Nora Hussey

Nora Hussey
nhussey@wellesley.edu
(781) 283-2029
Faculty emerita
B.A., Mundelein College

Nora Hussey

Artistic Director Emerita of the Wellesley College Theatre

Engaged in teaching and directing, original works, new scripts and classics. I am involved in the professional future of students.


My theatrical work takes me deeply into the political and social analysis of people and cultures. With students I have explored topics ranging from the political unrest in Northern Ireland, the Vietnam War as experienced on campus to the issues of gender,sexuality and identity facing young adults in the modern world. I take summer writing intensives and routinely bring back the techniques to student original work. My teaching reflects my interest in theatre as a reflection of the society in which it is created. We read and analyze classic plays as well as the most recent play that may be premiering Off Off Broadway. I deeply believe in directing as a career choice for women and encourage my students to develop their skills and confidence in that area.

I teach Directing, Oral interpretation and a survey course called Plays Production and Performance. In all three we read and analyze text as a tool to understanding the creation of theatrical work that is viable and exciting. Because I believe completely in the power of exposing students to a variety of viewpoints I routinely bring guest artists to campus to augment the work of our program. These range from Michael Checkov Acting Intensives to Mask and Combat workshops. I love to write and frequently do summer writing intensives. Past projects have included haiku, lyric poetry and one act plays. 

I firmly believe that the theatrical experience should be available to everyone. To achieve that goal we have frequent productions known as "open door" shows. In order to be in them you simply make a commitment to the work. Our most recent one "The Homefront: Women's voices From the Great War" was wildly successful and brought alums, undergrads and faculty together in its creation.

Our mission here at Wellesley College Theatre and Wellesley Repertory Theatre is to tell stories that will become part of the narrative of performers, designers, directors and audiences alike. We ask you to take our hands and leap forward into a future we can welcome but not predict. These words by writer/activist Barbara Kingsolver express the ethos of theatrical endeavor this late summer of 2015:

"to be hopeful, to embrace one possibility after another - that is surely the basic instinct...! Time to move out into the glorious debris. Time to take this life for what it is."