Michele Osherow

Michele Osherow is Associate Professor of English and Affiliate Associate Professor of Judaic Studies. She received her M.A. and Ph.D. in English Literature from the University of Maryland, College Park, where she was awarded the Alice B. Geyer Dissertation Prize. Areas of specialization include Shakespeare and Renaissance Literature, Biblical Literature, Jewish American Literature, Dramatic Literature, and Women's Studies. At UMBC Dr. Osherow has enjoyed collaborating with faculty in the departments of Theatre, Mathematics, Visual Arts, and the Imaging Research Center.

Dr. Osherow has extensive experience in professional theatre and serves as Resident Dramaturg at the Folger Theatre in Washington D.C. She also received a 2012 “best actress” nomination from D.C. Theatre Scene for her work in Brian Friel’s Afterplay (Quotidian Theatre).

Her publications include "Crafting Queens: Early Modern Readings of Esther," in Queens and Power in Early Modern Europe (Nebraska UP), "She is in the right: Biblical Maternity in All's Well that Ends Well" in Routledge's Accents on Shakespeare Series, and "'Give ear o' princes': Deborah, Elizabeth, and the Right Word," in Explorations in Renaissance Culture. Her book Biblical Women's Voices in Early Modern England was released by Ashgate Publishing Company in 2009. She is co-writing a text with theatre director Aaron Posner on staging Shakespeare, is co-editing an encyclopedia on Early Modern Englishwomen, Exemplary Lives and Memorable Acts, 1500-1650 (Ashgate) and is currently researching contemporary American productions of Shakespeare for the volume How We Make Shakespeare Mean, co-authored with Gary Waller (SUNY Purchase).

Dr. Osherow is Interim Executive Director of the Shakespeare Association of America this year.