Lisa Barker

Lisa Barker is the Executive Director of PLACE, Affiliate Faculty in UW–Madison’s Departments of Curriculum and Instruction and Theatre and Drama, and Project Director of School of Education Improvisation Initiatives. She earned her doctorate in curriculum and teacher education from Stanford University and is interested in how the principles and practices of improvisational theatre can inform the work of educators. Dr. Barker taught English education at Stanford, SUNY New Paltz, and Towson University. She also served as Director of Education for Adventure Stage Chicago and Manager of CUNY Creative Arts Team’s Center for Educational Drama where she helped launch the first M.A. in Applied Theatre in the United States. Dr. Barker began her career as an English, reading, and drama teacher at James Lick High School in San Jose, CA.