Christian Parker has maintained parallel careers in academia and in the American not-for-profit theater for the past twenty-five years. He has extensive credits in dramaturgy and directing at theatres and play-development centers throughout the United States. Parker has also held leadership positions at Atlantic Theater Company and Manhattan Theatre Club in New York. He was chair of the Columbia Theatre Program from 2012 to 2019.

The Michael I. Sovern/Columbia University Affiliated Fellowship will afford Parker valuable time to learn more about the role of theatrical comedy in ancient Roman society, which he hopes to incorporate into his work on reimagining how American theaters can stake out a stronger place in their communities and better marry entertainment and civic dialogue.