Her Story
About Gail
Dr. Gail Humphries is an accomplished educator, theatre director, author, and arts advocate with more than four decades of experience in higher education and the performing arts. She served as Professor of Theatre and Chair of the Department of Performing Arts at American University for 31 years before becoming Academic Dean at Stephens College, where she led the School of Creative and Performing Arts from 2014 to 2020. She holds a bachelor's degree in History and Theatre from Allegheny College and a Ph.D. in Education from American University, where her academic interests focused on arts across disciplines and their role in cognitive development. Throughout her career, Dr. Humphries has championed the arts as powerful tools for education, social justice, and meaningful community engagement.
A dedicated theatre practitioner and scholar, Dr. Gail has directed nearly 200 theatrical productions and contributed extensively to academic literature, including journal articles, book chapters, and publications on arts integration in education. Her work has explored how arts-based learning can transform educational practices and empower teachers, teaching artists, and students. She has also maintained a longstanding commitment to Imagination Stage, a nonprofit organization in Bethesda, Maryland, that promotes community theatre and arts education for diverse populations. Her professional affiliations include the Association for Theatre in Higher Education, the International Council of Fine Arts Deans, and the College of Fellows of the American Theatre. As a Fulbright Senior Scholar, she has continued to support artistic exchange, educational innovation, and leadership development.
In retirement, Dr. Gail remains actively engaged in advancing the arts through consulting, mentoring, writing, and international speaking engagements. One of her most significant recent projects is the two-volume collection Stories of the Holocaust: Art for Healing and Renewal, which she curated and co-authored to demonstrate how theatre, music, visual arts, and storytelling can preserve historical memory, encourage reflection, and promote healing. The collection has received recognition through several independent nonfiction book awards, underscoring its contribution to Holocaust education and the performing arts. Drawing on her experiences as an educator, director, and mentor, Dr. Gail believes that curiosity, tenacity, talent, perseverance, and openness to new experiences are essential to success. Her enduring mission is to use the arts to foster empathy, challenge injustice, preserve important stories, and inspire future generations.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Gail
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the guidance of influential mentors, my passion for the arts, and my commitment to using education as a tool for social justice. Throughout my career as a professor, performing arts chair, and dean, I have embraced opportunities to grow, mentor others, and make a meaningful impact. My work in arts integration education, directing productions of Cabaret, and authoring a book on arts-based teaching reflects my dedication to lifelong learning. Even in retirement, I continue to mentor former students and help aspiring performers pursue their goals.
02What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women is to embrace four key principles: persistence, skill, talent, and luck. Be persistent, keep saying yes to opportunities, remain open to possibilities when faced with rejection, and continually find solutions. Develop and strengthen your skills, nurture your talents, and commit to continuous improvement. Finally, recognize that luck often comes from building a strong network and surrounding yourself with trustworthy people who can support and guide you throughout your career.
03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
The values most important to me are compassion, education, creativity, and social responsibility. Through co-curating and editing Stories of the Holocaust: Art for Healing and Renewal, I strive to use the arts to preserve history, promote healing, and raise awareness about the Holocaust. I believe in the importance of standing up against hatred and bullying, educating future generations, and inspiring people to become upstanders who speak out against injustice.
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