Newman named chair of the Department of Theatre at The W

Mississippi University for Women has appointed Kathy Newman as chair of the Department of Theatre, proceeding David Carter who retired from the position at the end of the 2025-26 academic year.

“I am very excited to have Kathy Newman serve as our new chair of the Department of Theatre,” said Dr. Brian Anderson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. “Her years of experience in acting, directing and producing make her ideal to oversee a faculty that trains undergraduates in all components of stage production.”

Newman has served on the university’s faculty since 2018 and is an associate professor of theatre. Prior to joining The W, she taught at Georgia College & State University, Reinhardt University, Georgia Highlands College, Shorter College & University and Mercer University.

“After being in the department for eight years as a professor and production director, I am excited to take a more active leadership role in the department,” Newman said. “It will be an honor to continue to push the department forward as the chair, and I hope to make it even stronger. It will be a collaboration with the strong staff, already filling their roles, and the students.”

In addition to her role as department chair, Newman will also serve as director of the low-residency Master of Fine Arts in Theatre Education.

“This program goes beyond assignments that strengthen lesson plans and pedagogy–it bolsters the students’ initiative in planning and managing theatre productions in their schools. Newman’s deep experience as a theatre professional has primed her to lead this transformational degree program,” said Anderson.

Newman currently serves as an undergraduate academic adviser. She has served on the undergraduate research committee, of which she was a founding member; the honors project committee; and faculty senate.

She has directed seven productions for the department and has taught numerous courses on acting, directing, script analysis, theatre management and theatre history. In addition to her directing credits, Newman has several acting credits from throughout her career. Some notable productions include: “Romeo and Juliet,” “The Rainmaker,” “Cat on a Hot Tin Roof,” “Pygmalion” and a film role in “Unseen Abilities.”

Newman earned her MFA in Theatre Performance from the University of Southern Mississippi. She holds a bachelor of arts in theatre from LaGrange College and an associate’s degree in theatre from North Greenville Junior College.