Holly E. McDonald

She/Her/Hers

Applied Theatre Artist, Lecturer, Director, Web-course Development & Instruction.


Holly is a Senior Lecturer at UCF’s School of Performing Arts, as well as a Women’s and Gender Studies Faculty Affiliate. She holds an MFA from the University of Alabama and a BFA from West Virginia University. Prior to joining the theatre faculty, Holly worked in the Washington, D.C. area and abroad as a performer, director, social justice advocate and applied theatre teaching-artist. She currently works with undergraduate, as well as graduate students. Course development and instruction include, but are not limited to, Theatre for Social Change, Diversity in Theatre, Global Theatre, Women in Western Theatre, Queer Theatre, Theatre Survey, Intermediate Acting and individual coaching. Holly earned a certificate from UCF’s award-winning web-based training program and was the first UCF Theatre Faculty Member to develop and instruct a completely web-based theatre course. She is an ALLY member for the LGBTQ+ community, as well as a Secular Safe Zone participant.


Kendall Hunt Publishing Author of the Month. UCF's first digital, interactive theatre textbook. 

Honored for UCF's Women's History Month for accomplishments & contributions to students and community.