Dr. Amy Hughes
Theater historian and author of An Actor's Tale (University of Michigan Press, 2025), specializing in popular 19th-century American theater and archival research.
Best podcasts with Dr. Amy Hughes
Ranked by the Snipd community
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 4min
Amy Hughes, "An Actor's Tale: Theater, Culture, and Everyday Life in the Nineteenth-Century United States" (U Michigan Press, 2025)
Dr. Amy Hughes, theater historian and author of *An Actor's Tale*, dives into the life of Harry Watkins, a nondescript 19th-century actor. She uncovers the forgotten narratives of ordinary performers, questioning how white mediocrity has shaped American culture. The discussion highlights how myths like meritocracy and the American Dream influenced both Watkins and modern entertainment. Amy also reflects on gender dynamics, the value of labor in marriage, and her next project exploring 19th-century dog dramas, shedding light on our cultural love for dogs.
Nov 24, 2025 • 1h 4min
Amy Hughes, "An Actor's Tale: Theater, Culture, and Everyday Life in the Nineteenth-Century United States" (U Michigan Press, 2025)
Dr. Amy Hughes, a U-Michigan theater professor and author of An Actor's Tale, delves into the life of 19th-century actor Harry Watkins, exploring his mediocrity and the myths of meritocracy. She reveals how ordinary performers shaped theater, linking their struggles to contemporary issues like celebrity culture and systemic inequalities. Amy discusses the significance of casting practices, how personal relationships influenced careers, and the overlooked narratives of marginalized artists in theatrical history.
