Assistant Professor
Theatre Studies
Dr. Daniel T. Smith Jr. is a dramaturg and theatre historian with research interests in seventeenth- and eighteenth-century French theatre, history of sexuality, and translation studies.
After studying French Literature at the University of Notre Dame, Dan earned degrees in Theatre from the University of Massachusetts Amherst (MFA) and Northwestern University (PhD). Dan has chaired the Theatre History Focus Group of the Association for Theatre in Higher Education (ATHE) and currently serves as an officer in ATHE’s Dramaturgy Focus Group. He has previously taught Theatre Studies courses at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Northwestern University, University of Illinois at Chicago, and The Theatre School at DePaul University.
Dan has worked extensively as a professional dramaturg, primarily in Chicago. He served as Associate Artistic Director/Resident Dramaturg of Caffeine Theatre from 2010-2012.
His translations for the stage include Don Juan by Moliere; Love in Disguise by Marivaux; A Dangerous Liaison by Madame de Beaunoir; and The Horrible Experiment by André de Lorde. He has co-translated and directed Carlo Gozzi’s The Serpent Lady at MSU. He provided an annotated translation of The Imaginary Invalid by Molière for Constance Congdon’s adaptation (Broadway Play Publishing, 2016). Dan has published articles, translations, and reviews in such journals as Performing Arts Resources, The Mercurian, Theatre Research International, Comparative Drama, Didaskalia, Performing Arts Resources, Theatre/Practice and Theatre Journal.
Dan is also a three-time Jeopardy! Champion (episodes aired February 2009).