Biography
Megan Carney (she/her) is the Artistic Director of About Face Theater and a founding director of About Face Youth Theatre. Her work at the intersection of theatre and education has addressed themes of LGBTQ+ life, racial justice, housing instability, women veterans, and more through projects and productions that activate true stories and research to advance community dialogue toward justice. Her work has premiered in Chicago, NY, and through touring productions around the country. Recent Chicago directing credits include The Gulf, 20/20, Time is On Our Side (About Face Theatre); Winter, Grizzly Mama, Women at War, Danielle Pinnock’s Body/Courage and Lisa Dillman’s American Wee Pie and The Walls (Rivendell Theatre Ensemble). For nearly seven years she served as the Director of the Gender and Sexuality Center, one of the Centers for Cultural Understanding and Social Change, at the University of Illinois at Chicago where she developed and supported programming on systemic change and diverse LGBTQIA+ identities and histories. Carney has a MFA in Theatre Arts from Virginia Tech with a focus on Directing and Public Dialogue, teaches in various contexts, and has volunteered on the LGBTQ Giving Council of the Chicago Foundation for Women and with the Chicago Restroom Access Project of Pride Action Tank. Her work has been featured in various publications and recognized with theatre industry awards, the GLSEN Pathfinder Award, an APA Presidential Citation, induction in Chicago’s LGBT Hall of Fame, and a Rockefeller Foundation MAP Grant among others.
Degrees
M.F.A., Theatre Arts Virginia Tech 2008