Rachel Shteir, head of Dramaturgy, has been named a 2025 Guggenheim Fellow. She joins a distinguished class of 198 fellows recognized across the sciences, arts, and humanities. Established in 1925, the Guggenheim Fellowship
provides recipients with resources to pursue independent work “under the freest possible conditions.” Chosen through a rigorous application and peer review process from nearly 3,500 applicants, the fellowship recognizes both exceptional promise and prior career achievement.
A renowned scholar and author, Shteir has written four books on media and pop culture and shares her expertise with students in Theatre Studies. The fellowship will support her ongoing scholarship and creative work.
"I am honored and thrilled to be in the 2025 class of Guggenheim fellows,” Shteir says. “What it means to me, practically speaking, is that I will be able to take fall and winter quarters off to finish my fifth book, 'Why Theater Matters,' currently under contract at Yale University Press. The gift of time is enormous. But additionally, there is the gift of recognition of my whole body of work."
Martine Kei Green-Rogers, dean of The Theatre School, underscored the significance of the recognition: “This is such a well-deserved honor for Professor Shteir. This fellowship will provide her the time and space to focus on her tradition of advocating for the theatre through her scholarship in ways that are accessible to those in and outside of our industry. The Theatre School is happy to celebrate this honor with her.”
Now in its 100th year, the Guggenheim Foundation continues its mission of supporting visionary thinkers whose work addresses critical questions of our time and contributes to a more informed and hopeful future. Shteir’s selection reflects not only her individual achievements but also the strength of education and scholarship at The Theatre School—which is also celebrating its centennial this year.
News of Shteir’s fellowship has also been featured in The New York Times and
American Theatre.