01/07/2026
Faculty Spotlight
Dr. Karen Turner Ward
Theater Arts Faculty | The Paris Performance Experience
The Paris Performance Experience is honored to welcome Dr. Karen Turner Ward as a member of our distinguished faculty in Theater Arts.
Dr. Ward earned her Bachelor of Arts in Drama and African American Studies from the University of Virginia, a Master of Fine Arts in Acting from Virginia Commonwealth University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Regent University, where she became the institution's first Ph.D. graduate.
Dr. Ward is a nationally respected educator, director, producer, actor, and arts administrator whose career has been dedicated to expanding opportunities for artists while preserving the rich traditions of Black theatre. As the Old Dominion Endowed Chair of the Department of Fine and Performing Arts at Hampton University and the Founding Artistic Director and CEO of the Hampton University Repertory Theatre—the first and only professional repertory theatre housed at a Historically Black College or University—she has redefined what is possible for university theatre by creating a bridge between academic preparation and professional practice.
For nearly four decades, Dr. Ward has shaped generations of performers at Hampton University, mentoring students not only in acting and performance, but in professionalism, leadership, and artistic excellence. Under her direction, Hampton University's theatre program has become known for ambitious productions spanning classic drama, contemporary works, musicals, opera, and African American theatre. Her body of work includes more than ninety productions, from Dreamgirls, The Wiz, Little Shop of Horrors, and Grease to The Amen Corner, A Raisin in the Sun, Crowns, Treemonisha, and A Soldier's Play—each reflecting her commitment to storytelling that entertains, educates, and inspires.
An accomplished performer in her own right, Dr. Ward has appeared on professional stages across the country, bringing warmth, authenticity, and remarkable versatility to both dramatic and musical roles. As a writer and scholar, she has also authored plays, songs, publications in communication, and educational resources, while serving as a respected critic and advocate for innovative teaching. She has received numerous honors recognizing her excellence in education and creative scholarship, including Hampton University's prestigious E. L. Hamm Distinguished Teaching Award.
Most recently, Dr. Ward brought Hampton University's student actors to a national audience as director of Dangerous Acts: Hampton University, an acclaimed collaboration between the Lucille Lortel Theatre, PBS, and ALL ARTS. The production featured Hampton students performing staged readings of Zora Neale Hurston's Color Struck and Ruth Gaines-Shelton's The Church Fight, helping revive important works by early twentieth-century Black playwrights for contemporary audiences. Through her direction, Dr. Ward demonstrated not only her artistic excellence but also her unwavering commitment to preserving Black theatrical history while preparing the next generation of professional artists.
Beyond the stage and classroom, Dr. Ward is a passionate community leader whose influence extends throughout Hampton Roads and beyond. Through the Hampton University Repertory Theatre and her service on numerous arts initiatives and advisory boards, she has championed access to professional theatre, mentorship opportunities, and meaningful pathways for emerging artists. Her leadership continues to create spaces where students, regional artists, and nationally recognized professionals can work side by side, ensuring that the arts remain accessible, relevant, and transformative.
As Program Director of The Paris Performance Experience, I am especially honored to welcome my friend and colleague, Dr. Karen Turner Ward, to our faculty. She is bringing five extraordinary students to study with her in France. Her gifts as an educator, performer, director, and mentor embody everything we hope our students will experience in France. Our artists will not only learn from one of the country's most accomplished theatre educators—they will be inspired by a leader who has devoted her life to opening doors for others.
Bienvenue en France, Dr. Karen Turner Ward. We are deeply honored to have you as part of The Paris Performance Experience family.
🎥 Dangerous Acts: Hampton University (Lucille Lortel Theatre)
https://lortel.org/dangerous-acts-hampton/
