Biography

Kimmika Williams-Witherspoon holds a PhD in cultural anthropology, an MA in anthropology, an MFA in theater, a graduate certificate in women's studies and a BA in journalism. She is senior associate dean of strategic initiatives and innovation in the Center for the Performing and Cinematic Arts at Temple University and a full professor specializing in urban theater and community engagement in the Theater Department in the School of Theater, Film and Media Arts. Williams-Witherspoon is the author of Through Smiles and Tears: The History of African American Theater (From Kemet to the Americas) (Lambert Academic Publishing, 2011); The Secret Messages in African American Theater: Hidden Meaning Embedded in Public Discourse (Edwin Mellen Publishing, 2006).

A hybrid researcher/ scholar/performer, Williams-Witherspoon has had over 28 plays produced, 20 productions, 13 staged readings and eight one-woman shows, and she has performed poetry in over 120 national and international venues. Williams-Witherspoon is a contributing poet to 49 anthologies and magazines and author of 11 books of poetry, nine book chapters, seven journal articles and two books on African American theater. She is the recipient of a host of awards and citations. Her scholarly work centers around pedagogy, women’s issues, the African diaspora, performance rituals and community engagement.