Our Research Advisors

His research resides primarily in the genre of comedy, positing its foundational purpose as a social corrective, its use of such phenomena as cognitive dissonance, and its completion in the audience’s group mind through critical thinking. During 2009-10, he taught at the University of Zagreb (Croatia) on a Fulbright fellowship based on the topic, “American Comedy as Cultural Mirror.”
His professional credits in theatre focus mainly on dramaturgy, which provides research to productions on cultural, historical, and textual insights that foster a deeper understanding from the creative team and thus a stronger narrative presentation to the audience. Besides theatre, Jay’s interests extend to cinema and all other performing arts, philosophy, history, music, and practically every avenue of human endeavor.
His publications include a biography of comedy writing legend Larry Gelbart; editorship of a book series, Text & Presentation, for several years; editorship of the journal Theatre Symposium. His original plays and adaptations have enjoyed productions nationwide.
Jay has taught research and writing at various levels for close to forty years. He guided master’s theses in a theatre program for twenty-five years, and developed creative and exciting courses throughout his teaching career. He also served for many years with Teaching and Learning Commons, offering peer support for faculty from all over the university in order to enhance their courses, classroom skills, and other needs.
More than anything else, Jay endeavors to instill greater intellectual curiosity and skills acquisition into everyone he mentors.