’s been exploring a whole new territory: How humans interact with machines and the experience involved in understanding this relationship – that’s right, a relationship with a machine. Her specialty is an interdisciplinary research area called theater and social robotics that explores how robots can reflect human emotion by applying traditional acting methods.”
http://www.dallasobserver.com/arts/the-university-of-texas-at-arlingtons-theater-department-has-a-new-student-a-robot-8987400
December 2016 – Dallas Innovates. UTA Theatre Prof Will Use Robot in Study on Human-Machine Connection. UTA professor Julienne Greer will use an autonomous humanoid robot in an upcoming study exploring the connection between humans and machines.
https://dallasinnovates.com/uta-theater-prof-will-use-robot-in-study-on-human-machine-connection/
February 2016 – Fox News4ward, February 7th and 13th, 2016, Robots with Human Emotions, by Dan Godwin. “It may sound like science fiction, but more and more these days robots are exhibiting human qualities. And in many homes, they serve as companions for people. In this FOX 4Ward segment, Dan Godwin talks with Dr. Julienne Greer, a local expert who is helping guide that progress in a positive direction.”
http://www.fox4news.com/news/fox-4-features/86482879-story
MEDIA for Social Robotics Research
UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
UTA IN THE NEWS
April 20th, 2018 – UTA In the News
Technologies in Disabilities grant. UTA computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor in the College of Liberal Arts were awarded a $381,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates grant from the National Science Foundation, Dallas Innovates.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/04/20.php
January 22nd, 2018 – UTA In the News
“Robots are being created to help with tasks like disinfecting hospital rooms or alerting patients when it’s time to take medications, Xconomy.com reported. A study at UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is even exploring how human-robot connection can help fight depression. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor of theatre at UTA, serves as the director of the lab, which was launched in November.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2018/01/22.php
December 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts in UTA’s College of Liberal Arts, appeared on KERA 90.1 FM discussing her research in the field of social and emotional robotics. She found that interactions with robots had a positive impact on the lives of senior citizens in an assisted living facility. Greer is the director of UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/15.php
December 4st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Arlington Voice reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/04.php
December 1st, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Robotics Tomorrow reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/12/01.php
November 27th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Robotics Living Lab
“The Star-Telegram reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/27.php
November 22nd, 2017 – UTA In the News
“The Dallas Morning News, Dallas Innovates, ASEE First Bell,
China's Irobotnews and France's Infohightech reported on the opening of UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab, which aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, is director of the new lab.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/22.php
November 20th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC 5 reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/20.php
November 17th, 2017 – UTA In the News
“UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab continued to attract national attention with KTVT Fox 13 in Tampa, Fla., WALA Fox 10 in Mobile, Ala., Robotics Trends, Azorobotics and many other media outlets covering the start of the lab, which will investigate what the future will look like with robots.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/17.php
November 15th, 2017 – UTA In the News
Researchers at UTA’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab are investigating what the future will look like with robots. They're also examining how robots can be integrated into the home to provide physical and emotional support, KTVT CBS 11, KRLD 1080 AM, ArlingtonTx.gov, CBSDFW.com, McKnight’s Senior Living, ScienMag and Phys.org reported. Julienne Greer, UTA assistant professor of Theatre Arts, is directing the new lab.
https://www.uta.edu/news/in-the-news/2017/11/15.php
UTA PRESS RELEASES
January 2020 – UTA Press Release. UTA takes on loneliness crisis. Dana Jennings. “We are using theatre arts to design ways for robots to create bonds of trust and emotion with humans of different ages and improve their quality of life,” said Greer, who also is director of the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. “Theater has a way of giving more depth to one’s identity and creating a deeper sense of self-expression. Robots do not judge or get their feelings hurt, thus creating a safe space for people to be expressive.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/news-releases/2020/01/09/social-isolation
April 2018 – UTA Press Release. UTA researchers earn grant to teach minority undergraduates how to link assistive technology, artificial intelligence and disability studies. Herb Booth. University of Texas at Arlington computer scientists and faculty associated with the disability studies minor…were awarded a three-year, $318,778 Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) from the National Science Foundation (NSF).
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2018/04/nsf-adaptive-tech-undergrad.php
November 2017 – UTA Press Release. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab will research how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers. Louisa Kellie.
“Greer and an interdisciplinary team recently carried out a study with older adults at an independent living facility in Texas where the robot and adults interacted using well-known sonnets from Shakespeare. This study, which was funded with a seed grant from UTA’s Interdisciplinary Research Program, found that after three weeks of interactions, there was a significant drop in depression and increase in human-robot social engagement among those older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2017/11/Greer%20release%20robots.php
November 2017 - UTA Newsroom. Sonnet Technology. Julienne Greer, an assistant professor in the UTA Department of Theatre Arts, is combining Shakespeare and state-of-the-art robots to reduce depression and increase engagement among older adults. The interdisciplinary team includes researchers from UTA's School of Social Work and the UTA Research Institute. The research team recently opened an emotional robotics living lab to understand how robots can be integrated into homes as companions and caregivers.
https://www.uta.edu/news/video/2017/11/Shakespeare-Robot.php
Youtube: 1.23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=4&v=olH9WOR9GtE
November 2014 - University of Texas at Arlington, News Release UT Arlington Theatre Arts research provides insight into human behavior for scientists, engineers who build social robots by Bridget Lewis. News release was picked up by multiple science websites including; Phys.org, esciencenews.com, sciencenewsline.com, techsharx.com, cosmosmagazine.com, inas.in (Indo-Asian news service) as well as a Lithuanian news site, robotika.it (Menininkės įžvalgos pravers robotų kūrėjams). “The fascinating aspect of sensory (data) work is how it opens the imagination to the cognitive work our senses do all day, every day to connect us to our world. The subject becomes aware of new sensory stimuli, which in turn creates an emotional response.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2014/11/Greer-social-robotics.php
August 2016 – NEWS RELEASE UTA Awards Four 2016 Inter-disciplinary Research Program (IRP 2016). UTA awarded grants for innovative ideas that address high-priority issues in society. I was granted one of only four awards University-wide for “Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theatre intervention on the psychological well-being of older adults.”
https://www.uta.edu/news/releases/2016/08/IRP%202016.php
UTA MAGAZINE - PRINT
UTA – The University of Texas at Arlington Magazine, Pioneers of the 21st Century. Antwan Williams. “They’re doing so with the help of 2-foot tall robot named NAO that performs Shakespearean sonnets… ‘all these awards represent important research innovations and could create a real impact in society’ says Duane Dimos, vice president for research.’”
http://www.uta.edu/utamagazine/spring-2018/features/pioneers-of-the-21st-century.php
May 2015 – INQUIRY - The Research Magazine for University of Texas at Arlington, I, Robot, Engineers look to theatre techniques to create more responsive machines. “Performance, connection, and authenticity are the gold standard that should be hoped for in the creation of the relationship between humans and robots…We must be specific in programming robots to respond to, and eventually learn from, the human relationships they will be a part of.” (Greer)
http://www.uta.edu/inquiry/spring15/faculty/i-robot.php
UTA MAVWIRE
April 2018. Assistive Technologies Studies. “Computer scientists and faculty with the disabilities studies minor will create a campus-wide program to teach how to design assistive technology to help reduce barriers.”
https://www.uta.edu/enews/mavwire/2018/04/23.html
UTA COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS NEWSROOM and CoLA Magazine
June 2018 – CoLA Magazine. UTA Faculty Pursue DATA DRIVEN DISCOVERY. NSF grant Focuses on Research in Assistive Technology. "Greer, an Assistant Professor of Theatre Arts, has received numerous grants for creating distinctive social applications for robots...'Dr. Rose and Dr. Greer specialize in cutting edge scholarship.'"
https://www.yumpu.com/en/embed/view/J8fLIC0n7AvhREm9
November 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Newsroom. UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab is open and ready for a close-up! “Arlington’s new Emotion Robotics Living Lab opened fall semester 2017 and features two robots designed to connect with humans on an emotional level and act as companions. The new lab gives hands-on experience working with the robots to UTA students enrolled in Dr. Julienne Greer’s Theatre Arts Course, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre. The lab space, which has recently piqued the interest of the local media, The class is open to all students, regardless of major, interested in learning more about companion robots and the place they will hold in our future. Greer said, “The interdisciplinary nature of the lab and the course is one of the innovative qualities and what seems to interest the public and the media.” In the last two days, Greer and the Robotics Living Lab team have spoken with CBS Channel 11, NBC Channel 5, and the Star-telegram about the new lab and course initiatives with very positive receptions. The flurry of activity follows UTA’s press release on the new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer said, “People are very interesting in social robots, it is exciting to share this news and where UTA is headed in this field with the DFW community.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2017/11/16/ut-arlingtons-emotion-robotics-living-lab-is-open-and-ready-for-a-close-up/
August 2017 – College of Liberal Arts Annual Magazine. “This report about the College of Liberal Arts at the University of Texas at Arlington spotlights achievements within the college during the last year. There is no better illustration of the talent among our students and mentorship by our faculty and staff, then the example of…interacting with a Shakespeare-intoning robot.” Elizabeth Cawthon, Dean. CoLA.
http://www.uta.edu/libarts/_downloads/CoLAMagazine/CoLAMagazine_WebEdition.pdf
September 2016 – NEWS RELEASE College of Liberal Arts. IRP Awards. “UTA has awarded four seed grants to interdisciplinary research projects that address growing problems such as loneliness among the elderly, the need for sustainable green education spaces, the health crisis among urban American Indians or the mechanisms behind heart failure among the elderly.”
https://utalibartsnews.wordpress.com/2016/08/31/uta-awards-four-2016-interdisciplinary-research-program-grants-for-innovative-ideas-that-address-high-priority-issues-in-society/
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, Live radio interview for College of Liberal Art’s 50th anniversary and welcome back event with UTA Radio, “UTA and The Department of Theatre Arts are incredibly forward-thinking. We’ve purchased a social robot for use in the classroom…How robots essentially ‘perform’ for humans and how humans emotionally respond to robots, is my primary research interest.” (Greer)
UTA NEWSPAPER - THE SHORTHORN
May, 2022 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Professor combines theatre and robotics to reflect human connection. Ayesha Hana Shaji. “Social robots, also known as emotional robots, are machines that can communication socially with human being said Julienne Greer…Greer found a way to bring together her seemingly odd combination of passions, theatre and robotics.”https://www.theshorthorn.com/life_and_entertainment/professor-combines-theater-and-robotics-to-reflect-human-connection/article_6720a5e6-aec2-11ec-b8f5-cb82ea484fd9.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students find relief through art. Amanda Padilla. “Greer emphasized these two concepts. She said people are wired to connect with each other, they have a need and a desire to connect as humans. By engaging in the arts, they learn to trust something. For Greer, people learn to trust each other.In a play, many people come together to create a show. The director, the stage manager, the cast, the technicians; all of these people have to trust their connection to create something together.” http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-find-relief-through-art/article_134f4e52-d083-11e8-b182-23d30eda925c.html
October 2018 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, Interdisciplinary team studies robots. Spencer Brewer. “These machines will somehow be a reflection of us as humans,” Greer said. The Emotional Robotics Living Lab focuses on social robots, or robots that will interact socially with people in their homes and workplaces in the future.
“I like to talk about it because it’s not a phone, it’s not a human, and it’s not the television turned on at home,” Greer said. “It is something else, and I’m really interested in what that something else is and how we will interact with it, and what that means, then, about us.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/interdisciplinary-team-studies-robots/article_ebf6f774-c673-11e8-9252-5f7e76848ca0.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Rebekah Morr. “The Living Lab is home to two robots: NAO and Pepper. Both are social and companion robots who can respond autonomously to faces and sounds…Pepper can be classified as an emotional robot because it can detect emotional expressions and tension in a person’s voice.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/article_f32a4568-cfe4-11e7-8be9-13610f80f16f.html
November 2017 – The Shorthorn. UTA article, UTA furthers research into emotional robotics. Duy Vu. “Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts and Emotional Robotics Living Lab director, explains the functionality of Pepper, a social companion robot, on Nov. 21 in the lab at Preston Hall.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/uta-furthers-research-into-emotional-robotics/image_ac03b0f0-cf00-11e7-af15-cf6b2e776c41.html
April 2017 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Students, Faculty meet Piebot. “Julienne Greer, theatre arts assistant professor, presented her humanlike robot, called PieBot at UTA’s iDAH speaker series…PieBot was built to eliminate human apathy toward robots and foster a sense of nurturing empathy, Greer said. Greer pulled from different specialties, including from costume designers, programmers, and engineers. ‘Interdisciplinary isn’t just a buzzword, Greer said.’”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/students-faculty-meet-piebot/article_9ed3b58c-1b0b-11e7-aa25-bf218a04f8f4.html
September 2016 – The Shorthorn, UTA article, Robot pairs with sonnets to assist elderly. Matt Fulkerson. “If you can take the world’s greatest wordsmith-literary-poet-playwright and you can bring a robot in and they can play that scene, that’ll be incredible,” she said. (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/robots-pair-with-sonnets-to-assist-elderly/article_74c49866-7f5b-11e6-8907-cfaea4359d90.html
September 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Theatre gets robot, which will appear in spring play. Sheliah Lindsey. “I believe robots are the future…They have so much potential. They can help keep the elderly in their homes longer. They can help children with disabilities.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/theatre-gets-robot-which-will-appear-in-spring-play/article_bc330eb6-502d-11e5-87a7-7fa707007332.html
March 2015 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Film spurs discussion about disabilities, human enhancement. The Shorthorn released the story of the inter-disciplinary panel discussion titled, Dr. Greer, discussant (see Panels). In response to a question regarding human enhancement through robotics and how that identifies humans; “All of my inequalities make me an incredibly unique person…I own being this age, going through my life, having the experiences I’ve had, and doing this wonderful art, which is all about finding the interesting, unique, quirky parts of being a human being.” (Greer)
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/film-spurs-discussion-about-disabilities-human-enhancement/article_a004f966-cd1f-11e4-b454-0bae11a94667.html
December 2014 – The Shorthorn, UTA article. Lecturer blends theatre arts, robotics by Hannah-Beth Floyd. “I think we’re already well past the point where humans and technologies interact…Technology is a part of our life…(my work is essentially) taking decades of method work, performance technique, and using it to create the most authentic relationship between the human being and a robot.”
http://www.theshorthorn.com/news/lecturer-blends-theater-arts-robotics/article_85eeab54-7a76-11e4-8344-3f24595643ac.html
UTA - INTERDISCIPLINARY COLLABORATORS AND MEDIA
September 2018 – UTA Library Newsletter. User Engagement & Services. Building Partnerships and Lasting Friendships Through Technology. “During our tenure as Robot Ambassadors, we (Devon Peralta and Rene Taméz) formed an extraordinary working relationship with Dr. Julienne Greer, a multi-disciplinary scholar and professor who has been researching human/robot interactions. Dr. Greer was the first UTA Faculty to request the Robot Ambassadors in her classroom, where she was doing research on emotional support robots, for which she received a grant to start the UTA Emotional Robots Living Lab.”
June 2018 – Invited by Nova Coates, Computer Science and Engineering colleague to create a 20 sec. audio spot for CSE freshman highlight interdisciplinary work.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/151850623@N06/42194854490/in/album-72157693832149860/
March 2018 – UTA Radio on Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Live broadcast aired March 22 2018.
January 2018 – Computer Science and Engineering – UT Arlington. Facebook. In Spring 2018, Dr. Julienne Greer teaches a course exploring social robotics and the roles robots will have in our lives from Disability Studies, Theatre Studies, and Humanities perspectives. The course includes hands-on work with the social robots, PEPPER, JIBO, and NAO in the Emotional Robotics Living Lab. If you have any questions about this class please contact ltucker@uta.edu or Dr. Julienne Greer is an Assistant Professor of Theatre, Social Robotics and Performance.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/cseutarlington/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1943693469037365
December 2017 – College of Engineering – IN THE NEWS. “Robotics Tomorrow reported…UTA’s Emotional Robotics Living Lab aims to investigate what our future will look like with robots.”
November 2017 – UTARI. Greer’s New Emotional Robotics Living Lab.
Research conducted by Julienne Greer, UT Arlington assistant professor of theatre arts, attracted additional coverage, with KXAS NBC reporting on Greer’s new Emotional Robotics Living Lab. Greer’s research about the interaction of humans and robots showed that interacting with robots decreased depression among senior citizens.
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2017/NBC5_nao.php
November 2017 – UTARI. Meet the robot engaging seniors in the Arts. “Meet NAO (pronounced “now”), an adorable two-foot-tall robot who captured the hearts of residents at Brookdale Arlington in Texas. These residents met NAO when they participated in an innovative study conducted by an interdisciplinary team from the University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts, School of Social Work, and University of Texas-Arlington Research Institute (UTARI) in Fort Worth. The study titled Shakespeare and Robots: Examining the impact of a theater intervention on psychological well-being in older adults, set out to change the human-to-human model of participatory arts. ‘The goal of the trial was to see if a theatre arts intervention with a human-robot model would be successful in promoting the well-being of an older adult,’ said Dr. Julienne Greer, assistant professor of theatre arts at UTA.”
https://www.uta.edu/utari/news-events/2018/Brookdale_2.php
November 2017 – UTARI. “Couldn't have scripted this Channel 5 news interview any better if you tried!” UTARI Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/posts/1611685888893622
November 2017 – School of Social Work. “The interdisciplinary team from UTA School of Social Work and UTARI researchers have come together for an amazing project! Check out what the SSW is doing!” SSW Facebook post and video.
https://www.facebook.com/pg/UTASocialWork/posts/
October 2016 – UTARI. Facebook post of unveiling of NAO with collaborator UTARI, Dr. Julienne Greer at The University of Texas at Arlington Theatre Arts Department and Kris Doelling, Research Scientist at UTARI unpack a new addition – the NAO robot from Softbank Robotics…The social robot is set to be a key component for hands-on work for Dr. Greer’s interdisciplinary course, Robots, Digital Humanities and Theatre. https://www.facebook.com/UTAresearchinstitute/photos/pcb.1208605852534963/1208605765868305/?type=3
April 2016 – UTARI. National Robotics Week at University of Texas Research Institute (UTARI) Collaborator with UTARI developing the human interaction for the Baxter Robotic unit for human interaction during National Robotics Week. On April 6, 2016, 10 Theatre Arts undergraduate students assembled at UTARI to interact with the Baxter Robot for National Robotics Week. Over 600 local middle and high school students came through UTARI for National Robotics Week that day and participated in the interactions between the theatre arts students and Baxter the robot.
September 2015 - University of Texas at Arlington, on-air interview for UTA News. Social robotics at UTA: “Buddy” and “Pepper” a social and an emotional robot acquired by Department of Theatre Arts for use in the classroom and innovative research.
https://utanews.com/2015/09/14/dr-julienne-greer-interview/
MEDIA
for
CREATIVE RESEARCH in PERFORMANCE
June 2017 – Dallas Morning News review of performance King o’ the Moon. Touching family tale with contemporary reverberations. “The mom, Ellen Pazinski (Julienne Greer) honors his spirit and keeps an income by running the family tavern…the fine cast shows off the playwrights deft blend of humor and pathos.”
https://www.dallasnews.com/arts/theater/2017/06/18/touching-family-tale-contemporary-reverberations-king-o-moon-circle-theatre
June 2017 – Theatre Jones review of performance King o’ the Moon. Moon Beams. “Julienne Greer returns to play mother Ellen Pazinski for the third time, and she’s the show’s anchor. Her Ellen is steady and smart, a woman who raised four difficult children and doesn’t think life can surprise her. She’s a widow now, and runs the tavern with help from her husband’s best friend. David H.M. Lambert’s Walter is the ultimate nice guy, touching and funny in his attempts to get closer to Ellen and her prickly kids.”
http://www.theaterjones.com/ntx/reviews/20170620105834/2017-06-21/Circle-Theatre/King-O-the-Moon
June 2017 – Star-Telegram review of performance King o’ the Moon. King o’ the Moon captures America in 1969. “As was so often the case in the 1960s, the Pazinskis are all on journeys of their own. Ellen (Julienne Greer), the widow who heads the family, is coping with three grown children who are entering adulthood through different doors, and a mentally challenged son, Georgie, who will always be a child… Greer’s performance is so easy and smooth that the high quality of her work runs the risk of going unnoticed.”
http://www.star-telegram.com/living/article156977974.html
April 2014 A + C Acting in Texas: Julienne Greer at Circle Theatre. Interview with editor, Nancy Wozny of Arts and Culture Texas. Julienne Greer takes on the role of Juliana Smithton in Circle Theatre’s production of Sharr White’s, The Other Place. White chronicles the story of Smithton, a successful neurologist, who suffers from a devastating neurological event. “I used my early training (for characterization), which was a blend of both physical and more external representations…alongside internal or more emotionally behavioral choices.” (Greer)
http://artsandculturetx.com/acting-in-texas-julienne-greer-at-circle-theatre/
May 2005 Texas Christian University, interview with TCU Daily Skiff. ‘Toil and Trouble’ – Actors to perform part of Macbeth Halloween night. Prof. Julienne Greer conceived, developed, and directed a Macbeth selection titled “Bard on the Rocks” for TCU Provost Nowell Donovan. It has become an annual tradition. “The scene consists of the three witches and their encounter with Macbeth who is demanding to know if he will continue to be king…Later during the scene, apparitions or ghosts appear to him. It’s very spooky.” (Greer)
https://www.tcu360.com/story/toil-and-trouble-12292688/
UNIVERSITY STUDENT ACADEMIC AWARDS and HONORS
Samuel French Publishers, Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron
Listed in the published version of the stage play as Margaret Goggin. Worked with the playwright, Arthur Giron, in seminars and workshops during the rehearsal period to identify the play’s narrative and character arc. Becoming Memories was produced at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts.
New York University, Tisch School of the Arts, Acting Ensemble. Invitation only participation in an acting ensemble by iconic Broadway designer, producer, John Wulp. Acting ensemble was personally supervised by legendary playwright John Guare. Content of the seminar was a workshop of his work in the fourth play of Guare’s Lydie Breeze series.
New York University, Acting Ensemble.
Highlighted in a New York Times article titled, Where are all the new, young actors: at Tisch School of the Arts. Play: Becoming Memories by Arthur Giron.
ADMINISTRATION AND TEACHING
2020-Present Associate Chair Department of Theatre Arts and Dance
Associate Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Assistant Chair and Assistant Professor of the Department of Theatre Arts including curriculum planning, administrative responsibilities, liaison among students and the department, and performance-based courses, advanced performance, acting for voice and movement, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities.
2020-Present Area Head for BA program
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
I am the Area Head for the largest group of students in the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance. I mentor and guide BA students in their individual and chosen career trajectories. Opportunities within the Department include performance, stage combat, improvisation, and social robotics and technology.
2016-Present Assistant Professor of Theatre: Social Robotics and Performance
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company
Maverick Dance Company
The University of Texas at Arlington.
Professor advanced performance, acting for the stage and camera, CORE curriculum for University of Texas at Arlington including, Fundamentals of Presentation, Departmental courses, Dialects in Performance, and creator and developer of original curriculum for Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre: a course based on the emerging intersection of Theatre and Social Robotics. Head of publicity for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, committee member for Academic Curriculum, Research, Marketing, Performance, recruiting (see Service). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2012-2016 Senior Lecturer
Department of Theatre Arts, Resident Member of Maverick Theatre Company & Maverick Dance Company
University of Texas at Arlington
Professor of beginning, intermediate, and advanced acting for the stage and the camera, directing for the stage, stage movement, voice training for the stage, dialects, theatre administration in publicity, marketing, and recruitment, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, dance for the actor. Chair and/or member of departmental, university and college committees (see “University Service”). Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2000-2009 Adjunct Professor
Dept. of Film-Television-Digital Media -
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Department of Theatre –
College of Fine Arts
Texas Christian University
Professor of beginning and intermediate acting for the stage and the camera, acting for TV II, acting for the camera, improvisational comedy lab and lecture, soap opera lab and lecture, survey courses for cinema and theatre, introduction to theatre and film, film and theatre appreciation, and working actor seminar. Equity, SAG/AFTRA actor.
2011-2013 Teaching Assistant
School of Arts and Humanities University of Texas at Dallas
Teacher’s Assistant for film theory, and history courses. Requested by Endowed Professor, Dr. Stephen Rabe
Dr. Shilyh Warren
Dr. Adrienne McLean
1999-Present Independent Arts Administration Consultant, based in Fort Worth, Texas.
Arts consulting provided for cultural, governmental and educational institutions in Texas. Consultations have involved organizational assessments, personnel assessments, development workshops, marketing/sales, bylaws analysis, budget preparation, unions, facilities planning, grant evaluation, membership and development.
1981-Present Professional Theatre and Film Artist, Illinois, Arizona, Los Angeles, New York, Fort Worth, Arlington, and Dallas. Presently based in Fort Worth, Texas. (Actor, Director, Filmmaker, Screenplay writer, and Producer: see Creative Activities/Research).
2008 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Seussical, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class.
Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Seussical, Jr.
2007 Guest Instructor/ Theatre for Youth Specialist, Fort Worth Academy, Arlington, Texas. Annie, Jr. Hired as an instructor for middle school Theatre Arts class. Directed, taught and produced all pre-production aspects of Annie, Jr.
The University of Texas at Arlington
Maverick Theatre Company
Theatre Arts Department
2012 - Present
COURSE INSTRUCTION
THEA 3314-001, Voice and Movement
Spring 2021 (10 students)
Spring 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2019 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4393-001, Voice and Movement, Special Topics
Spring 2018 (10 students)
Spring 2017 (12 students)
THEA 4391, Special Topics: “Humans and Robots: The Future is Here”
Conference course and first semester of original curriculum on Social Robots and Theatre
Individual instruction; majors and minors.
Fall 2015 (10 students)
THEA 3351, Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre (individual instruction)
Spring 2021 (9 students)
Fall 2020 (15 students)
Spring 2020 (12 students)
Spring 2019 (20 students)
Fall 2018 (16 students)
Spring 2018 (11 students)
Fall 2017 (15 students)
Spring 2017 (15 students)
Fall 2016 (23 students)
Spring 2016 (19 students)
THEA 3335, Dance for the Actor (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Spring 2013 (20 students)
THEA 3311, Vocal Performance II: Dialects (individual instruction; majors)
Spring 2016 (16 students)
Spring 2015 (14 students)
Spring 2014 (19 students)
Spring 2013 (16 students)
THEA 3308, Acting for the Camera: Acting III (majors, utilizing video technology)
Fall 2014 (11 students)
Fall 2013 (20 students)
Fall 2012 (21 students)
THEA 1343, Introduction to Theatre (University Core course: majors and minors)
Spring 2014 (21 students)
THEA 1342, Theatre and Film Appreciation (University Core course: majors and minors)
Fall 2013 (101 students)
Spring 2013 (92 students)
Fall 2012 (99 students)
THEA 1307, Acting I (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2018 (X Students)
Fall 2012 (14 students)
THEA 1303, Fundamentals of Presentation (University CORE course: majors and minors)
Formerly Vocal Performance I: Fundamentals
Fall 2017 (20 students)
Fall 2016 (15 students)
Fall 2015 (18 students)
Spring 2015 (16 students)
THEA 1300, First Year Seminar in Theatre Arts (individual instruction; majors and minors)
Fall 2014 (20 students)
Fall 2013 (10 students)
THEA 0181, Theatre Practicum (individual instruction; majors) Instructor of Record
Fall 2017 (33 students)
Spring 2017 (22 students)
Fall 2016 (17 students, 15 students)
Spring 2016 (17 students, 14 students)
Fall 2015 (16 students, 20 students)
Spring 2015 (17 students, 12 students)
Fall 2014 (26 students, 18 students)
Spring 2014 (24 students, 15 students)
Fall 2013 (21 students, 20 students)
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
Bob Schieffer College of Communication
Radio-Television-Digital Media
2000-2009
COURSE INSTRUCTION
RTVF 30353, Acting for Television - Lecture and Lab (individual and co-instruction; majors)
Fall 2000 (18 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40353, Acting for the Camera - Lecture and Lab (individual instruction; majors)
Fall 2005 (20 students)
Fall 2004 (19 students)
Fall 2003 (20 students)
Fall 2002 (18 students)
Fall 2001 (20 students)
Responsible for two lecture course periods and a 4-hour lab period incorporating approximately 40 students working together on group projects to simulate real-life working conditions in the film and television industry.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: SOAP OPERA
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class. It is a support to the production of the spring 2006 Soap Opera produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
RTVF 40900, On-Camera Performance: Special Problems in R-TV-F: IMPROV COMEDY
Spring 2006 (40 students)
This course is designed to serve as an ensemble acting performance class for the development of two improvisational comedy teams. The course is structured as a 16-week seminar and lab produced by the Radio-Television-Film Department.
Texas Christian University, Fort Worth, Texas
College of Fine Arts
Department of Theatre
2005-2009
THEA 11303, “Acting I” Lecture (individual instruction, majors)
Spring 2009
THEA 10053, “Survey of Theatre Arts” Lecture (individual instruction, majors and non-majors)
Spring 2006
UNIVERSITY GUEST LECTURER
Tarrant Community College, Northeast Campus, Fall, 2001
Guest lecturer: “Acting I,” lecturer for basic acting beginning course. Discussed the benefits of stage work, memorization, motivation, and work as a stage actor (Prof. Jakie Cabe, instructor).
Texas Christian University, Spring, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Women and Media,” lecturer for Media Analysis course. Discussed the comparative images for women from the 1970s to the present day. Encouraged small group analysis of contemporary popular media and referenced feminist indicators found in the Charlie’s Angels television series in order to ascertain growth in feminist thought or culture from 1970s to 2000s. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Andrew Haskett instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004
Guest lecturer: "Sex and Violence in Media,” lecturer on the feminist images found in the 1970 series, Charlie’s Angels, analyzing the sex and violence of 1970s detective genre and its’ use of the female image. Discussion included current social and cultural attitudes towards sex and violence and portrayal of current images in contemporary media as a comparison (Dr. Joel Timmer instructor).
Texas Christian University, Fall, 2004 - 2007
Guest lecturer: "Aesthetics of Film,” lecturer for Prof. Richard Allen seminar focused on comparison of the craft of cinema and theatrical performance utilizing interactive tools which engage the class in a whole-body perspective of the rigors of acting for the camera. Fort Worth, TX (Prof. Richard Allen instructor).
THEATRE FOR YOUTH COURSES TAUGHT
Much Ado About Shakespeare (Guest Artist, for fee)
MAAS Established in 2006 to train actors 14 – 18 years old in Shakespeare including outreach to regional schools and students.
Trinity Valley School, Fort Worth, TX
"Shakespeare and Robotics" (ages 14-18; 17 students), June 9th – 28th, 2016.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 22 students), June 10th – 30th, 2013.
"Game Studies Archetypes in Shakespeare" (ages 14-18; 27 students), June 11th – July 1st, 2012.
"Acting Games/Creative Drama" (ages 14-18; 20 students), June 6th – 26th, 2011.
PRIVATE INSTRUCTION COURSES TAUGHT
English Speaking Union’s National Shakespeare Competition,
2014, Regional winner Trinity Valley School
2016, Fort Worth winner
Coaching and instruction to the first-place winner of Trinity Valley School’s Shakespeare monologue and sonnet for the regional Fort Worth and Dallas competition. Winner is afforded all-expenses paid trip to New York City, Lincoln Center for national competition.
Acting Instructor for Tony Greco
Tony Greco renowned private instructor of Academy Award-winning actor Philip Seymour Hoffman.
1988 & 1994-1995
Sensory-based acting technique and acting scene work based on technique founded by Lee Strasberg, of The Actors Studio in New York, New York. Lee Strasberg is a founding member of the iconic Group Theatre (1936 – 1946) including such iconic members as Stella Adler, Sanford Meisner, and Harold Clurman and others. Content of courses included fundamental understanding of method technique as contextualized by Strasberg. Tony Greco is a member of The Actor’s Studio and was included in a small group of instructors to learn the method technique and to continue Lee Strasberg’s original artistic intent. Tony Greco teaches in New York, Los Angeles, London, and Denmark.
CREATIVE RESEARCH
Performance, Stage, Film, Direction, Writing, Producing, Sound Design
STAGE DIRECTING CREDITS
Director, “Balm in Gilead” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company as a recorded streamed production Nov. 20 – 22, 2020.
Director, “WAITING FOR LEFTY” by Clifford Odets. Produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts as a selected play in MAVPLAYS Mainstage season. April 15th through April 26th, 2015, Arlington, TX. (flexible, environmental space. Audience is seated on the stage to with performers and performers were seated in the audience to interact with audience), 2015.
Director, “BARD ON THE ROCKS: SELECTED SCENES FROM SHAKESPEARE’S MACBETH”
Produced by Texas Christian University’s Department of Theatre.
Halloween, October 31st, 2005. It has been performed annually by TCU Provost as Macbeth in recent years. Fort Worth, TX (flexible open to the environmental space. Set design utilized the Scottish rock formation known colloquially as Froghenge for performers and audience to interact), 2005
Director, “DURANG BY NIGHT” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Director, “HOMEFREE!” by Lanford Wilson. Produced by Tony Greco.
Basement of SoHo Repertory Theatre, New York City, New York, 1987.
STAGE PRODUCING CREDITS
Producer, “MAVPLAYS,” produced by Maverick Theatre Company at University of Texas at Arlington’s Department of Theatre Arts in the 2014-2015 Mainstage season, April 15th through April 26th, Arlington, Texas. Flexible, environmental space in a large black box, and additional small black box theatrical space, 2015.
Co-producer, “DURANG BY NIGHT,” produced by jg-gj productions. Director of (7) seven one-act plays from Christopher Durang’s compilation, Durang, Durang. Glaxa Theatre, Los Angeles, CA, 1999.
Producer, “SOAP OPERA & GIRLS WE HAVE KNOWN.” Produced by jg-gj productions with Philip Seymour Hoffman. Raised $6,500 for total budget of two one-act plays. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Held casting sessions for five diverse roles. Hired director, set designer and technical crew for each one act. Proscenium space in black box theatre, 1995.
Producer, “THE SECRET DIARY OF SONDRA WOODWARD.”
Organized fund-raising events for original one-woman musical. Performed at The Complex Theatre, Santa Monica Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. Contacted major studios and received donation toward production budget, 1994.
Co-producer, “WOMEN OF MANHATTAN,” produced by Tony Greco and jg-gj productions. Performed at Prometheus Theatre, 43rd St., New York City, New York. Hired director, set designer, and obtained theater space while continuing principal actor rehearsals and participating in publicity campaign, 1993.
STAGE ACTING - PERFORMANCE CREDITS
ACTORS' EQUITY ASSOCIATION (AEA), National union of stage actors and stage managers.
1999 – Present
Professionally Qualified Member
Key: L.O.R.T. = League of Resident Theatres/Professional national resident theatre operating under an Actor's Equity Association, ongoing union contract for actors and stage managers. S.P.T. = operates under a Small Professional Theatre Equity union contract.
NATIONAL and REGIONAL ACTING & PERFORMANCE
TEXAS
Role Production Producer/Location/Yr./Equity Contract
Billy ON ROBOTS AND RAINDROPS Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2021 (virtual)
Hafsa JUNE 8, 1920 Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
2020 (virtual)
Jan BLACK SANTA Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Orlando, Florida 2019
Mrs. Webb OUR TOWN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, TX
Director: Matthew Gray
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2019
Kate Beeker THE KITTY BOMB Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Boston, MA 2018
Charlotte Coates THE CENSOR Association Theatre in Higher Education
ATHE
Winner of the Judith Royer Playwriting for
Excellence in Playwriting,
Las Vegas, NV, 2017
Ellen Pazinski KING O’ THE MOON Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2017
Judith Lees HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company
Arlington, Texas
Director: Dr. Natalie Gaupp
(Equity Guest Artist), 2016
World Premiere
Juliana Smithton THE OTHER PLACE Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Stephen Pounders
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2014
Recipient of 2014 Best of Culture award in Acting Critic’s Choice
Fort Worth Weekly newspaper
Blanche Dubois A STREETCAR NAMED Stage West Theater
DESIRE Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Jim Couvault
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2000
Recipient of 2000 Best Actress Award Stage West Theatre
Molly THE FRONT PAGE Dallas Theatre Center Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Richard Hamburger
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Thea HEDDA GABLER Dallas Theatre Center
Kalita Humphrey’s Theatre Dallas, Texas
Director: Ron Daniels
(L.O.R.T. Contract; union for fee), 2001
Bessie MARVIN’S ROOM Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2013
Helen Cohen ELLIS ISLAND Bass Performance Hall
Fort Worth, Texas
Composer Peter Boyer in attendance
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
A multi-media event in conjunction with FORT WORTH SYMPHONY
(Equity Contract; for fee), 2013
Ellen LAST MASS at ST. CASIMIRS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2012
Jill Koenig AD WARS Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: John S. Davies
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee)
Attended by author Vince McKewin, 2004
Ellen OVER THE TAVERN Circle Theatre
Fort Worth, Texas
Director: Dr. Harry Parker
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 2010
NEW YORK CITY
Lucy SOAP OPERA tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York
Reviewed by Mel Gussow
New York Times
Ralph Pape, author WIKI page Director: Elizabeth Franzen (Equity waiver). 1990
http://www.nytimes.com/1992/09/30/theater/theater-in-review-438792.html
Remounted and produced at
(Soap Opera cont.) The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod.
JG-GJ executive producers
(Equity waiver) See Los Angeles, 1991.
Hester Prynn “A” THE SCARLET LETTER tiny mythic theatre company New York, New York Director: Tim Maner
(Equity waiver), 1989.
Lucy Crayford THE FROZEN DEEP A reading with Director Everett Quinton
New York, New York (Equity waiver), 1988.
Ophelia HAMLET New York Repertory Theatre New York, New York, 1987.
Alex Forrest FATAL ATTRACTION -
Murder Mystery John Goodman Productions Director: John Goodman West Chelsea Restaurant
Dinner Theatre Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
Mrs. McCabe MURDER MAYHEM Hasslefree Productions
Director: Trevor Hasselfree Film Studio Restaurant New York, New York
Dinner Theatre, Murder Mystery (Equity waiver; for fee), 1988.
LOS ANGELES
Lucy SOAP OPERA Produced at
The Complex
Los Angeles, California
Philip Seymour Hoffman, co-prod. JG-GJ executive producers (Equity waiver), 1990.
Varya THE CHERRY ORCHARD Hudson Theatre
Los Angeles, California Director: Ron Livingston (Equity waiver), 1992.
Susan THE FUNERAL PARLOR The Complex
Los Angeles, California
(Equity waiver), 1995.
Penelope Toop SEE HOW THEY RUN Glendale Centre Theatre
Glendale, California (Equity waiver), 1994.
NEW HAMPSHIRE
Guinevere CAMELOT Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Laurie OKLAHOMA! Weathervane Theatre
Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee) 1985.
Peep-bo THE MIKADO Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Mariane TARTUFFE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Marquise
of Parolignac CANDIDE Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire
Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
Ensemble THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG Weathervane Theatre Whitefield, New Hampshire Director: Tom Haas
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1985.
VIRGINIA
Roxane CYRANO DE BERGERAC Mill Mountain Theatre Roanoke, Virginia Director: Jere Hodgin
(S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1987.
ILLINOIS
Dinah Lord THE PHILADELPHIA STORY The New American Theatre
Rockford, Illinois
Director: Jim Sullivan/founder of N.A.T. (S.P.T. Equity contract; for fee), 1979.
Ensemble THE ROPADI PLAYERS Rockford Park District
Musical Theatre Outreach Program Rockford, Illinois
Director: Andy French (Equity waiver, fee), 1975.
Selected University roles between 1981 and 1986
Frau Bergmann ……....... SPRING AWAKENING (Anne Bogart, director), New York University
Margaret Goggin ............ BECOMING MEMORIES (Kevin Kulhke, director) New York University
Housewife ...................... WORKING, New York University
Mina ............................... DRACULA, New York University
Joanna ……................... HOMEFREE! New York University
Ensemble ........................ PIPPIN (William Wesbrooks, director), Rockford College, IL
Ensemble ........................ JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, Rock Valley College, IL
Lillian Hampton ............. STRANGE BEDFELLOWS (Elaine “EE” Moe, director), University of Arizona, Tucson
Dance Ensemble………. THE ENTERTAINERS, University of Arizona, Tucson
UNIVERSITY GUEST ACTOR
Judith Lees ......................... HELIOS 24/7 Maverick Theatre Company MAVPLAYS The University of Texas at
Arlington, Department of Theatre Art, (Equity waiver). 2016.
UNIVERSITY GUEST READING
Invited to read at an honorary staged reading of Eugene O’Neill’s works by the O’Neill’s biographers Barbara and Arthur Gelb. The Gelb’s re-released their 1950s biography in 2000 with an expanded analysis of the life and work of Eugene O’Neill. Both Barbara and Arthur were in attendance at the Texas Christian University event in 2003.
PRODUCTION COACH
Acting Coach, AS IT IS IN HEAVEN, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Anne Healy, Director).
Acting Coach, GOVERNMENT INSPECTOR, UTA Mainstage, Fall 2014 (Andrew Gaupp, Director).
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA ACTING and PERFORMANCE
COMMERCIALS
INTERNATIONAL/NATIONAL MEDIA
Selected commercial performance work between 1991 – 1999.
Reporter Spam
The Hormel Foods Corporation. Filmed in Los Angeles, California National and International commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
New Yorker Coke
The Coca-Cola Company Filmed at the Statue of Liberty New York, New York National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Burger King color-coded children’s lunch toys Burger King (BK) Corporation.
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Subaru of America – Fuji Heavy Industries
Filmed in Los Angeles, California National commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Cowgirl Totino’s Pizza
General Mills Products
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Mother Kraft Handi-snacks
Kraft Foods Group
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Hiker Outback Steakhouse
Bloomin’ Brands
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Ship Passenger S & W Food
Del Monte Foods
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Regional commercial.
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
CBS Promo Promotion commercial spot for CBS Fall lineup of highly-rated programs Filmed in Los Angeles, California
Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
Neighbors Dixie Paper Plates Dixie Paper Products Georgian-Pacific Regional commercial
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
SOAP OPERAS
Selected performance work on network soap opera television between 1982 and 1990.
Haley Recurring role ALL MY CHILDREN
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
American Federation of Television and Radio Artists;
Standard union fee)
Linda Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Hillary Screen Test ALL MY CHILDREN American Broadcasting Company Filmed in New York, New York
Campaign Organizer Day Player Contract ONE LIFE TO LIVE
American Broadcasting Company
Filmed in New York, New York
(A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract; American Federation of Television and Radio Artists; Standard union fee)
Ensemble Extra work GUIDING LIGHT
Procter & Gamble Company Filmed in New York, New York (A.F.T.R.A. Union Contract;
Standard union fee)
TELEVISION
Alex Forrest LIVE WITH REGIS AND
KATHIE LEE
Filmed in New York, New York Promo for Fatal Attraction Murder Mystery Dinner Theatre (SAG waiver contract)
FILM
WALL STREET Wall St. worker 20th Century Fox
Director: Oliver Stone
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
THREE MEN AND Photo Double (Nancy Travis) Buena Vista Pictures
A LITTLE LADY Director: Emile Ardolino
Filmed in New York, New York
S.A.G. (Screen Actors Guild contract; for standard union fee)
12 Julienne Larry Bridges Productions
Director: Larry Bridges
Filmed in Los Angeles, California Film and director Larry Bridges were nominated for an Independent Spirit Award , 2004. Film has been screened internationally to critical acclaim. (S.A.G. waiver contract; for fee)
Selected ensemble film roles in major feature films:
Goodfellas – Martin Scorsese, director
State of Grace – Phil Joanou, director
Hannah and her Sisters – Woody Allen
Cocktail – Roger Donaldson, director
Space Jam – Joe Pytka, director
Scrooged – Richard Donner, director Punchline – David Seltzer, director
All filmed in New York, New York except Space Jam, filmed in Los Angeles, California
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA PRODUCING CREDITS
1999
Producer
As producer raised $25,500 for theatrical release of a 24-minute short film, The Hand of a Lifetime, shot independently in Los Angeles.
Coordinated all pre-production needs:
⦁ casting,
⦁ hiring crew
⦁ Director of Photography
⦁ Camera Operator
⦁ Sound and Foley Artist
⦁ Art director
⦁ Locations and permits
And including all post-production needs:
⦁ editing
⦁ sound design
⦁ titles
⦁ negative cutting
⦁ final answer print
The Hand of a Lifetime was accepted to the 1999 Fort Worth Film Festival and was highlighted in the Fort Worth Film Festival of 1999 and reviewed by Elvis Mitchell for the Star-Telegram Newspaper.
FILM AND DIGITAL MEDIA DIRECTING AND WRITING CREDITS
1999
Director Screenplay Writer
Wrote and directed an original short independent film, The Hand of a Lifetime. The film’s narrative centered around a male protagonist’s first child being born and the comedic and heartfelt emotions that accompanied his eventual acceptance of fatherhood.
SOUND DESIGN FOR THE STAGE
NEW YORK UNIVERSITY
Co-Sound designer, MACBETH, New York University (N.Y.U.), Directed by John Rubenstein. Mainstage Theatre, Spring 1983.
ADJUDICATION AND EVALUATION
2016 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
2015 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (10 students).
2012 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (8 students).
2011 – English Speaking Union National Shakespeare Contest for High School Students
Trinity Valley School, regional contest (7 students).
SERVICE: UNIVERSITY
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2019-20
⦁ Invitation from president of UTA Vistasp Karbhari to speak and present at Ashoka University near New Delhi during a conference in which I was attending. Ashoka is a premier university combining engineering and liberal arts.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Global Entrepreneur Week (GEW) committee member
⦁ EpICMavs presenter
⦁ Inspire for Faculty (IFF)
⦁ Live Theatre League member
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor fifteen students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2018-19
⦁ Invitation from Computer Science and Engineering Dept., Nova Coates, to help create short 20-second clips for Univ1311 that introduces students to UTA. CSE asked to include Robots, Digital Humanities, and Theatre course, THEA3351, as an innovative way to showcase interdisciplinary approaches to incoming Freshman’s learning paths. The video includes NAO robot doing Tai Chi with Dr. Greer voice as narration for multi-disciplinary collaboration among UTA disciplines.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator committee
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair: UEP Committee
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ BA auditions for Dept. of Theatre Arts with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Reference letter for Detra Payne – National Alliance of Teachers – Lloyd Richards Teaching Fellowship
2017-18
⦁ College of Liberal Arts, Spotlight coordinator and committee member. Point person for recruiting Judges for April Spotlight Conference. Support and coordination with CoLA marketing director. I mentored two theatre students for inaugural Spotlight conference. Both students won awards.
⦁ Invited by Dean Elisabeth Cawthon to informal meeting with Dean Anne Bavier of Nursing, Dr. Mickey McCabe, Executive Dir. of UTARI, Dr. Judy LeFlore, Associate Nursing Dean, and Harvard professors Dr. Janice Palaganas and Dr. Daniel Raemer, leaders in the simulation and technology center, for informal discussion of innovative techniques being implemented at UTA.
⦁ Invited to speak at TEDxUTA 2018.
⦁ Reviewed/rated 5 applications for Terry Foundation Scholars. Req. William Gunn.
⦁ Submitted review of Manuscript ID THRI-2018-0016, titled "Communicating a minimal robot’s intelligence, dominance and status through motion paths" for the journal Transactions on Human-Robot Interaction.
⦁ Invited to review National Science Foundation submissions for various grant submissions.
⦁ Chair: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Coordinated and led Dean’s week presentation with L. Tucker for counselors and advisors.
⦁ Committee Member: Undergraduate Assembly
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Committee Member: REP/FDL faculty awards.
⦁ Faculty mentor nine students in the Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Sponsor and attended Halloween evening performance of Macbeth (Killingsworth, dir.)
⦁ BA auditions with Prof. Joe Chapa.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
2016-17
⦁ Chair, College of Liberal Arts Research Representative
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: CoLA, proposal reader for “Cure to Care” grants. iC2C.
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts (and Dance) Curriculum
⦁ Committee Member: Academic Standards, Student Affairs/Grievance
⦁ Committee Member: Department of Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Performance/Dance Focus
⦁ Invited guest luncheon speaker for UTA’s CPE Event, College of Business
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Faculty panel for auditioning for graduating student attending auditions for U.R.T.A.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Dallas Summer Musicals conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2016-2017 season.
⦁ College of Liberal Arts Welcome Back table, Fall 2016.
2015-16
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington.
⦁ Chair, Recruitment Committee. Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: College of Liberal Arts Teacher’s Awards, Department of Theatre Arts Representative, UT-Arlington
⦁ Committee Member: Master’s Exploratory, Department of Theatre Arts
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor eight students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ U.R.T.A. panel at UT-Arlington for three students attending graduate auditions.
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Moonifieds conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2014-15
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee, Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UT-Arlington
⦁ Auditor/recruiter for prospective UTA Theatre Arts scholarship students at Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference (Dallas) and Booker T. Washington auditions (Dallas).
⦁ Collaborator, co-coordinator and facilitator of rebuild of The Department of Theatre Arts official website.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2013-14
⦁ Chair, Publicity and Marketing Committee. Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research Committee
⦁ Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor seven students in the Department of Theatre Arts.
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
2012-13
⦁ Committee Member: Theatre Arts Research
⦁ Committee Member: Performance/History/Literature.
⦁ Faculty mentor five students in the Department of Theatre Arts, UTA
⦁ Digital archive camera operative for all stage productions in the 2015-2016 season.
PUBLIC RELATIONS and MARKETING
for
MAVERICK THEATRE COMPANY
and
MAVERICK DANCE COMPANY
producing entities for
THE DEPARTMENT OF THEATRE ARTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS AT ARLINGTON
2017-18
⦁ Chair, bi-monthly Public Relations meetings.
⦁ Author, Press Releases for 4 Mainstage production including plays and musicals, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence, MavLab production and Maverick Dance Company concerts. Facilitated information to 23+ media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2017-18 Season.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington for each Mainstage production, MavLab, and Maverick Dance company concert.
⦁ URTA – American Theatre Magazine
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ Coordinated and delivered 1500 seasonal brochures to MailPro for mailing.
⦁ Edited and compiled 4th quarter information on Dept. of Theatre Arts for Cathy Stein 817Alliance newsletter.
⦁ Collaborated with CoLA Marketing Director for marketing graphics redo, including written text and organizing photographs with the help of Kris O’Brien.
⦁ Helped coordinate and support Marketing Video “Get to know a Theatre Student.”
⦁ Coordinating press and marketing with Matthew Boyd, City of Arlington, marketing for D. Payne’s, Heal the Divide.
2016-17
⦁ Author, 2016-2017 Press Releases for Maverick Theatre Company and Maverick Dance Company, producing entities of The Department of Theatre Arts, College of Liberal Arts. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2016-17 Season.
⦁ Department Representative, Arlington Arts League Gala Event and scholarship fundraiser.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2015-16
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improv, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2015-16 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisational comedy, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Administrator, UTA Department of Theatre Arts Facebook page, twitter, and Instagram.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2014-15
⦁ Author, Press Release for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2014-15 Season.
⦁ Art Director, Coordinator, publicity photos for two Mainstage plays, musical, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwright-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company performances.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Youth Symphony Arlington Proud Organization Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Column Awards
⦁ Dallas Shakespeare Summer Festival Dance Texas
⦁ Fort Worth Main Street Arts Festival
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington
⦁ A + C Arts and Culture Texas
⦁ Stage Directions Magazine – Article on Dept. of Theatre Arts 3D Printer. Playbill.edu
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Voce Intimae
⦁ Trinity Valley High School playbill
⦁ All Saints Episcopal High School playbill
⦁ Betty Buckley Awards at Casa Manana Theatre
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
2013-14
⦁ Author, Press Release for Mainstage play, musical, opera, Flight 12 Comedy Improvisation, New Works by Playwrights-in-Residence and Maverick Dance Company. Facilitated information to media outlets including University Communications, Arlington Arts League, Downtown Arlington, Office of the Dean, CoLA, among others.
⦁ Author, Press Release to University of Texas at Arlington’s Event Calendar for 2013-14 Season.
⦁ Chair, Advertising. Purchase and implementation of ad buys through multiple media outlets including:
⦁ Arlington Proud Organization
⦁ Arlington Today
⦁ Downtown Arlington
⦁ Entertainment book – Arlington
⦁ Shorthorn Newspaper of University of Texas at Arlington Dance Texas
⦁ CBS online Best Universities for Theatre
⦁ New Student Guide – University of Texas at Arlington Stage Directions Magazine
⦁ Performing Ads Company
⦁ Press Pass – Star-Telegram Newspaper UTA Radio Public Service Announcements
⦁ Texas Educational Theatre Association (TETA) conference
⦁ MavWire – Faculty newsletter
⦁ Texas Thespians Festival
PROFESSIONAL ORGANIZATIONS: BOARDS & COMMITTEES
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2016 – 2018 – Membership Chair
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
BOARD MEMBER OF TRINITY VALLEY SCHOOL, FINE ARTS
2010 – 2014 – Upper School Tickets
Approved member of a K-12 college preparatory private school in Fort Worth, Texas. Board: Friends of the Trojan Arts (FTA) Fine Arts Board, upper-school ticket sales. Monthly meetings as well as liaison with drama, choir, dance and literary arts heads.
TEXAS EDUCATIONAL THEATRE ASSOCIATION (TETA) 2014 Approved Member
SCREEN ACTORS GUILD/AMERICAN FEDERATION OF TELEVISION AND RADIO ARTISTS (S.A.G./A.F.T.R.A),
1984 - present
Current Approved Member
ACTORS EQUITY ASSOCIATION (A.E.A), Current Member
1999 - present
Current Approved Member PROFESSIONAL SERVICE TO COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS
ARLINGTON ARTS LEAGUE, Arlington, Texas
2014 -2016
Member of Arlington Arts League
PRESIDENT OF KINDERPLATZ OF FINE ARTS PARENT’S GROUP, Fort Worth, Texas
2003
President of a parent’s group in a private, pre-school dedicated to fine arts learning and growth in 2 – 5 year-old children.
PROFESSIONAL TRAINING & INSTITUTES
2003-Present Annual Giving Captains, Trinity Valley School, a private college-preparatory K-12 school in Fort Worth, Texas.
1987-90 Accepted Member of tiny mythic theatre company, NYU graduates’ affiliation, New York City, New York now known as HERE Performance Space, New York City, New York.
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