Research Bio

Karina Gutiérrez’s work focuses on the intersection of politics and performance, with a concentration on how digital interventions, institutionalization efforts and historical narrative have affected the development and sustainability of social and politically engaged performance companies and collectives throughout the Americas. Her reviews have appeared in journals such as Theatre Survey and The Journal of American Drama, with forthcoming publications in Modern Drama, Theatre Annual, and the Latino Literature Encyclopedia for Students. 

Prior to coming to UC Berkeley, Gutiérrez was an assistant professor at Santa Clara University. She earned her doctorate in theater and performance studies with a minor in feminist, gender and sexuality studies from Stanford University in 2020, upon which she was awarded the Carl Webber Prize for integration of Creative Practice and Scholarly Research. Outside of academia, Gutiérrez works as an actor, director and dramaturgist throughout the Bay Area, in addition to co-founding BALTAN, or the Bay Area Latino Theatre Alliance Network. Reviews of her directed productions have appeared in the San Francisco Chronicle, Broadway World and Berkeleyside. 

Research Expertise and Interest

politics and performance