Domenick Scudera

Professor of Theater

Prof. Scudera is a co-founder and former chair of the Theater & Dance department.  He has directed over 40 productions for Ursinus College Theater, and teaches courses in performance, directing for the stage, and theater history.  Prof. Scudera is also a professional theater director, playwright, and performer.

In his free time, Prof. Scudera is an active volunteer in pet therapy programs, including Bryn Mawr Rehab Hospital, with his 2-legged dogs Cyrus, Lucky, and Deuce.  

Department

Theater and Dance

Degrees

M.F.A., Pennsylvania State University
B.A., Colgate University

Teaching

  • THEA 00X - Performance Practicum
  • THEA 100 – Introduction to Theater
  • THEA 216 – Stage Comedy
  • THEA/GWSS 217 – From Shakespeare to RuPaul: A History of Drag Performance
  • THEA/GWSS 218 – The Craft of African American Female Playwrights
  • THEA 260 – Acting: Objectives and Tactics
  • THEA 261 – Acting: Building a Character
  • THEA 370 – Directing for the Stage
  • IDS 099 – Topics in Diversity
  • CIE 100 and CIE 200

Professional Experience

Prof. Scudera has been an active theater professional since 1987.  In the greater Philadelphia region, he has directed plays for many theaters including the Philadelphia Shakespeare Theater, Delaware Theater Company, and the Waitstaff Sketch Comedy Troupe.  He has served in the administrations of several area theaters including Philadelphia’s Wilma and Arden Theaters.  He is also a playwright whose work has been performed thousands of times by Historic Philadelphia Inc.  As a performer, he has premiered his original work at the Philadelphia Fringe Festival and performed nationally at various venues.

Recent Work

Prof. Scudera recently finished writing a full-length play, The Half of It, inspired by the life and work of Bert Savoy, a Vaudeville drag artist.

Years of Service to Ursinus

1997 - present

Related News

domenick director
The Evolution of Drag Performance with Domenick Scudera
In Shakespeare’s theater, men played female roles and female characters sometimes disguised themselves as male – creating confusion, comedy and insight into the human condition.
Domenick Scudera
The Stage Is His Classroom
As a director and scholar, Domenick Scudera immerses himself in the world of each play to transform words in a script to bold and vibrant performances.
Tre Dunlap '25 doing research during the 2024 Summer Fellows Program
Not Just Hackers: Analyzing Computer Scientists in Popular Media

Tre Dunlap ’25, a computer science major and theater minor from Brooklyn, N.Y., is analyzing the portrayal of computer scientists in popular media under the mentorship of Professor of Theater Domenick Scudera as a part of the Ursinus College Summer Fellows research program