The UCF family is saddened to hear of the passing of long-time faculty member, Professor Lani Harris. Professor Harris joined the Theatre UCF faculty in 1997 and taught a variety of classes in acting and directing. She was promoted to Full Professor in 2008 and served as the Theatre Internship Coordinator for many years. She retired from UCF in 2016.
Harris won the UCF Women’s Research Award in Arts and Humanities, was appointed a Provost’s Fellow for 2005-06, received the UCF TIP award for teaching innovations in 2003 and served as a Faculty Fellow in the Office of International Studies for seven years. She served on the UCF Faculty Senate and on committees for the UCF Office of Diversity Initiatives.
A Fulbright Scholar and Coordinator of Acting Studies at International Performing Arts Institute in Germany, her international work included theatre research in Mexico, teaching acting at MusicTheater Bavaria, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in her original play Air Born. In 2004, she presented Acting Chekhov at the FIRT Conference, in St. Petersburg, Russia. In 2006, she directed Something’s Missing, a new play by Ken Gray, in Los Angeles and again at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.
Professor Harris will be remembered for her contributions to Theatre UCF, the university and beyond.