Vivian M. Cook

Vivian M. Cook, originally from the mountains of Arizona, is a director, producer, actor, dramaturg, and community organizer. Her research and performance focus explores interdisciplinary, community-based collaborations and how performance can be used as a tool to encourage civic participation in sustainability efforts. She is co-producer for Ames’ Focal Theatre Lab and ISU’s One Day Plays and a member of the Ames Climate Action Team and The EcoTheatre Lab. Recent theatrical credits include ISU Theatre and The EcoTheatre Lab: Climate Change Theatre Action 2021 (community engagement director), Climate Change Theatre Action: Lighting the Way (director, community engagement director); PlaceBase Productions: Over the Barrel : A Prohibition Musical (assistant producer); Ten Thousand Things: The Sins of Sor Juana (production intern, understudy); Story Theater Co.: Twelfth Night (co-director),Twelve Angry Jurors (director), Our Antigone (director);  Focal Theatre Lab: Beyond Hope (co-producer, performer), Smoke Break (co-producer), Fission (co-producer, director); Focal Theatre Lab, ReACT Gallery, and The EcoTheatre Lab:  Gun Control Theatre (producer), Heal the Divide on Campus (producer).

Education:

BA, Performing Arts and French, Iowa State University, ’19

MS in Community Development, MS in Sustainable Agriculture, Iowa State University, ’23