Daina Robins joined the Theatre Department in 1991 and has been chair since 1997. She teaches courses in acting, directing, and theatre history and directs for the department's production season. She has also directed for the Hope Summer Repertory Theatre for numerous seasons. For the past three years she has co-led a May Term to Ireland with professor emeritus John Tammi.

AREAS OF INTEREST

• German-speaking theatre, including recent residencies in Vienna and Berlin during a 2013 sabbatical leave

• Contemporary acting, directing, and performance devising

• Founding member, Double Edge Theatre, Massachusetts

EDUCATION

• Ph.D., Theatre history, Tufts University

• M.A., Theatre, Tufts University

• B.A., Theatre, German, Student Personnel Services, Minnesota State University Moorhead

HONORS, GRANTS, AWARDS, & PUBLISHED WORK

• “Distinguished Director of a Musical" and "Distinguished Production of a Musical," for GONE MISSING, Hope College, Kennedy Center American College Theatre

• “In Search of Plays and Possibilities: Experiencing Contemporary German-Speaking Theatre," Great Lakes Colleges Association New Directions Initiative grant

• German Academic Exchange Program (DAAD), research grants

• Nomination, "Best Theater for Young Audiences, ALEXANDER AND THE TERRIBLE, HORRIBLE, NO GOOD, VERY BAD DAY (director), Hope Summer Repertory Theatre, Encore Michigan Wilde Awards. 

Outside Hope

Daina is married to Peter von Websky. They have two children -- Kaija and Maris -- and a wonderful new daughter-in-law, Samantha. Daina loves to travel, enjoys skiing and volleyball, and wishes she had the time and discipline to learn more languages.