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Biography
Hannah is an interdisciplinary musicologist and cultural historian focused on musical theatre and Black female singers in commercial entertainment. They have particular expertise in the representation and historical contributions of Black and "mixed heritage" people in musical theatre, film, and popular entertainment. They are also an expert on the music of beloved songwriter, Cole Porter and their first monograph on the Cole Porter musical Kiss Me, Kate (OUP) is due for publication next year.
The former Director of Europe's first PhD in Black Studies, Hannah is an advocate for Black Studies research in the Arts and Humanities, especially in Music and the performing arts. They are currently undertaking a Leverhulme Research Fellowship, titled Intersectionality and the American Musical, highlighting approaches to recognising Black female contributions to musical theatre. They are also a Co-Investigator on a British Academy Knowledge Frontiers grant focused on identity formation in Black and Asian communities in the US and UK.
Expertise Summary
Hannah's general areas of expertise include:
- British and American musical theatre
- race and gender on stage and screen
- Black female stardom, especially Lena Horne and Shirley Bassey
- Cole Porter (life and work)
- Disney on stage and screen
- identity studies, positionality, and equality
- Black feminism, intersectionality, and music
Teaching Summary
Hannah has taught on a range of modules in musicology, musical theatre, and film. Her interests lie in twentieth-century popular culture, including musical theatre, song on screen, and stardom. She… read more
Selected Publications
Hannah has taught on a range of modules in musicology, musical theatre, and film. Her interests lie in twentieth-century popular culture, including musical theatre, song on screen, and stardom. She has also delivered specific teaching on approaches to race and queerness and supervised dissertations on a variety of topics including Disney, musical theatre, reggae, and ska.
She delivers modules including Performing Popular Music: Issues and Approaches, the Broadway Musical, the Hollywood Musical and Race in Music Theatre.