“The Count” for Liberal Arts Colleges, Davidson College

“Women and playwrights of color are under-represented in the season’s of liberal arts colleges, as they are in professional theaters.”

RESEARCH PROJECT: "The Count" for Liberal Arts Colleges

RESEARCH PARTNERS: Sharon Green, Katie Stewart, David Lee, Clare Harbin, Landin Eldridge

COVERAGE: 2019-2020 Academic Year

Inspired by The Lillys and The Dramatists Guild's "The Count," our research project posed the question: Who is being produced at nationally ranked liberal arts colleges? Our results reflect data collected for the 2019-2020 season and reveal trends similar to those reflected in "The Count's" national study.

FINDINGS: Women and playwrights of color are under-represented in the season's of liberal arts colleges, as they are in professional theaters. 39% of plays produced were by female playwrights, meaning educational institutions were closer to gender parity than professional theaters. However, approximately 50% of the schools in our data set had seasons without any plays by BIPOC playwrights.