Ann Folino White

whitea38@msu.edu
(517) 884-7790

FacultyTheatre

Associate Professor
Head of Theatre Studies; Directing

Biography

Dr. Ann Folino White is a scholar and theatre artist. She received her B.A. in Theatre from Michigan State University, M.A. in Theatre from Northwestern University, and Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Theatre and Drama along with a Gender Studies Certificate from Northwestern University.

Dr. Folino White’s teaching interests include stage directing, performance theory, and American theatrical and popular performance from the late-nineteenth century to the early-twentieth century. In 2015, Dr. Folino White received the Mid-Michigan Alumni Association Quality in Undergraduate Teaching Award.

Her scholarship on American drama, protest, and performances has appeared in American Drama, Text and Performance Quarterly, Performing Arts Resources, Women and Performance and TDR: The Drama Review. She is contributing co-editor of the essay anthology, Food & Theatre on the World Stage (Routledge, 2015). Her book Plowed Under: Food Policy Protests and Performance in New Deal America (Indiana University Press, 2015) was awarded the 2015 Working Class Studies Association CLR James Book Award.

She has served as a dramaturg for Appletree Theatre and Writers’ Theatre in the Chicago-area, and as a new play reader for Steppenwolf Theatre Company. Select directing credits for MSU DOT include The Grapes of Wrath, In the Blood, Widows, Macbeth, and Fallen Angels. Dr. Folino White also directed her own adaptation of the book The Lady Victory (by Jane Vincent Taylor, Turning Point Press 2012), which explores the experiences of girls sent to a home for unwed mothers in 1960s Oklahoma.

University News

Theatre Professor Receives National Award for Excellence in Teaching and Mentorship
Published September 18, 2024 in College of Arts & Letters
A picture of a woman with shoulder-length brown hair and blue eyes, wearing a blue shirt with a pink flower on one of the arms.
As the 2024 recipient of the Betty Jean Jones Award, Ann Folino White, Associate Professor of Theatre Studies at Michigan State University, joins the ranks of a select group of scholars honored by…Read now »
‘Charlotte’s Web’ Set for Feb. 22-26 with Free Admission for MSU Students
Published February 20, 2023 in College of Arts & Letters
Recognizing that art has the power to heal, Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre is offering free tickets to all MSU students for its production of Charlotte’s Web as one way of…Read now »
MSU Theatre Presents Art & Science Family Fun with ‘Charlotte’s Web’
Published January 30, 2023 in College of Arts & Letters
A picture of two actors in costumes peeking out from behind barn doors.
Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre presents Charlotte’s Web, adapted by Joseph Robinette, running Feb. 17-26 in the Fairchild Theater. This production is family friendly for all…Read now »
Two Faculty Win Awards for Academic Leadership
Published November 23, 2020 in College of Arts & Letters
Two MSU College of Arts & Letters faculty members are being recognized for their outstanding leadership, performance, and excellence in their respective fields. Ann Folino White,…Read now »
Learning Continues Remotely at MSU’s Department of Theatre
Published March 23, 2020 in College of Arts & Letters
Students gathered in an online class for THR 292
On Thursday, March 12, Department of Theatre sophomores gathered for the course THR 292, also known as Sophomore Seminar. The class explores theatre-making and its connections to…Read now »
Theatre Department Combats Gender Inequity with Big Ten Initiative
Published February 25, 2020 in College of Arts & Letters
3 women leaning against a colorful wall
(PLEASE NOTE: The performance dates for Bonnets: How Ladies of Good Breeding are Induced to Murder have been postponed. Please call 1.800.WHARTON to receive a refund or…Read now »
MSU Theatre Rakes in Pulsar Award Nominations
Published July 24, 2019 in College of Arts & Letters
Ariel shot of a group of eight women wearing dresses on a stage
MSU’s Department of Theatre’s 2018-2019 Season received 31 nominations for Pulsar Awards and walked away with seven of those awards, the most of…Read now »
‘Men on Boats’ Coming to MSU Auditorium
Published November 7, 2018 in College of Arts & Letters
MSU’s Department of Theatre will perform Jaclyn Backhaus’ Men on Boats November 9-11 and November 13-18 in the Studio 60 Theatre at the MSU Auditorium.  Directed…Read now »
Department of Theatre Announces 2018-2019 Season
Published September 12, 2018 in College of Arts & Letters
Black and white graphic titled "Breaking Down Borders"
Michigan State University’s Department of Theatre is “Breaking Down Borders,” the theme of its 2018-2019 season, in which the department will present plays with meaning and…Read now »
Theatre Alumna Performing in National Broadway Tour
Published February 13, 2018 in College of Arts & Letters
woman leaning on a piano while a man is playing the piano
Michigan State Theatre alumna Sarah Goeke came to MSU to pursue her Master of Fine Arts in Theatre, but she received so much more than just a degree. During her time here, she started a…Read now »
College Wide Team Wins Gold in Dragon Boat Race
Published May 23, 2017 in College of Arts & Letters
the front of the boat that is a dragon head
With teamwork, the pursuit of having a good time, and supporting a good cause as their mission, a group of 20 College of Arts & Letters students, faculty, and staff, named the Jabberwocks,…Read now »
Theatre Professor Selected as MASU’s Professor of the Year
Published April 5, 2017 in College of Arts & Letters
woman wearing a red jacket smiling at the camera
Ann Folino White, MSU Associate Professor of Theatre Studies and Directing, was selected as one of three Michigan Association of State Universities Professors of the Year. The committee…Read now »
Sarah Goeke
Published October 24, 2016 in College of Arts & Letters
woman leaning on a piano while a man is playing the piano
Michigan State Theatre alumna Sarah Goeke came to MSU to pursue her Master of Fine Arts in Theatre, but she received so much more than just a degree. During her time here, she started a nonprofit…Read now »
Ann Folino White Receives Teaching Award
Published October 5, 2016 in College of Arts & Letters
woman in dress receiving award from man with glasses
Ann Folino White received the Quality in Undergraduate Teaching Award from the Mid-Michigan Spartans at the MSU alumni group’s 2016 Crystal Ball and Golden Gala on September 30. Folino…Read now »