Joshua Streeter

Biography

My educational journey to the study of premodern drama, and especially Classical Greek theatre, is nearly as long and winding as Odysseus’ return to Ithaca. I’m from a family of teachers, from elementary to secondary to higher education, and originally my love of reading and writing sent me down the path of English. However, in high school I managed to squeeze in a couple theatrical performances between basketball and track season (if you’ve seen High School Musical, I’m pretty sure Disney stole my life story), and so I majored in this distinct Theatre-English-Education degree offered at Adams State University in Colorado. After cutting my pedagogical teeth teaching at local junior and senior high schools, I undertook my graduate studies on Classical Greek theatre at the Ohio State University in Columbus, all the while “dreaming the impossible dream” of teaching in higher ed.

Since I was a boy, I’ve been enchanted with Greek mythology, and that led to my eventual discovery, reading, and deep study of Homer, Aeschylus, Sophocles, Euripides, and Aristophanes. I would furthermore delight in the moving poetry and enduring truths found in other premodern theatrical traditions: Japanese nohgaku and kabuki, Sanskrit drama, Medieval European theatre, and, of course, Shakespeare. My joy, and my charge, is sharing these profound works to new generations of students through literary study and in performance. What may seem so far away or alien to us “moderns” is actually quite near and familiar. Aeschylus is my grandfather, Shakespeare my father, and I want to hear their stories.

I am beyond grateful, honored, and humbled to be at Hillsdale College, an institution that does not just recognize but champions the Western literary tradition. Theatre also has this incredible ability to unify an eclectic group of people to create art: writers, actors, directors, musicians, dancers, artists, technicians. I see a similar value on this campus and among these students to strengthen and share their talents, working harmoniously towards an end greater than the sum of its parts.

Beyond theatre, classics, and education, I enjoy reading, writing, cooking, camping, watching and playing all kinds of sports, and homebrewing. My amazing wife and I have Devon Rex cats and hope to add another critter to our family soon.