Sabrina Marie Scott
Thesis title: “Sister of the Muses”: Early Modern Englishwomen’s Patronage of Drama
PhD in European Theatre
Year of study: 2
- Department of European Languages and Cultures
- School of Literatures, Languages, and Cultures
Contact details
- Email: S.M.Scott-5@sms.ed.ac.uk
PhD supervisors:
Address
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50 George Square
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Background
Sabrina Scott is a second year PhD student at the University of Edinburgh. Her ongoing doctoral research is focused on early modern women's engagement with theatre, particularly English and Scottish noblewomen who acted as artistic patrons.
She previously studied performance acting and directing at Centenary College of Louisiana, in addition to her specialisation of theatre history. While at Centenary, she performed in "Mac Beth", "Dancing at Lughnasa", "The Glass Menagerie", "Wait Until Dark", and several others. She also directed a full-scale production of "Antigone", as well as selected scenes from the stage adaptation of "The Graduate"; also while working at the Centenary Learning Commons as a writing tutor for English Literature, History, and Theatre Studies.
At the University of Glasgow, she studied early modern theatre, particularly focusing on the use of boy players in English drama. While completing her masters, she performed in "The Sensory Trilogy", an ongoing performance triptych directed and developed by American director Brock McCullough. Additionally, she served as PGR student representative for her MLitt Theatre Studies cohort.
Sabrina continues her dedication to maintaining both performance and research pursuits; she is currently directing a staged reconstruction of Mary Sidney Herbert's closet drama "The Tragedie of Antonie" with Noble Maidens Theatre.
Qualifications
University of Glasgow - Masters of Letters in Theatre Studies; Thesis “Play boys and Roaring Girls: Examining challenges to Gender Codes on the early modern English Stage.” [Merit] (2024)
Centenary College of Louisiana - Bachelors of Arts in Theatre; Specialised in Acting, Directing, and Theatre History [Summa Cum Laude] (2023)
Responsibilities & affiliations
Noble Maidens Theatre - Artistic Director
Research summary
Sabrina's doctoral research seeks to understand women's financial and social impacts on the development of early modern theatre, particularly through avenues of patronage (in printed literature or practical involvement via company sponsorship). Her primary research methods so far have been archival and historiographic, investigating case studies of women as patrons, as well as case studies in which women are framed as patrons for the financial/social/artistic gain of those doing the framing.
Current research interests
theatre and performance; early modern theatre; women in theatre; early modern gender studies; theatrical patronage; dramaturgies of reconstructionProject activity
"The Tragedie of Antonie" with Noble Maidens Theatre
Dramaturgical reproduction of Mary Sidney Herbert's "The Tragedie of Antonie" in historical context. Text to be performed as closet drama in Riddles Court spring of 2027.
Current project grants
Dana Evans Memorial Scholarship [Awarded 2026]
Papers delivered
Centenary Research Conference [2023]
Presented paper “The Social and Political effects on Drag in British Theatre during the Elizabethan Era.”
Golden Mask Award - Honour presented for dedication to multiple crafts in theatre studies (Awarded 2023)
Bob Busieck Award - Scholarship presented for exemplary academic achievement and excellence in theatre studies (Awarded 2022)