Michael O'Hara
Sursa Distinguished Professor of Fine Arts and Professor of Theatre
Michael M. O’Hara (he/him) is Professor of Theatre and teaches theatre history and introduction to theatre. He also writes, directs, and acts for theatre and film. He received Ball State University’s Outstanding Junior Faculty Award in 2002, the Lawhead Teaching Award in 2001, and the University Excellence in Teaching Award twice, once in 1999 and again in 2005, when he also won the Dean's Teaching Award. O'Hara has also been named to Who's Who Among America's Teachers and was awarded two certificates of teaching excellence while a graduate student at the University of Maryland at College Park, where he earned his PhD. He has published scholarly work on Bernard Shaw, American Theatre, and theatre pedagogy. Pearson Education published his digital textbook, co-authored with Dr. Elizabeth Osborne and Dr. Judy Sebesta, "Explore Theatre, 2nd edition" in 2020. He is a national leader in theatre pedagogy and technology, having published and/or presented over 50 papers or lectures on the topic. O'Hara is also the current treasurer of the International Shaw Society. He earned a BA in English from Fordham University in New York City, and his MA and PhD in theatre history, theory, and criticism from the University of Maryland, College Park.