Claire Sommers
Director of Undergraduate Studies of Drama, Lecturer in Performing Arts and English
Claire Sommers is Director of Undergraduate Studies of Drama and a Lecturer in the Performing Arts and English departments, where she teaches courses focused on early modern literature and drama, the reception of the classics, adaptation studies, performance studies, theater history, and critical theory. Her research, teaching, and spiritual life center the power of narrative because it is through the interpretation of story, text, and image that we better ourselves and can be of service to others. Claire’s work has been published by Arion, Renaissance Drama, and Routledge. Her forthcoming book Chimeras, Centaurs, and Satyrs: Creating Hybrid Texts in Antiquity and Early Modern England draws on premodern scientific texts and travel narratives to reframe hybridity as a figure of transcendence in classical and early modern literatures. Her current research project Drama Queens, inspired by the eponymous class that she teaches, examines 16th and 17th century dramas to position Cleopatra as a historical analogue for Elizabeth I and show that both sovereigns were early examples of celebrities.
Claire has always made service a priority in her professional life. At WashU, she has focused extensively on generating undergraduate engagement and enrollment for both of her departments. In addition to serving as Director of Undergraduate Studies of Drama, she is the Faculty Coordinator of the Shakespeare’s Globe summer study abroad program in London and Stratford-upon-Avon. Claire is also the faculty advisor for the English Honor Society and is the chapter founder and faculty advisor for the Theater Honor Society. She has previously served as Chair of the Modern Language Association’s Delegate Assembly Organization Committee and as the Exhibits and Professional Development Coordinator for the Northeast Modern Language Association. Claire also engages in public scholarship and is featured as part of STL Shakespeare’s Shake Break radio segments for Classic 107.3.
Claire earned her PhD in Comparative Literature with a concentration in classical Greek and Latin and early modern English and French literatures from The Graduate Center CUNY, where she created and served as Founding Director of the Critical Theory Certificate Program. She has also taught at Fordham University, Hunter College, and Baruch College.
Claire is a Roman Catholic and a member of the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, where she serves as a Lector and Extraordinary Minister.